$1000 Gaming Computer - First time builder

[Guest]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Late October/Early November

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, gaming, gaming, gaming!

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg would be preferable, but if there's a much better deal at a reputable site then that is fine as well

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Not sure

MONITOR RESOLUTION: N/A

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As cheap as possible would be better! $1000 is the absolute maximum I want to spend, but would much rather go cheaper if I'm not taking a big performance hit.

This is what I put together so far. Could anyone go over this and make sure everything is compatible and make recommended changes please. This is my first system building project and I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing since I don't have that much experience with computers. Would this be absolutely everything I need? Or do I need to order extra cables and other stuff. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

All of this equals to about $1000 exactly. I'd love to get it cheaper if possible.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Don't forget to use combo deals to lower the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270434 (CPU + motherboard combo) saves $15

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265980 (Case + PSU combo) saves $15

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259577.22-152-181 (HD + OS combo) saves $10

You could also save some money by going with a HD4870 1GB GPU.

SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $154.99

You don't need to worry about cables or anything. Your case will come with a bunch of screws and stuff and your motherboard will come with SATA cables.

 

[battlemarz]

If you are a student or have a .edu email address use http://www.win741.com/ to get windows 7 for like $30 to help save some cash.

 

[Guest]

How's the performance of the HD4870 vs the GTX 260? After rebate they are roughly the same in price.

Thank you for linking those combo deals and thank you for the Win7 info. Saves me $70!!!! Didn't even know something like that existed haha.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The 4870 1GB and GTX 260 core 216 go back and forth in the benchmarks. I would say the 4870 1GB is the overall better card. The fact that it's cheaper without having to deal with a MIR is just icing on the cake IMO.

 

[mrcrybaby]

i think the 4870 tends to do better at AAiliasing?? The extra ram will also help at higher resolutions I think. I have the gtx260 216, runs fine on a 24inch 1080p monitor. I like eVGA for the step up program, and XFX for their double lifetime warranties. Hope that helps!

~mrcrybaby

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the help so far guys. With the changes that were suggested I have the total price down to $850 now without losing any performance and even gaining some with the better GPU.

Awesome

If anyone else has any suggestions, let me know.

 

[Guest]

Also, do you think it'd be worth it to shell out the extra $100 and upgrade to the 5850?

Ahhhh, so tempting, but even more money.

 

[mrcrybaby]

honestly the 4870 should be good to play pretty much anything out right now, but if I had the money I would opt for the 5850. The 100 now will give you maybe 6mos-year more playtime than the 4870... I always splurge on GPU's, they make a huge impact on your system.

~mrcrybaby

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I feel as if I'll regret not getting the 5850, lol. Too bad the availability is currently non-existent.

 

[xln]

If you are a student or have a .edu email address use http://www.win741.com/ to get windows 7 for like $30 to help save some cash.

it's my understanding that this is only for the upgrade to windows 7 and you need to have a version of windows installed.

i hope i'm wrong though, because i'm about to do a build myself.

 

[battlemarz]

it's my understanding that this is only for the upgrade to windows 7 and you need to have a version of windows installed.

i hope i'm wrong though, because i'm about to do a build myself.

Hmm, I'm not sure either. I have not used it yet as I am not building for about another month but figured I would point people that way.

 

[Guest]

Oh damn. Hopefully it's not just an upgrade only.

 

[Guest]

Anyone able to find out if that $30 Windows 7 for students is in fact upgrade only?