$700 dollar gaming computer - total newb

[kaiserdrewski]

Hello there! I've decided it's time for me to buy a new gaming computer for myself. I've browsed around a bit and eventually decided to build from scratch as opposed to buying pre-built, as those always seem to have pretty "meh" graphics cards.

However, I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to this sort of thing, so any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: < 3 weeks

PRICE RANGE: No less than 700, no more than 850

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, video/sound editing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: I've got no idea, honestly.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Well, 1440x900 is what I run my MMOs at.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: What I'd like to shoot for is something that can run Oblivion on max video settings, which I don't think is asking much given my price range.

 

[juicycrapachino]

I'll search for a build for you. Considering your price range, resolution, and main usage of gaming, I should be able to gather a decent build and in the process try and save you money. BTW is your price range including mail and rebates?

 

[kaiserdrewski]

Ah, forgot to note that.

< $850 after rebates is fine.

 

[juicycrapachino]

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black: $26.99

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $29.99

Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $54.99

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card: $164.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3: $64.99

EVGA P55 SLI 132-LF-E655-KR LGA1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard $169.99 + $40 mail-in rebate = $130.00

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $59.99 + $10.00 mail and rebate= $50

Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core= $280.00

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... $70.00+$25.00 mail-in rebate=$45.00

Total=$906 but with mail-in rebates it's $831! NOTE: You must purchase the I7 860 and the OCZ 600w power supply as a combo for more savings. Also, depending on your zip code will determine your shipping... (Shipping to me was $6.00).

This system should easily run anything you throw at it at maxed settings + Direct X 11 will be an advantage when more of the games come out!

Hope this helps! Let me know if you run into any problems or need more help!

 

[spentshells]

if you are going to try overclocking the NZXT Gamma is a perfect case for extensive air cooling

 

[duk3]

ASUS 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24x DVD Writer LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135209

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor Model ADX440WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843

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

GIGABYTE GV-R585OC-1GD Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ ATI Eyefinity
And
GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.388646

Total: $836.85 with shipping

You also could switch to an x4 955 and a 5770.

 

[4745454b]

Second build is better. Overkill however for 1440x900. I might drop down to the 5770 so that you can get a quad core. RPGs tend to like cores. Beware the drive on the first one, its a green drive and slower then other drives.

 

[juicycrapachino]

@4745454b- the green drive has 32mb of cache...but indeed slower rpm. I thought more cache was better to have?

 

[duk3]

No, the rpm and the number of platters are more important.
The seagate 7200.12 and samsung f3 500gb drives have half the cache of a WD black 500gb but are faster due to their single platter.

For my build, I would switch to an x4 955 and a 5770 if the games are CPU heavy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.381927

 

[Guest]

For a build right in that price range check out http://newbcomputerbuild.com/
It's a great build with parts form newegg and everything you said you needed.