Please help with buying gaming PC!

ASUS P5Q
Intel Q8300/Q9400
4GB Hynix DDR2-800
250GB Samsung
DVD R/W
HD4870
Coolermaster CM690
Coolermaster Extreme Power 550w

R11500/R12000

This is pretty close to the system I'm building up.

Intel Q9400
Asus P5Q mb
WD Caviar 500gig
4 Gig DDR 800
Coolermaster Elite 335 chassis
Coolermaster Silent Pro M 500 Watt PSU

I'm going to use my 9600GT and the rest of my current system.

The Q8300 is a little bit underpowered so I'd get a Q9400 or better.
 
I dont really need the HDD space because I got a 300gb external!
 
I dont really need the HDD space because I got a 300gb external!

Dude, you need the internal space. 300gb is nothing these days and external storage is relatively slow. Crawling in fact.
Besides, 500gb isn't exactly going to break your budget here. It's R200 or so more than the 250gb.
 
This is pretty close to the system I'm building up.

Intel Q9400
Asus P5Q mb
WD Caviar 500gig
4 Gig DDR 800
Coolermaster Elite 335 chassis
Coolermaster Silent Pro M 500 Watt PSU

I'm going to use my 9600GT and the rest of my current system.

The Q8300 is a little bit underpowered so I'd get a Q9400 or better.

Nice one. Agreed on taking the Q9400.
 
R12000 AMD Build

AMD Phenom II 940 Quad-Core CPU - Socket AM2+ Price: R 3,367

Asus AMD M3N78 Pro Motherboard - Socket AM2+ Price: R 1,459

Force3D HD4870 512MB DDR5 Freezer DHT R3647.98

Western Digital CAViAR SE WD3200JS 320gb, S-ata2 , 7200rpm , 8mb R587.10

Corsair XMS2 DHX Technology Memory - DDR2-800MHz - 4GB Kit (2 x 2GB) R 989

Corsair TX650W , Eps12V + Modular cable management , ATX 12V V2.2 R1443.86

LG GH22LP20 20x LightScribe Dual Layer DVD Writer - Black / Beige Price: R 342

Total: R11835.94

Those are using take2 and prophecy pricing. Without case though.
 
Maybe i've missed it, but what's the max resolution does your monitor support?
It'll be pointless to go for a 4870/GTX2xx if you will not be gaming above 1280x1024.

I am running on 1280x1024 with 9800GTX+ with a slight OC.. Plays Crysis just fine at ultra high settings.. FPS ranges between 30-45 FPS which is good enough. Call of Duty gives about 140-165 FPS and most other games run pretty awesome.

Remember, very high-end graphics cards only make a big difference when running games at very high resolutions.
 
Maybe i've missed it, but what's the max resolution does your monitor support?
It'll be pointless to go for a 4870/GTX2xx if you will not be gaming above 1280x1024.

I am running on 1280x1024 with 9800GTX+ with a slight OC.. Plays Crysis just fine at ultra high settings.. FPS ranges between 30-45 FPS which is good enough. Call of Duty gives about 140-165 FPS and most other games run pretty awesome.

Remember, very high-end graphics cards only make a big difference when running games at very high resolutions.

But then you also need to wait longer before you upgrade again.
 
Also, unless you are running high end GPU's in SLI/Crossfire anything above a 500W PSU is overkill. A high end PC with a single high end GPU and no fancy stuff like neon go-faster stripes or serious aftermarket cooling products will use about 400 Watts maximum.
 
If you're willing to wait a couple of months, this 4890 looks to be a real showstopper. GTX285 performance for 4850 pricing. Might be worth waiting for that one.
 
Also, unless you are running high end GPU's in SLI/Crossfire anything above a 500W PSU is overkill. A high end PC with a single high end GPU and no fancy stuff like neon go-faster stripes or serious aftermarket cooling products will use about 400 Watts maximum.

Agreed. However you still need a power supply with good amperage on 12v and 5v rails if you want to OC.
 
If you're willing to wait a couple of months, this 4890 looks to be a real showstopper. GTX285 performance for 4850 pricing. Might be worth waiting for that one.

I bet nvidia will have something better slated for release by May or June... lol. Its a never ending cycle and you will never settle for anything if you keep waiting :p
 
Nvidia will undoubtedly have a more powerful card lined up. But I doubt that they will be able to match the price/performance ratio of what the 4890 promises. This will be the one to have. I think those who wait will find it worthwhile.
 
This is pretty close to the system I'm building up.

Intel Q9400
Asus P5Q mb
WD Caviar 500gig
4 Gig DDR 800
Coolermaster Elite 335 chassis
Coolermaster Silent Pro M 500 Watt PSU

I'm going to use my 9600GT and the rest of my current system.

The Q8300 is a little bit underpowered so I'd get a Q9400 or better.

By the way, any reason for the Silent Pro PSU? The Extreme Powers are as silent as can be... :)
 
By the way, any reason for the Silent Pro PSU? The Extreme Powers are as silent as can be... :)

My PC is in the same room as my TV so I am trying to build the quietest PC possible. This particular PSU also received a number of rave reviews.
 
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