Gaming Computer Build

getmoreatp · 06-17-2009, 05:37 PM

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 Would like to make this system last as long as possible (as in not be outdated too quickly).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

**Tyree** · 06-18-2009, 07:49 AM

Looks like a winner to me.
One suggestion; go with the WD Black 640GB. It's five dollars more but it's a 32MB Cache and has a 5 yr. warranty.

getmoreatp · 06-18-2009, 10:40 AM

How could we get it under $800 total? Perhaps not as fancy a case?

getmoreatp · 06-18-2009, 11:24 AM

Also, he doesn't mind AMD or Intel; better bang for the buck is his goal. I just recommended Intel because that's what I'm used to. Would he be better off with a dual CPU, or a quad? (He thinks quad would be more worth the money.)

One more thing, would a potential price drop in 2 months justify the wait? He's not really urgently needing one -- he just doesn't want to overuse his notebook (needs it for classes, etc.).

06-17-2009, 05:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
getmoreatp Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows XP SP3, Vista Home Premium SP2	Gaming Computer Build 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

06-18-2009, 07:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,746 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Gaming Computer Build Looks like a winner to me. One suggestion; go with the WD Black 640GB. It's five dollars more but it's a 32MB Cache and has a 5 yr. warranty. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

06-18-2009, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
getmoreatp Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows XP SP3, Vista Home Premium SP2	Re: Gaming Computer Build How could we get it under $800 total? Perhaps not as fancy a case?

06-18-2009, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
getmoreatp Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows XP SP3, Vista Home Premium SP2	Re: Gaming Computer Build Also, he doesn't mind AMD or Intel; better bang for the buck is his goal. I just recommended Intel because that's what I'm used to. Would he be better off with a dual CPU, or a quad? (He thinks quad would be more worth the money.) One more thing, would a potential price drop in 2 months justify the wait? He's not really urgently needing one -- he just doesn't want to overuse his notebook (needs it for classes, etc.). Last edited by getmoreatp; 06-18-2009 at 11:34 AM. Reason: Add info