$1500 to spend on a new computer

Finzz · July 5, 2009

I'm going to be building a new pc and I am trying to select the best bang/buck parts.

And by $1500 I mean THATS IT TOPS!

I need like a full list of parts and to like total them up. I need this computer to last me a long time, which means careful selection of parts, because I cannot afford the best.

Right now I am really stuck on deciding between a quad core and dual core but I think I am going with dual core (E8500/E8600) because all I will be using this thing for is games and homework no games out there right now, at least the ones I'm looking to play really use all 4 cores, and if they do, its not effective enough and its still cheaper to go dual core.

Feel free to argue for quad cores as I haven't fully made up my mind yet. Lots of people say that quad cores (I was looking at the Q9550 by the way) are much easier to overclock when the need comes around.

For a motherboard I was thinking of going with an Nvidia bord (790i possibly) because I really wanted the ddr3 ram, but it looks like I might have to go DDR2 if I want to stay in budget.

I really love Nvidia's cards, but it looks like I might have to go with ATI's 4800 cards, but if anyone has suggestions for what video card I should get please post.

UPDATE

Just found a deal http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150323

I think I'll get it, a 9800 GT with 6gb of DDR3 1600HZ Triple channel. I know it's not the best card in the world, but with the RAM is a good deal I think.

I'm looking for suggestions on anything I should choose, drives, hdd, power supply, and case etc. etc. So guys please help.

A friend suggested getting a Velociraptor HDD because they load things extremely fast, can anyone back this up?

Thanks for any help guys! (wow long post)

Edited July 5, 2009 by Finzz

ReGIONALS · July 5, 2009

im gonna post up what im getting which is under 1500

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM

Item #: N82E16827118030

Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-118-030|hide options27-118-030)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-118-030.0.18)

* 1 year: $7.99

* 2 year: $12.99

$30.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Item #: N82E16811129043

Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$30.00 Instant

$199.99

$169.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Item #: N82E16822136195

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options22-136-195|hide options22-136-195)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info22-136-195.0.18)

* 1 year: $7.99

* 2 year: $12.99

$34.99

select item 5 quantity of item 5

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Item #: N82E16822136320

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$69.99

select item 6 quantity of item 6

GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-UD5P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Item #: N82E16813128391

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options13-128-391|hide options13-128-391)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-128-391.0.18)

* 1 year: $19.99

* 2 year: $35.99

$169.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Item #: N82E16814161276

Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant

-$29.99 Saving

$199.99

$160.00

1

HIS Gift - Stormrise Game Coupon Bundle - Retail

Item #: N82E16800999372

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$29.99

select item 9 quantity of item 9

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Item #: N82E16817139009

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options17-139-009|hide options17-139-009)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info17-139-009.0.18)

* 1 year: $16.99

* 2 year: $25.99

-$20.00 Instant

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-009

$159.99

$139.99

select item 10 quantity of item 10

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

Item #: N82E16835100007

Return Policy: Consumable Item Standard Return Policy

$17.90

($8.95each)

select item 11 quantity of item 11

Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail

Item #: N82E16899261001

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$2.00 Instant

$5.99

$3.99

select item 12 quantity of item 12

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-9600CL5D-4GBPI - Retail

Item #: N82E16820231201

Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

$139.99

select item 13 quantity of item 13

Rosewill RCN-SC106 Plasma/LCD screen cleaner (Larger cleaning size) w/ 100ml Solution - Retail

Item #: N82E16882021001

Return Policy: Consumable Item Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant

$19.99

$9.99

select item 14 quantity of item 14

LOGISYS Computer CLK12RD 12" Cold Cathode Kit Light - Retail

Item #: N82E16800888027

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$4.99

select item 15 quantity of item 15

LOGISYS Computer LNSGN Green Liquid Neon Thunder Pattern LED Light - Retail

Item #: N82E16800888036

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$7.99

select item 16 quantity of item 16

LOGISYS Computer LNSRD Liquid Neon Thunder Pattern LED Light - Retail

Item #: N82E16800888037

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$7.99

select item 17 quantity of item 17

HIS DVI to VGA Adapter Model HDD4086 - Retail

Item #: N82E16814999020

Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

$9.99

select item 18 quantity of item 18

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail

Item #: N82E16819103674

Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant

$255.00

$245.00

select item 19 quantity of item 19

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders - OEM

Item #: N82E16832116485

Return Policy: Software Return Policy

$99.99

its all about 1300

Finzz · July 5, 2009

Whats with the 80gig Hard drive? and is this all off of tigerdirect or newegg?

