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Need help with choosing a gaming/multimedia PC for < $1k

A

arfows

Junior Member
Hey all,
Looking for some recs on system config. I haven't built a system in about 3 years and I know mobo/processor is usually the critical link: Here is what my goals are:

1) Future proof as best as possible
2) Not loud or extremely hot
3) Machine will be used for gaming and media editing/rendering
4) Need to have everything ordered this week
5) Only need the PC...I already have a monitor
6) Would like the total to be just under $1000
7) HD capacity isn't that big of a deal (I have a couple already)
cool Any ideas on places to order a custom built rig? ibuypower and cyberpower pc charge ~$80 shipping, plus tax (I live in CA) so that adds about 12% onto the cost. I could also build it myself if necessary.


Here are my initial thoughts:
Intel has the definite advantage now but I know the Socket 775 will be demising soon with the release of Nehalem, will the upcoming Quad core AMD chips still use the AM2 mobo? Will it affect the ability to upgrade if they go with a 45 nm processor? Are the high end AMD procs any good in terms of price/performance comparison to the Q9400/E8500 class procs?

Would it be beneficial to get the 45nm chip just for future-proofing? What are the advantages/disadvantages to the various chipsets out there? P35, X38, etc.

Was thinking about the Radeon 4850/4870 but was worried about the heat issues.

I realize I have a lot of questions, but I've researched for hours and haven't really found a good concise source of the above info. Thanks so much in advance for any/all assistance. It is much appreciated!

Very Respectfully,
arfows

Moved from motherboards to GH- Anandtech Moderator DAPUNISHER
 
General Hardware is the section where this type of thread is usually handled. They have several useful stickies there, including one with part suggestions and one with a suggested format for posts like this.
 
The last sticky on General Hardware is going to be your bible for the next couple of weeks!

You can definitely purchase an awesome gaming rig for under $800! I know because I just ordered mine last night 🙂

All you need is a p45 based motherboard, 4 gigs of ram, and a e8400 will do. I know that the 4850's come with great cooling solutions, just look at MSI's new card for it and the HIS Highteck ICEQ4 series. You might or might not need a 4870 depending on your monitors resolution. So make sure to post that when you can.
 
Thanks DSF for pointing me in the right direction...just read the sticky - has a lot of great info in there. Still undecided about Intel v AMD, but thus far have decided that if I do go Intel it'll be on a P45 board. Debating on the Q6600 v E8400/8500. I read somewhere in my research that the 8500 was the gold prize for performance & OC. Is there much difference b/w the 8500 and 8400 in that area? How does the top of the line Phenom Black editions compare to the E8500/Q6600? They are about the same price point and I would like to have the capability of rendering a movie and working on something else...that is why I am kind of leaning towards a Quad Core.

My current monitor is a 22" Samsung Syncmaster 225BW (max resolution 1680x1050), but I don't necessarily want to limit the videocard to the monitor I currently am using.

I can put 45nm or a 65nm on whichever board I choose, right?

I forgot to mention that I'll be running XP Pro until the Windows 7 rears its head. Will a DirectX 10 card work with Windows XP?

damage, what did you get for $800?
 
Hmm... you just missed the phenom 9950 black edition for $139 at Fry's, which is $40 cheaper than q6600 but black editions don't come with heatsinks I believe. This review shows that the 9950 competes fairly well against the q6600 and the overclocking has come along for phenoms. With that said, most people would probably still prefer the q6600 (and I'll probably grab one before it's discontinued to build a system with).
 
Originally posted by: arfows
Here is what my goals are:

1) Future proof as best as possible
2) Not loud or extremely hot
3) Machine will be used for gaming and media editing/rendering
4) Need to have everything ordered this week
5) Only need the PC...I already have a monitor
6) Would like the total to be just under $1000
7) HD capacity isn't that big of a deal (I have a couple already)
cool Any ideas on places to order a custom built rig? ibuypower and cyberpower pc charge ~$80 shipping, plus tax (I live in CA) so that adds about 12% onto the cost. I could also build it myself if necessary.


Here are my initial thoughts:
Intel has the definite advantage now but I know the Socket 775 will be demising soon with the release of Nehalem, will the upcoming Quad core AMD chips still use the AM2 mobo? Will it affect the ability to upgrade if they go with a 45 nm processor? Are the high end AMD procs any good in terms of price/performance comparison to the Q9400/E8500 class procs?

