Gaming(WoW mostly)/Entertainment System

[HokiesSkinsCapsWizNats]

Hello all,

I am looking to put together a totally new system and have no clue about what parts I should get. I've never put together my own system, but have been told by just about everyone I know that it is more effective/cheaper to put together your own system by buying parts and assembling the computer yourself. I do have a friend who is good at putting together machines who would be able to help me out with assembly. I also have a friend who followed tonkatuffmofo's build here and is very pleased, so I thought I could kind of use this as a base build and upgrade appropriately based on my budget:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/297264-31-computer-expansion-cataclysm

Based on my budget, I may not want to use any of the parts here... I am just referencing this build because I have a friend who was happy with it so don't feel like you have to use any of these parts at all. I am able to spend in the neighborhood of $1500-$2000 and would like my system to be concentrated in general performance and graphics performance.

I'll paste the build linked above here for convenience with the differences in budget etc:

Approximate Purchase Date: within 1 month

Budget Range: $1500-$2000 pre-rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (mostly WoW), Video playback, media center

Parts Not Required: none. I would need everything including montior, keyboard, mouse.

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: No preferences. Just looking for great performance.

Overclocking: I would be interested in exploring this but it isn't a must.

SLI or Crossfire: I would like the best graphics possible while not sacrificing general performance otherwise. I am assuming I would want an SLI/Crossfire enabled build.

Monitor Resolution: I use 1280X800 on a laptop I have. Whatever is normal for gaming would be fine.

Additional Comments: Just want a high performing gaming system for the most part.


tonkatuffmofo 10-20-2010 at 08:53:59 AM
Best answer
This is probably a more balanced build with some better quality components in the mix.
Went for a phenomII tri core with 6mb L3 cache @ 3ghz, Reason being by using core unlocker in the bios of the selected mobo you get a quad core @ 3ghz for $88
This build is complete with OS for $744.90 after MIB of about 25 bucks
You could gut another 30 or 40 bucks out of it by going for a cheaper case and psu but personally this build would serve you very well.

Coolermaster Storm Scout Case $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119196

Coolermaster Extreme 700w PSU $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171054

Asus DVD Burner $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135224

Asus M4A77T/USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131656

AMD Phenom II X3 740 Black Edition Heka 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core $88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103699

Sunbeam CR-CCTF92-4 92mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler $16.99 after MIB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207006

Mushkin DDR3 1333 2x2Gig Total 4 Gig Ram $65.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146748

Radeon 5830, 1Gig Ram $154.99 after MIB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161327

Western Digital Caviar Black 640gig $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM $99.99

 

[HokiesSkinsCapsWizNats]

I should also mention that I would like to have something that would last and be upgradeable as time goes on. I would also like a good sound card/speakers... don't have to be the greatest, but above average at least.

If a major difference (SLI vs. non-SLI for example) could be made in the system by adding up to an extra $500 on the budget I'd be willing to consider putting the money out for that.

 

[HokiesSkinsCapsWizNats]

Bumping up. I could really use the help guys and honestly I've totally fallen out of the loop with regard to computer components over the years. I guess what I am asking is if you wanted to build the best gaming computer with emphasis on graphics, performance, upgradeability, staying power and to a lesser degree, sound what parts would you get (newegg is fine) for up to $2000 maybe $2500 if the extra would make a huge difference. I'm completely lost on what I should get for my budget range.