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Rodahn
PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:47 pm 
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The goal: Build a modern gaming desktop capable of running current software, with the ability to upgrade as needed

The price range: ~$1000 or less

The machine: Pretty much a blank canvas

Suggestions based on my goal and price range?

Here's one I built (final price $937.00)
Quote:
Case
KME CG-2C62 Standard Case Black/Silver

Processor
Intel® Core™ i7 870 Processor (4x 2.93GHz/8MB L3 Cache)

Processor Cooling
Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1156] - [Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan

Memory
4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - ** FREE Upgrade from DDR3-1333 ** Corsair or Major Brand

Video Card
ATI Radeon HD 5750 - 1GB - Single Card
Video Card Brand
Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA

Motherboard
MSI P55M-SD40
Motherboard USB / SATA Interface

[Free] Internal USB 3.0 PCI-E x1 Expansion Card

Power Supply
600 Watt -- Standard

Primary Hard Drive
500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s - Single Drive

Optical Drive
24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive [Lightscribe Technology] Black

Flash Media Reader/Writer
12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer - Black

Sound Card
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE

Network Card
Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel) 64-Bit

Speaker System
iBUYPOWER 2.1 Channel Stereo Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System
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darksiege
PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:05 pm 
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Does it have to be an Intel? I configured this one for 922... and it has Crossfire running:

$922

Case
KME CG-2C62 Standard Case Black/Silver
Case Lighting
None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction
None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion
None
Processor
[== Quad Core ==] AMD Phenom™ II X4 945 Quad-Core CPU
Processor Cooling
Liquid CPU Cooling System [AMD] - [Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan
Memory
4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - ** FREE Upgrade from DDR3-1333 ** Corsair or Major Brand
Video Card
ATI Radeon HD 5570 - 1GB - CrossFire Mode (Dual Cards)
Video Card Brand
Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA
Motherboard
[CrossFire] ASUS M4A87TD EVO -- AMD 870 w/ 2x PCI-E 2.0 x16
Motherboard USB / SATA Interface
Motherboard default USB / SATA Interface
Power Supply
750 Watt -- Thermaltake TR2 TRX-750M
Primary Hard Drive
1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s - Single Drive
Data Hard Drive
None
Optical Drive
24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black
2nd Optical Drive
None
Flash Media Reader/Writer
12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer - Black
Meter Display
None
Sound Card
3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Network Card
Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel) 64-Bit
Monitor
None
2nd Monitor
None
Speaker System
None
Power Protection
None
Headset
None
Video Camera
None
Warranty
Standard Warranty Service - Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support
Rush Service
Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) - No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days

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Darksiege
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Lenas
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:35 pm 
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Location: The Tunt Mansion
Couple things...

i7 processors run RAM in threes, so you're going to want 6/12/18 GB.

Speaking of i7's, you should probably get the 920 instead. It's one of the best for overclocking. People regularly get it up to 4ghz on air cooling.
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Rodahn
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:03 pm 
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Haven't really kept up with non-Intel chipsets.

Phantom is good for gaming, I am guessing?
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darksiege
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:14 pm 
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Rodahn wrote:
Haven't really kept up with non-Intel chipsets.

Phantom is good for gaming, I am guessing?


/shrug

I like AMD. I have used AMD for years, for me it is between brand loyalty and saving a buck.

But the AMD Phenom™ II X4 945 Quad-Core CPU is 3GHz. I assume that is per core (I am reading how the crapo a multi core processor works... and I got nothin').

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Screeling
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:41 am 
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I'm using an AMD right now. It was a 2.9GHz three core chip (can't remember which). I managed to unlock the disabled fourth core on it and overclock all cores to 3.5GHz.

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Rodahn
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:22 am 
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On a related topic:

Especially if I pursue the Web Design (or some sort of computer-related design), would it be more beneficial to invest in a nice/powerful laptop, or another desktop?
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Noggel
PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:14 pm 
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Incidentally, is IBuyPower a good place to buy? A friend of mine got a computer from them about a year back and had a pretty bad experience with getting ....not the parts she paid for. Unfortunately she isn't very savvy and didn't realize it until months later. I forget all the details, but things like a "green" version of the video card and whatnot.

But... no company is perfect and judging a whole company based on one anecdote can be a bad idea. If they're 99.5% awesome and she was in that remaining .5%, it is misleading indeed.

I just wanted to bring this up though, especially as I'm probably going to be looking into a new computer purchase soon as my current is 4 years old and pretty tough to upgrade at this point. I can't think of a source for one I'm entirely happy with though either way. :( Plus I may be beaten, told "I told you so", and beaten again if I give money to the company that messed up my friend's computer and have a bad experience myself!
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Ulfynn
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:49 pm 
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Location: WA state
The way I look at it, there's always the chance of getting a bad system no matter who you buy from. I doubt ibuypower and cyberpower would still be around after this many years if they weren't satisfying the better portion of their clients. My wife is using a 6-year old cyberpower machine that has done quite well (granted its showing its age now).

I'm currently poking around on ibuypower and cyberpower myself. I'm also trying to stay around the $1k price. I'll post some stuff in a bit if you're interested.
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Ulfynn
PostPosted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:05 pm 
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I think I'm going to end up spending closer to $1200.

Why?

1) Video Card: The Geforce 460 GTX is great bang-for-buck right now. You spend a little more (it's +$91 vs. the 5750HD on either ibuy or cyber), but it appears to out-perform the 5750 HD significantly.

2) Misc.: Went with X58 Chipset and the i7-950 CPU. This meant 6gb Ram vs. 4gb (it appears to me that the RAM multiple of 3 rule that Lenas mentioned only seems to apply to X58; not P55 chipset) so this added some $. I also decided on 1TB HDD vs. 500GB. ANd, I added some extra fans (on cyber; ibuy doesnt appear to offer this option?) and a 12-in-1 media card reader.