Would it be beneficial to get the 45nm chip just for future-proofing? What are the advantages/disadvantages to the various chipsets out there? P35, X38, etc.

Was thinking about the Radeon 4850/4870 but was worried about the heat issues.

I realize I have a lot of questions, but I've researched for hours and haven't really found a good concise source of the above info.
Click to expand...
Hours of research should have yielded the answers you need.


 
You can see from the review therookie16 posted that even an overclocked Phenom barely stacks up against a Q6600. Intel is currently the way to go unless you're on a strict budget. Any board you buy should accept the new 45nm parts as well as the 65nm ones, but I would check the manufacturer's compatibility list to be sure.

For your motherboard I'd go with the ASUS P5Q Pro, there's a nice rebate going on it right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131299

If you're sure you'll make use of the extra cores I'd get the Q6600, otherwise I'd get the E8500. (Although since you're planning on overclocking, there's a good case to be made for the E7200.)

DDR2-800 will be fine for your RAM, and this G.Skill set is attractively priced:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

The only time I would consider going with faster RAM is if you're planning on overclocking the E8500 past 3.8GHz. Even then, the DDR2-800 may overclock well enough to let you get to 4GHz.

The Xigmatek HDT-1283 is a popular choice for an aftermarket cooler, but there are several other good options as well, including the Scythe Ninja and Sunbeam Tuniq Tower to name a few. Note that these coolers are very large.

As far as cases go, you'll need to be more specific about what you want. Cases come in a lot of different sizes and designs.
 
Originally posted by: arfows
Here is what my goals are:

1) Future proof as best as possible
2) Not loud or extremely hot
3) Machine will be used for gaming and media editing/rendering

Debating on the Q6600 v E8400/8500
Click to expand...
65nm CPU's are definitely NOT for any kind of what you'd call "future proof" build.

 
Originally posted by: Blain
65nm CPU's are definitely NOT for any kind of what you'd call "future proof" build.
Click to expand...

Neither is socket 775 but I wouldn't let that stop me from recommending it as the best option for the money.

Seriously, don't worry too much about future-proofing. Just buy today what you need today and when it bogs down again in a few years do it again. Let's face it, you're not looking to upgrade your three year old system, you're looking to replace it with something newer & considerably faster. Three years from now the same thing will happen again.

EDIT: By the way, the best value in gaming cards these days is the 4870 1GB. That should last you several years even with a monitor/resolution upgrade at some point.
 
1) Read the components sticky and use the post format sticky.
2) Windows 7 is basically Vista 1.5 but I'll not start on that. XP is grand I guess but you'll only be able to use about 3.5GB of RAM at most.
3) Depending on your needs, get a quad or dual core. Gaming as top priority = dual core.
4) A DX10 card works with XP no problem; Direct X is always backwards compatible.
5) There is no such thing as future proofing in PC hardware.
 
Gents,
This is what I have come up with:
Antec 900
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
E8500
MSI 4850 512M
Corsair CMPSU-520HX
4GB G.Skill PI Black (2x2GB)
640GB HD (Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS)
LG 22x DVD+/-R Model GH22LS30-OEM
XIGMATEK HDT-S963

What do you think?
 
LOL, you didn't build it yet? It's been nearly two months! It's fine although I'd get the HDT-S1283 instead.
 
Originally posted by: arfows
Gents,
This is what I have come up with:
Antec 900
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
E8500
MSI 4850 512M
Corsair CMPSU-520HX
4GB G.Skill PI Black (2x2GB)
640GB HD (Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS)
LG 22x DVD+/-R Model GH22LS30-OEM
XIGMATEK HDT-S963

What do you think?
Click to expand...

You should get the E8400
It's $23 cheaper and you won't notice a difference between the two.
 
i know...i was all set to order and then I had to hold off for a bit on the full build. I did get the 8500 on a good combo deal with the ud3p...basically for the same price as I could get the 8400.

newegg screwed me on the videocard. Ordered a 512M twice...and both times they sent me a T2D512.

Reading the reviews the 1283 was too loud...looked great, but just too loud. I am trying to go for a quieter machine. This is my first build and I'm kind of nervous about the HSF...hear those are a real problem to install.

But everything else looks like good choices??

 
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