It's time to build a new computer.. this time for about a grand..

I started coming up with this middle-line gaming build when it came time to upgrade my current desktop PC and I had a little extra money saved up (around $1000) to throw around. I've only built one computer before (my current, which has run maintenence-free since I put it together in December '06), so I have a fair amount of knowledge for the assembly, but even after a lot of research and seeing what is cost-efficient and viable for my needs in today's market, I still wanted to post the hardware here before jumping in head-first for Build #2. The primary use of this computer will be online games like WoW and the upcoming Diablo 3/Starcraft 2 (I'm a Blizzard fanboy, what can I say..), and I may occasionly play an FPS, but I will never play Crysis or anything that graphics-intensive. So here's the list:

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Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007>

$5.99

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OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267>

-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate <http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/rebate/SH/OCZ9MIRsaSep1Sep1608jh28.pdf>
$105.99
$95.99

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Rosewill R5605-BK 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Front Mesh Design Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147083>


EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319>

-$20.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate <http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFilesForNewegg/rebate/SH/EVGA14-130-319Sep1Sep3008cd12.pdf>
$245.98
$210.98

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MSI DKA790GX Platinum AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130190>


AMD Phenom 9950 BLACK EDITION 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 140W Quad-Core Processor Model HD995ZFAGHBOX - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103273>

-$40.00 Combo
$339.98
$299.98

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ABS Tagan BZ Series BZ700 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Patent Piperock Modular Power Supply - Retail <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817814015>


Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073>

$20.00 Instant
-$30.00 Combo
$254.98
$204.98

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Sony NEC Optiarc Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827101131>

$17.99
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Subtotal without shipping: $835.91

Basically I'm curious how you veteran builders feel about this and perhaps what I can change/upgrade to make this rig fully functional. I'm open to hardware changes for a good upgrade, and if you see something that you feel MUST changed, please respond with the link to the new part, and remember, grand total must be <$1000! Thanks for your time!

-Sean

 

Looks good to me. I've played around with the amd quads and they feel the same as intel quads (all benchmarks aside I'm talkin real world use)should last you for a while

 

Are you sure you want a DVDROM??? It won't burn anything... I'd think you'd want a DVDRW (DVD burner). They cost only a bit more than the drive you listed:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118015 (IDE/ATA)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118016 (SATA)

 

Awesome xD

That's the kind of advice i was looking for <3 A burner completely slipped my mind since I hardly use one, but would be something nice to have for only a little bit more $$$.

Thx for the help fellas

 

Just a passing thought as I was reading through… Have to agree with DVDRW…
But gamming systems I build, I also add a second LAN connection… just a thought…


Stephen.

 

It seems you haven't listed all the prices and the total is wrong! PSU, Mobo and Case don't have their prices included and do push your total price higher.

Intel CPU's and ATI are very good for bang for buck at the moment, have you considered these options? The 4850 will beat a 8800GT.

Here is a damn nice case (Rosewill suck at anything they make):

LIAN LI PC-G07B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

If you consider the Intel build I can help.

 

Well with those 3 items there were Combo Deals where the bold price listed below them is the combined price of both items. What type of Intel build for about $1000 could you come up with Bold Eagle, I would be open to suggestions since I haven't purchased the hardware yet and I want the best bang for my buck that I can get.

 

Motherboard and RAM

BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard ($169.99)
this motherboard is breaking many world records and is very reasonably priced.

They have a combo deal with the same RAM you have listed

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK

Combo Deal = $245.98

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138118

CPU

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ($169.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Or even better

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ($189.99)

Imho both of these CPU's will leave any "current" AMD for dead.

CPU HS

OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
($44.99 - $10 rebate = $34.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202007

Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ($169.99 - $20 rebate= $149.99)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770


Total for these parts is $600.95 with the E8400 add $20 for the E8500.

Tagan are a good company and make very good PSU's.

I would keep the:

Artic Silver 5
PSU and HDD combo (I couldn't find this?? combo deal)
Sony DVD burner

Cases are a personal choice, Lian Li make arguably the best cases for thermal and noise management but this is one of the most popular at the moment, Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021


So without a case adding my total with the parts I suggest you keep comes to ~$829.91, add another $100 for a good case.

 

The build you posted should easily handle Crysis... lol... My PC handles Crysis quite well... Allowing the game to auto-detect the best settings will put everything on very high. Just turn up the fan speed to prevent overheating, and you'll have smooth performance. I have only 2 gigs of ram and a Core 2 duo and run it(and most everything else I run/play) flawlessly. I spent $1200 for my system(not just the tower, but flat panel monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse, wireless card, tower and OS).. You could probably build a system similar to mine for quite a bit less money if you wanted to, and I think it would handle most anything you'd need...

BTW... I'm a Starcraft fan too.. have had Starcraft II pre-ordered for some time now.

 

So the parts I listed are just a suggestion for an Intel build but I would certainly like you to possibly research the parts I have listed and make comparisons with any other parts and then make your own informed decision. Ideally my choices are not based on "fanboyism" but are just "some" of the better parts for outright "bang for buck" in the current market place.