$1000 budget gaming new build - need advice

[dcapdeville]

Question 1 – Is Intel currently the best option in this price range? I have done most of my research planning to build an Intel based PC. However; if I will get a faster pc for the same / less amount of money I am willing to change my initial plan. If you have a good AMD build of the same caliber I am open to posted suggestions.

Questions 2 – I am not sure to go with a GTX 470 or SLI dual GTX 460’s. Would it be worth it to use two GTX 460’s instead of 1 470 right now based on a price / performance increase?

Questions 3 – I am not sure what edition of Windows edition to pick. I do not play any retro games and want the most stable edition possible for a good price.

Question 4 – What Black Friday deals are typical? I heard that cases, ram, hard drives, go on sale but motherboards, cpu, gpu do not go on sale. I am trying to figure out what I can strategically buy early if I see a good deal.

Question 5 – Should I buy the graphics card now? I noticed that newegg is running a 10% off all graphics cards. Would it be worth it to buy one now once I figure out if I what card I will be going with?

Approximate Purchase Date: In the coming two weeks around Black Friday
Budget Range: 1000-1300 net, total after rebates, tax shipping etc.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: SC2, some high end FPS gaming, movies, surfing the net
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: Possible but need more information
OS: Windows 7 but not sure what edition
Where to buy parts – Newegg, tigerdirect, amazon

Here is my currently build. This could change if there is a Black Friday deal or deal in the coming weeks that is suggested.

CASE: $89.99 -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&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

MOTHERBOARD: $135 - BIOSTAR T5 XE CFX-SLI LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138162&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

CPU: $210 i5 - 760

RAM: $64.99 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274&cm_re=G.SKILL_Ripjaws_4GB_%282_x_2GB%29-_-20-231-274-_-Product

Hard Drive:

SSD - Willing to spend $100 for a 40-60 GB drive. I am not sure on what I am going to buy, I am hoping to get something on Black Friday here.

HDD $75 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=f3_1tb-_-22-152-185-_-Product

GPU – $260 - EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550&cm_re=gtx_470-_-14-130-550-_-Product
OR (not sure which one)

GPU – $140x2
Galaxy 60XMH6HS3HMW GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) GC 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162058

PSU $90 – CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Software – Windows not sure what version

Total (I hope to get it somewhere around ~ 1100 including tax and shipping)
Thank you in advance for the information.

 

[jasonw223]

Right now I'd pick Intel over AMD for gaming in all honesty. Actually I've got one of each right now, and although I like my AMD (mostly my motherboard haha), I'd recommend those i5s every time.

SLI 460s > 1 470 easily. There is also a 1gb version of the 460 which is a little bit faster than the 768mb version as well if you are interested.

Windows 7 Pro has an XP compatibility mode feature, so grab that if you're really concerned. I've always just bought the Home Premium 64 bit version myself.

For sales you're sort of on the right track. There are usually some video card deals too, along with what you mentioned. Honestly though, if you shop around a bit and grab some bundle deals and whatnot you'll probably save just as much as if you rush and buy everything on Black Friday. Plus you can pick exactly what you want, rather than just grab what is cheapest...

I'd wait a week or so for the video card(s). The 5xx nVidia series is coming out very very soon apparently...

Anyhow, looks like a great build. Good luck!

 

[dcapdeville]

I am leaning towards getting two SLI 460's. What will my performance increase be compared to the price? I mean total price / speed increase as I would have to buy a better PSU and Motherboard. What do you mean about a compatibility mode feature?

 

[Adamm07x]

For 70$ more i'd suggest a different Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
If you go SLI configuration it will run faster can go 16x 8x, instead of 8x 8x
Other features would include usb 3.0 standard
Sata 6gb/s

also will use tripple channel memory which has huge impact on game like SC2
here is a very nice set for a extremely low price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220

If you plan to use 3+ years as your main machine it might be better to get these features on the mobo now.

 

[jasonw223]

Only problem is that it won't work with your processor...

You'd have to switch to an i7 950 or something as well.

 

[dcapdeville]

What will not work with my processor? I dont mind upgrading the processor as long as I dont have to spend much more money an I7 is a little pricey as I do not have a microcenter near me.

 

[jasonw223]

i5 760 = socket 1156
motherboard he suggested = socket 1366

It won't fit at all. In an 1156 board you can go with i3, i5, or i7 8xx. 1366 socket is just for i7 9xx.

 

[batuchka]

Tower @ $638

+1 more HD 6850 (same model) $180

$818AR


Optional Items

Scythe MUGEN-2 Rev.B cooler $34
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-MUGENB&title=Scythe-SCMG-2100-MUGEN-2-Rev-B-5-Heat-Pipes-CPU-Cooler

Review
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535-16.html

60GB Sandforce based SSD $115AR Free Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550

Total with all optionals taken up

$967AR


HD6K: single/CF review
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8