Gaming PC - Budget Build

[g|aSsJaw]

Here are my needs:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

General use. Surfing and general office programs. Downloading from the internet. Needs to run medium-high graphics games (i.e. AION) at maximum settings.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

I would like to stay under $1000 after rebates preferably lower including tax and shipping.

3) Where do you live?

California.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

I do not need monitor, keyboard, mouse, and graphics card (I have a 9800GT I will be using for now). I plan to use onboard sound, ethernet, etc. I will need everything else, including the power supply. I am looking to do an Intel based build, preferably i7.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

I will not be reusing my power supply. I will be reusing my graphics card, which is an EVGA nVidia 9800GT.

6) Will you be overclocking?

No

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

I run a 22" Samsung

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Immediately.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

RAID capabilities are a plus in case I decide to try it one day. I don't need Firewire support, but I'm sure it's standard on most boards. I don't currently have plans for Crossfire or SLI, but if the board is capable of doing it, that's fine.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

I need a new OS for a new computer. 64bit most likely Windows 7

 

[Dangman]

Do you live near a Microcenter?
Are you a college student? Or do you know someone who is a college student that would be more than happy to help you out?

 

[g|aSsJaw]

No, only store in town for comp parts is Best Buy. There was a CompUSA but it went out of business. I was probably just going to order from Newegg.

No longer a college student, and don't really know anyone in school still, but I might be able to find someone if I had to. I'd say for now just assume that I'll be ordering everything online.

 

[Dangman]

Ok since you're in California, buy as many parts as possible from Amazon.com since they do not charge us CA residents tax like Newegg does.

For the usage scenario you're describing, the Core i5 750 would be a good choice. In your particular situation, the Core i7 860 would be a good CPU to buy if buying from Amazon.com and within budget.

Mobo wise, this mobo would be a good choice for your needs:
$105 - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 mATX Motherboard

PSU wise, this PSU is a good choice for the money:
$90 - Corsair 650TX 650W PSU

RAM wise, just make sure that the RAM is at least DDR3 1333, has a RAM voltage of 1.65V or less, and get it as a set of 4GB RAM. Timings do not matter at all.

The above should help get you started.

 

[Falling Anvil]

No longer a college student, and don't really know anyone in school still, but I might be able to find someone if I had to. I'd say for now just assume that I'll be ordering everything online.

But do you have an old college email?

 

[g|aSsJaw]

But do you have an old college email?

Yeah, I actually still do.

 

[g|aSsJaw]

Ok since you're in California, buy as many parts as possible from Amazon.com since they do not charge us CA residents tax like Newegg does.

For the usage scenario you're describing, the Core i5 750 would be a good choice. In your particular situation, the Core i7 860 would be a good CPU to buy if buying from Amazon.com and within budget.

Mobo wise, this mobo would be a good choice for your needs:
$105 - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 mATX Motherboard

PSU wise, this PSU is a good choice for the money:
$90 - Corsair 650TX 650W PSU

RAM wise, just make sure that the RAM is at least DDR3 1333, has a RAM voltage of 1.65V or less, and get it as a set of 4GB RAM. Timings do not matter at all.

The above should help get you started.

Thanks. Does anyone else have any additional input on this build? I need to get moving on it.