First Custom Gaming Build

[Bbpsword]

Hey forums,

I am looking to build a new gaming rig, and it has been 4 years since my last real rig. I guess I'll use the template, as it seems to be the easiest way of getting a message across.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Soon, very soon....

BUDGET RANGE: $600-750 After rebates (only way I'll be able to afford the damn thing)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Video Editing, Photoshop, Movies, Music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I really dont' care. Cheapest prices (including shipping)

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD CPU for sure, I want either a 5850 or a GTX 460, whatever works out best

OVERCLOCKING: CPU (maybe) and definetely gpu

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: In the future, yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680 x 1050 (might upgrade in the future, but it works for now.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want to be able to play any game....with ooh shiny settings. Also, I'm on a very strict budget, so any suggestions would be great.

 

[obsidian86]

MSI N460GTX Hawk
major combo

$685 after rebate

 

[sp12]

Phenom 2 X4 955 150$
4GB G.skill eco series 99$
XFX black edition 750 91$
Antec 300 Illusion 60$
Generic litescribe OD 18$
Samsung f3 60$
GTX 460 1GB 190$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261075
Motherboard 110$: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100007625%20600007943&IsNodeId=1&Manufactory=1944%2C1312%2C1315%2C1314&PropertyCodeValue=719%3A57559%2C719%3A57237%2C719%3A57483%2C719%3A55462%2C7968%3A74809%2C7968%3A55465%2C7968%3A56407%2C7968%3A57760&bop=And&CompareItemList=22|13-130-275^13-130-275-TS%2C13-130-276^13-130-276-TS%2C13-157-188R^13-157-188-TS%2C13-128-443^13-128-443-TS%2C13-157-191R^13-157-191-TS

Eh, went over by 28. Could definitely shave cash on the PSU/ram. Case and mobo are are feature focused as well.

 

[Bbpsword]

obsidian86, that was perfect, until the mobo. I want to crossfire in the future, and that mobo has an x16, x4. soooooo clooooose

 

[sp12]

You can't crossfire a GTX 460 so IMO that's not all that relevant.

 

[Bbpsword]

I am going with a 5850. This one is cheap, it's a FROZR II, and it's an ATI card. Alll the easier to choose.
Here's the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127500&cm_re=5850-_-14-127-500-_-Product

 

[sp12]

Link? What price? In most cases a 470 offers better price/performance if you have the cash to spend. Though IMO I would spend that on components that hold value, like ram, HD, PSU, OD, and the case.

Motherboards, CPUs, and GPUs degrade in value rapidly.

 

[Bbpsword]

Threw a link in the above post.

 

[sp12]

Now that's a deal to jump on

 

[Bbpsword]

Here's a build I've been slaving over for the past few hours. Any takes on it?

CPU & PSU: Phenom II X4 945 + OCZ ModXStream Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.499427

Case & Drive: NZXT M59 + Samsung 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492950

RAM: Patriot G Series Sector 5 DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint 500 Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Mobo & OS: ASUS EVO + Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437524.13-131-402

GPU: MSI Radeon 5850 Twin Frozr
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127500&cm_re=5850-_-14-127-500-_-Product

Any help to cut prices would be AMAZING. (I know, already cheap. But I'm TIGHT ON CASH)

 

[sp12]

IMO I would spend 10$ more to avoid that modxstream, they're very much crap. http://www.hardocp.com/article/2008/11/12/ocz_700w_modxstream_pro_power_supply/4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492980 (use code XFXPOWER)

For 5$ you can double the capacity of your hard drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

For 2$ this ram will pay for itself in voltage savings. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144266

Sorry, seemed to have bumped it 17$, but those components are quite a bit nicer.


Potentially a better buy for the 800 series chipsets: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437524.13-130-275 USB+Sata3, but only x4 crossfire. This mobo is also very nice, but OoS on Newegg. http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-870-CrossFireX-Motherboard-Extreme3/dp/B003L838IE

 

[Bbpsword]

I like the hard-drive, and that deal on the PSU is killer (forgot to apply the promo) Also, is that ASRock Mobo 2 true x16 slots? Cause I don't want anything less than dual x8 mode, ya know?

 

[sp12]

Combo instant off? Ignore the combo+MIR savings since they cancel eachother out. With the Code XFXPOWER the XFX is only 10$ more.

Yes it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198&cm_re=asrock_extreme3-_-13-157-198-_-Product

 

[Bbpsword]

My bad, I feel like a dumbass. That combo w/ the promo code really is amazing. Guess I should read better next time . But about that ASRock....is it true dual x16's?

 

[sp12]

Dual X16 physical, 16X electrical to split between the two.

 

[Bbpsword]

So x8 x8 when in crossfire config?

 

[sp12]

Yes.

 

[Bbpsword]

that's okay. I applied a coupon code to the current mobo and got 10 off, and with a 20 mail in rebate, i'd say it's a darn good deal.

 

[sp12]

For that price, go for it. Sata/USB 3 aren't huge deals IMO.

 

[Bbpsword]

Any other cost cutters? I'm currently at 756 after rebates. maybe a little more budget cutting if possible?

 

[Bbpsword]

bump