But check this rig from Ibuypower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227142

The only bad thing is DDR2 RAM and no screen.

Theres some more on this page, CORE i7 desktops for like $1500!!!

Just scroll down when the page loads:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=GTX&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Page=1

Edited July 5, 2009 by Finzz

PotshotPolka · July 5, 2009

Just a personal note I found that according to benchmarks the HD 4870x2 has more bang for the buck than a 4890x1.

Akaru · July 5, 2009

If you are going to get a new rig, do not get a AMD for the processor. Intel is better than AMD clock for clock, but does costs more, which is a fair trade-off. I would recommend the Core i7 to be the minimum; Core i7 920. If you decide to go with C2Q, get the Q9550. If you must get a duo core, which is currently the best option for gaming, get the E8500. Do not get the E8600, as it is not worth ~80 dollars for a .16GHz increase.

Graphics card; do not go lower than a GeForce 200 series or a 4800. ATI are much cheaper than Nvidia right now, but I like Nvidia more, so go with Nvidia. I recommend the GTX 260 Core 216.

I personally do not think RAM affects your performance drastically unless you are going to overclock everything on your computer. Just get any 6GB kit if you are going with DDR3. Any 4GB kit will do for DDR2.

Motherboard, I would get the Asus Rampage Formula or Asus Strike II Formula for C2D/C2Q with DDR2. I would get the Asus Rampage Extreme or a Asus Striker II Extre mefor C2D/C2Q with DDR3. If you decide to go with Core i7, I would recommend a Foxconn, Gigabyte, or an Asus. I have no experience with Core i7 motherboards so I can't say.

BTW, I am not listing any parts because since you are the owner of the computer, I think you should choose your own parts. It's what you like, not what I like.

Edited July 5, 2009 by Akaru

Nighthawk · July 5, 2009

Do not buy a 9800, get a GTX 275.

Get a Phenom II 955 though, it is cheaper.

Ultramarine · July 5, 2009

AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2 GHz 244.99

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard 169.99 (Supports DDR3 RAM, up to 2133MHz)

OCZ Blade Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) 140.99

XFX HD-489A-ZDDC Radeon HD 4890 1GB XXX 256-bit GDDR5 229.99

HT | OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card 89.99

APEVIA X-SNIPER G-Type X-SNIPERG-AL Black / Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 79.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply 139.99

BELKIN BP112230-08 8 ft. 12 Outlets 4320 Joules Pivot-Plug Surge Protector 34.99 (Not needed if you have one)

2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive 59.99 each, 119.98

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner 26.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit 99.99

KASPERSKY lab Anti-Virus Home Edition 2009 US Edition 51.99

Total price is below 1,400 i think...

c0bra067 · July 5, 2009

If you can afford it, I would suggest getting a CD/DVD RW disk drive. I got mine from LG a year or so ago, and its great, but anyways.... I never would have thought the RW portion would come into play, but it's incredibly convenient, especially for DVDs. I haven't looked for disk readers in a while, so I'm not even sure if they are all RW now, but I figured I would recommend it anyways.

Coffee Crisp · July 5, 2009

Not much to advise here but go with Nvidia, Intel, and a 64-bit OS so the RAM can actually be used, not like you need more than 4 gigs of ram anyways...

Pretty simple.

Intel>AMD to Performance

AMD>Intel to price

Nvidia>ATI to performance

ATI>Nvidia to price and in some cases power consumption+space.

If you're willing to sacrifice price for performance go with a Intel,Nvidia mix. If you're willing to sacrifice performance for price then go with a ATI,AMD mix (then you'll probably get to use AMD overdrive but you won't really need that if you don't like touching the clock multipliers of your CPU).

Fast Bullet · July 5, 2009

Gonna keep this simple .

graphic card. Nvidia 9800GTX or a better one that was made by Nvidia.

Processor: Intel Quad 2.6 gH or better

8 Gb of ram

500GB hard drive space or better

the rest is up to you..

All the software can be downloaded by P2P.So you can save some money for better Pc or just to save some cash.

I suggest you use Eset smart security for your antivirus (other wise known as Nod 32).I personally download ALL my software by p2p (piracy).

Got license for using Nod 32 till year 2050 =P . Off topic ofc...

Edited July 5, 2009 by Fast Bullet

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