Brand New Build for Gaming

[kypron7]

I am looking to build this computer for a friend of mine, for certain reasons all parts are being bought at a local store (cbit.ca) so pricing is not relevant, just want to make sure all parts are compatible for maximum gaming goodness.

1. PC will be used for Gaming for a ludicrous number of hours in a row.

2. Budget is 2000 canadian after taxes, but preferably as low as possible without sacrificing too much.

3. No overclocking

4. We have the option of using a BFG geforce 8800 GTS 320 Mb and a Maxtor 250 GB sataI hd that another friend has.



Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 45nm 249.95

Asus P5KC P35 mobo 156.95

OCZ (OCZ2G8004GK) PC2-6400 4.0GB GOLD EDITION XTC / DDR2 800MHZ 179.95

Antec P180 164.95

Enermax eg565p 535 w power supply 124.99

LG / Goldstar(G-H20NS10) (OEM - BLACK) 20X SATA DUAL LAYER DVD +/- R/RW / (20X DVD-R 44.99

Samsung 226BW 22in Monitor 334.99

Logitech Deluxe 250 Keyboard & Mouse Combo
$34.95


Logitech R-20 Speakers 32.95

BFG 8800 GTS 320 mb OC (this is for sure, he has bought it from another friend) $150


Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bit - 154.95

 

[imported_wired247]

If you have a budget of $2000 CDN, you should go with crossfire or SLi, IMHO, or the 3870x2. I am not all that impressed with the 8800GT for crysis (although it devours most other titles, support for next gen games will be limited...), and your budget is huge, so you might as well put money where it belongs for a hardcore gaming rig.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: kypron7

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 45nm 249.95


Asus P5KC P35 mobo 156.95
or
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R(INTEL P35) LGA 775 SOCKET 174.95
or
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L (P35) SOCKET LGA 775 124.95


OCZ (OCZ2G8004GK) PC2-6400 4.0GB GOLD EDITION XTC / DDR2 800MHZ 179.95
or
Patriot PDC22G6400ELK 2GB DDR2 800MHZ / 5-5-5-12 / (2x1GB) 99.95
or
suggestions?


Antec P180 164.95
or
Antec 900 155.95


Enermax eg565p 535 w power supply 124.99
or
OCZ (OCZ600GXSSLI) (RETAIL) 600 WATT GAME X STREAM POWER SUPPLY 149.99


LG / Goldstar(G-H20NS10) (OEM - BLACK) 20X SATA DUAL LAYER DVD +/- R/RW / (20X DVD-R 44.99
or
LG (GSA-H55N 20X DVD BURNER 10X DUAL LAYER DVD+/-R/RW DRIVE 39.99
should we stick with an ide drive, or go for new SATA drive?


Samsung 226BW 22in Monitor 334.99


Logitech G5 laser mouse 59.99


standard black logitech keyboard 14.99


Logitech z-2300 speakers 2.1 137.95
or
Logitech r-20 speakers 2.1 32.95


Windows XP home or Windows Vista 64 bit or 32 bit? He will likely want to play some older games too, and if he gets Vista, is the Geforce 8800 GTS 320 Mb mentioned above going to be sufficient or should he get....


EVGA superclocked 8800 GT 512 Mb 299.99
or
EVGA 8800 GTS 512 Mb crysis edition 379.99

Don't buy a factory overclocked graphics card. You're exempt from EVGA's step-up program if you do, and you're just paying them for something you can do for free.

Get whichever RAM is cheaper, if you're going Vista then 4GB would be better.

I'd personally recommend Vista 64-bit. It's great and seeing as you're buying new hardware you should have no problem getting proper drivers. You'll also see all of your 4GB of RAM with Vista x64, and needless to say all your x86 (32-bit) programs will work fine.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Don't buy a factory overclocked graphics card. You're exempt from EVGA's step-up program if you do, and you're just paying them for something you can do for free.

I haven't bought an overclocked EVGA card, but I didn't realize this. Does EVGA specifically stipulate that somewhere?

 

[kypron7]

Unfortunately my friend doesnt want to get TOO expensive with the video card, wired247, he has an allowance of 2000 that his company will lend him to buy a computer, but he still doesnt want to go to extreme. A 8800 GT is probably the best I can convince him to get.

I didn't know about the OC cards not being able to be stepped up, Rogue Star, I will edit build accordingly. Are you using Vista 64 bit yourself? I was a little hesistant to get vista, seeing as how I'm the one building the comp and will have to deal with any issues.....

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: DSF

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Don't buy a factory overclocked graphics card. You're exempt from EVGA's step-up program if you do, and you're just paying them for something you can do for free.

I haven't bought an overclocked EVGA card, but I didn't realize this. Does EVGA specifically stipulate that somewhere?

It used to be in their terms and conditions when I read it last year, I can't see it now that I've just checked today after your question... perhaps they removed this clause? 😱

Originally posted by: kypron7
Unfortunately my friend doesnt want to get TOO expensive with the video card, wired247, he has an allowance of 2000 that his company will lend him to buy a computer, but he still doesnt want to go to extreme. A 8800 GT is probably the best I can convince him to get.

I didn't know about the OC cards not being able to be stepped up, Rogue Star, I will edit build accordingly. Are you using Vista 64 bit yourself? I was a little hesistant to get vista, seeing as how I'm the one building the comp and will have to deal with any issues.....

I've been using it since May and have had no problems. I don't use any ancient printers for which there are no drivers for anymore, though, but really I'm quite liking Vista as it is.

 

[imported_wired247]

well if it is going to be single card, then get the 3870x2... that is not such a huge leap from the 8800gt

 

[MarcVenice]

There a particular reason you HAVE to buy from that particular store ? I think I built a rig from ncix.com yesterday for another canuckian, and it ended up costing like 1000$ for pretty much the same components you mentioned.

 

[perristal]

Actually, you can pay more attedtion to the price , just to the Mouse , $55.62 is enough to buy it . Believe or not , check it in the pricegrabbler , check the price , Text

 

[perristal]

In fact , I find most of your pruducts are over expenses , such as mouse/keyboard/speasker, you can search them in the pricegrabber, then compare the price , a good way to avoid high expenses. pricegrabber ( Text )

 

[kypron7]

Unfortunately, my buddy needs to buy this stuff from a local store because his company is going to cut him a check after he gets a quote, they won't do this for an internet based sale, so yeah, it is more expensive but he gets to pay it back over a few years (with no interest)

I am editing the build to include some cheaper mouse\keyboard\speaker combinations, you are right perristal about the prices.

He has decided he is for sure buying the BFG 8800 GTS 320 Mb from our other friend (for $150), so the video card issue is settled. I agree that a 3870x2 would have been sweet.....