Gaming Desktop

[ge8ff]

I am planning on building my own desktop for the first time ever. So I'm up for all ideas and corrections on my current ideas. I also might mess up with the compatibility.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within this month
Budget Range: Under 1000
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching/editing videos, surfing
Parts Not Required: Mouse and Keyboard
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon or even ebay
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: None, except the GPU should be Nvidia
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX - $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=AMD_Phenom_II_X4_955_%283.2GHz%29_Quad-Core-_-19-103-808-_-Product

GPU: ZOTAC ZT-40402-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500169&cm_re=nvidia_geforce_gtx_460-_-14-500-169-_-Product

RAM: G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422&cm_re=8_gb_ram-_-20-231-422-_-Product

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

2nd HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium-_-32-116-754-_-Product

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Motherboard: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813157198&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

CD Drive: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Total of $900. Too high for not having a monitor..

If anything isn't compatible, please point it out. Also, I had a tough time finding a motherboard, so that should be something to look at.

Also, if you could suggest any cheaper (but still good) 1920x1080 monitors, that would be great!

Any and all help is appreciated!

 

[mdd1963]

FYI, Newegg had ATI 5870's on sale for $239 with rebates, which perform quite closely with the GTX570...less money, better performance.

As for monitors, Dell has very good 24" monitors for not much money!

 

[mdd1963]

(oh, btw, AMD boards not capable of SLI, so, a nod to AMD gpus if pondering two crossfired cards in future..)

 

[ge8ff]

Thanks for input, but the chances of me actually having SLI or Crossfire in the future is low.

However I am thinking about downgrading to a Geforce Gtx 460, instead of a 470. It would save $100.

 

[ge8ff]

What do CUDA cores affect in the GPU? I've been checking out some GTX 460's but noticed some 1GB cards are at 288 while others are at 336.

 

[real world]

I am planning on building my own desktop for the first time ever. So I'm up for all ideas and corrections on my current ideas. I also might mess up with the compatibility.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within this month
Budget Range: Under 1000
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching/editing videos, surfing
Parts Not Required: Mouse and Keyboard
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon or even ebay
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: None, except the GPU should be Nvidia
Overclocking: Won't be
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe later
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX - $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=AMD_Phenom_II_X4_955_%283.2GHz%29_Quad-Core-_-19-103-808-_-Product

GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $270
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

RAM: G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422&cm_re=8_gb_ram-_-20-231-422-_-Product

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

2nd HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium-_-32-116-754-_-Product

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Motherboard: ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646

CD Drive: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Total of $1015. Too high for not having a monitor..

If anything isn't compatible, please point it out. Also, I had a tough time finding a motherboard, so that should be something to look at.

Also, if you could suggest any cheaper (but still good) 1920x1080 monitors, that would be great!

Any and all help is appreciated!

If you live near a Microcenter They have that cpu and mobo bundled for $239.

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

Superbiz has the Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB HDD on sale for $40 with coupon code HELLO2011. It expires soon, so I'd order those ASAP. I have 3 of these drives and they are always highly recommended.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-HD502HJ&title=Samsung-SpinPoint-F3-HD502HJ-500GB-SATA2-7200rpm-16MB-Hard-Drive

Another option would be two of thse 1TB Hitachi's for $49 apiece. Double the storage for $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL010711&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL010711-_-EMC-010711-Latest-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22145304-L0A


Coraisr PSU's are terrific. I have one. However, Newegg has the 850w TX model on sale for $109 with coupon code EMCKJKC29 Plus it comes with a $20 MIR. So it's $89 after rebate. These deals end though, so act quickly.

Tons of deals every few days on the Radeon 5870, which like someone else mentioned, is probably the better choice. The deals I see run from $199 AR to $224 AR on the low end. If not, the 470 is on par, but more expensive. Since you you need a monitor, you're going to have to cut costs somewhere. I'd consider eliminating a HDD, and moving a step down on the GPU. Opt for something inside the range of a 5850, GTX460, or a 6850. Doing that, and eliminating a drive, would save you enough money to buy a nice monitor. What good is having all the hardware, if the screen you play on blows?

Newegg just had a huge sale on RAM. I'd recommend something, but it's all so much more than it was just a week ago. Ripjaws is great. If you're up for waiting, then I might wait to see if some 1600 goes on sale in the next week or so. It should.

 

[ge8ff]

Wow thanks alot.

I'm planning on stepping down to GTX460. Can you recommend one (EVGA, Asus, Gigabyte, etc)?

And yeah, I guess a monitor would make a huge difference.

 

[ge8ff]

Updated post

Changed CPU from:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=
to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813157198&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Changed GPU from:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=
to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500169&cm_re=nvidia_geforce_gtx_460-_-14-500-169-_-Product

Also would the that CPU bottleneck the GPU?

Saved $100