New gaming rig

CmaN3

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
368
Well, I just got a 23inch lcd as a gift, and it runs at 1920x1080. My current rig is a dual core with an 8600GT, which is definatately struggling to keep up, it can barely play TF2 at this res. So that means time for a new computer!

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mostly gaming, Source engine, FC2, Crysis, SupCom, newer games.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
About ~1000 without tax/shipping, can go a little over, but try not to.
3) Where do you live?
Maine
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything, whole new rig.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Nothing really, just a spare backup HD.
6) Will you be overclocking?
A little most likely.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
23 inch LCD, 1920x1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
within a month
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Nothign special here, SLI/CF support would be nice for the future though.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes

Ive done some looking on my own and was looking at a P2 945, 6gb ram, 4890, but am looking to see what you guys can come up with.
Thanks!
 
I would suggest an AMD Phenom II 940 3.0ghz Quad build for that price. What's your current setup?
 
My current setup is a X2 5000+, 2gb of ram, 8600GT.

I was looking at :
HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

BIOSTAR TForce TA790GX A3+ AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX

OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1333LV6GK

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black IDE Model SH-S222L

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

Something along those lines.
 
Since you have a huge budget I'd seek to ditch the SE16 (unless you're doing NAS or something) and opt for the Caviar Black 640GB. For $20more you get twice the storage and a hell of a lot more performance: 4x cache and 2x on board controllers. Plus 250GB isn't all too much. A gaming machine is only as good as how many games it can store: no fun installing and uninstalling games for others.
 
The only things I would change would be, I would personally look for an ASUS board. Never been a big fan of Biostar.

Also you don't need a bigger hard drive? I would have gone with a 640GB at least.

Another thing, isn't triple channel memory for Intel Core i7 only. I thought AM3 was DDR3, but still Dual channel.
 
As for storage, i already have a 750GB WD green drive, however I may consider grabbing another big one, depends on my mood i guess.

As for board, I have a biostar now that hasnt given me any troubles, so i went with them however it doesnt really matter to me.

I would think I'd have to skimp out on the video card for an i7 build wouldnt I? Ill definately look into it though.

EDIT: Would something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010 have enough juice for an i7, 4890, etc?
 
Last edited:
EDIT: Would something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010 have enough juice for an i7, 4890, etc?

Ditch it. It's based off the FSP Episilon PSU design which has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can damage or kill your system. Granted, you may not reach such high loads but why pay for a PSU that can kill your system?

Yes with an I7 setup you would more than likely have to skimp a little on the GPU.
 
CASE/PSU - Antec 900 + Antec EA650 for $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.196666

MOBO/CPU - Asus M4A78 Plus AM3/AM2+/AM2 + AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2GHZ BE both for $310 ($10 MIR on mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198670

RAM/VIDEO CARD - OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066 + Sapphire Radeon HD4890 1GB both for $278 ($15 MIR on video card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197141

HDD - WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - LG 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

HEATSINK - XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V for $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Total: $897 before shipping & taxes
 
Core i7 build


CASE/PSU - Antec 900 + Antec EA650 for $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.196666

CPU/VIDEO - Intel Core i7 920 + EVGA Geforce GTX(216) for $455 ($20 MIR on video card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.196047

MOBO - Asus P6T SE for $200 w/free shipping $15 MIR
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010451

RAM - A-DATA 6GB DDR3 1600 for $84 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211377

HDD - WD6401AALS 640GB for $70 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010082

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $30 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010010

HEATSINK - XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V for $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Total: $1,049 before shipping & taxes
 
That phenom build looks better than mine, thanks HG. Ill definatley have to look at that. Here is what I came up with for a i7 build:

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Patriot 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PSD36G1066KH - Retail

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active ... - Retail

One of my biggest concerns is SupCom. Right now i can barely even play the small 10km maps, and id like to try some big ones. Anyone know if the i7 would be worth the extra money in that game at least? I know its big on multi core.
 
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM

OK.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Get the Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB WD6401AALS for a bit more. It's worth it.

Patriot 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PSD36G1066KH - Retail

I'd go with this 6GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 kit for $15 more.

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

Given.

HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Good.

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

I would go with either the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R or ASUS P6T SE in that price range.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Good case. Also take a look at the Antec 300.

Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active ... - Retail

Good PSU.
 
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