Ok Build?

[bendova01]

Hey, so I'm wondering if this would be a compatible build, and if there is anyway to cheapen the final price.
Personally I would like to stick with an intel processor, but if you feel there is a really cheaper way of building a computer like this with AMD please go ahead and add ur 2 cents.
The goal for this build is for moderate gaming around the ability to play borderlands, dragonage, and CoD at 1900x1080 resolution and Maxed Graphics, while keeping prices at a bear minimum.

I do have a dell 22 widescreen, mid tower atx case, and a keyboard/mouse , already so those aren't necessary. I believe I have all the bases covered in terms of the kinds of parts i need to build a working computer, but please tell me if I forgot anything.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

MoBo: ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131377

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Graphics: ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 Dark Knight 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121291

HDD:Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Optical: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136167

Power: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015

Wireless card: LINKSYS WMP54GS IEEE 802.11b/g 32-bit PCI Interface Wireless-G Adapter with SpeedBooster Up to 54Mbps Wireless Data Rates WEP key bits: 64Bit and 128Bit WEP and WPA - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124139

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

Total: $876.91

If we can get this down to 500 or even less I would be very happy. Black friday is also almost near I may buy parts then to help lower the total cost.

Thanks everyone.

[jdeb]

that is a solid build. For 20.00 more you can get a little faster hard drive with a 5 year warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Do you want a wireless card pci or usb?

[glc]

The best video card in that price class is a Radeon 4870. The GTS 250 is not that good, if you really have to go Nvidia, get a 260. Your stated graphics criteria makes a $150+ card a requirement.

Get this ram instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

Now - if you have to cut costs, you can do it with a cheaper micro-ATX motherboard and processor, but for the long run, I don't think I would. Your list is the "sweet spot" right now. The only way you can really cut costs without problems might be with AMD, which I will not address. I concur with jdeb's HDD recommendation.

I would get a PCI wireless card, same brand and type as your router if possible.

[bendova01]

hey thanks for the replies guys.

So i've changed the HDD to the one recommended and added a radeon 4870 card instead, also have a wireless card. I also forgot about getting an OS so thats going to be added in.

all together the new total is about 880 bucks.


So unless i really change to AMD, 880 is going to be about the price for a moderate gaming rig these days?

[glc]

The only places where you can really save money without compromising quality are with a cheaper motherboard and processor. It doesn't necessarily have to be AMD. You could get an Asus P5KPL board for 55 bucks, then a E6300 for 80 bucks.

[bendova01]

yea those were both things i was looking at to see if i can get a cheaper final price. I think i'll go ahead and maybe go with that e6300, but the mobo i feel i want to leave as is.

And i was also wondering what is the long term value of the build i have so far. I have been out of the computer parts/components community for so long I dont even know what the new processors are. I'm hearing and reading about these intel i7s and i5s or something. Is that the direction intel is going now? Would it be smarter to get a board that fits a i7 or i5 if upgradablility is the main goal and not a cash budget?

thanks for all ur help so far glc i really appreciate your knowledge and patience.

[glc]

You will need to up your budget a bit for an i5/i7, but that would be best for the long run. Look at the Asus P7P55D board and the i5-750. This will take DDR3 ram. End cost will be about 50 bucks more than your original choice.

The i5 is a quad core, the i7 is a hyperthreaded quad core.