Need suggestions for gaming computer.

S

super nova

New Member
This will be the first computer that I attempt to build... I've read tutorials online and asked friends for their opinion but I still feel stuck. I'm trying to make a gaming computer that will be able to handle the latest games close to high setting with no or little lag, and would I like for the system to last while before it needs to be upgraded.
I set my budget at $1,000... thankfully, I already have speakers, mouse, keyboard, and a monitor so I'm focusing on hardware right now. Here's what I have to so far:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with SP2 $191.49

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor $139.99

Motherboard: ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $104.99

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $109.99

Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply 100 $109.99

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $149.99

Hard Drive: Seagate ST303204N1A1AS-RK 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $79.99

Optical Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner $27.49

Sound Card: I have no idea what to look for!
Total: $925.94 after tax and rebates.

I'm sure I over did it with some of the parts and that something isn't compatible with something else. If anyone knows of a part that is cheaper and works just as good or better please tell me. Thanks.
 
If you want you could check out my thread "Computer Build Help/Questions" (or something like that). It is my first time building a comp too and this is what I just purchased

Case & PSU: Cooler Master w/ 550w psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119142

HD: Seagate 7200rpm 500gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

Vid Card: MSI HD 4850 (comes with a free game, The Witcher, never heard of it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127359

DVD drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138122

RAM: OCZ Gold 4gb (2 x 2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227199

CPU: Q6600 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

OS: Vista x64

Maybe you could just check out some of that stuff if you want.

My total costs after rebates and everything will be about $970. But I also bought a keyboard & mouse. Plus I live in Cali so they charge tax on us. So it would probably end up being cheaper for you.
 
OS $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511
CPU $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
MOBO $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344
Ram $57 but after rebates it's $32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
DVD Burner $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
HDD $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
PSU $114.99 but after rebates its $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
Video card $279 but after rebates its $259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102769
that's $956.94 but after rebates it's $876.94 this is a very power full gaming computer better gaming rig than any of the obove posts
 
For the OP, your build looks good, just get a radeon HD4870 for your video card.
 
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reddevil6 said:
OS $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511
CPU $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
MOBO $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344
Ram $57 but after rebates it's $32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
DVD Burner $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
HDD $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
PSU $114.99 but after rebates its $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
Video card $279 but after rebates its $259
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102769
that's $956.94 but after rebates it's $876.94 this is a very power full gaming computer better gaming rig than any of the obove posts
Click to expand...

I agree with this post completely. Excetp the video card, shell out 10 -20$ A Nvidia GeForce 9800 GX2 it performs better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130338
but also takes up two slots kinda like a dual card setup.
Radeon 4870 is a good card, I just think the gx2 is a little better.
Also why does red devil use an expensive mobo, and low frequency ram, when his asus 5kpro setup can use much better thanthe 800 listed, acutaly the motherboard you listed can use really pimped ram, should recommend better ram for that motherboard.
For the OP if you want to use ram for the 5k pro i'd suggest searching DDR 2 or if you want to shell out some more cash DDR3 at 1066mhz since that's your memory standard for the board.


For the 5kpro board here is some cheap gskill 1066 memory at ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231143
you can choose ddr3 1066 if you want.

If you go with Reddevil's setup you may want to choose some ddr2 at 1200 Mhz memoryof course you can use the 800 but why would you if your mobo can use better ram? In that case I would opt for the 5kpro, just because the 5kpro also has more pci express slots so if you ever want to go dual or quad video card you can *not that you need to or that it would really improve your performance since you most likely will be getting a great card* but that option is there.
Also I don't believe you can use the 9800 Gx2 on his motherboard.
the processesor reddevil stated though is what I'm going for really good bargain for your money.

To sum up my rant, it's late here in ny, Use reddevil's Processor and choose a better video card, The gskill ram you have is also fine, @1066. I'd definetly go with your build with a different card setup and different processor just my two cents. I posted a build not too long ago if you want to check it out, I'm not sure what power supply I should use.
 
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What's the difference between Retail and OEM versions?
Also are there parts that I don't really need about the warranty or should I get the 1 or 2 year warranty on every part that I can? And is a sound card needed?
 
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super nova said:
What's the difference between Retail and OEM versions?
Also are there parts that I don't really need about the warranty or should I get the 1 or 2 year warranty on every part that I can? And is a sound card needed?
Click to expand...

I would get a 2 year warranty on your motherboard. If you plan on overclocking your processor and RAM I would get a warranty on that too. But if you are going to use your components at the manufacturers specified voltages then I would only get a warranty on the motherboard.
 
A 610W power supply is more than you'd need for a system with a 65W CPU and only one graphics card; 4 gb of RAM is pretty excessive as well unless you're doing professional CAD rendering or digital video encoding. Cut those down a bit and invest the money in an E8k-series CPU (the extra FSB will pay off).

ATI is currently beating nVidia in the performance/cost ratio.

Excelstor hard drives are the best deals in the world of 7200 RPM (same reliability as WD or Seagate, but way better prices). WD maintains supremacy in the 10k realm with its Raptor drives.
 
Ok, this is what I have now:

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English for System Builders 1 Pack CD - OEM $89.99

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

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $54.99

Motherboard: ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $99.99

Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, TUV - Retail $109.99

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100247L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $284.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $84.99

DVD Burner: LG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - OEM $25.99
Total: $929.17 with tax.

Is this better?
 
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