BestConfigs - Budget Intel-Based Gaming PC

jpishgar

Splendid
Overlord Emeritus
We're updating the Tom's Hardware BestConfigs and are opening the field to user recommendations! Post the best configuration you can put together for the following build category and our editorial team will pick 5 recommendations in each category to put to a public vote. The top-ranking build will go on to become one of Tom's Hardware's BestConfigs, and you'll get the credit for having put together a brilliant build with special notice in the feature article.

Post your entries to this thread for the category of Budget Intel-Based Gaming PC, stay under $1,000 and be sure to list the following components-

Processor:
Motherboard:
RAM:
Graphics Card:
Hard Drive:
Case:
Power Supply:
DVD Burner:

Good luck, and may the best builds win!
 

mtd324

Distinguished
May 20, 2009
30
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18,530
Ok
This is what I would do with $1k

Proc: i5-760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 92mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

MB: Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

RAM: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

GPU: ZOTAC ZT-40402-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500169

HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283

Case: COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Optical: Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Optical 2: LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

Total: $998.90 (Before $20 MIR for PSU)
 

CypHill

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Jan 10, 2008
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18,510
I'm actually doing a full system that includes a monitor and keyboard/mouse.. 1920x1080p gaming nowadays is a must and not everyone has a good monitor to start out with. I'm assuming the builder is starting from scratch and has a valid *cough, cough* copy of Windows

Processor:i5 750 - $195 (just a little cheaper than 760 and offers great OC performance)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Motherboard:Biostar H55 Micro ATX - $70 (great little board for this category)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138189

RAM:G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1600 - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

Graphics Card:Zotac GTX 460 1GB - $220 (a must for 1920x1080p gaming)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500169

Hard-drive:Hitachi 1TB 7200rpm SATA 3Gb/s - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304

Power Supply:Seasonic 520w 80+Bronze Certified - $60 (only the best)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Keyboard:Logitech K120 Black USB wired - $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126096

Mouse:Logitech M500 Corded Laser Mouse - $37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104328

LCD Monitor:ASUS 23" 2ms 1920x1080 LED backlit - $200 (must have for 1920x1080)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236075

Total = $996.60 before shipping for a complete system. This build is only more valuable if you overclock.

 
Processor: i5 760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067
Motherboard: MSI P55A-G55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130292
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226103
Graphics card: MSI R5850 Twin Frozr II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127500
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 Plus Bronze Cert.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002
DVD Burner: LITE-ON DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333

Price: $984.92 Before shipping, MIR, Discount, Shipping is 5.79

Price: (After the XFXPOWER Newegg promo) $974.21

Are you guys including discounts from promos and MIRs? If so I'd build this differently.
 

camarokm

Distinguished
Aug 30, 2010
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Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118039 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039
R
$18.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

$74.99


two 460gtx galaxy http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162058 there 10 cheaper a piece

-$40.00 Instant

($179.99 each)

2 = $360.00
MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130239
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate13-130-239
$159.99



Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 combo
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.469003 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.469003

-$55.00 Instant
-$24.99 Combo
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-341-018

$329.98
$249.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ combo
NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.469301 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.469301
-$20.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo


$154.98
$119.98
2 case fans http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233009
$14.00


Grand Total: $997.92 not including rebates. ($65. that i would use for a cpu cooler) like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
 

Derbixrace

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May 26, 2008
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19,360
CPU: i5 750 194.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Mobo: Asus P7P55D EVO 144.99$ 30$ MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131407

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL7 89.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226154

GPU: Asus GTX 470 + FREE Mafia 2 294.99$ 20$ MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121372

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1Tb 74.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case: CM HAF 922 89.98$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

PSU: Corsair VX550 89.99$ 10$ MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

DVD Burner: Lite-On 24x Black SATA 17.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Total: 997.91$ (60$ MIR not included)
 

dennisburke

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
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18,680
This system is based off of what I built for myself, but includes an upgraded GPU...


Processor: Intel i5-750...$194.99...free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215


Motherboard: EVGA P55 SLI...$179.99...($40.00 rebate)...free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188055


RAM: CORSAIR...XMS3...2 x 2GB @ 1600...$93.99...(10.00 rebate)...free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260


Graphics Card: EVGA GTX 460 Superclocked 1GB...$239.99...($10.00 rebate)...$7.56 shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130571


Hard Drive: WD 640GB Black...$74.99...free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319


Case: ANTEC-Nine Hundred Two...$119.95...$9.99 shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058


Power Supply: CORSAIR TX750W...$109.99...($10.00 rebate)...$1.99 shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


DVD Burner: ASUS 24X...$22.99...free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204



TOTAL: ($1,036.88) - ($70.00 Rebates) + ($19.54 Shipping) = $986.42





 
G

Guest

Guest
Screw the i5! Think outside the box!

