Better $800.00 Gaming PC

brettd54

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Feb 17, 2010
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18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: (e.g.: 600-800) 800.00

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: GPU, Keyboard, mouse, monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, tiger

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've done some research and I think I've finally come up with the setup. I Just wanted to run it by you guys-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thermaltek v9 ATX case $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133074

Asus Sata 6gb USB 3.0 $199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131624

Intel I5 750 Quad core $195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Antec Earthwatts 750W Power supply $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

G.skill Ripjaw series 4gb DDR3 @1600 $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

WD 500gb @7200rpm with 32MB cache $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
Total = 744.94

These are obviously the main parts, I will get a cheaper DVD drive and high end video card later.. Still Haven't decided on the video card!
 
Case: HAF 922 $90 after rebate. This is easily one of best, if not THE best, cases made right now.

HDD: Grab a Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB for $55. Or if that's not available, get the Seagate 7200.12 500 GB for the same price. Both of these are a lot faster than the WD.

Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $190. Cheaper, and one of the best available.

RAM: 1600 mhz CL 7 Ripjaws for $115. Faster sticks for not a whole lot more.

GPU: Depending on how much you have to spend, I would get at least the HD 5850 ($300) or the 5870 ($395) if you want to play Crysis maxed out. I would do everything you can to get the 5870. If you can't afford that, I've got some huge budget changes below.

Major changes, if you need some room to afford the 5870:

CPU/Mobo: X3 425 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $197. This will save you $198 over the above changes, for a total of $213. If you've got an extra $100 after getting the HD 5870 in the budget, switch the CPU to the X4 955 ($161+$15 from losing the combo).

The reason I suggest the triple core is that Tom's did an article a little while ago about the gains from adding additional cores in gaming. They found that adding the fourth core actually had a performance decrease compared to a triple core.
 

Keiki646

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Jun 22, 2008
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19,010


Nice hardware and I know that you said no overclocked but that is a good system to overclockable with easy task for sure.
You would get nice score with that but the motherboard that you have there you can get a GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 for about 119.99 ( have this motherboard with my Intel i5 Quad Core gaming system.

You can see on my system on my youtube videos here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jsRlhA3xSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUa1UASQHk0 This was made yesterday 02-16-2010

Here is a link for the motherboard I am talking abouthttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425
This can save you money and it has great performance and it has smart overclocked and smart energy saver options.
Yes it does taken 1066,1333.1600, and up to 2200 DDR3 Ram as well.

Good luck on your build
 

brettd54

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Feb 17, 2010
6
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18,510
Ok so I took all of your advise and decided upon the following:

Cooler master HAF 922 case @ 89.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Gigabyte GA-p55usb3 atx motherboard @ 119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

Seagate Barracuda 7200 SATA 3.0 with 32mb cache @ 79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148445

Antec Earthwatts 650W Power @ 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Intel Core I5-750 2.66 ghz Quad @ 194.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

G.SKILL Ripjaws series 4gb DDR3 1600 Ram @ 104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Then of course the HD 5870 Video card @ 399
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121345&cm_re=hd_5870-_-14-121-345-_-Product

Grand Total 1084.92

Anyones thoughts?
 

brettd54

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Feb 17, 2010
6
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18,510


I'm trying to figure out why Crossfire won't work with this setup? The motherboard, and power supply seem to be ample. What am I missing sir!
 

brettd54

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Feb 17, 2010
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18,510


Got it! Thanks a ton!