~$600 gaming pc in preparation for diablo III

[mmckenna405]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 months

Budget Range: ~600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, web browsing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg

Country of Origin: US preferred

Parts Preferences:

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan (tom's recommended 2010) $50

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition $ 120.00

Video Card:

Sapphire 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1 GB GDDR5 $ 175

OR

SAPPHIRE 100321DDR5LP Radeon HD 6450 512MB DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
x2 (question to follow parts preferences section) $ 56.99

Motherboard: ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard $60

Memory: see toms $500

PSU: see tom's $500

Overclocking: Maybe/Advice requested

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: I have an old compaq monitor at 1400x900 default (is it time to upgrade or will it be good to go for new games?)

Additional Comments: I realize I could cut 20 bucks on the case but those blue LEDs are just too cool. No preferences for other parts, was planning on pretty much following the $500 gaming computer Tom's kindly put together. Have a question regarding best video card after researching posts on Newegg. A Newegg customer mentioned that they installed 3 of the Sapphire radeon HD 6450 512 DDR5 onto a motherboard with 3 PCI-e slots. I then realized that the Motherboard I am interested in only has 2 slots. While running 2 sapphire 512 DDR5s may be cheaper I am not experienced enough to know if it will be as good of a gaming experience. Any input on that topic is greatly appreciated.

I am looking to play Diablo 3 full graphics, and still achieve a comfortable ~40 FPS at the lowest price possible.

Is my monitor: (http://www.amazon.com/Compaq-WF1907-19-LCD-Monitor/dp/B000P0HKGM/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics) going to hinder my gameplay experience?

I'm not really looking to game until diablo 3 comes out, but i want to be ready to jump in the second it is out, as with all blizzard games they don't give a very good idea of when it will be out, however most gaming sites estimate early 2012. Is it worth waiting a few months for price drops and deal hunting? I am very willing to wait a couple months for a cheaper, better product. How often does Tom's do the $500 gaming computer?

I have tried to do as much research as possible before going to the community for help, any tips or input regarding monitor, video card, and any other advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[mmckenna405]

is this combo on newegg going to blow what i just put up there out of the water? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.644166&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1hn8s8ifqtvwa

it is only missing a video card

 

[FinneousPJ]

Do not go for 2x 6450. Just don't.

 

[cutebeans]

Monitor Resolution is always up to you whether you are comfortable with it or not.

Anyway, with your resolution. a 6770 would be able to give you decent framerates but lets still get a 6870 because it's the best bang for buck right now. The 6450 is just a media center. It makes no sense to run those if you want to game. A 6770 and above would be best.

CPU + GPU. $288
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.748619

Motherboard AM3+ $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

Case : Rosewill challenger $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

G. Skill 2x2gb dual channel 4gb $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

PSU: Corsair 430w ( It'll power the system easily.) $45 MIR 35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=corsair%20cx430

HDD: Seagate 500gb $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

Opdrive : 20dollars

$580+

Edit: That combo is pretty good I've been recommending it myself but you can only fit a 6770 or 6790 in that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.644166&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1hn8s8ifqtvwa

^ you could get this and get a 6870 . It will be better than an AMD set up right now.

 

[mmckenna405]

Do not go for 2x 6450. Just don't.

yes i realized that the reviewer who mentioned having gotten 3x 6450 also had 5 monitors. definitely would not get for gaming

Do either of you have any knowledge as to how much price drop could occur on graphics cards over the next couple months? this is the first computer i am building and all of the information i have gathered mentions that a top notch video card and compatible cpu/processor are the most important aspects in comfortable high quality gaming experiences