800$ Gaming + Work Build

[nuclaer]

I have little experience with building PC's, all of the part lists online are a bit overwhelming so I made my own list. I am looking for a PC that will play all the newest games at full resolution and at decent settings. I also do a bit of webdesign and Photoshop work.

Date: Looking to purchase this week

Budget: 600$ - 800$

Usage: Gaming, work

Parts I already have: mouse, keyboard, monitor, windows 7 x64

I would like to buy everything at newegg.ca

I am in Canada

Prefer AMD

No overclocking

Might crossfire in a year or 2

Resolution: 1680x1050

I don't really care about noise or the look of the PC. I want it to last for a good amount of time and have all the newest technologies such as USB 3.

My current part list:

APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

SAPPHIRE 100314SR Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102909

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Thoughts: I have no clue if these parts are all compatible or if they will actually fit inside the case. The ram seems extremely cheap for ddr3 but had great reviews on newegg. I also feel like the video card is a bit of an overkill.

Subtotal: $683.93
Shipping: $38.98
Handling: $0.00
GST/HST: $86.76
Grand Total: $809.67

Any advice appreciated will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

If you plan to crossfire, I suggest th ASRock 870 Extreme 3, which has x8/x8 crossfire capability

rather than the caviar black 500 GB, I sugget the Samsung F3 1 TB for a bit more, or the Seagate 7200.12 500GB for a bit less.

You might consider an 80+ Bronze PSU over the Antec Basiq, which don't have as good a reputation as the rest on Antec's line. There is an XFX 550W 80+ Bronze for just $4 more.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ +1

Check out my build guide for 600$.

But if you want a bit more bang. Get the i5 2400 instead of the 925 in my build. That adds 65$, then get the P67A-G45 which adds 60$. which totals to 725$. Then you can get a 6870 for an extra 20$, which would be 745$ total for way better performance.

 

[nuclaer]

I am going to stick with the ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870, I dont think ill be doing any crossfire. I might also downgrade the 965 to a 955. What would be a cheaper video card that could still deliver good performance? a card under 170 would be nice. I am going with the XFX 550W 80+ Bronze and the Seagate drive.
Thanks for the suggestions.

PS. I like the XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB

 

[aznshinobi]

Why would you get a board that is more expensive for less performance? (M4A87TD Evo), Also why not go Sandy Bridge, your budget fits it.

 

[Dyers Eve]

Get a cheaper HDD, you should either splurge for an SSD or get a cheap HDD, sata 6gb/s and cache don't matter much on HDDs. Here is a cheap 500GB drive for $40

I have no idea about the tall RAM stuff, I think you can save another $15 by going with PNY or Patriot RAM.

I'd keep the 6870 but if you want to save some money the 6850 is ~$150.

A lot of Candaians recommend NCIX.com so you might want to check that site for the lowest price before you hit buy. Good luck!

 

[nuclaer]

Ok I will go with the ASRock 870 EXTREME3. Could you explain what sandy bridge does? If its only intel, doesnt that mean I have to pick all new parts that work with intel? My build is currently at 800$ plus tax. Im looking to reduce it to 750 with tax.
Thanks Dyers Eve for the suggestion, I was able to find a better deal at ncix.

PS. I have 2 x 2gb stick of kingston ddr2 ram in my old computer, would it be possible to use those in the build?

 

[aznshinobi]

No.... You'd only have to change the motherboard and cpu. But if you are really stressed on the budget. Then don't. No the ram wouldn't be compatible. All new boards (AM3, P55/P67, X58) are all DDR3. Not DDR2.

As for perf-wise, you'd be paying a bit more, but for at least 50% more performance.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html

 

[nuclaer]

I changed the build.

APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
HIS H685F1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

Subtotal: $635.43
Shipping: $37.38
GST/HST: $80.75

Grand Total: $753.56

Would you say its a decent build?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

very solid build.

 

[aznshinobi]

Looks pretty good. Saves you about 17$.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

The XFX is 74 + about 13 shipping. The Neo Eco performs close, but only costs 60 + 4 shipping. So you save about 23$.

 

[nuclaer]

Best answer selected by nuclaer.