$1000 Budget Gaming Computer

[TEK_Speedy]

Well, I've tossed my head around in Core i7 information, Intel Quad core .etc. I'm pretty confused. On one side I end up with a cool Core i7 configuration but with only enough left over to get a Radeon 4870 (1GB).

 

On the Quad core side, things are "slightly" better, with the possibility of rolling with a 4870X2.

 

I have to say, I must suck at this or something. Can anyone help provide me with a decent build configuration for $1k? I'm looking for gaming purposes only, whatever I can squeeze by with to get the highest gaming performance possible.

 

Just one note, I don't need a power supply, already have a 650W PSU as a spare. Also, I picked out a Lian Li case which is $89.99, so i guess that makes the budget about $910 actually, bleh.

 

Help is extremely appreciated, as I'm mentally exhausted from sitting on Newegg/Tiger Direct for the last 8 hours looking up and comparing things and figuring out finances .etc.

 

Thanks

Edited December 26, 2008 by TEK_Speedy

[ARandomOWL]

For gaming only u should get a dual core like an E8400. Anything with more than 2 cores for gaming is pointless ATM. That should also free up some of ur budget for better GFX.

[TEK_Speedy]

So future games coming out in the next year or two wont be utilizing 4 cores?

 

Right, so I made 2 builds here, which one would do better for gaming? Each totals to around the $1k mark.

Core 2 Duo build:

 

Core i7 build:

Edited December 26, 2008 by TEK_Speedy

[slugbug]

I would go for the core i7 system, but get triple channel ram instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231222 and a 500GB hard drive.

[abid]

go for core i7!

[Jenova69]

I would go for the first build but why would you get an Nvidia chipset? Go with a nice P45 board or X48 if you want to go crossfire later.

I7 shows almost no improvement in gaming and get 2x2gb or ram.

Edited December 26, 2008 by Jenova69

[abid]

go for i7! u wont regret it...

 

http://guru3d.com/article/intel-core-i7-920-and-965-review/1

[xPETEZx]

I would go with the first build. but swap out the board to a nice P45 or X48 board.

 

Either Asus, DFi or MSI should do well there.

 

I would up the ram to 2x2GB.

 

 

If Gaming is all your gonna do, Id give the i7 stuff a miss.

 

As they always say, NEVER buy the first of anything.

 

There are currently VERY few games that will use more than 2 cores, and the ones that do, will still run very well on your Dual Core.

 

I think you would see more FPS from getting the X2 over the i7.

[damian]

Core I7 Build

Ram:

Patriot 6Gb - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820220365

Corsair 6GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145224

Corsair XMS3 6GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145220

 

Corsair 3GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145225

Patriot 3GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820220362

Mushkin 3GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820226031

[TEK_Speedy]

Lol Damian, the RAM you posted doesnt scream budget.

 

Anyways, here's what I came up with:

 

 

Look good?

[BKen]

Lol Damian, the RAM you posted doesnt scream budget.

 

Anyways, here's what I came up with:

 

 

Look good?

 

Looks really good. Do you already have an optical drive?

 

Also, if you are getting a new case, I would go with this over the centurion 5 for the same price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811119152

Might just be because I would prefer to have a bottom mounted PSU, but they're both very good cases, especially for the price.

[damian]

Looks good.

Personally I'd buy a P45 chipset instead. Save some money yet keep performance.