Gaming pc budget of $1200

Ok So I'm currently a network student doing a 4 month co-op term, making pretty good cash and I haven't updated my computer in 4 years lol. I was just wondering if anyone could help build me a new computer which could get the best for my money which is $1200.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:

Looking to order it within 1-2 days max.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:

Its going to be a gaming computer, but it should be able play the new Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2 on max details without any fps lag, as well as any other high graphics demanding game coming out in the future. Plus being able to run multiple VM wares without lag would be a additional bonus.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:

Don't need a Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse and CD Drive and Speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:

I'd prefer http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ but if you can't http://www.newegg.ca/ is fine.

PARTS PREFERENCES:

I've had both Intel/AMD base computers in the past and I liked them, so it doesn't matter which you pick.

OVERCLOCKING:

Yes if possible, as for SLI/CROSSFIRE whatever is honestly the better deal.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

The case doesn't have to be flashy, just be able to fit everything in it.

Thanks for your help!!

edit: I've been looking at prebuild PC's @ http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] ?CatId=114
if you think any of those are built well enough tell me, thanks.

i could wait, but i'm pretty impatient. i'd rather just buy something now.

edit: unless i can get one of those very soon lol.

* Edit... vid card has been added to this build.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] omoid=1055 $57.98 CAD
Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] Technology $94.99 CAD After Mail In Rebate: $69.99 CAD
OCZ FATAL1TY 550W ATX12V 20/24PIN Active PFC ATX Modular Power Supply 120MM Fan 80PLUS Black

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] e=Gigabyte $149.99 CAD
Gigabyte P55-UD3R ATX LGA1156 P55 DDR3 2PCI-E 4PCI SATA2 RAID Sound Glan Motherboard

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] ture=Intel $244.99 CAD
Intel Core I5 750 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.66GHZ 8MB Cache Retail Box

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] OLERMASTER $22.99 CAD
Coolermaster RR-910-HTX3-GP Hyper TX Series Aluminum 3-HEATPIPE CPU Cooler S1156/775/AM3/AM2/939/940

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] %20Cooling $9.99 CAD
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound Paste NON-ELECTRICAL Conductive 4 Gram

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] omoid=1055 $244.99 CAD After Mail In Rebate: $229.99 CAD
MSI GeForce GTX 275 Twin Frozr OC 666MHZ 896MB 2.322GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E 2XDVI Video Card

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] re=G.Skill $109.99 CAD
G.SKILL F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM Ripjaws PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL8-8-8-24 Core I5 Memory Kit

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] omoid=1055 $76.99 CAD
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc 3.5IN SATA Hard Drive OEM 5YR Mfg Warranty

http://ncix.com/products/index.php [...] re=Samsung $34.48 CAD
Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22X DVD+-RW SATA DVD Writer Black OEM

Total: $1,047.38 CAD before taxes, shipping and rebates

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 2116677CVF $142.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

with that resolution......a gtx 275 would be killer.

In a word....NO. Actually the OCZ-1333 would be fine. The Corsair Dominator is what I am running and from what I have read and seen, a good quality ddr3-1333 with good timing is really all you need, the extra speed doesn't get you anything for the price. So if I was doing it over....I would get a $100 dollar set of OCZ gold and be done with that. Save yourself some scratch.

Well after going to newegg...I couldn't find a ddr-1333 6 gig gold kit....they are all 1600 which is fine only 120 or so for that still 60 cheaper than the dominator.

And if your going to go with the I-5 750 then go with ddr-2 1066 4 gig kit...from the reviews it does just as good it seems...unless I am miss-understanding the reviews....which is probable, LOL

yeah im so confused, lol. I really want to order from tigerdiect since I can go pick it up plus everything has worked fine so far.

I've been fooling around trying to keep it under 1200. I'll post it soon to see what you think.

You need to use DDR3 RAM with the i-5 CPUs.

I would stick with the build why_me suggested, and keep the DDR3-1600 because it is popular and easy to find.

As for a GPU, both the GTX275 and HD4890 are great choices, it really comes down to benchmarks on the games you play, or your brand preference.

You are right...I saw the 1066 speed and 4 gig on HardOCP website and mistook that for ddr2.
Thanks...I knew I was confused as usual and slightly dazed too! LOL

Here is one I built and it is a little more than you wanted to spend...but it is a good one, I think.

OK, I added a factory o/c gtx 275 to that build I posted on here.

the price isn't that bad, i'm just trying to stay under 1200 before taxes.

do you think that powersupply is enough for everything?

oh ok so i7's support triple and i5's only dual? lol

If you are fine with a single-card solution, then go with the Corsair 650TX, or comperable models by Antec, PC Power & Cooling, or OCZ.

However, for a little bit more, I believe its $20 at the moment, you can get the Corsair 750TX, which will handle SLI or xfire fine. For build longevity, go with the 750TX, its a little bit more now, but will save you a lot should you ever go SLI/xfire.

alright so i should go for the new LGA then.

Yes, the new i5 and i7 chips use dual channel DDR3 RAM.

LGA1366 Socket - Triple Channel DDR3 RAM (i7-920, i7-950, i7-975)

LGA1156 Socket - Dual Channel DDR3 RAM (i5-750, i7-860, i7-870)

Alright guys I appreicate everyones help. but I think I'm going to have to smash my budget a bit for what I want, since I'm the type of person who rarely likes to upgrade. I ussually just buy a whole new pc once old one is near useless.

From mixxing and matching with what everyone has told me I've come up with this.

I just wanted to know if everything should work fine together and or if some of the stuff isn't worth it i'll change it up a bit.

I'm just trying to avoid upgrading in the next 1-2 years. Hopefully it will last +3 like my last one.

EDIT: I picked the right ram/cpu/motherboard together right?

EDIT2: Or is it kind of dumb to stay with all this dual channel? Even though it would cost a fair amount more to get everything on triple.

Yeah I wasn't sure about the cooler. Since the motherboard is new? (I think?)
Which one on tiger I should get. lol

whats your opinon though on the triple vs dual. Do you think its worth switching it all over to triple? Or would it be way to much lol.

lol, thats why i put it in red + $ haha

You HAVE to use dual channel RAM with any socket LGA1156 Motherboard.

ya, i understood that. I ment for example I would switch the motherboard/cpu/ram/ all to things which supported triple if it was actually that much better and worth the money compared to what I have picked out.

i hope in joy lol.

NO, LGA 1156 uses a different mounting pattern. You'll have to make sure any cooler you buy says it is LGA 1156 compatible. I haven't done any research on LGA 1156 compatible coolers yet, I'll have to defer to someone who has.

http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NH-U1 [...] 87&sr=1-11 $66.95 FREE Super Saver Shipping
Noctua NH-U12P SE 2 CPU Cooler for (AM2, AM3, 775, 1366, 1156)- Four Dual Heat-Pipe, 2x 120 mm SSO Bearing Quiet Fan

That'll be fine and if you use a 64 but operating system...you can actually use it all, however with a 32 bit you can only access something like 3.6 gigs...I think