Gaming/Entertainment PC for about $800-$900

[rpdiddy11]

I'm looking to build a new PC mostly for gaming and all around entertainment (playing blu-ray movies, and streaming music to and from my laptop and XBox). I already have a 500GB hard drive and a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4350 that i've installed on an older dell pc I already have. Also, I plan on using my 40' HDTV for the screen. I wouldn't mind ditching my current graphics card for a better one. So here's what I've come up with so far:

CASE: NZXT M59 - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146058

MB: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131621

GPU: HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161338

CPU: Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115065

MEMORY: A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211409

DISC DRIVE: LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - LightScribe Support - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136181

So all this comes out to about $717.00 and all I'm missing is a Power Supply. I'm not to sure how to select one, so I thought I'd leave that up to whoever responds. If I'm missing anything else that might be necessary, please feel free to share. Thanks!

[glc]

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

[orbrit]

I'm assuming you chose the Pro version of the motherboard to allow for future Crossfire capability with the 5770?

In that case you'll also want a PSU capable of running two cards.
The Corsair 650TX will handle your i3 and 2 cards easily.

[glc]

If you don't need the second PCI-Ex16 slot, get the LX version of the motherboard and apply the savings to a better video card such as a 5830 or Nvidia 460GTX 1gb. If you have to cut costs after that, downgrade the CPU to a 540 or 530 and the ram to 1333.

[rpdiddy11]

Don't know much about Crossfire, actually I don't know anything about it. I picked most of these parts based off some recommendations made to other users on other threads. I picked the Pro cuz I noticed it had an extra slot so I'd pay the extra $10 just in case I needed more it.

So should I scrap the old GPU i have or would putting it in this machine make a difference? FYI: I don't know much about building computers. The only experience i have is installing a components on pre-built pc's (replacing the hard drive, or installing a network card). I know very little about actually building from the ground up.

And I assume everything else I already picked is good enough and that they will suit my needs?

[rpdiddy11]

O ok, I might just do that. I'm not sure if I'll need the extra slot but you never know. Other than that, I'm good to go, right?

[glc]

Good to go as is, but if you can afford a 5830 or GTX 460 1gb, it's well worth the money for gaming. The 4350 you have now is just about worthless for games. That would be a good card for a home theater or just about anything else except a gamer.

[David M]

Originally Posted by rpdiddy11 If I'm missing anything else that might be necessary, please feel free to share. Thanks!

Don't forget your contribution to Redmond. Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OEM is probably what you want.

[rpdiddy11]

Ok so the only 5830 i found on newegg is PCI 2.1 while the motherboard i picked only has PCI 2.0, does it matter?

As for GTX460, i might go for this one:
Newegg.com - Palit NE5X460HF1102 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Sonic Platinum Overclocking Edition 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

I feel more comfortable with ATI since i've never used Nvidia before. But i don't know if there's a difference or not. Any preferences for one or the other?

And yes, Win7 is on my list too.

[glc]

The PCI-E slots are backwards and forwards compatible.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH5830 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1370-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

[rpdiddy11]

Ok, so im gonna go with the 5830. Im gonna take just a plain blu-ray drive instead of the combo dvd burner so i'll save some $$ there. All this with win7 about $937. I think i'm set. Thanks a lot, especially glc, for ur prompt responses and great input.

[Nikon]

a blueray drive will not read/write dvds or cds, you need a dvd drive else you will most likely not be able to install an OS.

[glc]

Originally Posted by Nikon a blueray drive will not read/write dvds or cds, you need a dvd drive else you will most likely not be able to install an OS.

Incorrect, sir - a Blu-ray drive (BD-ROM drive) reads DVD's and CD's. The cheaper ones are quite slow though.

[rpdiddy11]

I thought about that and I chose this drive cuz it seemed to have the fastest read speeds for DVD and Blu-Ray, at least on Newegg. And If I really want DVD burner I'll just hi-jack the one from my older PC.

Any recommendations on a better Blu-Ray drive?

[glc]

I don't see a link to the Blu-ray drive......

[rpdiddy11]

Sorry, here it is:
Newegg.com - LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model CH10LS20 OEM LightScribe Support - Blu-Ray Drives

[glc]

I don't see anything better for the price.

[rpdiddy11]

OK, thanks.

One last thing. For internet connection, I'd like to go with a wireless-n since I already have the router and use it with my laptop. I see a lot of USB adapters out there but not many internal ones. Is there any advantage with one over the other? Or should I just go the old-fashioned route with a cable?

[alanebro82]

Check this link for some internal cards. I prefer them over the little thumb-drive network cards.
NEWEGG

However, I'd recommend a wire if you can do it discretely/easily. I prefer to not use wireless unless I don't need much bandwidth.

[glc]

A cable is ALWAYS preferable. However, what brand and model is your router?

[rpdiddy11]

I'm not home now but i'm pretty sure its D-Link Rangebooster N Dual-Band DIR-628.

[glc]

Newegg.com - D-Link DWA-552 IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2.0 32-bit PCI Xtreme Desktop Adapter Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA, WPA2)