[Need Help!] $1335 - $1736 Gaming PC

[soulicro]

Whats up everyone, first post.. Heard of this place throughout the net, its got some reputation, so I figured this would be a great place to ask for advice

I need to replace my existing DELL - its been holding up for 5 years now. Ideally, I would like a setup that would last roughly as long. This past month I finally caught up with the current market for games, and I couldn't run any of them.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 31 days.

BUDGET RANGE: 1,335 - 1,736 USD (I know this is very specific, exchange rates.. I'm a little flexible)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, gaming, gaming, movies, everything else.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Don't really care, as long as its well-known and reliable.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't really care, as long as its well-known and reliable.

OVERCLOCKING: I figured I could buy slower versions of some components (CPU, for example) for cheaper, and overclock them to reach their higher-end brothers. Feasible?

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, sure.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1360/1366 x 768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Wireless keyboard and mouse a must.. nothing else really - just would like to thank everyone in advance!

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU: X4 955 $161
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $30
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $140
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB OR Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55 ($90 for 1 TB). Samsung preferred, but might not be available.
Case: HAF 922 $90 after rebate
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $25
PSU: Silverstone 850W 80+ Silver $150
GPU: HD 5970 $650
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM $105

Total: $1,521. With the $215 that's left, pick up any mouse/keyboard and an ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 1080p monitor for $160 after rebate. Spending $1300-1700 for a gaming system at your resolution is stupid...

 

[osu43130]

I agree with the Admiral.......

Definitely fit a new monitor in the budget or you are just throwing away all that money on the best graphics card out there right now.

Also the 5970 might be a little hard to find (always seems to be out of stock) you could always go with the 5870 and a SSD.

 

[soulicro]

Your post made me realize that I did not mention that I don't need an OS.

 

[saint19]

^+1, but I would switch the mobo for a M4A79T Deluxe, CrossHair III or MSI 790FX-GD70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070946178%20107191003%204017%201071933047&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16813131363%2CN82E16813130223%2CN82E16813131392

 

[MadAdmiral]

Then save the $105. Or try to squeeze in a SSD as the OS drive.

I can't agree with saint's board suggestions. They're more expensive because of having more than 2 PCIe 2.0 slots, which is pointless as Crossfire doesn't scale well past 2 cards. In addition, they don't have USB 3/SATA III ports. So you'd be paying more for less future proof boards.

 

[osu43130]

TBH You could even save a little bit of money on the board that Admiral suggested if you are getting the 5970. I highly doubt you will need to x-fire two 5970's. And if you do your looking at 1300 just in GPU's.....lol

 

[MadAdmiral]

That's true. I always forget to change the board to a non-Crossfire board after I've gotten the budget for the 5970...

Here's a good 1 PCIe 2.0 slot board: Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $85 after rebate.