$800 highly upgradable gaming pc

[davistn8]

Hey. Looking to build a pc that is quiet and inconspicuous. First home build so I want to get a quality case and power supply that will be reusable. I don't want a lot of LEDs on the case lighting up my room.

I'd also like to allocate more funds towards the mobo so that it is more upgradable. I want to make sure that in a year I can toss in a new video card or even processor without worrying about compatibility issues.

Not sure if I need a sound card?

Would like a wireless / ethernet card if those exist.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: BLACK FRIDAY (,late november)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: dont need a keyboard, mouse, monitor or speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: NEWEGG USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: would like intel cpu

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600 x 1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like a quiet pc. also dont want a flashy case that.

 

[davistn8]

been reading the guide to choosin parts and thinking i want :

Intel P55 type mobo

ddr3 memory

not sure about processor??? dual core or quad core???? ??

 

[battlemarz]

If you are not buying until late November, best to solicit advice in about a month, aka early November. Even though it is only a month, a lot of new things have been coming out right now and in a months time the best choices will have changed.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The price of components tends to drop over time. Here's a list of components that come to about $900 right now. You could probably get a similar system for about $800 in November.

Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246586 $354.98

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256323 $234.98

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=samsung%20f3%20500gb

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259577.22-152-181 $149.98

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $54.95

Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022&cm_re=antec_750w-_-17-371-022-_-Product $109.95

Total - $904.84

 

[davistn8]

would a 500w power supply be sufficient? or is it necessary to go higher?

 

[skora]

500w PSUs are hit or miss. The more important stat is the amps on the 12v rail. 20-25 min for the 4870. The other thing to look out for is the 4870 uses 2x 6pin pcie connectors. Much better to buy a PSU with the correct connections than using adapters. We'll have to wait and see just what is on sale on Black Friday.