Hi ..I currently own the following system :
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ CPU
Geforce 6600GT GPU
ASUS A8n-VM MOBO
2 GB DDR1 RAM

I feel its slow for new games. Even if i m not a gamer, i do play sometimes and whenever i do i want them to run at accepetable level of details and good FPS.

So i m thinking to get a new PC under $1000. I m an computer engineering student but i m not really into hardware stuff. I asked couple of vendors here (india) but they sounded that they dont have good knowledge of what they were talking.

My requirements :
1. Budget : Around $1000 take or give few $.
2. Games should run at above 40+ fps at high details and 1280x1024.
3. I dont rip dvds but i do watch movies most of the times.

I need both AMD and INTEL configurations but i guess i will go with AMD as i m really pleased the way my last CPU is working. Apart from that i do believe buying AMD will help the race of delivering better cpu to end-users at fairly good prices.

Regards
EnLi

EDIT: I posted the same thread here http://forums.guru3d.com/showthrea [...] ost2779084 to get broader recommendations.

Intel: E8400 3.0Ghz 1333FSB 6MB Cache LGA775 CPU.
AMD: Athlon 64 X2 5000+ BE 2.6Ghz 2000MT's AM2 512KB+512KB L2 Cache no HSF CPU.

For gaming, these would be your best choices. If all your doing is gaming, then these CPU's should preform better than a quad core. Unless you do video editing etc. With the 5000+ you just need a quality HSF and you could likely have it going at 3.2Ghz+.

Heya. I would not recommend buying an AMD cpu now because they are weak, they are power hungry and they are definetly not recommended for gaming.

I would get :
Intel C2D E8400 -190$
GA-P35-DS3L -90$
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 -40$
A-data ddr2 800 2x2GB -80$
HDD WD6400AAKS -70$
PSU Corsair 650TX -90$
Case Antec P182 -100$
HD 4870 -300$
FDD -10$
DVD-RW sh-203N -20$

Grand total : 1000 $

Prices are from my country, and since you said you're from india newegg is insignificant for refferal. But i doubt prices can vary too much.

Thanks for ultra fast replies.
I will query to my local vendor and will keep you guys updated.

I need more recommendations.

Regards
EnLi

You should also think about upgrading that machine. Even though it is old and socket 939 dual cores arent easy to find and are'nt cheap. But still a new graphics card with a new socket 939 dual core and another gig of ram would most likely be perfect.

Since you dont really consider a hardcore gamer if you can find those parts it will be a nice upgrade. If not i would probally build a system for abouta lil bit more than half the price you said you're willing to spend. Either AMD or Intel will do

I need a new machine as i m giving the current machine to my brother.
Also I might do some video editing in future,who knows.

Later
EnLi

EDIT: I tried finding socket 939 CPU last month and guess what , AM2 dual cores are cheaper than them :S

Yeah I know the AM2 dual cores are cheaper than 939s but when you factor in the total cost its not. You would need a new mobo/ram and cpu to go to AM2 but for the 939 just pay alot more for the cpu. But none of that matters since you're giving away your current system

If you want a AMD and are comfy overclocking I would sit tight for a lil bit till the new sb750 mobos are out and get a 9850 9950 phenom system. If you go Intel and are comfy with a lil bit of overclocking a Q6600 GO stepping and a $80 p35 board will be nice for your games and video ediiting if you get into that. You also could get the newer 45nm's quads. Intel already started to cut the prices of the 45nm dual cores, The prices of the 45nm quads(or at least compared to the cpu intel is replacing like q9400/q9300) is supposed to come down a bit I think also.

