Building a gaming computer for about $1,000

[Thoth093]

My old machine has served well, but I gave it to my GF's sister when hers died. So I get to build a new one. 🙂 That said, money is somewhat of an issue these days, so I need to stick pretty close to $1,000.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming, internet and a small amount of streaming video/media applications. I'm particularly interested in Warhammer. My monitor's native resolution is 1680x1050, and I'll be trying to run the game at that level. I've sort of moved away from FPS games, so MMOs and perhaps strategy games might be my only uses in that regard.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

About $1,000.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

No brand preferences.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

New build.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes, but I'd still like some advice. 😉

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I never overclock.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

In the next three weeks or so.

Here's my present hardware list:

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATAsata Model SH-S223F - OEM
$24.99 $24.99

COOLER MASTERcooler master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer $54.99 -$15.00 Instant $39.99

Western Digitalwestern digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$84.99 $84.99

VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$270.00 -$10.00 Instant $260.00

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC $179.99 -$50.00 Instant $129.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2ddr2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
$144.99 -$35.00 Instant $109.99

Foxconnfoxconn P45A-S LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboardmotherboard - Retail
$129.99 -$10.00 Instant $119.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Coredual-core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
$189.99 $189.99

Microsoft Windows Vistawindows vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
$109.99 -$10.00 Instant $99.99

Subtotal: $1,059.92

Thoughts, please? Looks pretty decent to me. I'll probably want to use this for the next two years or so.

Thanks!

Brian

 

[Roguestar]

1) I'd change that RAM down to the G.Skill DDR2-800, as you said you never overclock so there's no point in buying RAM that's rated for speeds you'll never use.
2) I'd change the motherboard for something like the Gigabyte EP35-DS3L instead of that foxconn board.
3) PSU is overkill, something around 600W would do fine.
4) The E8400 processor is almost as good and is a good bit cheaper too, you could drop to that with no problem.

 

[Boobs McGee]

Rogue is all over it. The RAM he mentions can be had for as low as 65 bucks. The E8400 is 140 bucks at frys.com right now. Right there is a hundred bucks back in your pocket and you can still trim more on the PSU and maybe a bit on the mobo.

 

[Thoth093]

That particular motherboard version seems to be discontinued at Newegg. What would you suggest in its place?

 

[Oalet]

This is the one he suggested
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128337
I think that combo with the corsair 650tx is a pretty good deal.

 

[minmaster]

if you don't want to overclock, why not buy one of those dell quad core (Q6600) deals that come with a 24" LCD for under $700? all you have to do is pop in a nice video card and maybe add a little memory. and if you ever want to try a simple overclock, a easy BSEL or tape mod will get it to 3.0ghz.