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My new gaming/movie system ~$1700 (Help w/ video)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - My new gaming/movie system ~$1700 (Help w/ video)

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So after a little research this is what I have came up with.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP
BUDGET RANGE: $1600 (give or take $100)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (MMOs mostly), Movies, VMWare Homework.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: No Monitor, Mouse, or Keyboard needed.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: OPEN
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes
MONITOR RESOLUTION:Not 100% sure since my PC won't boot atm, it's a very nice LG flatron 24" monitor.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have already ordered most of the parts from newegg.com. I'm mainly looking for video suggestions with strong supporting arguments but if someone can make a great case on why a different MB/CPU/RAM/ETC should be used I'll listen.

PARTS PURCHASED:
Motherboard:
EVGA X58 3-Way SLI/Crossfire

CPU:
Intel i7 920

Case:
CoolMaster HAF Full Tower

Memory:
Corsair Dominator 3x2GB DDR3 1600

PSU:
Corsair 750W

HDD:
500GB WD

OS:
Windows 7 64-bit

DVD:
Sony 24x SATA

Video:
2x evga 260 superclocked

TOTAL PRICE: $1680 ($400 for the video)

Now I chose the i7 over the i5 because I do run VMWare for school and from time to time edit and re-encode movies and I don't think I'll lose too much performance, if any, over the i5. The evga board over an asus was just randomness, i've purchased evga items before and have always been happy. For the video I went the nVidia route because I've always used them. I know them, I know what the numbers and letter mean and how they perform. Doing more research ATI may have been better. I don't know ATI so I'm looking for some education. I'm seriously considering returning the 260s and picking up an ATI card(s). I'd like to stay in the same price range ($400-500), upgrading later is an option. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Justin

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the 5870 is a good choice, those 260s dont stand a chance.

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png

Reply to xaira

yea the 5870 would be way better than those nvidia cards but it mostly depends what your monitor resolution is can you find it out via model number or something? that would help a lot!

Reply to nun

Have you already bought that hard drive? If not, get this drive instead:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99

The Samsung drive offers better performance due to a single 500GB platter. It's also cheaper, which is icing on the cake.

That RAM is also very overpriced. Have you bought it already? If not, these kits offer the same speed and timings for much less money. I've had great luck with G.Skill RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 600&name=8

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 11-10-2009 at 01:25:09 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

For a gaming pc take a look at my build below, use it as a reference.

I only used newegg, but you can use other sites if you can find the same parts for cheaper.
Or if you can find better combos at newegg

Here's an i5 750 build with new monitor

>MOBO+RAM 30 dollar discount
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.289943

>Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049

>Optical Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106289

>Heatsink

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065

>Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

Total: $1,288.88 Before Rebate

This build gives you the ability to crossfire/sli in the future if new games are more demanding. You could add in another graphics card, the power supply is decent and could handle 2 graphics card.

------------------------------ You can select me as Best Answer
e6400 oc'd 3.2ghz,CCF cooler
3870x2, p5k/epu
750watts psu, antec 900
Reply to overshocks

Ok so I looked up the 5870 and from the reviews I've read it seems like a beastly card. I'll continue to use my 8800 GTS until I can find one of these bad boys in stock. Thanks for the input. As for the RAM and HDD, yes I've purchased them already. While everyone has been raving about the GSKILL RAM, I decided to go for the Corsair due to the name. Corsair has never let me down before so no reason to mess with a good thing. The hard drive wasn't given any thought it was the first one that came up in the list on newegg. I plan on adding a SSD if I don't get one for Christmas.

While this is 75% a gaming machine I do a fair amount of virtualization and video stuff so I think the i7 is a better option for me.

The monitor is a LG L226WT @ 1680 x 1050.

Message edited by midgaar on 11-10-2009 at 03:26:36 AM

Reply to midgaar

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My new gaming/movie system ~$1700 (Help w/ video)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - My new gaming/movie system ~$1700 (Help w/ video)