I find ibuy is a little more expensive than cyber. It's not a huge difference but here's an example from each builder of the machine I'm aiming for:

$1259 ibuy
Spoiler:
Case NZXT Lexa-S Gaming Case-Black w/ Blue Light
Case Lighting None-
iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction None-
iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion None-
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 950 Processor (4x 3.06GHz/8MB L3 Cache)-
iBUYPOWER PowerDrive None-
Processor Cooling Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1366]-[Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan
Memory 6 GB [2 GB X3] DDR3-1600-** FREE Upgrade from DDR3-1333 ** Corsair or Major Brand
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 - 1GB-Single Card
Video Card Brand Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA-
Motherboard [3-Way SLI] MSI X58A-GD65-
Motherboard USB / SATA Interface Motherboard default USB / SATA Interface-
Power Supply 650 Watt -- Corsair CMPSU-650TX-
Primary Hard Drive 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s-Single Drive
Data Hard Drive None-
Optical Drive 24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive-Black
2nd Optical Drive None-
Flash Media Reader/Writer 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer-Black
Meter Display None-
Sound Card 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard-
Network Card Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)-
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel)-64-Bit
Monitor None-
2nd Monitor None-
Speaker System None-
Power Protection None-
Headset None-
Video Camera None-
Warranty Standard Warranty Service-Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support
Rush Service Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee)-No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days
Subtotal* $1259.00 (plus tax & shipping)


$1228 cyber (difference: lower cost and extra fans)
Spoiler:
Case: Thermaltake V3 Black Mid-Tower Case [-20]
Internal USB Extension Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Maximum 120MM Color Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+15] (Blue Color)
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: [Special] Intel® Core™ i7-950 3.06 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1366
Freebies: None
Venom Boost Fast And Efficient Factory Overclocking: No Overclocking
Cooling Fan: NZXT Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
Motherboard: (3-Way SLI Support) MSI X58A-GD65 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Triple-Channel DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 Audio, eSATA, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III, RAID, IEEE1394a, 3 Gen2 PCIe, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI [+30]
Motherboard Expansion Card: None
Memory: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module (Corsair or Major Brand)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+165] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
Freebies: Mafia II Full Game Download Coupon with purchase of NVIDIA GTX460 video card or above
Video Card 2: None
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: * 650 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-650TX 80 Plus Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready [+99]
Hard Drive: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
3D Vision Glasses: None
LCD Monitor: None
2nd Monitor: None
3rd Monitor: None
Speakers: None
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Network Surge Protector: None
Mega Notebook/Netbook/Server Bundle: None
Keyboard: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
Mouse: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: None
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer [+10] (BLACK COLOR)
Video Camera: None
Headset: None
Printer: None
Cable: None
Power Protection: None
Surge Protector: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Floppy: None
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: None
Games: None
Ultra Care Option: None
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS


edit 1: oops. i pasted the wrong build in one of my spoilers.

edit 2: If you're firm about staying around $1000, I would try building out you're same system above, but changing to a x58 mobo with an i7-950 and using the 5570 HD. ~$100 more than the build you posted, but a little more bang for your buck.

Like this maybe:
ibuy $1025:
Spoiler:
Case NZXT Lexa-S Gaming Case-Black w/ Blue Light
Case Lighting None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction None
iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion None
Processor Intel® Core™ i7 950 Processor (4x 3.06GHz/8MB L3 Cache)
iBUYPOWER PowerDrive None
Processor Cooling Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1366]-[Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan
Memory 6 GB [2 GB X3] DDR3-1600-** FREE Upgrade from DDR3-1333 ** Corsair or Major Brand
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 5570 - 1GB-Single Card
Video Card Brand Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA
Motherboard ASUS P6T SE
Motherboard USB / SATA Interface Motherboard default USB / SATA Interface
Power Supply 650 Watt -- Corsair CMPSU-650TX
Primary Hard Drive 500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s-Single Drive
Data Hard Drive None
Optical Drive 24X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive-Black
2nd Optical Drive None
Flash Media Reader/Writer None
Meter Display None
Sound Card 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Network Card Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010 (Includes basic versions of Word and Excel)-64-Bit
Monitor None
2nd Monitor None
Speaker System None
Power Protection None
Headset None
Video Camera None
Warranty Standard Warranty Service-Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support
Rush Service Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee)-No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days
Subtotal $1,025.00


cyber $1012:
Spoiler:
Case: Thermaltake V3 Black Mid-Tower Case [-20]
Internal USB Extension Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: [Special] Intel® Core™ i7-950 3.06 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1366
Freebies: None
Venom Boost Fast And Efficient Factory Overclocking: No Overclocking
Cooling Fan: NZXT Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
Motherboard: Asus P6T SE Intel X58 Chipset CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio [+6]
Motherboard Expansion Card: None
Memory: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module (Corsair or Major Brand)
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5570 1GB DDR3 16X PCIe Video Card [+16] (Major Brand Powered by ATI)
Freebies: None
Video Card 2: None
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: * 650 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-650TX 80 Plus Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready [+99]
Hard Drive: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [-18] (Single Hard Drive)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
3D Vision Glasses: None
LCD Monitor: None
2nd Monitor: None
3rd Monitor: None
Speakers: None
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Network Surge Protector: None
Mega Notebook/Netbook/Server Bundle: None
Keyboard: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
Mouse: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: None
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: None
Video Camera: None
Headset: None
Printer: None
Cable: None
Power Protection: None
Surge Protector: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Floppy: None
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: None
Games: None
Ultra Care Option: None
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
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