$1200-$1500 Help me build a gaming computer

Cywren

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Jul 27, 2010
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Hello hello, I've been browsing forums and trying to educate myself a little bit before I posted, so here goes :) I beg you to tolerate what ignorance I may convey - I'm a learner!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Early to Mid August

BUDGET RANGE: $1200 - $1500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (FFXIV, Starcraft 2... etc...), Graphic Design (Adobe Suite)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, keyboard, I have a monitor but suggestions for compatibility with this new build would be nice

PREFFERED WEBSITES FOR PARTS: Newegg.com (I might be able to get a few parts at wholesale $ once I figure out what I need)

PARTS PREFFRENCES: None in particular

OVERCLOCKING: Never done it. Wouldn't know how :)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Generally know very little about these. That's something I'm still reading up on and trying to understand.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have some tech savy people that I can go to for help and they have given me suggestions but I'm trying to be open to ideas.

IDEAS I HAVE SO FAR:

CPU: I was really leaning towards AMD Phenom II X4 965/955 but I read alot of varying opinoins about 955 being cheaper for an unoticable difference and that i5/i7 might be better. I also hear alot of AMD is better for price/performance which is why I landed on AMD. Feel free to explain why not to go that route if you so feel it.

GPU: also hear good and bad about the Sapphire 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 GPU so I'm again *really* unsure of how to go in the GPU direction.

MOBO: No idea - still trying to settle and get a good opinoin about Processor and GPU (ASUS seems to be the brand to get though)

Everything else is generally up in the air. I have a few builds that I've set aside to compare with what you smarty-harty's can come up with :) I'm open to ideas and suggestions and discussion.

Thank you in advance for everyone's help!
 
Solution
sli and cf means that you add 2 gpu's ati/nvidia and they work together each one processing half of the screen or half the frames.

i would say go amd they will last a realy long time. intel's sockets are all going to be replaced in 2011.

here is a build for $1,357.89 with ssd and an os

mobo+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437524.13-131-631

gpu+cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.435996

case+ps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.440220

ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167018

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

ram...

SHANEMARINES

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Mar 22, 2010
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Here's a build I think you'll find interesting:

DVD Burner 18.00 With Free Shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Case and PSU 254.00: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432059

Hard Drive 70.00 With Free Shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Memory 84.00 for 2 x 1GB Sticks With Free Shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148328

CPU and Motherboard for 480.00: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430490

Graphics Card 470.00 With Free Shipping and Free StarCraft 2 Trial: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500156

Total is max 1400.00.

Edit: Wow I just have to add this, I've been gone so long I'm getting a little rusty! Sorry everyone and I left you some spare change to buy a operating system for this build. Well please if I made a mistake don't be mean to me. :(
 

GunBladeType-T

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Jul 8, 2010
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Cywren

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Jul 27, 2010
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So, just so I know I understand: SSD drive should be where programs are stored to make use of their technology while personal files should generally be stored on the HDD? Also, a lot of the fans And cooling systems that have been suggested state that they are "intel" compatible. I can safely assume the one mentioned in the build above is compatible? Any tidbits of remaing suggestions or ideas is greatly appreciated.
 

Cywren

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I went with the build you suggested mrhoshos. Thank you so much! All of the suggestions were wonderful.

Now if anyone has brands to stay away from advice or ideas on monitors I won't be offended ;)
 

stregalaw

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Jul 29, 2010
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mrhoshos96 wrote : "i would say go amd they will last a realy long time. intel's sockets are all going to be replaced in 2011."


I was thinking of getting the Intel I5-750 cpu. What do you mean they are being replaced next year? What does that mean for someone buying an Intel cpu this year?
 

SHANEMARINES

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Mar 22, 2010
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It just means that intel is ripping off consumers by changing product over so quickly and making something as in the i3/i5/i7 socket dead and making you spend the extra bucks on buy a new motherboard.

Ugh technology at its worst! Well you can always go AM3, I will admit though I really do like the performance of the i7's they are E-MAZing!! :)