First Time Building Gaming Comp. Need Help!

[Aryius]

Well, I wanted to try building my own computer that would (hopefully) last until I finish college. I'm going to major in game designing, animation, and such and I would also like to play games on it (Like Dragon Age: Origins) on a medium or high setting just as long as the game looks good and not choppy or laggy or something. My budget would probably be around $1000 might be able to spare a bit more, but I want to keep it from getting any higher and lower if I can. This is what I was able to gather up. I'm sure I'm missing some parts, but I don't know what. So, any advise would be helpful.

 

Hard Drive – Western Digital 750 GB Caviar Black SATA 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD7501AALS

 

CPU – Intel Core 2 Quad Processor 2.66 GHz 1333MHz 4 MB LGA775 CPU BX80580Q8400

 

CPU Fan – Cooler Master Hyper N520 CPU Cooler - Socket LGA 775, AM2, AM2+, 1156, AM3, 1366

 

Ram – Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9AG 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM - - PC10666, 1333MHz, 4096MB (2x 2048MB), 240 Pin, Dual-Channel

 

Operating System – Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD, English

 

Video Card – XFX Radeon HD 4890 Video Card - 1024MB DDR5, PCI Express 2.0 x16, CrossFireX Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV

 

Power Supply – Ultra LSP750 750-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, SLI-Ready, 135mm Fan, Lifetime Warranty

 

Optical Drive/DVD Burner - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive – OEM

[Erik005]

I see you chose a socket 775 processor. This is not exactly future proof.

 

For a game pc get the i7 750. or if budget allows the i7 860.

 

The 4890 is end of life a 5770 or 5830 would be a smarter choice it will be cooler and use less energy.

[Vagrant0]

You might want to look at my December Build thread... It had a similar budget and purpose.

http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=155602

 

Some of the parts may not be as easy to get, and you may need to add/subtract additional hardware depending on what you already have and what's still available. I've been using it for a little over 4 months now, and it's worked out better than expected. I can play DA on very high settings with only the occasional brief stuttering at the beginning of large fights as the game loads large amounts of data (would be resolved if it was installed to my other drive).

[bben46]

If you can't afford the i7 processor, there are also less expensive alternatives - i3 and i5. The i3 isn't much better than the processor you have listed. The i5 is somewhere in between. However, there is a socket that will support the i5 now, and an i7 in the future. The 1165 socket. You will have an i7 capable MB with a much less expensive processor.

 

I am currently working on a build that will use an i5-650 in a moderately priced ASUS P7P55D EVO Motherboard with the LGA 1156 socket. Parts just arrived late yesterday. I will be shutting down my current sys later today for the upgrade. I will be posting an evaluation with complete parts list after I get the new sys running

[Erik005]

I was thinking of €1000 which would be enough for an i5-750.

 

The i5-650/660 are dualcores. with hyperthreading. older games will benefit from the high clock speed of these processors.

 

You still need to pick a case. :whistling:

[CommanderCrazy]

For a case, I recommend the following:

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/Antec_Twelve_Hundred/Spec%20Pics/1200_front_q_lights.jpg <--- Antec 1200

 

If you want it to take less space, yet still have very good air flow, try this

http://www.fareastgizmos.com/entry_images/1007/29/Thermaltake_M9.jpg<--- Thermaltake M9 (Mine. Takes very little space, yet with my tiny stuff in there, it still has room for 4 more hard drives.)

 

 

 

 

PS. Hyperthreading is a joke.

Go for a nice Quadcore.

[Marthos]

I'm running an Antec 900 case so I'll agree with CommanderCrazy about the 1200

 

With all the fans set on low (can hardly hear them) it keeps everthing nice and cool, my ati 5970 sits at 34 degrees idle and the highest I've seen is 58 degrees underload.

 

Would allow you to try a bit of overclocking if the mood took you.

 

Loads of space inside and well thought out too.