My friend (who knows a bit about computers) wants a new desktop build. Preferably, he'd like to run Call of Duty 2 on it well. Budget $800 max, not including OS (he'll likely get Windows 7 when it comes out, or possibly install Windows Server 2008 -- we can get it free from DreamSpark).
He thinks a quad core would last longer, but I told him that from what I've read here on TSF, dual core looks better for gaming (and OC'ing); am I correct?
He would like a minimum of 500 GB of hard drive space. Would like to make this system last as long as possible (as in not be outdated too quickly).
Here's the build I have for him so far (I built my own system a couple of years ago, and I keep up with tech, so I know about this kind of thing somewhat). He might overclock (part of the reason I recommended the E8500: heard it was easy to overclock and still have it stay cool?).
Right now, the total comes to around $875 including tax and shipping (we live in CA).
Component Part Price
CPU Intel E8500 190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036
Motherboard Asus P5Q Pro LGA775 Intel P45 105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299
PSU Corsair 750TX 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
RAM Crucial 2 x 2GB DDR2-800 50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2KIT25664AA800
HDD WD 640 GB SATA II 7200 RPM 70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218
GPU EVGA 9800 GTX+ 512 GDDR3 115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339
Optical Drive DVD-ROM Drive 20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136144
Case XClio WindTunnel 110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103011