First Time Build - ~800 Gaming Rig

[Hord]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next couple weeks (2-3 tops. I have to spend the tax return money somehow)

Budget Range: ~$800ish before rebates

System Usage: Playing MMO type games (I.E. LOTRO, then SWTOR)

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard (I kind of need everything....)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon (no access to Microcenter (man I wish though)

Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Parts Preferences: Looking at AMD so far, but no real preference (Best I can get for my price range).

Overclocking: Maybe. Honestly never have, but would like too if I can learn how.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: No preference, I need a new monitor. (Best I can get atm would work)

Additional Comments:

This is my first time attemp at a build, please be kind . I'm currently running on a system from bought in 2002 (eek!!) So I'm a bit behind on the tech curve. I'd be happy to get a system in my price range that can handle MMO games well. Let's face it, anything is better than what I currently have at this moment.

I'm currently looking at an AMD Phenom X4 955 BE, along with a Geforce GTX 460 1GB. Started there and trying to work out from that start point. (Not sure if I'm aiming too high to start with or not.) Any input would be appreciated.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my siggy for the 600$ build. Just switch the 925 out for the 955 and it'll work out just nicely. (620$ish) plus your monitor and it'd be fine.

 

[MannyPacquiao]

Thanks, replacing a 955 with a 925 gives me $40 to play with and go from a 6870 to a 5870. Is a 5870 better, because the 6870 I found is only $180 after rebate.

(Sorry to the OP)

 

[batuchka]

Tower $528AR

23" LCD $149.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7271017&CatId=4420

$678AR total before OS (if needed)

 

[Hord]

Thanks for the info guys.

@azn - I actually started looking at your 600 build prior, was mixing and matching. It is good to hear that I was on track (so to speak) on what I was looking for in a new build.

@Azn & @Bat - Both of you think I should go with the 768mb GTX 460 instead of the 1gb. It seems this might be an area where I can recoup some of the money that I need to spend on other things (i.e. OS and Monitor).

@Bat - The one combo deal you have in there (CPU/GPU/MOBO) I can not find that for the life on Newegg. Unless it's just CPU and then a GPU/MOBO combo. At which point I can find that one. Just looks like it's one package from the picture.



Mobo question - For the bridge should I be looking for an AMD 870/890 vs an AMD 770?


Lastly - Heatsink/fan for CPU....?

 

[batuchka]

Yep CPU then combo of mobo +GPU here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.596216

 

[aznshinobi]

Well the 870 is fine. 890 would be kind of a waste of money just because AM3+ is coming out soon so why waste more money on a "dead" platform. I mean it's still usable I'm just saying you wouldn't have much of an upgrade path anyway. Other than graphically of course. The 870 would actually be good enough for most builders/users.

Heatsink - Hyper 212+ 26$ w/ a free fan and shipping of Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d3_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1NF4TDNM7W3QKY1H4TA4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
Review: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/19383-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus-cpu-cooler-review.html

Go with a 460 768mb you'll save some money and it's just a minor differential from 460 1gb to 460 768mb.

Personally I think my 600$ build would do just fine, the main reason, the 6850 1GB is better than both the 460 768mb and the 460 1GB. Especially in CF/SLI. So I think that my budget build would work. But if your on a crazy budget, Batchuka's build would do. Either way, you make it out to have money left for your monitor.
460 1GB vs 6850 1GB
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=313

460 768mb vs 6850 1GB
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=315

 

[Hord]

An ignorance question on my part.

The HD 6800 are PCI Express 2.1 x 16 but the Asrock board in your build only uses PCI Express 2.0 x 16.

I take it that they are not compatable?


Thanks for the HS/Fan link.

 

[aznshinobi]

They are compatible. All PCI/PCI Express cards are backwards compatible. So equally, something like a 580 could fit in a PCI 16x slot. (not 2.0) You just wouldn't get the full bandwidth but that'd only affect about 10%.

 

[Hord]

@Azn - Forgot to ask this about the what you said about the board bridge. Would it be fair to say to get the AMD 870 bridge over the AMD 770 Bridge (the one in Bat's build that's grouped with the 786 card.)

Another thought. In the terms of saving some money on the build the difference in the parts of a GTX 460 768 vs a HD 6850, is there that much difference really? I looked at the link on Anandtech, and yeah the numbers are difference but in the long run is there that much of a benifit for the 30-40 dollar savings I would see?

Thanks for putting up with me so far. lol

 

[aznshinobi]

Well the benefits would be seen in a higher resolution. Basically anything like 1680x1050 to 1920x1080 you'd notice a better frame rate. But if you don't plan to get any monitors like that. Then the 460 768mb would be a good choice. The only thing about the 770 I don't like is it doesn't have the SATA 6 and USB 3 support.

 

[MannyPacquiao]

This is what I'm getting for my build that you can consider

23in HD 1080p monitor($150, but $160 after shipping
Hord.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7271017&sku=S203-2333&cm_re=Homepage-_-Spot%2006-_-CatId_12_S203-2333

Corsair 4gb 1600mhz $55($35 after rebate!)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?
EdpNo=7025808&Sku=C13-5700

That is probably the cheapest 4gb stick at 1600mhz right now. Added bonus its a corsair product. I know your probably not trying to get a 1080p monitor but the ram is a great idea,

 

[batuchka]

End of they day : strictly better gaming frames
Best option for same $$ : best GPU + 770
SATA/USB 3.0 is nice to have but never compromise on GPU else gaming performance suffers

 

[Hord]

Ok time to pick it apart, first attempt (From Newegg):


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231277
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $49.99

Kingston DataTraveler G3 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (White & Orange)
Item #:N82E16820139254
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy 0.00

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $18.99

PowerColor Radeon HD 6850 AX6850 1GBD5-DH Video Card with Eyefinity
Item #:N82E16814131374
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$179.99
$169.99

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813157198
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant $109.99
$89.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant $69.99
$64.99

Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147144
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $59.99
$49.99

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819103808
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $139.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
AND
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$5.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$219.98
$184.98
Grand Total: $768.91 - 40 in rebates 728.91 +10ish in shipping

still have to work on it a bit and get a monitor , + the 27 heatsink.