Looking to build a pc with a $900 Budget

[metalmail13]

Hello! New member here looking for some advice. I am looking to build the best that I can get for my money. With so many parts and options I am seeking advice because I am just overwhelmed with the options.

1. I want my pc to be able to handle most games out there on high settings, and be able to run photoshop and basically whatever i may need it for. It is a broad answer I know but I am a Computer IT major so I want to be prepared for what may be thrown at me.

2. My budget is $900

3. U.S.A Most likely online

4. Not really experienced yet so I don't have a preference but I would like to concentrate on performance.

5. Not really starting a fresh build don't really care about keyboard,mouse, monitor etc. (Not included in the budget disregard it)

6. No

7. Don't really know how to overclock or the benefits so i plan to run the system at default speeds.

8. I plan on using my 19" HDTV.

9. In about a month

Operating system wise I plan to use Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Upgrade (32-bit) with Total Training for Win 7 because I can get it for 90.00 with my student discount at Journeyed.com. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Please and thank you!!!

 

[paperwastage]

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...5F3D231-8C30-42BA-A391-07734107E66CcsvEtcKC7P

Microsoft sells W7 Pro Upgrade for $65+tax through their site for students


near a microcenter?

 

[Ken g6]

Take the build [thread=2192841]in this thread[/thread], remove the SSD, and add paperwastage's Win7. That's a really fast gaming machine for ~$900.

On the other hand, I'd like to save you enough ($100) to get a 64GB SSD. They make everything but games faster. Install Win7 on it or use it for caching.

So, if that TV is 720P (seems more likely than a 1080P 19" monitor), then a 6870 should be plenty for you. $150AR with shipping = $70 off.

To get the $30, if you're near a Micro Center, get that 2500k for $180, $40 off.
Otherwise, swap in a cheaper z68 mobo, $30 off.

 

[metalmail13]

No micro center I'm in Miami FL . This is my first build ever so excuse my noob comments and questions. I don't want to buy pc parts that are not compatible or something which is why I'm seeking help.

 

[mfenn]

Take the build [thread=2192841]in this thread[/thread], remove the SSD, and add paperwastage's Win7. That's a really fast gaming machine for ~$900.

:thumbsup: to this. Though I agree that a 6950 2GB is ridiculous overkill for a 720P display.

 

[metalmail13]

This is what I purchased what do you guys think? Personally the ease of use on this web site gave me the peace of mind to finally make a purchase. I think I got a pretty good build, I went a little over budget but mostly on parts I was going to need to buy at some point anyway like speakers and such.

Mega Special III (NO MONITOR) SP3Z, http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Mega_Special_III/ *BASE_PRICE: [+865] BLUETOOTH: None CAS: NZXT M59 Gaming Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Window [+1] CASUPGRADE: None CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR) CD2: None COOLANT: Standard Coolant CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500K 3.30 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified) CS_FAN: Default case fans ENGRAVING: None FA_HDD: None FAN: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Single Standard 120MM Fan) FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR) GLASSES: None HDD: 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive) HDD2: None IEEE_CARD: None IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard MB_SRT: None MEMORY: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand) MONITOR: None MONITOR2: None MONITOR3: None MOTHERBOARD: * [CrossFireX] Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI (All Venom OC Certified) MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse NCSW: None NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network OS: None - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking POWERSUPPLY: 700 Watts - XtremeGear SLI/CrossFireX Ready Power Supply PRINTER_CABLE1: 10-FT HDMI v1.4 Cable Type-A Male to Male High Speed Cable [+10] (1 piece) RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 10~15 BUSINESS DAYS SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers [+15] TEMP: None TUNING: None TVRC: None USB: None USBFLASH: None USBHD: None USBX: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module [+19] VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by AMD) VIDEO2: None VIDEO3: None WNC: PCI Wireless 802.11n 150Mbps Network Interface Card [+19] _PRICE: (+929)

 

[mfenn]

You've got a very weak GPU for a $900 machine. The 6950 2GB recommended above is, no exaggeration, 3 times faster.