1000-1400 gaming pc

[Mindblade]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This weekend, but can take longer


SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Most: Gaming, I mostly play EverquestII which does not do a good job at using system resources and is very memory intensive. I tend to have 2 sessions of the game running. I also play through the bigger titles as they come out.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers - Current monitor is 1680x1050.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA


PARTS PREFERENCES: none


OVERCLOCKING: No


SLI OR CROSSFIRE: I'm open to it

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Need windows 7. Would like the option of an SSD for the OS.

Thanks for the help. I've built my last two systems and it's usually a clear choice but I've been away from component specifics for awhile and seem to be having a tough time catching up. I also seem to be doing better pricing a system through iBuyPower.com then with individual components so I'm doing something wrong =p

 

[rolli59]

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #:N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$99.99
$94.99
1

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231277
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$109.99
$99.99
1

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822148433
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$79.99
1

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Item #:N82E16827106289
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$20.99
1

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811103011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$129.99
$89.99
1

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$119.99
$89.99
1

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819103849
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$305.99
$295.99
1

GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813128441
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$189.99
$179.99
1

SAPPHIRE 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 100282-3SR Video Card w/ Eyefinity
Item #:N82E16814102884
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$25.00 Instant
$314.99
$289.99
Grand Total: $1,241.91

 

[coldsleep]

No reason to get a 1090T X6 for a gaming rig. It'll be a few years before 6 cores are mainstream.

Just cooked the following up for someone else. Substitute a 5850 ($290) for the 5870 if you need to buy Win 7 and $1400 is a hard limit. Or skip the SSD and come in a lot lower.

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 955 - $160
HSF - Hyper 212+ ($30 at amazon) or your choice from Frostytech's top "5" list
Mobo - MSI 890FXA-GD70 - $200
RAM - Mushkin Silverline 4 GB CAS 7 1600 MHz - $100
SSD - Intel X25-M - $220
HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB - $80
GPU - XFX 5870 - $385 - sale ends 7/5
PSU - Corsair 750TX Active PFC 80+ - $110 ($100 after $10 MIR)
Case - HAF 922 - $90 (+$10 shipping) or whatever suits your fancy

Total - about $1385

 

[Mindblade]

Thanks for the feedback guys, you've given me something to work with. A couple of follow ups.

5850 > 2x5770?
For win7 how much room do I need to realistically allow on an SSD? Guessing I can't get away with a 30gb here?

 

[coldsleep]

2x 5770 will probably be better for games that recognize CrossFire (which is a lot of them now, not so awesome a couple of years back), but it does remove an upgrade path if you decide that 2x 5770 isn't cutting it in a year or two. I'm not a fan of going with Crossfire/SLI at the start of a build, I prefer to start out with 1 card, and then when the graphics start to go downhill, either get another one and CrossFire at that point, or buy a newer, better graphics card at that point.

A 30 GB drive will hold Windows, but not much more. I don't like recommending an SSD smaller than 80 GB, as it's not really worth the investment if you can't at least put a few programs on there. If you're unsure about the SSD, cut it for now, and consider getting one as an upgrade when prices drop a little, maybe in a year or so.

 

[Mindblade]

The build I'm looking at right now is pretty much cold's with a couple of adjustments:-

SSD - WD SiliconEdge Blue SSC-D0064SC-2100 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

GPU - XFX HD-585X-ZAFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

that brings the cost to just under 1300 b4 $30 with mail in rebates.

As a last question I found this combo deal for a i5-750 + mobo - wondering if this makes more sense then the AMD CPU? although I don't think the mobo is quite as good.

Thanks again for the help and info

 

[coldsleep]

As a last question I found this combo deal for a i5-750 + mobo - wondering if this makes more sense then the AMD CPU? although I don't think the mobo is quite as good.

I haven't seen any numbers on the Silicon Edge Blue, can I suggest that you think about an OCZ Agility 2 instead? About the same price, only 4 GB smaller, but it's one of the better ones available on the market.

Mobo is missing USB3 & SATA 6 Gb/s, unsure if that's a big deal to you or not. USB3 will probably start hitting mainstream next year.

I think with either Intel or AMD, you'd be happy with your purchase. The AMD option has more features and might allow a processor upgrade in a year or two, but obviously that is more subject to your personal shopping habits & tech lust than anything else. I went AMD with my new build, because I think there's a good chance I'll go for a new processor next year...obviously many people will not feel the need.

There are a number of combo deals, if you're still trying to shave the price. Phenom II X4 955 & $40 off a Thermaltake Element G, $40 off a 5870, $25 off a 5850. I didn't look for combo deals at all, it's a little time-consuming when I'm not shopping for myself.

 

[Mindblade]

I didn't look for combo deals at all, it's a little time-consuming when I'm not shopping for myself.

I know it! Thanks I appreciate your help.

I like the look of the Agility 2 and yes I missed the usb 3 which may come into play in the next year or two.