Decent Gaming Rig from 1-1.5k?

socK

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Basically trying to put together a gaming rig that 1,000 to 1,500 bucks. Heres what I'm going for so far.

Quad 9300 Intel - Newegg link

Decent Ram 2 - 2GB stick - Newegg Link

Asus P5N-D mobo - Newegg Link

Video Card 8800GT with HDMI - newegg link

ThermalRight Ultra 120 CPU heatsink - Crazy PC link

Scythe S-Flex Fan - Crazypc Link

Antec 900 Case - Newegg Link

I have a power supply 800W

500 GB harddrive might get 2 or 3 of them Newegg Link

Already have a monitor and OS...

Any more input is welcome, again I'm trying to keep it around 1000-1500.

Thanks
 
I wouldn't touch a SLI mobo unless you're going to do SLI from the start. Otherwise hit up a cheap x38 or a nice P35. If you're wanting a cheap SLI mobo go for the 750i FTW by EVGA.

If you're looking to overclock the Q6600 would be better and given how much cheaper it is its probably a better value, even the Q6700.
 
Q9300 - 284.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - 149.99
ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - 149.99
ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - 222.99
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Heatsink - 57.99
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120x25mm, -14.99
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower - 119.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - 89.99

Total - 1055

obviously i have more room for flexibility.

tiriades - I have a Rosewill 850 PSU and I have several monitors from an Asus 19" to a Panasonic 19" most are 19" and I will probably be in the market to upgrade to a 24" later this year.
 
1.Looks decent I'd agree with going for a q6600 instead, and there is probably cheaper ram out there.
2. Not sure why you need a card with HDMI ?
3. That case can be found elsewhere for cheaper.
 
ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - 222.99

2. Not sure why you need a card with HDMI ?

it does and it doesn't.. it has a dongle like the DVI -> VGA ones, interestingly though it comes with an little audio patch cable. Might be a good card for HTPCs linking into a HDMI reciever (DVI and HDMI have the same number of pins/wires so it is possible to get sound passed through the video card)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-500-006-08.jpg&Image=14-500-006-03.jpg%2c14-500-006-04.jpg%2c14-500-006-05.jpg%2c14-500-006-06.jpg%2c14-500-006-08.jpg%2c14-500-006-07.jpg%2c14-500-006-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16814500006&Depa=0&Description=ZOTAC+GeForce+8800GT+ZT-88TES3P-FCP+Video+Card

interesting note: seems this compnay has a few cards with these dongles and audio patches .. or...you can get a 9800GTX2 with a straight HDMI on card http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-500-026-06.jpg&Image=14-500-026-06.jpg%2c14-500-026-07.jpg%2c14-500-026-08.jpg%2c14-500-026-09.jpg%2c14-500-026-10.jpg%2c14-500-026-11.jpg%2c14-500-026-12.jpg%2c14-500-026-05.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16814500026&Depa=0&Description=ZOTAC+GeForce+9800+GX2+ZT-98TEY2P-FSP+Video+Card
 
You can't use SLI with multiple monitors. It may or may not be useful with the 24" monitor you plan on buying (it really depends on the game). How many total monitors are you going to use on this computer (at the same time)?

I recommend a better quality PSU than the Rosewill. Right now, the Corsair TX750 is available for under $100 (plus shipping)
 
Well, went ahead and redid the build


Here it goes

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan - Retail

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail


tiraides: I am just going to go with the PSU I already have and get the other one you suggested if it comes down to it. But thanks for the input!
 
Looks like a pretty good setup, I'd make two suggestions.

First, for a gaming rig, a dual-core makes much more sense than a quad. Games don't really make use of the extra cores, you get higher clockspeed for the same or less money, and they're generally more overclockable. Unless you really want a quad-core for video rendering or similar, you'll get far more benefit out of a dual-core, particularly the new E8400.

Secondly, have a look at the WD6400AAKS drive. It's a 640GB drive, and it smokes just about everything else out there in performance right now. This is a bit more of a personal choice depending on your budget and storage needs, but I thought I'd mention it since it's got great storage, speed, and a reasonable price.
 
Thanks for the response.

I might actually go with the WD6400AAKS. I was pricing the system between 1000 to 1500 and I haven't even broke 1000 actually..

On the quad core vs. dual core, I'm going to stick with quad core seeing how games will most likely start to be developed and some partially using quad(TF2, Alan Wake). So i'll stick with the 6600 for base and just OC it when necessary.
 
Even though (it seems) you're trying to cut corners with the video card, I recommend getting the G92 8800GTS instead.

If you're trying to get some of the lowest prices around, consider one of these cards:

ECS N8800GTS-512MX - $220 (with $50 mail-in rebate)
MSI NX8800GTS - $225 (with $30 mail-in rebate)

The following three have some of the best warranties around:

XFX PVT88GYDF4 - $240 (free shipping)
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR - $255 (with $30 mail-in rebate)
BFG Tech BFGE88512GTSE - $256 (with $30 mail-in rebate)

All three companies have (limited) lifetime warranties, but XFX also has a "double" lifetime warranty that transfers over to the person you sell your video card to. BFG (100 days) and EVGA (90 days) have step-up policies where you can trade in your current card for a newer/better model and only pay the difference in (retail) price. EVGA and XFX also allow you to use aftermarket heatsinks without voiding the warranty (but I don't know whether or not BFG allows this). The catch is that you have to register the card to the respective manufacturer within 30-60 days of you receiving it.

Out of curiosity, why did you switch cases?
 
Danny Bui: Rosewill Xtreme Series RX850-D-B 850W

tiraides: I am still investegating vid cards. Thanks for those options... I may get one of those. I was also recommended an EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - newegg link

I was planning on a GT for price to performance.. I may go GTS although from most reviews I've seen there isn't that much of a difference.

On the case, I just wanted to break from the norm and also my friend has the antec case and I actually don't much like it. More of a personal choice.
 
The 8800GTS has more stream processors (128 vs. the GT's 112) and a better, dual-slot cooler than the 8800GT. Plus, the 8800GTS performs better on a 24 inch monitor.

JonnyGURU recommended the Rosewill PSU that you mentioned, so I'm not going to say anything more on it.

Cases are a matter of personal taste, but make sure that you have enough room for all of your stuff as well as adequate cooling (preferably in the form of 120mm case fans).
 
Yah, go with the WD6400AAKS instead of the 320GB version. Its faaasst.
 
Ordered..

Changed to the EVGA 8800GTS as suggested by tiraides
-EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR - $255 (with $30 mail-in rebate)

Also completely randomly got the Q9450

Thanks everyone for the help, now its just a matter of getting it and building.. Hopefully I'll take pics and get it going.

Thanks everyone!
 
I have:

E6750
asus p5n32 680i
8800GT
2gb corsair dominator pc8500
w/ a 320gb seagate sata drive

and all the rest for $1200 back in february

you can get the GT for less than i got it for and you can be smarter than me and get a p35 board for 1/2 the price of my 680i board. you can also opt for cheaper ram...easily could reach $1000 tops for a great rig.

I run CoD 4, TF2, STALKER, BF2, COH, etc at maximum settings on my 22" widescreen
 
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