To give you some background, I used to build gaming PC's all the time, but haven't done so since about 2003. About that time I graduated college, started my first job, bought a laptop, etc etc etc.

I've decided that I want to build my own PC again. Assuming that nothing has fundamentally changed with the assembly process since 2003, I figure I should be good to go. Unfortunately, I haven't kept up with what's going on in the hardware market, so I have to start from scratch in that area (that's where I'm counting on you guys!)

I want to spend between $1,000 and $1,500 on my new machine. I assume newegg.com is still the best place to buy parts? I'm looking for a machine that will handle HD/Blu-Ray movies, fast decoding, and be able to play the latest games. I'll also need a new monitor as well, so please factor that into the price. I'm sure it goes without saying, I'd like to future proof this machine the best I can. Oh yeah, I'll need to buy a copy of Windows7Pro (full) as well.

Thanks in advance for your help! Looking to buy soon.

yes newegg is still the best place to buy parts

what games do you want to play?

any multitasking?

do you need the copy of windows factored into the price along with the monitor?

Any particular reason you need the professional version of w7?

this is about $1234.91 with the operating system and $40 worth of mail in rebates. the video card i out of stock so you can either wait or look for it somewhere else:

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Video Card $514.99

DVD $28.99

Case $21.99

HDD $54.99

RAM $78.99

Mobo and CPU Combo $376.98

OS and PSU combo $157.98

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prices listed before rebates.

4 gigs of DDR3 1600 Mhz RAM, the newest ATI card the 5870, an i7 860, and a 550 watt psu.

EDIT: found a combo for the cpu and mobo.

This message was edited by hiigaran on Nov 13 2009.

I can't figure out why hiigaran suggested the costliest 5870.

because it has the fastet core speed of them all. you probably dont think thats justified for the extra cost, but it will make a difference. besides, hes still way under budget so why not?

25 mhz? do you even call that a boost? man, he can overclock to that without even twitching an eye.

meh

re-read his posting. He wants a BD-DVD player. Also, he would like to factor in the price of a montior and Windows 7 Pro full into the cost. So the DVD you suggested won't work. Also, the video card is WAY over-priced. Why not suggest an over-clocked GTX 260 for about $200...

Hii, you done great builds before, but I gotta agree with Saransh that this was a pretty bad build for you.

I got a build for ya:

Case, Mobo, RAM and PSU Supercombo $356.99

CPU $289.99

GPU $189.99

HDD $54.99

BD Reader $59.99

OS $139.99


$1189.95 before rebates. $20 worth rebates.

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4gb ddr3 ram, a bd reader, a HIS 4890 (965mhz core), an i7 860, and a 700W PSU. and your windows 7 professional 64-bit.

huge room for the monitor.

Thanks for the builds so far guys. Just a few questions -

1. What should I do about a monitor?

2. The versions of Windows 7.. I noticed that one person suggested the OEM, and another person suggested the home upgrade. How do I use an "upgrade" version on a new PC?

3. Sound. Will I be able to get by with onboard sound? Back when I was building machines a few years ago, the onboard sound options really weren't that great. Now maybe things have changed since then, but I just wanted to ask. I don't need theater quality sound, just something good.

4. I'm not opposed to spending a little more if I have to. Basically, I want a machine that will last for the next 2 years.

Thanks!

edit - also, should I consider 8 gigs of ram, or will that not make much of a difference?

Is the CPU that both of you guys suggested a good sweet spot in todays market?

quote philliesfan980

1. What should I do about a monitor?

What size you want? I'll find you a cheap one.

quote philliesfan980

2. The versions of Windows 7.. I noticed that one person suggested the OEM, and another person suggested the home upgrade. How do I use an "upgrade" version on a new PC?

Yeah, get the OEM. The Upgrade version requires a older OS installation afaik.

quote philliesfan980

3. Sound. Will I be able to get by with onboard sound? Back when I was building machines a few years ago, the onboard sound options really weren't that great. Now maybe things have changed since then, but I just wanted to ask. I don't need theater quality sound, just something good.

Onboard sound these days are more than enough. They're great, not many people except professionals use sound cards nowadays.

quote philliesfan980

4. I'm not opposed to spending a little more if I have to. Basically, I want a machine that will last for the next 2 years.

My build will be good enough for the next two to three years. But if you want something like a comp that will last for 5 years or more, get an HD 5870 when they're in stock. But don't get the one that hiigaran suggested.

quote philliesfan980

also, should I consider 8 gigs of ram, or will that not make much of a difference?

you'll probably not fill up the 4gb whole, let alone 8gb. You can upgrade to 8gb later when you feel the need.

quote philliesfan980

Is the CPU that both of you guys suggested a good sweet spot in todays market?

Its one of the best available.

quote Saransh Comsole

What size you want? I'll find you a cheap one.

I'm going to be sitting close to my computer most of the time, so I think a 19 inch monitor would be a good size, right? I don't mind spending a few extra bucks on a quality product since I plan on watching movies and stuff.

quote Saransh Comsole

Yeah, get the OEM. The Upgrade version requires a older OS installation afaik.

Ok, thanks for the info. Just to confirm, I can't transfer the OEM version to another PC down the road, right? Not a huge deal, just want to know what I'm getting.

Also, what about peripherals? Do I need to get a wireless card, or are these built in now? I've gotten used to the lack of wires with using laptops over the past few years, so I'd like a wireless keyboard and mouse (if there's anything decent, I remember a few years ago there weren't a lot of great options)

quote philliesfan980

I'm going to be sitting close to my computer most of the time, so I think a 19 inch monitor would be a good size, right? I don't mind spending a few extra bucks on a quality product since I plan on watching movies and stuff.

You got this 22 inch:
Link $159.99.

quote philliesfan980

Ok, thanks for the info. Just to confirm, I can't transfer the OEM version to another PC down the road, right? Not a huge deal, just want to know what I'm getting.

you can only legally use it on one computer. 1 disk per comp.

quote philliesfan980

Also, what about peripherals? Do I need to get a wireless card, or are these built in now? I've gotten used to the lack of wires with using laptops over the past few years, so I'd like a wireless keyboard and mouse (if there's anything decent, I remember a few years ago there weren't a lot of great options)

you want a keyboard and mouse in that budget too? okay, I'll find some. network is onboard.

Mouse $29

Keyboard $30

quote Saransh Comsole

You got this 22 inch:
Link $159.99.

Looks good to me, but is this too cheap (sorry if that's a bad question - like I said, I haven't been up to date on hardware in the last couple of years). It got a customer review reward, so that can only be good. I'm hoping that the black stays black (not gray like some other cheaper LCD's I've experienced) and the refresh rate is good enough for the movies and games I throw at it.

Anything else? Fans, etc? Pretty close to buying it all.