Gaming Desktop

Might want to give us more info. What are you spending on it? What resolution are you playing games at? Take a look at the guidelines (the link is in my signature) for what we want to know.

It's decent. There is a lot of wasted money and better options. Generally, the i7 is a waste for gaming, as the i5 (and even less CPUs) are just as good and a LOT cheaper. The GTX 470 is overpriced and you can get a better performing 5870 for only a little bit more. The PSU is barely big enough to add a second 470, making it not that great for future proofing. Finally, the WD 1 TB drives are more expensive and/or slower (depending on if it's the SATA II version or the SATA III) than comparable drives.

I can guarantee you that if we had a budget, we could put together a better build.

it is really embarrassing

the truth is that I know nothing about computers just that I need one for gaming..


I got someone to put everything together for me and he quote $1700 for the above..

Am I getting my money worth and are the specs good enough?

You're not getting your money's worth. For example, here's a couple of better gaming builds, one for about the same, one for much less. Of course, these prices assume you'll be building it yourself (which is easy and highly recommended).

CPU/Mobo: i7-930 and Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R $474
RAM: G.Skill Pi 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $190
GPU: HD 5970 $700
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90
PSU: Cosair 850W $130 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $90
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20

Total: $1,697

CPU: i5-750 $195
Mobo/PSU: Asus P7P55D-E Pro and Corsair 850W $300 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
GPU: HD 5970 $700
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case: HAF 922 $90
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20

Total: $1,470