Processor: Xenon 3440 4 core/8 thread $232.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117225

Motherboard: MSI H55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130268

Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $92.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Case/PSU: Rosewill R519-BK Black Computer Case 500W Power Supply $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147081

Burner: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136180

Video: 2X GIGABYTE GV-R583UD-1GD Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $199.99 x 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125317&cm_re=hd_5830-_-14-125-317-_-Product

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395


Total $998.42
 

TheRockMonsi

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Aug 12, 2010
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Okay, so I decided to do a little build myself - it's an SLI setup of two GTX 460's (768MB) with an i5-750:

Processor (with aftermarket cooler) - $229.98:

i5-750 w/GELID Solutions Tranquillo


Motherboard - $74.99:

EVGA P55V Micro ATX Intel Motherboard


RAM - $93.99:

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)


Graphics cards - $179.99 each:

Two Galaxy GeForce GTX 460's GC 768MB w/a free copy of Just Cause 2 (I think it's one free copy per card :) )


HDD - $54.99 ($15 off with promo code; code used in calculations):

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB Internal Hard Drive


Case - $69.99:

NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan Black Steel / Plastic Gaming mATX Computer Case


Power Supply - $89.99:

Thermaltake TR2 BRONZE 700W Power Supply


DVD Burner - $18.99:

Sony Optiarc Black CD/DVD Burner




Price excluding shipping & handling, excluding rebates:

$977.90


Price including shipping & handling, excluding rebates:

$1008.10 (Gosh, I hate s&h charges :fou: )


Price including shipping & handling, including rebates:

$948.10


Oh, and btw I'm huge on making sure the RAM is 100% compatible with the motherboard - I definitely did my research on that. Also, I made sure the case could house a tower heatsink, and it can fit up to 170mm+, so that's not a problem either (source of info from the NZXT website).




Had to end up changing the power supply because the one I put up went out of stock overnight. This is another good one, and hopefully it'll stay in stock long enough for this whole ordeal lol.
 

BillLake

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Feb 9, 2007
164
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18,680
Well I got a Intel i7-875 unlocked quad core CPU and a GeForce 4600 GPU all for under $1000.


LITE-ON DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106333 $19.99


Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042 $59.95


Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136283 $59.99


SPARKLE SXX460768D5NM GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814187112 $189.99


CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139006 $109.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
Item #: N82E16820231303 $97.99


GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128425 $119.99


Intel Core i7-875K Lynnfield 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Unlocked Desktop Processor BX80605I7875K
Item #: N82E16819116368 $329.99

Subtotal: $987.88

Rebates: $20.00

Shipping $14.82

Final total $982.70

If you do not like the rebates then swap to this power supply and your under $1000 without the rebates and not loosing much.

COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W ATX12V v2.31 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817171053 $99.99
 
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151192
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192


Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129066
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066


Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148395
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$5.00 Instant $59.99
$54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395


EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130550
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$349.99
$319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550



CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139004
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$104.99
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
Item #: N82E16820231303
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$97.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303


GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128412
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412


Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
Item #: N82E16819115067
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067
Subtotal: $1,000.92
40.00 MIR
28.32 shipping

 
+1 for 2x GTX 460 SLI

CPU - i5 760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

Mobo - ASUS P7P55D EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131407

RAM - Mushkin 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226092

CASE - NZXT BETA EVO Classic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059
+ additonal fan -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200049

Graphic cards - 2x GTX 460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162058

PSU - Antec EA 650W - We know it can handle 2x HD 4870s, so 2x GTX 460s should be fine...

HDD - Samsung F3 500GB

DVD - Lite-On or ASUS SATA DVD...

The reason why I left out SSD is to include the additonal GTX 460...
A gamer would appreciate more FPS than faster load times...
 

f-14

Distinguished
call me crazy, ( i already know i'm going to take flack for the case, there are better and cheaper i checked newegg and saw some decent ones for $10-15 less but future add-in upgradability is my preference) so here goes:

I-7 930 $199.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303

Gigabyte GA-X58-UDR3 $219.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0327331

OCZ Obsidian DDR3 4GB (2x2GB) 1600 (PC3 12800) $83.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227495

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0GB/S $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

EVGA Geforce GTX460 Superclocked 1024MB GDDR5 EE $249.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0342820

Thermaltake V4 Black Edition VM30001W2Z ATX Mid Tower $44.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340862

Coolermaster GX 750W ATX $79.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328087

Sony Optiarc 7260S-OB 24X SATA CD/DVD-DL+/-RW $18.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

grand total damage: $987.92 + $22 shipping . ( i know i ordered all but the memory and case last week from microcenter. for unknown reasons the CPU is in-store pick up only atm).

yes newegg has better deals on PSU, Case, and DVD Burners. i'm just an odd duck and liked this combo a teenie tiny bit more. some rebates ($20&$15&$10= -$45) not figured in or listed. tried to stay a bit under for a better cpu sink/fan combo, but you can just use the extra else where & or for case fans.
 

dEAne

Distinguished
Dec 13, 2009
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19,860
This is my Intel Build Gaming PC.