If you go with the AMD make sure you get ram that runs at ddr1066

I`m also seaching at the moment.
This config fits me best at the moment:
CPU:
E8400http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_microprocessors%23.22Wolfdale.22_.2845_nm.29 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037

Video:
Sapphire HD4850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102747
Combo:$340

Mobo:
BIOSTAR TForce TP45D2-A7 LGA 775 Intel P45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138127

Ram:
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2DDR2 SDRAM SDRAM DDR2 800
4-4-4-15 2.1V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267
Combo: $190

Cooling:
XIGMATEK HDThttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_deflection_temperature -S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003
$37

DVD:
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black PATA Model SH-S202N http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151155
$26

HD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218
$90

Case:
RAIDMAX AZTEC ATX-619WB Black/ Silver Computer Case With Side Panel Window http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156189
$80

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
$110

Total:
$873
- $120 mail in
+ shipping

I dont need CF or SLI at the moment.

Increased budget to $1125 and I need to consider 17" LCD as well in $1125.

Most of the users recommended for E8400 ,so i will go for it.
Which GPU and MOBO i should go for considering LCD also should be included in the budget?

Later
EnLi

EDIT: Budget update

in my config still is place for a Monitor

Only a 17" LCD? 19" aren't much more, you should be aiming for that size at least, it makes all the difference for the gaming experience!

If money is really right, go lower on the CPU, its not as important as the GPU for gaming performance and a slower one won't hurt framerates that much. An E7200 is about $50 cheaper than the E8400, I would seriously consider that and going with a bigger LCD with the savings.

Q6600 (if u can manage an OEM, otherwise get an E8400)

Xigmatek HDT-1283

2x2GB ballistix tracer or G.SKILL 2x2GB or basically any brand 4-4-4-12 timing 2x2GB... watevers cheapest

Coolermaster or Antec 600-700watt PSU

Coolermaster RC-690!!! AWESOME CASE LOW PRICE!!!!!

seagate 250 or 500GB 32meg cache SATA 3.0GB/s

HD-4850

GA-Ep45- whatever suits your budget from that lineup of mobos's... why do ppl still usggest P35 mobos taht dont support pci express 2.0!! every new gfx card (including the HD4850 uses pci express 2.0!!!! OMG)

Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor: $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009094

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ Brisbane 3.0GHz AM2 89W: $81
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103274
($15 off combo w/ HD4850)

MSI K9A2 CF-F V2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX: $104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130172

MSI R4850-T2D512 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3: $190 ($160 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127359

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply: $120 ($100 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA Hard Drive: $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148136

SAMSUNG Black 22X SATA DVD Burner: $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151171

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Total: $1,012 ($962 AR)

The RAM is up to you. You could go cheap with 2x1gb DDR2 800 for $45. I would go for 1x2Gb DDr2 1066 for $50 and downclock it (buy another stick when your rebates come in). You are then ready for a future Phenom upgrade (and can add 2 more 2Gb sticks in the future).

You are also ready to CrossFire that HD4850

edit: Can't add and subtract - lol

Those are excellent replies.

I still have 5 more days to research on different configurations.

will keep you guys updated.

Cheers
EnLi

EDIT1:
I use computer for avg. 7 hours a day (mostly programming) and i do spend about 5-10 hours on weekends gaming. Will buying a 17"> monitor will hurt eyes considering i need to stare at whole white background most of the time. Correct me if i m wrong..

I dont mind 17" LCD as long as my computer is fast enough to play latest games at medium-high settings , i mean to say 1280x1024 is enough for me. Another thing is i already have 250GB Sata from my last pc so i will be buying another 250GB sata.

Considering i will settle down for low inches LCD and 250GB sata i think i will be able to save few hundreds of $. In that case should i go for AMD phenom / Intel quad ?. My friend recommended me 9600GT today (for around $250..might be wrong). Is it good ?. How HD4850 compares to latest graphics cards? (excuse my negligence to current hardware scenario ).

EDIT2:
I use ubuntu so i will be able to save another $100 from your (@wisecracker ) config. Update please ?

Personally I would recommend a Intel C2Q6600 since it is about $200 bucks and is a great chip. Pair that with a P35/P45 mobo and you can OC it to 3GHz and be all set.

As for the GPU your friend recommended, its not as good as the 4850. The HD4850 keeps up with and beats the 9800GTX and GTX+ in most games.