Budget Gaming build around 1000$

[SSMiKe06]

Hi,

I am in the process of building myself a new budget gaming pc. I will be mostly playing WoW, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3 (when it comes out obviously). I have been using laptops for the past few years so I've fallen out of the current up to date reviews and whatnot. I've always been treated good with AMD & Nvidia. I know that people will say ATI is good but I've read great review for Cataclyst drvier and aweful one as well so that's why I'm a bit hesitant. The GPU right now must handle wow (not really a challenge isn't it) and Starcraft 2. I could always upgrade down the line when D3 comes out if needed.

As far as screen resolution goes, I will be honest, I have no idea because I haven't found a LCD monitor yet. I'm still in the process of buying a widescreen LCD monitor for around 150$-200$ CAN lower the better for 19" - 21.5" since I'm sitting right in front of it. I don't need bigger I have a TV and a ps3 for the rest so barely or no movies will be playied on it or streamed.

My total budget, before the LCD monitor, is around 1000$ CAN and will be buying CANADIAN, and the cheaper the better. Can't bring any parts over :D . So far this is what I've come up with while reading here and ncix forums. Totel build from Newegg ( not sure if I can direct link to the website) with shipping and taxes 1 045$.

P.S.: Don't need or use lightscribe just the only DVD i could manage to find.


- Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with 3 included fans.

- GIGABYTE GA-890XA-UD3 AM3 AMD 790X

- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

- LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support

- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

- AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

- GIGABYTE GV-N250-1GI GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card


I am opened to Intel/ATI (no fanboy crap) user input but I have to remind that I will not overclocking nor do I want to learn how to do it, I just don't have the time. I want to keep it simple, clean and easy to use for the next 3-4 years (again GPU could need upgrade down the line wouldn't mind it). Also I will not be using SLI, just a single card bang for the buck pc.

So, work your magic and help me out because I have been lost for the past 2 weeks and will be buying this week or next week if I can actually make up my mind.

Thanks!

[MadCan]

first of all if u want to buy an LCD monitor there is a BenQ 25" 2ms response widescreen for 199 on NCIX at the moment.

Second. Instead of Phenom2 X4 955 i would suggest you to go with the 965 if you can. Since you do not want to use SLI and gonna be running the gts250 you probably dont need a 750W PSU. Instead go with a 500-600. I would also suggest you to build the same computer on NCIX. since they have price matching, if any of the pieces on newegg happen to be cheaper you can price match it on NCIX. So you can buy it for the same price if not lower.

[Lpfan4ever]

I'm at work so I can't give any direct links or check prices on what I'm reccomending. However, here's what I would do personally.

- I would ditch that GTS250 in favour of an ATI 5770. ATI is no worse than NVIDIA in the driver department, so whatever you read is a crock of shite. I have had no issues with installing any ATI drivers, even beta and preview drivers.

- I think for more future proofing, if you can afford it, is go for the new Phenom II x6 1055T. 6 cores for under $250 (If I recall correctly).

- As MadCan said, you can get away with a TX650 or something alike, which is still quite a lot of power.

- Believe me, getting a decent case now will make your life so much easier. Something cheap like a CM 690II Advanced or Lancool K62 will be a hell of a lot easier to work in. (I'd prefer the K62 personally)

- Oh, and go with NCIX. Pricematch, pricematch, pricematch. Oh, don't forget to pricematch. It can save you quite a bit of coin. I know on my first PC I saved around $125, on a $1200 or so build.

[_dangtx_]

make that used 5770 for around 120$ or a gtx 260? :)

[SSMiKe06]

Wow, thanks a lot for the quick responses.

I downgraded to Corsair 650TX, still on the same GPU but I'm looking into the GTX 260 216 Cores or ATI 5770 but I guess it comes down to preference since I've always used Nvidia cards before.

Also looked at CM 690II Advanced, I really liked it and found a price match possibility to 72$. Comes with two fans and possibility to add more what would you guy suggest or it wouldn't be needed since it wouldn't generate that much heat?

Also, went to NCIX with those changes and so far already went from 1045$ to 978$ with 5.99 ground shipping & Express RMA (is it wort it or not I'm still debating the usage of this feature). About 100$ saved just on price matching on newer version of this thing.

I greatly appreciate the help that you guys are providing!

[MadCan]

well both 5770 and gtx260 heat up a decent amount. You need a good airflow inside the case if you want them to run cool and efficient. For about 60-70 bucks you can get a good coolermaster case or a thermaltake which will give you great airflow. as it comes to the decision between 5770 and gtx260 thats pretty much up to you since they both perform the same.

I would recommend two cases for you.

NCIX.com - Buy Thermaltake V3 Black Edition ATX Mid Tower Case Black 4X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT Front USB Audio No PSU - VL80001W2Z In Canada.
this is my old case. I really liked how many fans you can put in it as well as the airflow.

or you can go with the antec
NCIX.com - Buy Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio - THREE HUNDRED In Canada.

or you can go with the CM690 if you liked the case. In all three cases you are going to have a really good airflow.

even if that much airflow is not necessary it will still allow your parts to run smoothly

[_dangtx_]

both those cases are kinda gpu limited. 5770 or gtx 260 should be ok.

[SSMiKe06]

Originally Posted by _dangtx_

both those cases are kinda gpu limited. 5770 or gtx 260 should be ok.

What do you mean by GPU limited? Power wise or space wise? I've been looking into 5770 price match since those GTX 260 216 cores are expensive and less common. Wonder how much a used one would be worth.

[johnnyblazzwa]

these are also a great buy, with no gpu limitation

NCIX.com - Buy NZXT Beta Evo ATX Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front Audio USB Black - BETA EVO In Canada.

[SneakySnake]

I'd go with the 5770 over the GTX 260 if I were you. Here's a sweet build for a $1000 CDN from NCIX:

NZXT Beta ATX Tower Case 4X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front Audio USB eSATA Black - $59.99

Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H 890GX AM3 ATX DDR3 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA3 USB3.0 HDMI GBLAN CrossFireX Motherboard - $144.85

Amd Phenom II x6 1055T - $212.99

G Skill 2x 2 GB Ripjaws DDR3 1600 - $114.99

XFX 5830 1 GB - $229.99

Corsiar VX 550 Watt - $114.99

Seagate Barracuda 500 GB - $69.84

Samsung 22x DVD - $29.89


TOTAL: $977.53

(Sorry for the scewed up formatting, copy and paste from the cart is screwed up)