$1000 or less Gaming Build

[mozen]

Hey guys, it's time for a new pc for gaming. My labtop doesn't cut it.

I'm trying not to spend that much cash. $1000 is roughly my max, but the lower the better.

CPU and OS combo: AMD Phenom II X4 965 & Windows 7 284.98

Motherboard : ASUS M4A78T-E 114.99

Memory & PSU combo : G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM & Thermaltake TR2 TRX-750M 750W 173.98

Video Card: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 349.99

Harddrive : Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 54.99

Total : $ 978.93

1. How's my build? I would like to cut the cost a $100 or so. I still need to buy the Case. But I don't want to drop the AMD Phenom II X4 965. And i play games where FPS matters, I'm tired of 30 fps on my labtop

2. Is the mobo worth it? PSU?

3. I chose the Video card based on reviews from Newegg. It seems like a beast.

4. Should I buy this? Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

5. Could anyone suggest a aftermarket Heatsink/Fan? Or any cooling besides liquid?

Thanks Again.

 

[asteldian]

If you prefer Nvidia to ATI then the 470 is as good a choice you can make. Me personally, I don't care whether my card is ATI or Nvidia, and for that reason, the $60 extra for the 470 instead of a 5850 seems overpriced. Especially as for about $30 more than the 470 I could get a 5870 card.

It is probably worth having a look at combos involving the Graphic cards as there are usually good deals.

I would consider just getting the 955 AMD as that requires a tiny tweak in Bios to turn it into a 965 for free. That saves you some money for no performance loss.
You can just buy Windows 7 OEM for $99, then make use of another combo with the CPU.

I would go with the better G Skill RAM (Ripjaws) with CL 7. There are a number of combos there - some with case, some with PSU.

Afraid I am in a rush socannot give more detail, I am sure others will give a more thorough list

 

[banthracis]

OPtical $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Spinpoint F3 500gb $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Win 7 OEM 64bit $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

XFX 5850 and Element G case $375 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431629

Antec Earthwats 650 and Ripjaw 1600 cas 7 $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.408245

Phenom II x4 955 and GA 790 ud4 $280 w/ $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.405957

$990 including shipping before $40 rebates

 

[banthracis]

1. See above
2. see above
3. Can't get a 470 or 5870 in under $1k with the OS. At least not with a mobo that has xfire potential. Don't wanna use Nvidia with AMD, as you can't SLI.
4. No need unless you want a high OC.
5. Cm Hyper 212 Plus $30 on amazon. Don't really need one unless you OC though.

 

[nuke123]

Arctic silver 5 is some of the best thermal paste you can buy however there are new nano paste products that might be even better, so shop around.