New Gaming Computer $1200

PSU - Consider Corsair HX-850 - modular
The Intel i-7 920 will easily overclock without even breathing hard
Video card - look into Nvidia - GTX 275 (the PhysX edition)
Parts - consider Newegg also

Thank you Ubrales,
Does PSU stand for Power Supply Unit? Also would Nvidia work with my kind of motherboard?

You have a major over kill there, a 19" monitor has a really low resolution, why would you spend so much on the x58 platform, go i5 you dont need more than that for gaming.

first off whats your budget?

then, over clocking DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING, the only thing hurt is your wallet if you don't over clock.

if world of Warcraft is the most demanding game you planning on playing then the 5770 isn't bad choice, but i would go with a 5850 and a 24" monitor.

A config like this:

Intel Build


CPU & Mobo : 1. Intel BX80605I5750: $199.99
2. ASUS P7P55D PRO: $169.99
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $349.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

HTF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
$34.99
$7.56 Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$114.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity - Retail
Original Price: $329.99
You Save: $30.00
$299.99
$7.87 Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$89.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Case & PSU: 1. Antec Three Hundred Illusi: $69.99
2. Antec EA650: $74.99
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $124.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

DVD: LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$24.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Monitor: Hanns·G HH-251HPB Black 24.6" 2ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 15000:1(800:1) Built-in Speakers - Retail
Original Price: $239.99
You Save: $40.00
$199.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Grand Total: $1,250.00


or the AMD version:


basically the same thing with 2 changes

CPU & Mobo: 1. GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H: $139.99
2. AMD HDZ955FBGMBOX: $159.99
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $279.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

GPU: VisionTek 900298 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
Original Price: $409.99
You Save: $15.00
$394.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Grand Total: $1,272.46

those are more gaming oriented builds, as you can see now days, Processors aren't a muscle needed to drive a game, which is why you better off putting the money on the video card rather than a expensive CPU

My budget is 1200 dollars I just did my income taxes and wanted to put it towards a new computer.  

I'll be playing more demanding games too but I mostly play World of Warcraft. Games like Modern Warfare 2 and Bad Company 2 I'd like to eventually start playing so I'd like to have a lot of room for growth.

I guess if overclocking doesn't hurt the computer then I wouldn't mind doing so, I just don't want to void the warranty if something went wrong.

I like your Intel configuration it looks a lot nicer than the AMD one I'll be sure to bookmark this page so I have a shopping list to pick parts from.

Thank you

well the amd is a lot more stronger than the intel one thanks to 5870 oppose to the 5850 in the intel build, thats something to have in mind, and its only costing you $22.72 more so think about it, dont rush, when are you buying?

My boyfriend says the AMD processors always get too hot and aren't the greatest for gaming. I would be buying the computer probably in the next two months, part by part until I have them all.

hehe, AMD is fantastic, see my signature. im not a fan boy, but im just saying that, 5870 vs a 5850, well do the math.
but in 2 months things are changing a lot, dont even bother to check this threat then, i recommend posting again in the week that you're buying..good luck!

I've found a program that shows my hardware on my current computer here are some screenshots.
Processor:

Motherboard:

Graphics Card:


I believe my motherboard can support up to 8GB of RAM and I've been told my CPU is still a really good one. Would simply adding more RAM and a newer video be sufficient enough for my needs instead?

Thanks ^_^

I'd just upgrade your current rig. That processor is plenty good for what you do. Definitely upgrade your video card, you'll see a huge difference. Also, what's your current RAM? I didn't see it in the pics. No need to go all the way to 8GB, but if you have less than 4GB, I'd bump it to 4GB.

If you have the cash, put an ATI 5870 video card in there and be very happy.

I have 3GB of Kingston Value RAM 1GB x3

Hi Branflakes
I just bought a 5870 today this is what I purchased.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct...

Graphics Engine ATI Radeon HD 5870
Bus Standard PCI Express 2.0
Video Memory DDR5 1G
Engine Clock 850 MHz
Memory Clock 4.8 GHz ( 1.2 GHz DDR5 )
Memory Interface 256-bit
CRT Max Resolution 2048 x 1536
DVI Max Resolution 2560 x 1600
D-Sub Output Yes x 1 (via DVI to D-Sub adaptor x 1 )
DVI Output Yes x 1
HDMI Output Yes x 1
DisplayPort Yes
HDCP Support Yes
Adapter/Cable Bundled 1 x DVI to D-Sub adaptor
1 x CrossFire cable
1 x Power cable
Software Bundled ASUS Utilities & Driver
Hottest 3D Game: Dirt2
Note The Card Size is 11 inches x 5 inches

that was a mayor overkill for that 19" monitor that you have,you need to get something bigger to the get the most out of it, what kind of case do you have? hope it fits..good luck!

I'll take some photos for you now Snakej

Is that RAM running in Dual Channel Mode (I doubt it with 3 1GB sticks)? I'd buy a 4GB kit (2 sticks of 2GB RAM) to replace the RAM you have. Taht will give you 4GB in Dual Channel mode, which gives you the best RAM speed.

Though, 3GB is plenty for gaming, so you might not see much improvement.

You've got a powerful card now, so buying yourself a bigger monitor would be another nice upgrade.