Processor:
Intel™ Core™ i7 920 2.66 ghz 8mb 4.8 GTs
Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
RAM:
8Gb DDR3 2000/PC3 16000 G.Skill Trident Dual Channel
F3-16000CL9Q-8GBTD
Graphics Card:
GIGABYTE® ATI® Radeon HD5850 - 1GB GDDR5, 256-Bit
Hard Drive:
WDC Caviar Black 640gb/64mb (WD6402AAEX)
WDC Caviar Green 2tb/64mb (WD20EARS)
Case:
Cooler Master HAF 922 Gamer's Case Mesh Side
Power Supply:
Corsair (HX850) 850watts HX series
DVD Burner:
Lite On Blu Ray Burner
 

kokoryba

Distinguished
Aug 31, 2010
13
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18,510
Reasonable price / TOTAL: $559.92 exc. shipping
(you can spend spare money for windows 7 licence and/or new display)

I think this build is fast enough and should last at least 3-4 years.

Best components are CPU and GPU- its a best buy i think

2x hard drives (this is I think choke point of every modern pc so I went for 2 in raid)

Motherboard is quite basic, slower than non graphic MBs but should work

Case and power supply is just a neccesarily evil, neutral black color and 480W PS is good enough (with good reserve as 350W would still work)

CPU: intel core2-quadcore 2.5 (quite expensive but still good buy)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207

Motherboard: MSI / G31 chipset/ very good price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130279

RAM: 4GB DDR2 800 ultra low latency 4-4-4-12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148212

GPU: RADEON HD 5770/ 1GB / 128-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338

Hard drive: 2x Samsung SATA II 320 GB(640 total) 7200 RPM 16MBcache(32 total), average latency 4.17ms (in raid 1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152244

Case (power supply included): ATX Mid Tower / Black / with 480W power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148044

DVD burner: LG 22x black Sata, LightScribe support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

TOTAL: $559.92 exc. shipping


with os, display, mouse and keyboard

keyboard: keytronic, very good quality I have one for almost 7 years now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823131060

Mouse: basic logitech, black 1000dpi

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104365

Display: Samsung 21.5'' 1920*1080 LED backlight

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001417

OS: windows 7 home

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

TOTAL: $887.88





 

TheRockMonsi

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Aug 12, 2010
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18,680

cyber_tron

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2010
49
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18,530
processor : i5 750

gpu : ASUS direct CU gtx 460

motherboard hdd combo : EVGA P55- SLI and SEAGATE barracuda 500GB

PSU RAM combo : corsair 750w and corsair 4GB ddr3 1600mhz (latency 7 :D )

case : antec 600 black (if you care about quality more than looks and cooling... there are plenty other options)

dvd rw: sony 24x dvd rw drive

cpu cooler :hyper 212 plus

total price (after promos rebates and shipping) : 830$ (i'm sure as its in my cart)

if hdd speed/capacity is low, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=500gb_7200-_-22-152-181-_-Product can be added for a raid and still the price will just be 883$.

WHY I SHOULD WIN: AMAZINGLY future proof.. with future SLI possibility and the scaling of the gtx 460 as well as the 750w psu, the possibilities are endless, also u spend $200 less than your budget :D

thank you :)

edit: saw some people including 2 gtx 460s within $1000...
Take the cooler off, take an antec 300, u'll be able to fit another within the budget... and fyi, they have either gone down on the psu or the processor :)
 

kokoryba

Distinguished
Aug 31, 2010
13
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18,510


why you shouldnt win :D


you pay and wont use:
1/dual gigabit lan
2/ Sli for at least a couple of years
3/ fast DDR3 controller
4/cpu fan
5/750w PSU

i am 300 under your budget and when you upgrade to your SLI mode, I will buy a brand new MB,CPU and GPU(this time, maybe APU from AMD), using old components like GPU, HDs... :D

 

lp231

Splendid
IMHO I think there should be some restriction into how parts are picked.
-No combo deals as they do take a significant discount

-The total price must include all charges because if you spend $980 bucks on it then by adding the fees, it will go over budget

-While in a low price is attractive, but that does not automatically means it's the best build.

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 @ 2.66GHz
The cheapest out of the bunch and while most of us wants a extreme edition just for bragging rights, the important thing is, it's your machine and who gives a damn what others have.

Mobo: Asus P7P55 LX
Lets you upgrade with the available PCI slot, sure PCIe is the new thing, but how many devices besides graphic card, do you see that uses PCIe?

RAM: G.Skill RipJaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600

GPU: HIS HD5870
The high-end of the HD5000 series in terms of single GPU configurations.

HDD: WD Blue 500GB SATA 3Gb/s
Speedy, quiet, and has a 16mb of cache, also it's blue. :p

CASE: Cooler Master CM690 II Basic

PSU: Cooler Master 600w
original price $119.99, you get $50 bucks instant rebate!

DVD writer: LG DVD writer (SATA)

subtotal: $960.92
tax: none
S&H: $12.99

Grand total: $973.91