[Solved] New Gaming PC for moderate use

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: as soon as I can make my mind up on parts

BUDGET RANGE: 1000 after rebates, i can spend more if the money is well spent. I just set a 1000 budget for my peace of mind.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:

I will use this system everyday but for a couple of hours. I am very big into other hobbies that cost way more. I am looking to get back into computer gaming and want to spend more time at home.

I play a lot of cs 1.6 / cs:s / TF2
I want to start more COD4,5,6 / Heros of Newearth (other RTS)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers/headset, OS,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: where ever i can get the best bang for buck part. if the same part on tiger direct is 50$ cheaper then newegg I will order from tigerdirect. IMO tigerdirect or newegg.

PARTS PREFERENCES: 2 preferences are:
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197

800+ PSU

NO POORLY MADE COMPANIES

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 hdmi/dvi/vga (would like to use dvi, hdmi is for ps3)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I must stress the case and reliability. I run cs1.6 in 600x480 right now. I would really like a rig that's best bang for buck that I can play the games listed above at there native resolution and get 100+fps.

any extra graphic effects would be great. my laptop Toshiba Satellite u405D just wont cut it for the amount of gaming i want to do.

with dvi/hdmi i can lock my video setting for the right aspect ratio so 4:3 16:9 16:10 does matter. I just want FPS and some decent graphics. I will sacrifice graphics when i need more performance.






CURRENT WINNER FOR MY IDEAS ARE!!!

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support

$31.99

1

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

-$10.00 Instant

$109.99
$99.99

1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

$94.99

1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130433
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

-$5.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate14-130-433


$204.99
$199.99

1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171032
COOLER MASTER UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Power Supply

-$50.00 Instant

$149.99
$99.99

2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

-$5.00 Instant

$139.98
$129.98
($64.99 each)

1

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler


$53.35


1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.258747
ASUS Maximus II Formula LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550

-$45.00 Instant
-$60.00 Combo



$479.98
$374.98


THE ITEMS LISTED IN BOLD ITALICS AND UNDERLINED ARE AN ALTERNATIVE IDEA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.258868

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX
MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9D G

*

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103675
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

*

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813130223
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

*

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148337
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

*

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9D G - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145249
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
-$70.00 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-145-249


$594.96
$514.96


THANKS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS.

im just so tired of research... im fried...

thanks for the comments. Your "combos" seem to work perfectly with what I want.

I agree the new ati card is boss, but i dont want to spend that much. thanks for the advice once again.

The Seagate 7200.11 drives had problems. Either the one GKay listed or the Samsung Spinpoint F3 would be better choices. If you want to stick with Seagate, their newer 7200.12 drives are supposed to be better. It isn't a representative sample, but the one I've had for months now has been trouble-free and fast.

thanks for the responses. Im really considering pulling the trigger tonight. made a change for this combo...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.251408
275 and different ram

Whats the deal these days to not go with AMD Pheneom II 4x? Just testing shows that i5/i7 are better?

I figured saving money on a 1156 socket would be fine. since if i ever upgraded i would get a new motherboard as well.

What about dual cores?

yeah i figured.

That RAM is a total hose job. Any RAM you have to volt to 1.8 to get crap timings like that Corsair has should be tossed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231279 <---way faster RAM for cheaper, less voltage to get those fast timings, and it combo's with that vid card you chose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256477

Everything else on that build looks good.

That cpu h/s comes with a small tube of thermal paste. As far as those cards go...they run just about dead even...one wins out on one game, and the next game the other one wins out. I like the gtx 275 myself for the fact I like Nvidea drivers...Nvidea cards are pretty much plug and play once you dl the latest drivers off the Nvidea site. ATI cards...run a bit hotter also. But both are good cards.

Please don't let the fanboyism take over when suggesting a video card.

"Nvidea cards are pretty much plug and play once you dl the latest drivers off the Nvidea site."

Same wth Ati cards.

"ATI cards...run a bit hotter also."

They are made to run that hot, there's no problem. Although this could have an effect on the case temperature.

I agree both cards are good, I would suggest getting the cheapest one either 275 or 4890.

I wouldn't suggest those Dominators...
Check their voltages...If I am not wrong, the X58 and P55 set 1.65V as the max for memory...And anything above those might cause stability issues and weird problems...
I would suggest any of these combos...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.256470

OR you can go with the RAM that Why_Me listed...

I went with gskill for sure.

I placed the order a while ago today. im super excited!!!! gaming once again!

Lol... I am a big kid at heart and waaa back when i used novax, but peiople thought it meant NOVA-X for some dumb reason. Well i played an mmo called shadowbane and i played a big minotaur warrior. and i used to have hot keys to say "WOOO WOO IM A FIRETRUCK BETTER CALL THE WAAMBULANCE!" yes, cheezy but it fits my gaming style. I just run in and kill people like a mac truck or firetruck =)

It should be glorious... I will be grabbing more ram after a couple months. I didnt get a cd drive cus we have one here at the house + local blu ray drive for 100 cant beat it.