Performance System in the $1000 Range

[Cbpm143]

It has been almost four years since my past PC building experience, and I am currently in the market for an upgrade.
The budget is around $1000, give or take, and Windows 7 will be coming from my school for free (hopefully).

I am looking to use AMD processors and ATI graphics cards, and I have a Thermaltake Kandalf case (1st gen), that I plan to use in order to save money.
If anyone can convince me that a reasonable boost in power can be had for the same price from Intel cards, I would be more than happy to consider switching over.

My current system build is shaping up to be the follwing:

-GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128377

-AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

-Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLKN - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220333

-Thermaltake W0116RU 750W Complies with ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V version SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS Certified Modular ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153038

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

-LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

I currently on a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers, so those are off of the list.

As for the graphics card, the new ATI series is due fairly soon, so I was either waiting for see some solid prices on those, or a decent price drop in the 4xxx series. My first selection was the following, with a second card being added later:
-XFX HD-485X-ZDFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351

The power supply was kind of a rushed decision, and I am looking for any advice on a better PSU.

I plan on building the system in the next two weeks.

So how does the build look? I wanted to get some feedback from the community before I start buying parts.

 

[hunter315]

An i5 is stronger and will actually cost you less to get better performance
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259877
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=ripjaws-_-20-231-276-_-Product
saves you about 10 for better performance. I normally suggest the 750TX if you are planning to crossfire 2 high end cards in the future
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

What monitor resolution will you be using? The 5870 is out and the 5850 should be out early next week. What will you be using this system for other than gaming?

 

[Niklas_13]

How about this




SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$32.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188



SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185



XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150359
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$55.00 Instant $249.99
$194.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359



CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$60.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$179.99
$119.99



Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail
Item #: N82E16835154003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$2.00 Instant $6.99
$4.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003




GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128400
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231279
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo $264.98
$244.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.262085




Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103065
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$15.00 Combo $229.98
$214.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259666
Subtotal: $892.91

This setup will get you grate FPS on a rez up to 19200X1200

And you will be setup to add another GPU in a year or two when needed for xfire

 

[paranoidmage]

Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P + i5-750 - $355
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246586

That saves you another $5 from the combo posted by hunter315. A Core i5 setup will offer much better performance.

 

[Cbpm143]

Thank you guys for the suggestions so far.

All in all, I will mainly be using the computer for gaming, as well as the Macromedia Suite that I will be forced to buy sooner or later. (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash).

My current monitor runs at 1440 x 900, but I may be upgrading that was well in the future. If I do upgrade, it will probably be substantial, so I would like to plan in advance in terms of GPU power. I plan on overclocking the system a bit as well.

Also, I forgot to mention that I was looking into Modular Power supplies, as I would like to cut down on some cable clutter, but it is not a necessity, especially if it causes a substantial jump in price.

 

[Niklas_13]

the just buy the Corsair 750 HX 159 http://www.apc-usa.net/ssproduct.asp?pf_id=1013197947

 

[Cbpm143]

Hmm, that is a pretty big increase. Another question. Should I go with the Asus board, or the Gigabyte Board listed earlier in the thread?

Asus

Gigabyte

They seem comparable in price and feature set, but is there anything that is going to push one above the other? I found a hands-on of the Asus board, and I'm liking the new CPU mounting system.

 

[era86]

We had this convo for my system build in the forums. I went with the Asus because it was a cheaper combo deal with the 860 i7. I don't know if this is the case for the i5, but I'd check. Both boards are very comparable and both brands are well known, so you can't really go wrong with either. Just pick the one that will save you money.

 

[Niklas_13]

Asus and gigabyte both make good boards, if they both have what you need in them it dont really madder.

Yes the Modular Power supplies are more coin, you can tuck the cables you dont need away in a drive bay, and save some money

 

[Cbpm143]

Sounds good, thanks for the advice everyone.

Hopefully I can get this build in the next few weeks and get back into some gaming haha