New Gaming/Productivity build by 10/31/2010 for max $1000

[bowyer_ss]

Approximate Purchase Date: Prior to 10/31/2010.


Budget Range: Absolute maximum is $1100 AFTER MIRs, preferrably less. Under $1000 (even just $999) earns me points with my wife/Senior VP of Finance.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Shooters, and EVE Online), Productivity, Dual O/S (Windows 7, UBUNTU)


Parts Not Required: Donating my previous computer to a local non-profit, so I'll need everything including O/S.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Not familiar with all the options, but I'm comfortable with newegg.com.


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: I think I might need to stick with Intel simply due to Windows/Linux dual-boot.


Overclocking: Maybe, but unlikely.


SLI or Crossfire: Sorry, but I have no idea what these are. I'll Google them while I wait on a response


Monitor Resolution: Best for the $$


Additional Comments: ATX Mid Tower preferred. Intel preferred. I'd like the option to go with dual monitors eventually, but not immediately in this build. I'm willing to attempt to convince my wife to send a batch of cookies for the best response. I'm hoping to place my order before 10/31/2010.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

Monitor: No frills but I just got one and have to recommend it. Amazing picture.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001419

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Windows 7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium_for_system_builders-_-32-116-754-_-Product

Gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550

CPU cooler for later overclocking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212%2b-_-35-103-065-_-Product

CD/DVD burner. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221


Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185


Total is $1216 with $50 mail in rebates. $1150 for a sweet gaming machine and a beautiful 23in LCD monitor.

 

[bowyer_ss]

Thanks for the quick response!

I'm looking through the list, and don't think I see any RAM, but I think you linked some since the price is a little lower with the items you listed.

I'm gonna guess that you had 4 MB (2X2), but what would you suggest: 1600 or 1333?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Opps I guess I did forget RAM. Sorry about that. This is a great kit with very low ( fast) timings for a great price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

 

[Deleted member 217926]

You do get a free Mafia 2 game with that GPU so they count that as $59.

 

[HeyImGodly]

Case/CPU Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514462

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261075

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236083

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128457

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826664013

Keyboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823204019

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

Optional/Upgrade:
CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

SSD: (Use as boot drive for faster start times and load times on games) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393

HDD: VelociRaptor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322

Grand Total: $1,070.55 (including Ship)

(W/O optional upgrades)

 

[bowyer_ss]

Okay, so a couple things change from my original post:
a) Turns out the nonprofit doesn't need/want my old computer. Go figure. This means I'll be utilizing my exisiting monitor, keyboard, mouse. Sweet.
b) I did some more research and tried my hand at putting together a build (with the help of the posts above as well as some other threads in this forum).

So here's my attempt. Please pick it apart! Thanks, this is a fantastic community.

CPU: Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.512706

MoBo: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.533940

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

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

GPU: ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121389

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.409800

DVD: LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

This stuff: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

One of these (will I need it for the HDD??): Nippon Labs Premium 18" (1.5 ft.) SATA II Cable with locking latch for SATA I and SATA II Hard Drive Model SATA-L0.5-R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.409800

O/S: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.533940


With combos on newegg, this works out to $1139 after a $10 MIR currently.

So what do y'all think? Did I miss anything important? Did I choose quality components?

Thanks again, friends.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Looks great. You will not need that cable. The motherboard will come with them.

 

[jbakerlent]

Looks very nice. If you probably aren't going to overclock you can skip the Arctic Silver as the Hyper+ comes with some which should be fine in either case actually. You won't need the SATA cable either. To answer your original question, in case you didn't find the answer yet, Crossfire refers to running two AMD GPUs together and SLI refers to the Nvidia equivalent.

 

[bowyer_ss]

Thanks, everyone. You were all very helpful.

 

[bowyer_ss]

Just a quick update that I purchased the build I selected, received it, and built it today. It's running flawlessly so far. Thanks again for all the help!

A couple quick items if someone decides to attempt this build:
You'll need to press a little harder than you think you should to install the memory onto the Motherboard.
You'll want to install the CPU and CoolerMaster Heatsink BEFORE putting the MoBo into the Case.
Wire ties are your friends with this power supply.
The rear fan doesn't reach any of the motherboard connectors, so just connect directly to the power supply using the supplied adapter.
If you wonder whether to plug two power cables from the power supply into this video card, the answer is yes. The hardcopy documentation with this video card is sparse at best. Maybe this one was a nobrainer for experienced builders, but I was a little concerned when powering up the first time.

That's it. Fantastic computer so far, and this site was a real help prior to making my decision. Thanks, everyone.

 

[jbakerlent]

Glad to hear your build was a success!