Gaming/Home work-horse build advice

[then1z]

Looking to replace my very outdated compaq.

Budget: $500 - $900 before rebates

Purchase Date: 9/21/09 - 9/28/09

System Usage: Mostly gaming (Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty, Starcraft 2... eventually. Will probably buy 4 - 6 new games over the course of the next year) Will be playing movies often, Adobe CS4, internet/email

Parts not required:
Mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor

Part preference: None

Resolution: monitor is 21.5" 1920x1080, projector is 1024x768

No plans to overclock... in all honesty just terrified to destroy it.


Additional Comments: The new i5 is interesting but not a necessity if good performance can be had at a lower price. Case size is not an issue, computer will be stationary. Noise is also not much of an issue. Will probably not upgrade until it is time for a new build. Will be playing movies (regularly) and the occasional game through my projector. I use a wireless n network at home, but computer will be close enough to plug into router. Desk is in a "closet office". Running fans to keep air flow and temp down... feels a couple degrees warmer then the rest of the house though (about 77 F).

Thanks ahead of time guys, hopefully I've given all the info you will need to help me out here.


edit* Forgot to put in my own 2 cents...

This is my proposed build so far, but keep in mind I am not set on using any specific parts at this point.

CPU: intel core i5 750
Motherboard: Gigabyte Ga-p55-UDR3
RAM: G.Skill Trident 4GB DDR3 2000
Case: Antec 900
PSU: Antec TD-750
DVD: Samsung Black 22x DVD Burner
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640
GPU: Gigabyte GV-4890C-1GB

 

[Why_Me]

Looking at what you have, I'm guessing you want the option of dual vid cards later on. That Gigabyte mobo you have chosen isn't a true Crossfire board for the fact it's second PCI-E slot only runs at x4. You want a board that has the ability of running two cards at x8 and x8. This Asus mobo down below does that and also it's not a Crossfire only board. It allows for Crossfire or SLI. With the combo deal right now it's a steal. That HD down below is actually faster than the WD 640 Black. And seeing how you don't plan on any big time o/c, that RAM you have might be a bit of an over kill imo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259878 Combo Discount: -$30.00 Combo Price: $339.98 Free Shipping*
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $79.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259577.22-152-181 Combo Discount: -$10.00 Combo Price: $149.98 Free Shipping*
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

 

[then1z]

I had actually planned to run the Windows 7 RC until it's official release. Should be able to get a decent deal on it through my school when it does come out.

 

[Why_Me]

I had actually planned to run the Windows 7 RC until it's official release. Should be able to get a decent deal on it through my school when it does come out.

Good deal, that saves you even more money. I put that o/s in there because I didn't see anything in your post about you already having an o/s.

 

[then1z]

I don't want to skimp on the GPU, but I do worry that the unit I picked out might be overkill (is there really such a thing? ha)

 

[Why_Me]

I don't want to skimp on the GPU, but I do worry that the unit I picked out might be overkill (is there really such a thing? ha)

I don't think it's over kill at that resolution...not if you plan on gaming it isn't. Now all the G.Skill ripjaw RAM combo's with ATI based cards ....like the 4890's so you can save some money there also.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2%2050008476%2040000147%201052129233%201052315794&name=4GB%20(2%20x%202GB)&SpeTabStoreType=1 <--- click on any of the "RipJaw" RAM on that link and then click Combo Deals below it and check out what they have for saving some money on one of those cards.

 

[then1z]

alright.... the i5 setup seems ok... but do I really need this much? Is there a way to get similar performance with a lower price tag?

 

[Why_Me]

alright.... the i5 setup seems ok... but do I really need this much? Is there a way to get similar performance with a lower price tag?

Yes there is. Give me a few minutes and I'l have a build posted on here that will cut that price down, yet won't cut down on quality and performance.

 

[Why_Me]

Here's a good single card set up. If you wait one week before you order your video card, the new DX11 cards will be out on the shelves.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.245596 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $134.90
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259878 Combo Discount: -$30.00 Combo Price: $339.98 Free Shipping*
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $79.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181 $49.99 Free Shipping*
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail

 

[then1z]

How much are they expected to retail for?

 

[then1z]

Or are you suggesting to hold off on purchasing a gpu until the new series launches?

 

[Why_Me]

Or are you suggesting to hold off on purchasing a gpu until the new series launches?

The prices are supposed to start at $200 and run upwards to $400 from what Iv'e seen posted on here. They will knock down the prices of existing cards, and from what Iv'e read these cards are supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread...or so a lot of posters are saying. Benchmarks and reviews on these cards should be coming out any day now.