Help picking config

Ok, well I have been researching on buying a new computer mainly because my other one is a bit old and can't handle some of the newer games that are coming out.


I'm mainly looking for a comp around 1500$-2000$, which will last me quite a bit of time. I'm looking to play games mainly on it, (example:Assassins Creed, Command and Conqueror, World at War, Oblivion, counter strike source, and WoW...etc, and some photoshopping.


Basically i'm trying to stay in the budget range and find a good comp which will last me for the games coming out in the next 1-2 years as well, and one that I can upgrade as the year progress and so on. I currently have my own keyboard a G5 logitech mouse, and my own monitor my monitor is 21' inches. So those will not be needed.


Any help would be apperciated. (I'm not to techy with computers, i know a little bit, but it would be great if you guys explained some things aswell :P. Thanks in advance.  


Edited by danfromhell - 01 Mar 2009 at 10:21am

I'll take a shot at this, try this one on and see how it fits. It came out to $2,024 dollars. But with the limited time discount it will only run you $1,924.

http://digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=253861

Copy of Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 3GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB (216 Cores) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Lol, they are awesome machines. For his budget that's a very nice computer. Mine is pretty close as well but mine has the 1000w PSU and 6gig ram and a 295 video card. I love it to death. This machine has been running 24/7 since the 5th of Feburary and is just awesome. That's pretty much the reason I post that configuration, it's a good one for the budget.

They all look nice, but whats up with the third one, like why is it so much? I'm looking at it, and it almost looks identical. Also will all three of those systems allow me to add more graphic cards in the future and how many?

ok, but could i got with three 295 as well or that wouldn't work? Also what exactly is the difference between your system and the other ones posted? Also the i7 processor does that completely dominate the quad-core? What percentage do you think it is better?  

also would all of the above comps have room for a Wireless Network Card? Because I have one since my router isnt in my room so I cant connect directly so I use a Buffalo Wireless Card. What do you think?

Ok, thats good, Sounds very neat, Hopefully I will come to a decision in the next week and buy it buy then, Thanks for the help. 

I wish I still lived in Santa Clara, darn it, lol. I bought my first custom comp from micro center like 3 years ago. 

im at florida now lived in the bay area for 20 years,then moved 2 years ago. i used to live in redwood city then in santa clara  for last 2 years now for 2 years in florida. oh well.

btw what do you think of this setup for 1480 uncludeing shipping, its not from here just kinda want to compare.

so you think im getting refurbished parts if i get that comp, i think my friend sent me that config from cyberpower, but yea, it did look kinda cheap for what it says i get.

cyberpower sucks, I wouldn't get their pc if you paid me, but its your money, I just want you to be clear and we all know about lower prices and places like cyberpower or ibuypower, etc, etc, and we still shopped at DS.

if you go config that build in new egg so we could build it ourself the price would be higher, thats the first sign that something is wrong.

Well what happened is that we all looked at all the places, found DS and stayed here to spread the word to everybody else

Take your time and get which ever is best for you, good luck

Originally posted by DST4ME sorry some how I got it in my head that your budget was $3000, I keep reading your post and I can't figure how I came up with that anyways. my config has 6GB of ram which is what you want to upgrade to down the road, a 295 gtx gpu, its has a faster HDD and a 1000w psu. but we can make adjustments here you go Ticket# 253944 --- Price: $2207 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $2107 Copy of Specifications: Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 3GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3 Power Supply: 1000W PC Power & Cooling (Turbo-Cool Edition) (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB (216 Cores) (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors) Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue) Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts) Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Benchmarking: - No Thanks Install/Test Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty ok this is much better for future proofing your system with this system you can go 3 x 285 or 2 x 295 if you ever wanted to.

hey DST I was wondering how would the comp look with blue lights? which u selected cause i was looking at the case it looks like it comes with red or is that just red lights in it?

LC is about performance its just awesome that its by product is that it looks cool 

LC will give you cooler temps and give you a shot at higher OCs than the V8

if you are going to go with LC then go with frostbite for CPU only.


LC systems are air tight and can be turned any which way.
so there is no leaking but even if there was the liquid is none conductive so if it spills on the mobo and such nothing will happen.

as for the light, I just randomly picked that, you should pick what ever color you like, yes the front fan of haf is a red led.

here you go Ticket# 254873 --- Price: $2377 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $2227

Copy of Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 3GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3
Power Supply: 1000W PC Power & Cooling (Turbo-Cool Edition) (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB (216 Cores) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU
Liquid Color:UV Redish Pink: Medium Glowing Non-conductive Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (UV) (Creates Glowing Effect For H20: Stage 3 UV Fluid)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

if you can go with 6GB of ram, that should be your first upgrade

Edited by DST4ME - 03 Mar 2009 at 10:02pm

no its a quad core with hyperthread making the system think it has 8 cores, the actual 8 core i7-s are server chips not desktop chips.

severs use a different motherboard, ram, etc, they are not good for gaming. the 8 core desktop chip should appear sometime in H1 of 2010