1500 gaming pc

Here is my recommendation: Cost: $1,462.88

• CPU: Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
• MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
• RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
• HSF: COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU ... - Retail
• HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
• PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
• GPU: XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
• DVD: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
• Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
• Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
• OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
• Monitor: ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 33-13.html
2 5850s drew 469 from the wall and that does not even have the processor under excessive load, yes a 650 could do it, however running a PSU at that level will stress it and lower its efficiency and shorten its lifespan, the 750 will give him plenty of overhead for overclocking while still being well within its efficiency band.

If you find the look of that case a bit to aggressive, the Antec 1200 is a more subdued option.

If you are intending to perhaps add a 2nd GFX card in the future , I'd look at the Antec Signature 850 or Corsair HX series....though we talking $100 here.

I'd spend the extra $38 on a beefier HSF such as the Prolimatech Megahalems Rev. B (make sure you get the new one - Rev B - with the correct base plate tho for the 1156). It comes with a pretty decent thermal paste.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] _Item.html

I opted for the Prolimatech Megashadow (no better performance, just prettier ) aand the "7 carat" thermal compound. the

For another 500 you could do a few things

1. You could add another HD5850 for 256.00 Add another HDD for a Raid-0 54.00
Maybe pick up a blu-ray if your into watching movies.

2. You could upgrade to a HD 5870 for 100 ADD another HDD 54 and still pick up a blu-ray

3. You could step up to a X58 setup you would get 2 way sli/xfire with 16x16 support and tri channal memory and add 6 gig of ram
and still upgrade the HD5850 to HD5870 and a 2nd HDD for raid-0




OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$12.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$141.99
$129.99
1
OCZ Zee 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model OCZUSBZEE4G - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227486
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$11.99 Saving $11.99
$0.00



ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131365
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
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$289.99



Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115202
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$9.00 Instant $288.99
$279.99



XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835233029
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
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$44.98
Subtotal: $744.95

ATM the i5 is 529.96

its about 214 more for the i7 920 + 100 more for the HD5870 + 54 more for a 2nd HDD so about 380 might still get a blu-ray