Budget Gaming Build ~1000 (Please Help)

[Chillyfruit]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Week of January 25, 2010

BUDGET RANGE: ~1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming first, everything else second

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS, Mouse, Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Sticking with AMD on this one

OVERCLOCKING: Never done it; maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Possibly in the Future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Looking for Recommendations that would fit this build (under 200)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My first major computer purchase (build) after 5 years and I wanted a decent computer for gaming that I can upgrade easily in the future. I want to run all the latest games at max and the ones that are coming down the line. I do need a wireless card in there because in my present circumstances i can't do a wired connection due to poor location choices for the phone jacks at my house. I've never build a computer before and I'm starting with this and would like to have everything that i would need before i start making the orders. Thank you so much!

These are my initially selected parts. Feel free to toss and add if it would be an improvement.

CASE ($59.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

MOBO ($114.99 + 7.87 - 15.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128398

CPU ($165)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

PSU ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

MEMORY ($114.99 + 5.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231318

GPU ($179.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447
OR
GPU($164.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.320610
OR
GPU ($169.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161310

HDD ($55)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

DVD ($23.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

MONITOR ($179.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236074

USB WIRELESS ADAPTER($19.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...reless_network_adapter-_-33-124-327-_-Product

MULTI-CARD READER ($12.99 + 5.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208458


New TOTAL= w/o Rebates & taxes ($1031.76)
Previous TOTAL = w/o Rebates & taxes ($1062.81)

I'm still in the red here.

Questions:
1) No one ever talks about sound cards as if they come built in. I don't know if the one i chose is ok or even compatible with the MOBO.
2)Is Thermal paste really necessary here?
3)Is the wireless card compatible with this build?
4)keyboard...can someone recommend one? i was thinking of the Logitech G110 but it's too pricey.


OLDER/DISCARDED SELECTIONS
MOBO ($79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

PSU ($89.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

DVD ($26.99 + 6.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

THERMAL PASTE ($6.99 + 2.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ARTIC_SILVER_5_THERMAL-_-35-100-007-_-Product

SOUND CARD ($34.99 + 7.68)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829270006

WIRELESS CARD ($19.99 + 6.29)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041

 

[Silvune]

Look for combos to get yourself back under budget before dropping anything, altho you can drop the thermal paste now as a retail CPU comes with the thermal paste already applied, just make sure you don't remove it. Also have a lot for a DVD drive that has free shipping, and possibly for other components as well.

1. Onboard sound is pretty good these days, so it is entirely possible to skip it.
2. No
3. Not too sure on this one, but the motherboard does say it has two PCI slots, so it should be. ?
4. Don't know much about keyboards.

 

[dndhatcher]

Your list looks good.
1> Try onboard sound. Its easy to add a sound card later if you find it inadequite. I cant tell the difference.

2> The stock heatsink will come with generic thermal goo. If you decide to overclock you will want to get a decent cooler like the coolermaster hyper 212 and then maybe invest in some good goo.

3> Yes, but you should consider geting a USB wireless adapter instead. Its so much easier to re-seat, remove or replace a USB adapter than to open the case up and fiddle with an internal card. Plus its easy to use on multiple systems or for an old laptop.

4> I always just use the cheapest keyboard I can find. Unless you are going to consistently play one character in one game at a high level and memorize programmed buttons I dont find expensive gaming keyboards or mice to be much benefit.

You should consider the Antec Earthwatts 650 power supply. Its a pretty good deal right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

 

[irule9000]

this is basicly the same card but cheaper and with battleforge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.320610

 

[osu43130]

Does not look like you be able to Crossfire with that Mobo. You might want something more like this to Crossfire if that is something you want to do.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

 

[Chillyfruit]

You guys are awesome, from the first to the last response. Thanks!

I'm going to edit my first post to match some feedback i've gotten. I'll go with the on board sound cards as suggested (i'm not really a sound nut anyways). Coming on as a bit too excessive and trying to cut cost as much as possible, i'll stick with a standard fair keyboard but anyone got any impressions on a couple?


@osu43130 - I do want to crossfire in the future, thanks!
@dndhatcher - Power supply? Bargain? Um, yes please! I do have a usb wireless adapter and it works great but it was pricey when i got it. I think i spent close to $80 on it...I'm not sure how much they are really going for now but I'll put that into heavier consideration.

 

[Silvune]

If the CPU and RAM come to $286, then these combos would save you between $63 and $26 (if you don't get the rebate).

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333
Cas 7 | Timing 7-7-7-20 | Voltage 1.65V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313843 ($258.98 - $20MIR = $238.98)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 - OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Cas 8 | Timing 8-8-8-24 | Voltage 1.65V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313673 ($258.98 - $20MIR = $238.98)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 - OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Cas 8 | Timing 8-8-8-24 | Voltage 1.9V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313658 ($257.98 - $20MIR = $237.98)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 - OCZ AMD Black Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Cas 8 | Timing 8-8-8-24 | Voltage 1.65V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313678 ($255.98 - $20MIR = $235.98)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 - OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333
Cas 9 | Timing 9-9-9-20 | Voltage 1.65V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.313668 ($242.98 - $20MIR = $222.98)

 

[Chillyfruit]

Thanks a lot Silvune!
I'll probably go with the first combo deal because I've been under the impression that lower timings put out better performance? Or are these things easy to set up in the BIOS.

 

[Silvune]

Well for gaming, there's nothing wrong with CAS 9, but personally I would go for CAS 8 over CAS 9 if I was buying now. Considering that only the first three combos have free shipping with the RAM, and the 3rd one's voltage is a bit high, and that the other two are the same price I would agree.

 

[Chillyfruit]

Ok Thanks Silvune. I'm going to make the switch to the first combo deal. Well I'm planning on moving up the order date so any last opinions? What Graphics card should i get? All Three are great but I'm leaning towards the one irule9000 suggested because it's the cheapest.


EDIT: Those combo deals are no longer available O_O. I might just have to accept the facts that parts are just more expensive now.

 

[Silvune]

They are available, they just must have changed the url to them, keeping checking this page to find combos with the CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&SubCategory=343&SortField=0&PageSize=100&Page=1
And this card is the cheapest if you take into account free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161310 it's the $169.99 card in your original post.

 

[Chillyfruit]

Okay and without I'm ready to start making the orders...thanks for the responses Silvune.

 

[Silvune]

No problem and you're welcome chillyfruit.