Gaming PC, $1000-$1500

[gyrik_22]

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Thanksgiving - Christmas (Yeah, a little long range, I'll probably be keeping an eye on parts/prices going forward)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Everything from FPSs to MMOs), Movies, General Purpose

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Speakers, Mouse, PSU?

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: New Egg or Tiger Direct

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, maybe

OVERCLOCKING: Not at first.

SLI/CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Something quiet and not too hot would be great.

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Current parts list:

CPU & MOTHERBOARD:
Intel Core I7 920 and EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX X58 SLI LE Intel Motherboard
$503.98 ($483.98 after MIR)
I could drop to an i5 or a Phenom 2 x4 965, but if I can afford the i7 I think that's the best option. I'm not sold on the mobo, so something cheaper might be very viable; this was me borwsing combo deals on NewEgg for the i7 and reading reviews.

GPU:
Radeon HD 5850
$290
Hopefully these will be easier to find/have their price dropped going forward. I've always been a Nvidia fan, but the 5850 seems to be the best option.

RAM:
Kingston 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$129

HARD DRIVE:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (x2?)
$55 ($110)

PSU:
RAIDMAX VOLCANO RX-630A 630W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply
$0
Here's the question: this is what I have in my current tower, it's served me well and still going strong. Is it worth upgrading the thing, or should I keep it?

DISC DRIVE:
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW
$25

CASE:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX
$100

COOLING:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
$30

KEYBOARD:
Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
$64


OPERATING SYSTEM:
Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
$30 (The benefits of knowing someone who works for Microsoft)

TOTAL:
$1207

Getting that price down under $1000 would be nifty, but simple time may manage that (if I don't go for it until post-Thanksgiving).

 

[jbakerlent]

Welcome to the forum. I'd get this RAM instead
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

And yes, you'll need to get a new PSU, especially for crossfire
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=750w_corsiar-_-17-139-006-_-Product

For your uses I'd recommend an 860, but either works.

 

[gyrik_22]

There a major difference between the two flavors of 5850?

 

[dndhatcher]

There a major difference between the two flavors of 5850?

Right now the difference is the sticker each company puts on the cooling sheath. No one has had time to create overclocked or aftermaket cooling models. The warranty and level of service the company provides is what you look for.

 

[jakes69]

I built a similar rig just 2 weeks ago...for around $1,400. That price included a 24" monitor.

Intel i7 920 + DX58os = $360
Western Digital Caviar Black 1T = $104
Corsair 6GB Dominator = $139
Corsair PSU 850W = $124
Radeon 5850 = $259
Haf 932 = $99
Samsung Optical drive = $30
Dell 24" monitor = $170

tax & shipping come out just around $1,400

need to have patient though...I shopped around for like 3 weeks to get those prices. The only part I paid full price is the Radeon 5850. ;-(


edit: Oh I forgot the Xigmatek Dark Knight & Thermal paste = $50

 

[gyrik_22]

Alright, tossing in the PS and hoping prices come down some on the CPU/mobo, I'll sit on similar specs until post Thanksgiving and see how things stand price-wise.

Thanks folks! Further suggestions are of course welcome.

 

[jakes69]

Alright, tossing in the PS and hoping prices come down some on the CPU/mobo, I'll sit on similar specs until post Thanksgiving and see how things stand price-wise.

Thanks folks! Further suggestions are of course welcome.

for the CPU/mobo combo don't expect it to come down to my price...unless you know someone who works for Intel.

 

[Cades]

Look into the AsRock x58 extreme mobo, $170 and from all the reviews I have read performs pretty well. And the mobo I will more then likely be going after when I put my build together