Need help choosing a few components for $800 gaming rid

[bubbleman441]

I'm want to put together a gaming computer for around $800. I've have most of the components picked out (I'm open to other suggestions and deals). I'm pretty set on getting the i5 and GTX 470 but if anyone can help me out with the rest of the setup to keep it under $800, while still being reliable that would be much appreciated. As far as motherboards go, I'd like to find one with optical output for my receiver. Additionally, I'm looking to possibly SLI another GTX 470 in the future. I'm not sure what brands make reliable motherboards either. Same goes for RAM... Here's what I've been looking at so far:

CPU - Core i5 760 2.8GHz - $210
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6634220&CatId=4729

GPU - EVGA GTX 470 - $300
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6594580&sku=E145-0472%20SC

RAM - $85
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4837614&sku=C13-8220

HDD - $60
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4691121&sku=TSD-1000AS4

PSU - $70
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276567&sku=ULT-LSP750

CASE - $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5222597&sku=A406-1094



Motherboards I'm looking at (I'm sure there are better options out there to keep it under $800):

EVGA P55 Micro SLI Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5083731

ASRock P55 PRO/USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157203&cm_re=p55_motherboard-_-13-157-203-_-Product
I'm unclear as to whether or not this has 2 PCI Express 16X slots or just one.. if I sli'd two 470's together wouldn't I want two?

 

[davcon]

Better case and psu.Stay away from ULTRA it's junk.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492921

Ram-better/faster
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006127%20600006066%20600006156&IsNodeId=1&page=2&bop=And&CompareItemList=147%7C20-226-103%5E20-226-103-TS%2C20-231-303%5E20-231-303-TS%2C20-145-285%5E20-145-285-TS

 

[bubbleman441]

Thanks for the info. Right now my main issue is the motherboard. Any suggestions?

 

[davcon]

Thanks for the info. Right now my main issue is the motherboard. Any suggestions?

Here's a few
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%2050001312%20600007888&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=280%7C13-131-621%5E13-131-621-TS%2C13-130-298%5E13-130-298-TS%2C13-130-272%5E13-130-272-TS%2C13-130-291%5E13-130-291-TS

 

[swifty_morgan]

The hard drive is really slow.... 5900rpm...... 7200 minimum..... you will notice the difference. Price newegg and see what you end up with.

 

[asteldian]

Those mobos Davcon linked are a good selection. All can handle 2 x GPU, and 3 of them have USB/SATA III too. The Asus one tends to be a favorite amongst people due to good quality and good OCing ability. But MSI is also very good especialyl if you are not an extreme OCer.

The HDD is too slow. I would sooner lose space and go with a 500gb Samsung Spinpoint F3 500gb HDD for much better performance. The 1TB version is $75...in fact, if you buy it now it has a promo code which takes it down to $60 which is a real bargain.


Not sure on that PSU. I don't know about its quality as I tend to stick with Corsair for guaranteed decent PSU. I don't think that PSU has enough PCI - E cables for 2 x GTX470s

If you can use newegg they have a great deal on awesome RM and a quality PSU:
G Skill 1600mhz CL7 RAM + 850W Corsair PSU - $188 ($168 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492823

If you count the rebate, then for just $12 more than what oyu picked you get a more powerful and great quality PSU and faster, better RAM

 

[itouchedyou]

i know you said you're set on the i5 +470 but since you are on quite a low budget i would recommend going AMD. the 955 performs pretty much on par with the i5 in games (i'm not sure if that's what your primary use is, im just assuming)

CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition $150
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5752143&CatId=4431

MOBO - ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 $150
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5770119&CatId=4296

GPU - XFX Radeon HD5850 $285
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078264&CatId=3669

RAM - 4GB Corsair Dominator 1600Mhz $115
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6044636&CatId=4533

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $70
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=6448061&sku=TSD-1000S2&srkey=samsung%20spinpoint%20f3

PSU - Corsair TX650 650W $80
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438607&Sku=C13-2502

Case - NZXT M59 $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5222597&sku=A406-1094&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=X3Th4gZi_iQ-rNCdtNr9XrOhdUcauwifAg

TOTAL = $900

The build you listed was going to be $930 at least. This one gives you a more reliable PSU, faster RAM, faster HDD. You can change the 5850 for the 470 for $15 more. I didn't use newegg because I saw you were using tigerdirect, you could probably combo all that to get it to ~$820

 

[bubbleman441]

i know you said you're set on the i5 +470 but since you are on quite a low budget i would recommend going AMD. the 955 performs pretty much on par with the i5 in games (i'm not sure if that's what your primary use is, im just assuming)

CPU - AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition $150
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5752143&CatId=4431

MOBO - ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 $150
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5770119&CatId=4296

GPU - XFX Radeon HD5850 $285
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078264&CatId=3669

RAM - 4GB Corsair Dominator 1600Mhz $115
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6044636&CatId=4533

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $70
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=6448061&sku=TSD-1000S2&srkey=samsung%20spinpoint%20f3

PSU - Corsair TX650 650W $80
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438607&Sku=C13-2502

Case - NZXT M59 $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5222597&sku=A406-1094&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=X3Th4gZi_iQ-rNCdtNr9XrOhdUcauwifAg

TOTAL = $900

The build you listed was going to be $930 at least. This one gives you a more reliable PSU, faster RAM, faster HDD. You can change the 5850 for the 470 for $15 more. I didn't use newegg because I saw you were using tigerdirect, you could probably combo all that to get it to ~$820

Valid point although with the rebates everything I listed was just a little over $800... however I still needed to find a mobo too. I realize the i5 might be a little much for my budget gaming system. I was interested in Nvidia's 3d vision possibly later but maybe ATI will come out with some solution when I'm ready to make that purchase.

 

[bubbleman441]

asteldian, thanks for the info on the HDD... I overlooked the speed issue. I may actually go with the 500GB HDD to save money. I think that should be plenty of space for games and music.