$1,000 computer build

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xBanzai89

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I consider myself generally good with computers, but I haven't made a high end build for a long time now. Due to that I am a bit rusty and think hearing what other people have to say would be best.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
The PC will be used for gaming and everyday stuff.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Budget is 1,000 dollars I am willing to go above that amount by a small amount if it is worth it. Tax and shipping is not included

3) Where do you live?
Massachusetts

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Need CPU, RAM, MB, case, VGA, Bluray drive, HDD, and that is all I can think of at the moment. Maybe missing something...

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I am planning on using my Thermaltake 600W PSU, I forget the specific model but it was highly recommended at the time I bought it. Haven't had any issues with it yet.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I have a 22 inch 1680x1050 monitor at the moment, but plan on getting a 24+ inch one in the coming months.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In the coming weeks.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Raid and Crossfire/SLI (probably go that route when prices comedown a good bit).

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.

11) I would like to try out raid if the budget allowed for it. Always been interested, but never got around to it.I am a big fan of Lian Li cases as well. Another thing about the cases is a good midtower would be best. I'm living in a dorm now and desk space can get limited. I basically had the same PC performance (look at sig) for the past two years, so it would be refreshing to get something to blow this out of the water. Planning on using the old PC for the HTPC too.

Current Specs:
Intel C2D E8400 - XFX ATI HD4770 - DFI Lanparty Jr P45 - OCZ 4GB DDR2 - Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card - Seagate 500GB - Lian Li PC-V350 - Thermaltake Purepower RX 600W PSU
 
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I'm only going to say one thing, while you might want Crossfire, don't forget that the best solution is to buy the best single GPU you can afford, that's true today and it'll be true at the time you plan to Crossfire.
 
Fail said:
I'm only going to say one thing, while you might want Crossfire, don't forget that the best solution is to buy the best single GPU you can afford, that's true today and it'll be true at the time you plan to Crossfire.
Click to expand...

Very true. Still a big maybe. Most boards these days support it anyway.
 
xBanzai89 said:
11) I would like to try out raid if the budget allowed for it. Always been interested, but never got around to it.I am a big fan of Lian Li cases as well. Another thing about the cases is a good midtower would be best. I'm living in a dorm now and desk space can get limited. I basically had the same PC performance (look at sig) for the past two years, so it would be refreshing to get something to blow this out of the water. Planning on using the old PC for the HTPC too.
Click to expand...

Yeah there's nothing in your sig.

Also find out what Thermaltake 600W PSU you have. If it's a Toughpower or Purepower RX, it'll be fine. If not, get a new PSU.
 
xBanzai89 said:
I don't know what happened there. It used to be there I noticed after I typed that out. Put a new one still nothing. It is a Purepower http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1264&ID=1518. I'll put my current specs in my first post.

EDIT: It just showed up :D.
Click to expand...

Make sure that you edit your sig to include the "RX" part of "Purepower RX". Otherwise, people might assume that you got the shitty Purepower line.

Anyway for the usage scenario you described, you're not gonna notice a difference between any new setup today and your current 2 year old system. The only real cost-effective purchases you can make is a new video card like the HD 5850 if that 24" monitor is coming in within the next two months or a SSD or two.
 
Thanks for the feedback Dan.

I was considering doing this build more for allowing my current computer to be used for a HTPC. Honestly it has been annoying the hell out of me switching all my sound and video setup every time I want to watch a bluray movie. I was also considering getting a TV tuner card, so I record TV shows though I just see this being to annoying if I want to still use it as my main computer. If I was by myself I wouldn't see it as a issue, but I share my 32 inch tv with my roomate. I think it would make watching TV even more of a issue on top of that.

If you anyone has any experience with this and it still works I would more then happily just drop the money the vid card and new monitor. Do SSDs really improving the gaming experience? I would guess it would most focus on loading times if I had to guess.
 
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