$600 Christmas Gaming Build PC Help/Advice Needed Please!!!

His fixation on a 6870 will drive the build about 100 bucks over budget... If he's fine with a Micro-ATX mobo (no future expansion beyond more RAM)...

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 (combo saves 10 bucks)
GPU: Radeon 6870
MOBO: Asus M4A78LT-M
RAM: Ripjaws RAM
HDD: Spinpoint 320 GB
Optical Drive: Your choice of cheap super-multis, all sub-20 bucks.
Case: HAF 912
PSU: Corsair 500W

Cost: $660, before -$30 from 6870 and PSU rebate and whatever shipping adds.

Can you convince him to 'downgrade' to a 6850? It's still a competent card. Or maybe an Nvidia GTX 460?

YEah can u show me a build with GTX 460 and the case doesnt have to be so advanced. Also my friend isnt planning on upgrading much so that mobo is good. as for the CPU u can go lower as long it doesnt bottleneck

Well, the case isn't 'advanced', it's actually rather small and barebones for a gaming rig...

Anyways, just follow the "good" chart on this guide.

Going with a lesser CPU would bottleneck a 6800 series or 460+.

I mean, it's unfortunate, but he can not expect $800 system performance for something $200 cheaper. He's gotta accept a compromise on his GPU, or increase his budget.

Ok. How about this:

Athlon II X3 450 + MSI 880: $146.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Rosewill Destroyer: $44.99 (39.99 with Newegg discount code)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

4 pk of 120mm fans: $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

4GB DDR3 RAM: $41.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec Neo Eco 400W PSU: $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
(Alternately, the Xigmatek 500W model is the same price)

Gigabite HD 6850: $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Samsung F3 1TB Hard drive: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

lite-on 24x DVD burner: $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
(chosen for free shipping)

total: $555.92 ($550.92 w/ code)
and free shipping on everything!

true quad/Best 460 card

WHat is so good about that 460? and why not 6850?

Can someone tell me how this build is? i thought it was good

ODD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
GPU(Fishy) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Case+Mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
Ram + CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Now is that a good build? Also does that Graphic card look fishy? And everything is compatible with each other right

Powercolor = no.

Try http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... . Rebate brings it down to 180 bucks, so a bit cheaper.

Hmm then i would jus get a 6850 but whats wrong with a powercooler?

you just usually wanna stay away from that brand and go with one of the better ones. like HIS,MSI,Gigabyte,Asus,Saphire atleast when looking at ATi GPU's.

Okay then i will get a HIS 6850 would that make it a good build?

should be fine

yup what Screwy said.

I have had a couple (more than 1 is plain embarrassing) PowerColor GPU's. Unless you like cheap crap, listen to what they said and don't get it!

Also, I don't consider myself and ATI or nVidia fanboi (I *AM* a Gigabyte fanboi!!). I had never used nVidia until I got a 570 about a week ago (recently I had ATI 5770s, 5870 and a 6850) and I really really like the nVidia a LOT.