Gaming rig for $1100-1300

[Banli]

I'm building the following rig for a client who is looking to future proof their computer as much as possible without spending much more than 1300.

Is a sound card really needed? I've been acting under the impression that onboard audio is good enough for just about everyone and I'm not sure what my client would gain by having a sound card.

No real preferences about brands and the like. Just trying to be as efficient as possible.

$160 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674

$107 ASUS M4A78T-E 790 GX motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131366

$55x4 CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 RAM 8gb(4x2gb) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145246

$165x2 XFX Radeon HD 5770 gfx http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150447

$80 Antec Earthwatts 650W power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015

$27 Sony Optiarc DVD-RW optical drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118030

$80 1 TB Samsung Spinpoint HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

$70 RAIDMAX Quantum ATX-798WB case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156241

$100 Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer sound card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102006

Total $1174

 

[Blain]

Gaming rig for $1100-1300

I'm building the following rig for a client who is looking to future proof their computer as much as possible without spending much more than 1300.

No real preferences about brands and the like. Just trying to be as efficient as possible.

OMG... Your timing is perfect... Click Here for build specs

 

[zul448]

My build linked above came out to be just over $1370 after all rebates and shipping. You could easily get it below 1300 by making a few minor changes to my build:

Get an X4 instead of the hex core. (if he wont need it) It'll save you $20-40
Get an ATI card - they are a little cheaper for pretty much the same performance. I chose Nvidia because i have always had problems with ATI in the past and refuse to buy their products anymore.
Get a cheaper case. I was considering the CM HAF 922 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119197) That'll save you $50+ from the one i bought and it has excellent reviews.
You could also easily get a cheaper keyboard and mouse. Depends what the user wants.

good luck!

 

[MisterDonut]

Yeah I'd drop the Thuban. You'll see the same marks in most games. IMO, 5850 is still one of the better valued cards on the market. You can go for the 5870 if it'll fit in your budget, and you want those extra frames. Either card overclocks like a beast. Case is personal preference. I found that most people like the CM 690II and it's priced pretty well. If you want noise > cooling, the Antec P18X line have great cases.