1st time Building Gaming Under $1,000

rlu929s

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Jan 23, 2011
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Approximate Purchase Date: Soon....either this week or I can wait some time if that's better.


Budget Range: (e.g.: 600-800) 1,000 before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: I will use this PC to game and also do web programming and development. Will run things like photoshop etc. Would like to have 3 monitors on this PC.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, 2x Monitors, Have a Windows 7 Pro Upgrade Disc (Retail)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: I am not that part dependent, but want everything to play nice. I prefer Intel for CPU and Nvidia for GPU.


Overclocking: If I must, but not required.


SLI or Crossfire: Whatever gets me the best gaming options where I don't have to do this for 4+ years. At least have it SLI ready where I can add another card at a later date.


Monitor Resolution: It varies. I use both in the 1900 range.


Additional Comments: I have a 5 yr old Gateway with a Nvidia 6600 card. It's worked find up until now for my needs. I play WOW and some older games fine on it. Recently, I've tried to play Supreme Commander 2 off Steam and would like to play WOW Cataclysm, Starcraft II, SC2, and eventually Diablo III. I don't get that heavy into the gaming. I also want this system to be fast for video, Photoshop etc. I've always bought pre-built systems, but I feel currently I can only hit my budget and get something decent with a build. I upgrade PC's all the time, so I should be fine. I just want a good solid build, that doesn't give me issues. I'm planning to run 64 bit Windows 7. I have a 7 Pro Upgrade disco...so the cheapest I can get something to upgrade if possible.
 
Running 3 monitors for gaming is processing a lot of pixels, depending on size of monitors....; difficult to make a comp for $800 that will play all modern/upcoming games for 4 years.

Gaming is what drives 50%-60% of most system's costs, frankly; I'd be looking at minimum of GTX570, and, better yet, a GTX580, which unfortunately costs $499-$520, all by itself.

a 2500k/P67 mb combo will run $350-$375......
 

wasupmike

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Oct 13, 2010
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
- ASUS Black 24X DVDRW: $17

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB: $65

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
- Antec Three Hundred Illusion: $70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.587644
- [COMBO] Intel Core i5-2500K + CORSAIR Enthusiast Series 650TX PSU: $300 ($290 after mir)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146740
- Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2x2) DDR3 1333: $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157217
- ASRock P67 Extreme4 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 SLI/Crossfire: $153

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161355
- HIS H695F2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB: $300 ($270 after mir)

TOTAL: $945 ($905 after mir)

* if you're going to use 3 x monitors -> you'll have to go AMD Radeon (that has 'Eyefinity')... as Nvidia needs TWO cards to get more than 2 x monitors working at once... also you can "flash" that Radeon 6950 to a 6970 and get ~$70 worth of performance for free
 

wasupmike

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yes, you can add another card down the road...

one thing however... 99% of people do not eventually "Crossfire/SLI down the road"... it just almost never happens... as you'll be better off buying whatever new tech is out next time you plan to upgrade (and also avoid any complications with multiple video card setups)

and also, this way you build a balanced PC now... and not one that needs, for example; an extra beefy power supply (waist of power + money), just encase you add another video card in the future (which you probably won't)

as for the difference between the 2 cards - the AMD 6950 performs under (not much under) the GTX 570... however it's much cheaper too ($80 cheaper with rebates)... it can be "flashed" to an AMD 6970 specs (which will perform like the GTX 570) + and can also run 3 x monitors... seems to be the much better deal for you
 

rlu929s

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Jan 23, 2011
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I agree...that may be the way to go then.

I'll add the OEM win 7 64 bit to my order since I think the Win XP that orig came with my pc is OEM to gateway.

Is 4GB enough or should I get more? 6gb?
 

wasupmike

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Oct 13, 2010
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4GB is enough for gaming for sure...

but having said that... RAM has never been cheaper as it is now... and if you're 'splurging' anyways... for only about $40 more - you may as well double up on the memory with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095
- Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333: $83

8GB will soon be the new "standard"... and this way you'll occupy only 2 slots and will be able to still upgrade in the future
 

wasupmike

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Oct 13, 2010
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i'd also see if you can find anyone who can lend you an XP/Vista/7 Retail disc... (you only need it for a few seconds when the install from your 'Upgrade Disc' prompts you for it)

save 100 bucks...

*if you can't find anyone who has one... i'm sure you could find an ISO online to download