600-850 gaming build

[Animalcrackers]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (would like to order within 2 weeks)
BUDGET RANGE: $600-850 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming(WoW/CS), internet, music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, but open to suggestion
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: No real preference, though it would be great to improve to one of the intel i5s.

OVERCLOCKING: No clue - would need input on this. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No clue - would need input on this.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like to improve to Windows 7 32/64bit. Unfortunately, this is my first computer build. I'm comfortable with doing the build, however I've never really followed information on the hardware side of computing so a lot of the lingo is over my head. Please excuse my newbness on things like overclocking and SLI or Crossfire, I've heard about them before, but have never used or have any experience with doing this. Thanks for any input and help.

-Edit- I wanted to add that I will occasionally connect this up to my Samsung 42" 720p plasma, though hdmi capability is not a priority right now.

 

[jbakerlent]

Welcome to the forum. Here's what I would recommend.
CPU: ■AMD Phenom II X4 955 -$160-
MOBO: ■Asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 -$150-
RAM: ■G.Skill Ripjaws -$116-
GPU: ■XFX Radeon HD 5770 -$163-
HDD: ■Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB -$55-
PSU: ■Antec TP-750 -$120-
Case: ■Antec 300 Illusion -$60-
HSF: ■Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus -$27-

That comes to about $850 before any rebates and would be very nice for your uses and resolution. I included a cooler for the processor so you can overclock higher more easily. Also, the motherboard and power supply support crossfire, so you can add another graphics card later if you like.

 

[Animalcrackers]

Thanks for the quick response! I'll look into these after work tomorrow.

 

[Animalcrackers]

So is this the general build most people agree with? I need to get a new OS for this system as well unfortunately, is it worth it to go to the windows 7 64 bit? or just stick with 32? I'd also like to have at least 1 optical drive, but those are pretty easy to come by, I think I remember seeing a bunch of the sony 24x drives at 20-30$. Anyone know of any decent blu ray drives at an "affordable" price? I won't bother with one immediately, but if they come down to a good price I'd like to throw one in.

 

[Animalcrackers]

Would anyone want to take a stab at this build but include the optical and OS? I'm kind of stuck on staying below that 850$ line, otherwise the girlfriend will probably kill me.

 

[Animalcrackers]

I took a stab at making a build based on some other posts and the above recommendations. Are these things all compatible? Or did I just divide by zero?

 

[fastx21]

Go with Jbakerlent's build. You don't want a 925 over a 955. You don't want that corsair ram kit. AND IMO he gave you a better case.

But yes you want that Win7 Home 64 bit that you selected. Also with that mobo with two 8x 8x pci-e slots you'd atleast want a 600w if not more. 550w would not support a crossfire.

 

[iloqin]

JBakerlent has your best parts for that price. I used his recommendations to build my computer and I'm satisfied. If I had the extra 200 bux I woulda went with the x4phenom or 5850/5870

 

[Animalcrackers]

I loved his build, but I need the OS also and that would take his build to 950. Is there any room for leeway with his build so that I could incorporate the missing items?

 

[fastx21]

You can drop the COoler Master Hyper 212 PLus - $27.
But if you wanted something you can crossfire and OC later then I don't suggest you dropping anything else. Really you should keep the Hyper 212 as well but that's like a third of the cost towards your windows7.

 

[Animalcrackers]

I really don't plan on OC, I could see myself crossfiring in the future, but not any time soon because of the budget. I wonder if there are any good combo deals on some reliable non-newegg sites that might help with a few bucks here and there without drastically altering performance.

Or do I just need to talk the girlfriend into an extra 100$ into the budget?

 

[fastx21]

WELL... you can certainly get a Rana 3.0 ghz And there's your windows7 money right there. But If you want a good procesesor that can handle anything you can throw at it then get the Phenom II x4 955 as recommended above.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843&cm_re=rana_x3-_-19-103-843-_-Product

It's like this do you want a honda civic (Rana x3 3.0) or a Saleen Mustang 4.6 V8 with dual exhaust?(Phenom x4 II 955)

Also you say you don't plan to overclock but everyone does. Especially on this forum.

 

[Animalcrackers]

I think I'll avoid the extra cooler for now, If I ever do OC or xfire it won't be in the next 6 months. If I do that, I can stick within 100$ of my original budget and use the first build. This all look good then for a final purchase? Any chance any of these items might go on sale or something in the next week or two (or a better place to buy them from right now)? I don't mind buying bits and pieces over a 2 week period.

 

[Animalcrackers]

Best answer selected by Animalcrackers.