Looking to build a gaming rig for under $800

[tomahtiger]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Around Christmas

BUDGET RANGE: <$800 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, photo/video editing, watching movies)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor (Have LG Flatron W1952TQ)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: None...this is my first build and looking to the wisdom of this community

OVERCLOCKING: Not Likely

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not Likely

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440 x 900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like to include the windows 7 operating system with this build. As stated before, this will be my first build. I am not looking for lots of "bling" in a case...just something functional. Additionally I would like there to be some flexibility in the build for future expansion when additional funds are obtained.

 

[sonic-boom]

Case + mobo $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.285319
CPU + ram $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.286521
HDD $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product
GPU $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369&cm_re=4770-_-14-150-369-_-Product
PSU $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
Dvd burner $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
Win 7 Pro $139
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758&cm_re=win_7_oem-_-32-116-758-_-Product
Total: 668 + shipping LOTS of room for upgrade

 

[tomahtiger]

Thanks a bunch...that is a great start and appreciate the quick response. Keep the responses coming guys as I fine tune this...

Thanks again Sonic...

 

[brockh]

Hey toma,

I just did this build for someone in another thread with a lower price range, but it'll be a good start for you. You can consider upgrading a Phenom II 945 and changing the case to an Antec Three Hundred Illusion for an excellent gaming machine with lots of upgrade options and overclocking room. The HD 4890 may be overkill for your resolution, in which case you can either downgrade to an HD 5770 or spend the extra money on a new monitor. You can get 1920x1080 for around $160.

Motherboard/CPU combo ($184.98):

AMD Athlon II X3 435 2.9GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX435WFGIBOX - Retail
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

GPU/memory combo ($213.98):

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK - Retail

Hard drive ($54.99):

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Case/power supply combo ($114.98):

Antec VSK-2000 Black 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 ... - Retail

Total: $568.93