Good cheaper gaming system

[jimsmith59]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: sometime this month/next month

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: world of warcraft - other games (unknown) - browsing the net

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

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg - tigerdirect - open to others

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD - ATI

OVERCLOCKING: might look into it later on CROSSFIRE: possibly later on

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 - single dsplay now - dual display later

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: like the idea of the X3 720 but not stuck on it.

newer to building - built one years and years ago...
i've pieced together these parts based on what i think looks good
any glaring holes in this plan? anything look like it wont work?
I'd like to build this and have it last for a long time
my budget is pretty tight but i dont want to buy junk
i will prob buy parts over the next couple months and purchase windows 7 OEM

thanks guys!


AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103649

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128398

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231189

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814150436

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822152185

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811129066

COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 600 RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817171036

 

[skora]

Looks pretty good. The only thing I'd change is the PSU. If you want to keep CF as an option, you'll need to find something with 4xpcie connectors to do it right. Something like the corsair 750tx. Antec, Silverstone, Seasonic, and PCPower and Cooling all make good PSU in that range. OCZ can even fit the bill on the lower end of the price range.

 

[dirtmountain]

I'm not a big fan of crossfire, especially with WoW. I'd probably save about $30 and get the Gigabyte MA-770T. When it's time to upgrade your GPU, sell the 4870 and pick up a 5850 or by then a 5770.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

I'd spend about $5 extra and get this faster G.Skill RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

I'd probably get either of the 2 combo deal Antec power supplies with that case, most likely the NEW Tru power and save $5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265977

Here's some CPU and GPU benchmarks for WoW.

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,693737/WoW-Wrath-of-the-Lich-King-CPU-benchmarks-with-Phenom-II-and-Core-i5/Practice/

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,689378/WoW-Wrath-of-the-Lich-King-Benchmarks-with-Ati-and-Nvidia-graphics-cards/Practice/

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650&p=7

 

[jimsmith59]

oh wow thanks for those benchmark links!
yeah the more i think about it i may take the crossfire ability out to save money and make the the changes you suggested dirtmountain...
i wont have the cash to buy another card for a while anyway - and like you're saying, by then i could prob just get a 5xxx card for not a bad price..

and skora - thanks for pointing out my connection prob with that power supply - i completely missed it! man that corsair looks real nice... but i will prob go with the antec combo to save $$...

thanks guys!