Building My First Desktop Under $1000

jsmessick

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Jul 20, 2010
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 months
BUDGET RANGE: Under $1000 after rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming/Videos Microsoft Office/Web browsing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Windows 7, Microsoft Office.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
OVERCLOCKING: See Additional Comments
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Doesn't Matter

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Hello, I am new to building computers and I have been researching them for the last month or so. I still have many questions regarding which CPU Motherboard or video card to choose due to the vast arrange of options currently on the market. I need to stay under $1000 and I would like a build that I can upgrade over time, ex: from 2GB RAM to 8GB.

As far as overclocking goes, as I stated previously I am new to building computers and only know a little about this. If someone can explain the basic process of overclocking and what to change each of the specs to that would be great.

The games I plan on playing on this computer include counterstrike, Modern warfare 2, etc. I'm not sure what the best FPS on these games are but I would like to be able to get close to it if not max it out at some points.

This will be my first attempt at building a desktop and I want to be sure that I have all the best parts for the price I am willing to pay.Any feedback or information you have is appreciated. Thanks
 
Here is a build that would cost you just about $1K...
X4 955 + HD 5870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.442795

Gigabyte 870A + GSKillz 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.443520

Samsung F3 500GB + OCZ Fatality 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.441361

CM CM690 II Basic Black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

Total - ~ $990 After Rebates...
If you want to go little cheaper, then get the HD 5850 instead...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432367
 
^ I dont think it would be necessary...
But again if you would, then it would give more performance...So do it when you are comfortable with it(i.e., after getting to know what you are doing)...
And get an aftermarket cooler if you will be overclocking - will keep the CPU cooler...
 

jsmessick

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You have a ddr3 motherboard but a ddr5 video card. I'm still new the this but are ddr5 video cards backwords compatible? or what?
 

gerry410

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just want to suggest reading all of Tom's do it yourself builds. Thats what I did and its all working well. I pretty much followed the $1500.00 March 2010 build minus 1 video card. I figured its a good safe "recipe" to follow.