Still hafta decide on MOBO, but have good suggestions. Memory and Case also. So here's where I am:

PROCESSOR: AMD Phenom II X4 955

MOBO: Open to suggestions, may depend on video card. May consider adding tv tuner at some point in future, if that makes a difference.

VIDEO CARD(S): SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar Black, 1TB.

MEMORY: 4GB to start DDR3 1600+

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CASE: Current case is Antec Sonata, and is quiet and not too flashy. I like Antec very well. With the case, I'm mostly interested in ease of installation/room, and keeping things cool. I could care less about lights and windows and crap (would prefer not having them, but not a deal killer)

OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Professional

DISK DRIVE: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

MONITOR: No less than 22"

So I'm nearly there. Video Card may be a problem. Not too many choices available currently, even going to 5700 or 5850. May have to get that when I can I guess.

PROCESSOR: AMD Phenom II X4 955

MOBO: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

VIDEO CARD(S): SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar Black, 1TB.

MEMORY: 4GB to start DDR3 1600+

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Professional

DISK DRIVE: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

MONITOR: No less than 22"


BTW, I'm at $814 before video card and memory (not including monitor). Pretty good so far. The wife will be pleased.

I say again, G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM - Retail $80!

Yes 5870's are going fast, should illustrate its total dominance in the high end graphics card section.

I say again, G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM - Retail $80!

Yes 5870's are going fast, should illustrate its total dominance in the high end graphics card section.

I hear you on the memory.

I was thinking about the P183 for a case....more to my style. See any issues there? The pricing would be about the same via combo with the hard drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129061

Updated:

PROCESSOR: AMD Phenom II X4 955

MOBO: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

VIDEO CARD(S): SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar Black, 1TB.

MEMORY: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

CASE: Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Professional

DISK DRIVE: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner

MONITOR: No less than 22"


I'm at $886 before video card (not including monitor). Pretty good so far. The wife will be VERY pleased.

Great choices, good luck getting your hands on a 5870!
About the monitor, I don't know.

Hi KyBrewer.

Since you're set on the AMD, the above build looks great.

I'd just suggest that you look into this mobo instead. It's based on the 790FX chipset and at $140 it's a good buy.

Also, get the Corsair 650TX PSU. It will serve you just fine.

As for the CPU cooler I would recommend the OCZ Vendetta 2. Just ensure that it fits your case (I think it will) and that there is enough clearance over you RAM modules as it is known to cover the first RAM slot on some motherboards.

Ahh more choices. I can find the Vendetta 2 from various sellers, but it appears to be mostly discontinued.

That ASUS should serve you well and I agree with Ritwik 7 about the Corsair psu. Now find a decent monitor along with a cpu cooler and you are set to go.

Are there any video cards a step up that you would recommend? 5850s are pretty much unavailable too. There isn't a whole lot available now, unless I go a lot lower or a little higher in price.

Any ideas?

If you can get a 5870 I say go for it. You will have one serious gaming machine!

That's the problem, nothing is available right now. I'm impatient

I'm looking at 4800 or something in a totally different direction, if I want something now.

Any opinions on:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130504

EVGA 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

That video card you linked us to is ONE THIRD your budget!

The ATI 4890 can be had for around $200 with options ranging north and south of that line.

The ATI 4870 for around $150.

* Both have received excellent reviews and you would still have a great gaming PC while the wife contunues to be pleased.

I think its very expensive, inefficient, outdated, and hot, but it does perform well, but the 5870 is more impressive, mostly because it's a single GPU card and runs DX11.

This is basically the same as you suggested right?

HIS H587F1GDG Radeon HD 5870 5800 Series 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=10011217

Yes and a new release compared to the 4000 series. I've ordered from ZZF and I have never had an issue. What do you think HK?

Only place I've found anything in stock.

Its a little more expensive there but.... it is supposedly actually available.

Seems like there might be a few subtle (or not so subtle) differences. This is making my head spin :P

There's obviously a reason it is in stock and nothing else is I suppose.