Need input for a custom-build PC. Looking to put one together at best price?

Question

Hello,

It's time for me to build a new PC. The one i currently have (Asus A7V-266E mainboard-based) I built several years ago.

I have not been keeping up with hardware changes, so I'm looking for some input and perhaps example builds that some of you custom PC builders have done.

I am not looking to spend over 1,000, and would prefer to stay in the 650-900 dollar range.

My "wants" are:

Excellent Video Card

Near-Max RAM for use with Vista

Massive Hard Drive

Quality Brand Mainboard

CPU that can handle all the newest online games and processing requirements

If you have an ideas on how to build an awesome gaming/graphics system in the 650-1000 dollar range, please post about what hardware is good right now, what builds you have done recently or if you have a system built on an online builder somewhere like newegg, maybe you could share that. I'm looking for cost-effectiveness, quality and something that is going to allow for future upgrades and not be obselete soon.

Answer 1

Case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Power Supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

GPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Hard Drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

CD Drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Total Price: $768.93 Plus Tax/Shipping

This will handle just about anything you throw at it.  Also, if this is a replacement build, you should be able to use some components from your previous rig if you so choose (particularly your case, power supply, and CD drive) to save a few bucks.

Answer 2

For under $1000, this is the sort of build I think you should shoot for, if you go for an Intel-based build (prices are from Newegg):

Case:  COOLER MASTER 690                                     $  70.00

Power supply:   Corsair 550vx                                $  90.00

Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro                                    $ 120.00

Disk:   Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB         $ 85.00

Memory: 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800                               $  80.00

DVD/CD: Some model of Samsung DVD/CD burner  SATA OEM        $  30.00

Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM        $ 110.00

Graphics card:  Radeon 4850                                  $ 175.00

Processor:  Intel e8400                                      $ 170.00

Total:                                                       $ 930.00

+ keyboard, mouse, shipping

You could cut costs by going with a cheaper case (e.g. Cooler Master Centurion 5), maybe a smaller disk, get a 512MB 8800gt instead of that 4850 (but, the 4850 is a great card for the price), get a cheaper motherboard like a  GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L, or maybe get a cheaper power supply, though that Corsair PSU is very solid (don't get the 430w Thermaltake model that someone suggested for another build --- it has one 18A rail).

You could increase the price by getting a quad-core processor like a q6600, maybe a better graphics card, and you might want to get a third-party CPU cooler.

Answer 3

Yeah I'm buying soon as well. Here's what I suggest:

nVIDIA GeForce 8600 or 8800 GT (Get an extra case fan if you want to go all out and get the 8800)

3GB RAM

250+ GB Hard Drive

Asus Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

I don't recommend using Vista. But If you really want it, get a 32-bit version since you're a gamer.

That website is pretty in-depth, email me if you need help.