What kind of gaming pc could I make for under $1000?

[GameRGeeK]

Hello I am new to anandtech forums and i was hoping anyone could help me.

I am currently canvasing on what i could get to build a gaming computer for under $1000 at least. 22' inch monitor is a must, not sure of brand. will not be heading to an SLI path but need a board that would be a good investment. This build is for my family (younger brothers and sister, *who are in highschool btw* mom and dad, believe me my parents are kinda into gaming too:laugh This is a gaming pc that Im making so that they will all lay off my gaming pc for once and for all

I am open to any tips and suggestions:thumbsup:

oh btw I heard a 9800GTX is good since most probably it will be cheaper soon and also, I plan to make this pc asap *say 1 to 2 weeks from now*

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
most gaming and surfing the internet, downloading music, basically family gaming computer

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
atleast under $1000

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.

intel fanboy and nvidia fanboy to say the most

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

already have a speaker system and keyboard/mouse combo (logitech standard)and will be running Windows XP SP2 Pro

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

i have read similar threads but couldn't tell if they were about pcs under $1000 and that also Im new to this forum

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

most likely will overclock to keep up with the standards of today

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as i get all the right parts (based on all the tips and suggestion people give me) or within THIS month (June)

 

[GameRGeeK]

I almost forgot, i already have a copy of Windows XP PRO SP2 and some speakers and a keyboard, basically i will be focusing on the monitor and tower * with all the goodies inside too of course*

 

[DSF]

There's a sticky with several questions that will help you narrow things down. If you edit your original post to answer those questions I think you'll find people more responsive.

 

[GameRGeeK]

thanks for the heads up DSF, i have already edited it, hopefully someone will care to help me

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK
thanks for the heads up DSF, i have already edited it, hopefully someone will care to help me

Haha it's not that I don't care to help you, it's just that most people are posting from work/school during the day. They don't have loads of free time, so for them to help you they need to have all the info up front.

So I too am posting from work. There won't be any links in this due to time constraints, but here's a basic build assuming that $200-250 of your budget goes to something like a 20-22" LCD.

Processor: Intel E7200 ($135)
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2-800 from G.Skill, Corsair, Mushkin, etc. ($80)
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP35-DS3L or the Abit IP35-Pro if the rebate is still available. ($90-130)
Video Card: Nvidia 8800GT ($150ish)
Hard Drive: 500-750GB SATA ($100-130)
DVD Drive: Samsung 203B, Lite-On L20A1S or similar ($30)
Case: Coolermaster Centurion 5 ($50)
PSU: Corsair 450VX ($70 or less)
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-1283 if you want.

That totals to $700-800 depending on what options you go with according to my mental math.