Need advice on future proof, budget gaming system

[doublebeezer]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week

BUDGET RANGE: 1000-1250 after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (WoW, Starcraft 2, Doom 4), surfing the internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor (will use HDMI 720p TV)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, tigerdirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: I'm leaning towards an i7-930 processor, and a Silverstone Raven RV01 case (think it looks cool). Would like to do water cooling, but not solid on it. Have read the RV02 handles WC better. Open to suggestions.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe. I have no OC experience... yet. (Have read that ASUS makes this easy?)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future (when Doom4 comes out?)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: using Samsung LN32B460 TV (1366x768)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'll likely be playing games from my couch, so will need a comfortable wireless keyboard and mouse. Also, I've been kicking around selling the TV and getting a projector. I'd like to set up my own little gaming / home theater paradise. Living room is 13' deep. Anyone know any good designs? Depending on how cool it is... I'd be willing to shell out a few $k extra for equipment.



Thanks in advance!

 

[jbakerlent]

Welcome to the forum. Here's what I would get with your budget. It comes to a bit over $1100.

CPU: ■Intel Core i5 750 -$200-
MOBO: ■Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P -$185-
RAM: ■G.Skill Ripjaws -$116-
GPU: ■XFX Radeon HD 5850 -$320-
HDD: ■Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB -$55-
PSU: ■Antec TP-750 -$120-
Case: ■Antec 902 -$110-
HSF: ■Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus -$27-

 

[batuchka]

Err 1366 x 768 gaming - the good news is your project cost could plummet a few hundreds IMO ^^ Have clients chugging along with HD 4670 (!) on that resolution so if you looking low power draw (HD 5670) or overkill (HD 5770) would more than suffice

 

[doublebeezer]

Cool, thanks for the replies!

I was wondering if a 5850 might be overkill... although if I change my display (to a higher res projector), I might want a little overkill.

How future proof are 1156 motherboards? Will it last me 4-5 years and be able to play all the upcoming games?

Also, any suggestions for a CD/DVD/Bluray ROM drive? None of the ones on newegg seem to come with good software. Is this something I'd have to buy 3rd party?

 

[dfield]

LGA 1156 does not have a great future, since it doesn't have enough PCI 2.0 lanes to run dual graphics cards and SATA 6Gb/s.
However, as batuchka said, you can get a much cheaper pc, if you are using a 1366x768 moniter. Just get a budget build, and don't worry about future proofing. You'll spend less money that way.

 

[snowgoer1998]

Based on the OP stating that this is a gaming build...

with a degree of future proofing...

Here is what I would recommend:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor - $75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843

MOBO: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - $119

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - $110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

GPU - XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - $399

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

PSU - (with room to XFire in the future) CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $90 (if you get it quick w/rebate and 10% off)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

OS - Win 7 Home Premium - $99

DVD - Pick any that's around $20 (Usually Sony/LG)

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $85

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Case - COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Free shipping w/ promo code EMCYSZR56, ends 5/20 -$80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196


Keyboard and Mouse - Not included...too hard to pick ... so much of an individual fit/taste


Total - $1,087


Down the line this offers an upgrade path to at least a 6 core processor and adding another 5870 graphics card...

 

[doublebeezer]

Thanks! I like the AMD setup simply because of the upgradability. I can go to any AM3 processor, as well as crossfire the 5870.

Also, I've decided I want a case I can do a little artwork on... with at least 1 solid, light-colored side panel as a nice canvas. Wanna do a little painting.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163037

 

[batuchka]

I would go with an 800 series mobo with bigger/better tech and by what history has shown w.r.t backwards compatibility i.e
AM2 mobos had to be just about top dog in their day to have BIOS update for AM2+/AM3 chip
AM3 700 mobos mid end would have had Thuban BIOS
So an AM3 800 would be Zambezi capable
http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/what-we-know-about-amds-next-generation-processors/

Your future Bulldozer CPU

The first enthusiast CPU to employ the Bulldozer design is currently codenamed Zambezi, and it will contain four of these dual core modules for a total of eight cores. We also know for a fact that Zambezi will use socket AM3, meaning anyone with a DDR3 Phenom II motherboard will be ready to rock with a BIOS upgrade

 

[doublebeezer]

Wow, thanks! Good info.

I found a couple of 800 series mobo's at newegg... I was looking for one that doesn't have onboard video, and is crossfire ready (don't know how to tell). Any recommendations?

ASUS M4A89TD PRO AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131645
$179

ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647
$109

 

[doublebeezer]

Best answer selected by doublebeezer.

 

[doublebeezer]

Here is what I'm leaning towards, with a tad more future proofing and OC potential. I'm thinking a few years down the road, I'll crossfire, upgrade the CPU, and add more RAM. Let me know if there are any glaring weaknesses. I'll probably place the order tomorrow unless anyone says anything.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16832116754
$99

HP 24X Multiformat DVD Writer Black SATA Model 1260i
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16827140042
$29

ASUS Crosshair IV Formula ATX AMD Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813131644
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139006
$330

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103843
CoolIT SYSTEMS ECO-R120 Water Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835227006
$149

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822148433
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811119197
$149

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100281-2GVXSR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814102893
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231303
$615

Total:
$1,367