Starting from scratch...$800 for everything

[tanyawongz]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: I will start buying parts when Newegg has some offers, could wait till Black Friday

BUDGET RANGE: $800 before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (doesn't have to be top notch, preferably a video card similar or better than ATI 4850), surfing the net, movies, school work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Operation System, I got XP

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: For this range, I'm not too sure whether I want to go Intel or AMD, but I would prefer a ATI card

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (4770 x 2 maybe?)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: The budget shall include the monitor, which should be maybe a 1920 x 1080 or 1680 x 1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The keyboard and mouse doesn't have to be gaming grade, but comfortable to use.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265980 ($129.94)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 ($114.99 w/ $15 MIR)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276 ($88.99 + Free Shipping)

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 ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 ($31.99)

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 ($154.99 + Free Shipping)

Hanns·G HH-221HPB Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 15000:1(1000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254039 ($139.99 + Free Shipping)
72-hour special, ends 10/3

Total: $830.87

Edit: Forgot Keyboard and Mouse;

Logitech Black USB Wireless Desktop MK300 Keyboard and Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126069 ($39.99)

 

[kufan64]

Here's a little something I threw together:

Core i5 750
ASUS P7P55D
mushkin 3 x 1GB DDR3 1600
Corsair 750TX
Sapphire HD 4870
WD Caviar Black 640GB
DVD Burner
Antec 900

Total: $915

I'm over-budget by alot and I didn't include a monitor or anything; but this basic build can be tweaked to come in under-budget though. I also didn't check for any combo deals. (which you definitely should!)

The 750TX could be dropped for a 650TX. Saves ~$20
The 4870 could be dropped to a 4850. Saves ~$30-50
The WD HDD could be dropped for a Blue or Green edition. Saves ~$20
The case can be dropped for a cheaper model since you won't be overclocking. Saves ~$50

 

[tanyawongz]

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265980 ($129.94)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 ($114.99 w/ $15 MIR)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276 ($88.99 + Free Shipping)

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 ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 ($31.99)

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 ($154.99 + Free Shipping)

Hanns·G HH-221HPB Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 15000:1(1000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254039 ($139.99 + Free Shipping)
72-hour special, ends 10/3

Total: $830.87

Edit: Forgot Keyboard and Mouse;

Logitech Black USB Wireless Desktop MK300 Keyboard and Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126069 ($39.99)

That looks great, but probably I'll drop the 4870 to a 4850 / 4770 cause this build is a little over budget. I'm not in a hurry, so I can slowly wait for 24 hour sales and such specials.

 

[tanyawongz]

Here's a little something I threw together:

Core i5 750
ASUS P7P55D
mushkin 3 x 1GB DDR3 1600
Corsair 750TX
Sapphire HD 4870
WD Caviar Black 640GB
DVD Burner
Antec 900

Total: $915

I'm over-budget by alot and I didn't include a monitor or anything; but this basic build can be tweaked to come in under-budget though. I also didn't check for any combo deals. (which you definitely should!)

The 750TX could be dropped for a 650TX. Saves ~$20
The 4870 could be dropped to a 4850. Saves ~$30-50
The WD HDD could be dropped for a Blue or Green edition. Saves ~$20
The case can be dropped for a cheaper model since you won't be overclocking. Saves ~$50

Yeah that is a little over budget, considering I still have to buy a monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse.

Thanks for your input though!

 

[dirtmountain]

Here's a couple combo deals that drop the price a bit. Transmaniacon has an excellent build, but if you use this CPU/case combo(PhenomIIx3 720 and a Rosewill case. $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.266252

and this GPU/PSU (4770/OCZ600w) $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.264835

You can save a bit of money. The OCZ600w would be fine for crossfiring the 4770

 

[tanyawongz]

I think I've finalized the list, is it okay?

ALREADY BOUGHT: NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Open Window - $59.99 ($25 MIR)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - $119.00

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - $79.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $49.99

Combo Deals:
SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $229.98 ($20 off)

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model - $119.98 ($10 off + $30 MIR)

Grand Total: $666.49 (not including MIRs)

That still leaves me about $150 for the monitor and etc.