First Time Buyer/Builder

[Colma]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2-4 Weeks (I understand prices may very and by then a deal may appear)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Primary use for gaming/cd burning/surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor/Keyboard/Mouse/Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, amazon.com, tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference on anything

OVERCLOCKING: Possible future (after warranty)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 depending on the game

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Need windows 7 or vista, case needs to be cool, would like to run most new games on high settings or medium with AA and ASF

PRICE RANGE: 600-900 US Dollars

As for building the system I had a friend say he used this website and everyone who posted helped him in some way so I'm looking for someone who can help me choose the right parts for a mediocre-good gaming pc.

I have been searching around newegg/tiger on my own finding things that seem like a good value but I don't exactly know compatibilities of MB/CPU/RAM all that well and don't exactly know what constitutes as a "good" GPU for CoD: MW2/BFBC2, etc.

 

[blackjellognomes]

In your price range, your going to be looking at either a P55 build (i5-750) or AM3 build (PII X4 955).
In both cases, I'd recommend 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 RAM running 1333MHz or 1600MHz with a CL of 7 or 8 (preferably G Skill or Corsair); an HD 5850 (or 5770 if budget demands); a 500GB or 1TB Samsung Spintpoint F3 or Seagate 7200.12; pretty much any $60-120 case from Antec, Lian Li, or CoolerMaster; and a 500-800W PSU from Antec, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, or XFX. For the PSU, look in the 500-600W range if you aren't considering CF/SLI as a future upgrade, 700-800W if you are. This is a pretty standard formula for a solid $700-1000 gaming rig. I'd be more specific, but personal preference should and will be a factor in choosing parts.

 

[Colma]

Well I thank you for the information and here is what I came up with so far but I would like to if at ALL POSSIBLE lower the price.

- AZZA Fantom 900 Black Japanese SECC Steel/Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 109.99 - 30 MIR= 79.99

- Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive = 54.99

-ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail = 129.99

-XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card = 159.99

-CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7= 89.99

-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK - Retail =109.99

-AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGMBOX - Retail = 159.99

-Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM = 99.99
_________________________________________________________________________Total
$914.92

Any price lowering help is appreciated. THANK YOU SIRS.

 

[Jinnistacia]

some options:

CPU: X3 440 $85
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $125 after $15 rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB DDR3-1600 CL7 $120
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $70
Case: Cooler Master 690 $70

An x3 440 + 5850 build is much better, but it's ~$100 over budget.

--Jin

 

[blackjellognomes]

Best way to shave off money is to find combos.

955 + 790GX mobo (+ COD:MW2)
$275 - $15MIR

Spinpoint F3 500GB + OCZ 700MXSP
$120 - $20 MIR

With these changes, along with the A300 Illusion case that Jinnistacia suggested, you'd probably be able to fit a 5850 into your budget if you wanted.