600 Dollar Gaming PC

[Pido]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This Sunday
BUDGET RANGE: 600-700 USD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming > Watching Movies = Surfing the Internet >>>>>> folding@home

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS. I think I will need another VGA cable or whatnot though.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: None really, Video Card needs to be able to handle 2 monitors though.
OVERCLOCKING: Most likely not.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Nope.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200 and 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Quiet would be nice, nothing flashy, a sleek elegant design would be excellent black case preferred.

My most important concern is compatibility with the other components of the system.

I haven't built a system in like 3 years now I think so I have no idea what is or isn't good for the price as I have also not been keeping up with new hardware. This is for a friend, he isn't a tech nut and isn't looking for cutting edge gaming however I'd like him to have something that he could use for a few years safely

Thank you in advance for any and all help!

 

[macabre215]

Benchmarks on the cpu if you're interested, but it will bit slightly slower since they were using a GTX 280; not by much though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2923/6

 

[gkay09]

Here is a config...

CPU + Mobo
X4 635 + MSI 770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.359499

HDD + PSU
Samsung F3 500GB + OCZ 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.362778

CASE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059

Graphics card + RAM -
XFX HD 5830 + GSKillz 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.361496

Or

XFX HD 5850 + GKillz 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.361554

Total - ~$666 -> HD 5830 | $736 -> HD 5850
Not including rebates...

 

[Pido]

http://i44.tinypic.com/24e3mnp.jpg

Benchmarks on the cpu if you're interested, but it will bit slightly slower since they were using a GTX 280; not by much though.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2923/6

Is that cooler compatible with AMD CPU's? Looking at it shows it's a 1156/1366 cooler.

 

[obsidian86]

it works on any socket

 

[banthracis]

It's compatible with every socket type, natively too, not requiring special brackets like some other HSF. They just like to advertise the i5-i7 compatibility.

Also, you don't need a SATA cable, Mobo usually comes with a bunch.

 

[banthracis]

gkay's build is nice, though I'd recommend the Centurion case instead. Same price/quality as the Elite but better cooling.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047&cm_re=centurian-_-11-119-047-_-Product

 

[whitefang]

Gkay's build is excellent. There's nothing that could be improved there.

 

[gkay09]

Thanks for acknowledging guys...
@Pido go through reviews of the components that are posted here so that you can get an idea of how the components are...So if you have any concerns or doubts, do feel free to post here...

 

[Pido]

Best answer selected by Pido.

 

[Pido]

Thank you very much for the support guys! I built it for him and it is running great!

Funnily I overlooked the need for a CD/DVD drive and we had to go out and buy one but that was some serious hindsight by me.

Again, thank you.

 

[gkay09]

^ Congrats on the successful build...And which card did you choose ?