PC Gaming Build Configuration?

Question

I am going to build my own PC and I am an above casual gamer but not hardcore. I do not wish to run Vista yet, but I plan to in the future. Also, the computer has to be able to do basic procedures such as browsing the web and Microsoft Office. Please list a complete configuration of the best components to use for maximum performance. Also, the total cost (not including monitor) must be under $1,100. Thank you for the responses.

Thank you for the first answer. However, I am changing it a bit and everything together(including case) must be $900 or under. And also, I would rather have a better processor than motherboard. Please include everything with the config you provide, fans, cooler, thermal compund, etc. I am not a computer expert as well so please provide me with any knowledge you hold.

Answer 1

K I will go with AMD since that is the cheaper one of the two builds:

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145034&CMP=AFC-Bensbargains ($104 after rebate $64)

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103778 ($102.00 )

Graphics:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062 ($96.83 $80.83 after mail in rebate)

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022 ($100.60)

Dvd burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827152076 ($30)

Hard drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140 ($80)

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001 ($130 $120 after mail in rebate)

case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021 ($130 then $99.99 after mail in rebate)

Mouse and keyboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156 ($28.32)

OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056 ($90)

The anti virus I would go with Panda internet security which off ebay unused is like $18 and is great, can install upto 3 systems.
Which that is a pretty tight system there. Could even go with this CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773 ($170)

I hope this helps. Might have included too many things but you could take down the hard drive size I would go with 16mb cache and SATA still though.

Answer 2

Dude i am doing the same thing lol. 1100 computer (i know u changed to 900). My brothers friend is building it for me. He is majoring in this stuff. He said to me, no matter what, get the best motherboard available. He put it in my list. It was like $140. I know about 50 bucks more than the other kids r saying, but the newer motherboards can support the newer types of ram coming out. The new ram is DDR2 6400. i have no idea wtf that means but it sounds good lol. So if you get the best mother board, you can always upgrade your comp later. If you get a shitty one, you will have to buy a much more expensive one later when you want to upgrade.

Answer 3

new setup($900 pricerange)

keep the same motherboard and processor. the core 2 duo e6750 is a very good processor and you can overclock it even faster. with the heatsink im listing you should be able to hit around 3.5ghz. also keep the same ram, hard drive, and cd/dvd drive.

processor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115029

motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131142

ram- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820146565

hard drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136076

cd/dvd drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106057

case- http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119137

power supply- http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817171018

NOTE: case/power is a combo deal. go to 1, click view all combo deals and its $124.90

graphics card- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130290
downgraded you from the very expencive 8800gts 640mb. this should be enough power for you though.

case fans- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835185004
the case holds up to 7 120mm fans, it comes with 3. i would swap all 7 out for these fans. extremely quiet.

cpu heatsink- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186134
as i said, with this heatsink you should be able to overclock to 3.5ghz or more.

thermal compound for the heatsink/cpu- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007


that is a total of $942.83, with $80 in mail in rebates(2 $20, 1 $40) taking you to a total of $862.83.

if you need more help, send me an email and i can help you out more

Answer 4

Try this:
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200707.ars/2
Take out the LCD screen and replace the speakers. It should fall w/in your budget.