$900 Gaming Computer w/ OS

UltraJake

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So Battefield 3 is coming out in October and I'd really like to be able to play it. Unfortunately my computer is fairly crappy, only good for playing Source games at reasonable FPS. It's time for my first gaming computer! :sol: Before coming here I went through a few configs with another forum. Now I'm here to get some more opinions. (You guys are awesome at working around budgets)

Approximate Purchase Date: I'm hoping to be able to buy everything by the release of BF3. I know it's not best to buy computer parts over time due to how technology advances but I'd like to start buying parts now. I'll be checking the prices constantly and perhaps the release of Bulldozer will alter some prices a bit.

Budget Range: $900 after rebates. I lot of things seem to have free shipping so I won't worry too much about how much the shipping is budget-wise.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Internet, [Perhaps Bitcoin Mining,] School

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I prefer Intel Processors and ATI Video Cards.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (will probably do so in the future)

Monitor Resolution: I currently use 1024x768 montor. If I somehow end up under the limit I will use the money for a new monitor.

Additional Comments: Quiet is good but it doesn't have to be completely silent. I like the case to look interesting but if the budget can't handle it I don't mind a plain case. The bigger the better. Lights are always good. ;)
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Here is what the final build was on that other forum:

Graphics Card: XFX HD-687A-ZDFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521

RAM: Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model PGV34G1333ELK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Aftermarket Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Case + PSU Combo: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case + COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W ATX12V v2.31 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662139

Hard Drive + CD/DVD Burner Combo: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive + ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.667935

Processor + Motherboard Combo: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K + BIOSTAR TP67B+ LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660793

Thanks in advance. :)
 

UltraJake

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The reason I wanted to start buying now was because I hoped to catch some deals along the way. I suppose it would just be easier to save up and buy most of it at once. Do you think the prices for the 2500k will go down at all once Bulldozer releases?

 

vibhas

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Theres no point overclocking your parts when you are going to get 200 fps + on BF3 with a resolution so low and a highish middle range card like the 6870.
 

UltraJake

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I plan to get a new monitor if I can get the price down enough so the resolution will be going up. 200 FPS? I don't think I would even get that in Bad Company 2 with this rig. (Though it depends on the graphics settings you are talking about. At the lowest, maybe.)
 
To my mind you are sacrificing a bit much when you get much below $1100. This build ($1082) is the lowest I generally recommend for a readily upgradeable system, meaning you can add a 2nd GFX card, can add a SSD and can add a CPU cooler later on with no items needing to be upgraded.

Case - $120 - Antec 902 V3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097
PSU - $100 - XFX 750 W Core Edition PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015
MoBo - $380 - ASUS P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660725
CPU - inc - Intel Core i5-2500K included w/ above
Cooler - later - Scythe SCMG 2100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
TIM - later - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $75 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324
GFX - $220 - EVGA GTX 560 Ti 900 Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130651
GFX - Later - Same
HD - $65 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - Later - Vertex 3 120 GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706
DVD Writer - $22 - Asus 24X DRW-24B3L w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221
OS - $100 - Win 7-64 Home Pre http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

If you're a student, or have a friend that is, grab the OS on campus (usually $10-25) and that gets it down to $982