Help me get the most bang for my $$$

[mparr1708]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
This rig will do nothing but game 95% of the time.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$500
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
None
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I have my hard disks and optical drives covered already and I will likely continue to use my 8800GT for now.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I've read tons but would like confirmation that what I'm doing is the right move.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I would very much like to squeeze as much out of this next build as possible.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Now.

Ok so basically I think my rig is starting to show its age and I'm lucky enough to have a little bit of money to toss into it. I primarily game with WoW being a staple and new games being picked up as they are released. I am very much looking forward to the release of D3 .

A while back I replaced the case in my sig with a temporary solution after it was damaged while moving it. I've also replaced the PSU with a temporary solution as the antec died on me. This means I need to get a decent case / psu into the budget.

This is what I'm thinking:

CPU / Mobo combo from newegg:
ASUS P5Q Pro / Intel C2D e8400
Combo Deal $249.99 - $15 Rebate = $234.99
Memory - G.Skill DDR2 1000 2x2gb F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ:
G.Skill DDR2 1000 2x2GB $44.99
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS $62.99 - $35.00 Rebate = $27.99
CPU Cooler XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 $31.99 - $10.00 = $21.99
Case Antec 300
Antec Three Hundred $54.20 Free Ship Amazon

CPU/Mobo = $234.99
Memory = $44.99
PSU = $27.99
CPU Cooler = $21.99
Case = $54.20

After rebates I get $384.16 so I am way under budget. I do not want to just blow money but I am willing to spend ~$500 so where else should I be dropping cash into? Is it possible to replace my video card with something that will be a true step up and still stay around budget?

Also I feel like I'm seeing good prices here but i doubt any of these deals will go away before Monday (with the exception of the PSU...that deal ends today. I'm sure ther ewill be other though.) so I could wait to purchase. Would it be wise to wait or will the deals not likely get much better? The sooner I order the better as Christmas can really delay shipping and I plan to rebuild my current rig and give it away to someone (Spread some Christmas cheer ) before Christmas.

EDIT:
I also forgot to mention that I game on a 22" LCD so I'm at somewhat of a high resolution.

 

[s44]

Get a real PSU. Low end OCZ = junk. The Corsair 650TX can be had for not much...

 

[hondaf17]

Looks good - just a suggestion on the case - the Antec Nine Hundred will be $59.99 with free shipping at Newegg in a day or so - check the Newegg Ads in the Black Friday forum. Might be worth an upgrade if you don't mind the side window.

EDIT: Sorry, mean Antec Nine Hundred

 

[theAnimal]

Antec Sonata III (with good PSU) is $75 @ newegg today.

 

[mparr1708]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out the six hundred and the sonata. I tend to skew pretty simple when it comes to cases. I also don't like them extremely large (I found htis out quickly with the p180....great case but large and heavy.). I was so hoping that the OCZ would be a decent PSU but at that price I feared that it would not. I'll nix that and come up with something else.


EDIT:

I'm not seeing a six hundred on Antec's site. Thinking 900 or 1200? I'm not sure I like either of those to be honest. I'd rather keep it simple.

I originally was debating between the Coolermaster 590 or the Antec 300. They both seem to be well reviewed but currently I see the 300 as a bit cheaper and I've read where it will fit the heatsink I linked. I wasn't sure about the 590 and the heatsink.

 

[Blain]

Best "bang for the buck" is to buy a Dell and slap in a good video card.

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: Blain
Best "bang for the buck" is to buy a Dell and slap in a good video card.

I'm not sure that this is exactly true but assuming that it is it would far more difficult to OC a Dell and would also sort of kill the DIY joy that comes from building computers. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Blain]

"Band for the buck" and "DIY joy" don't always live in harmony.
I'm guessing that you desire joy over squeezing a dollar?

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: Blain
"Band for the buck" and "DIY joy" don't always live in harmony.
I'm guessing that you desire joy over squeezing a dollar?

I'd like a good balance. I'm striving to me smart about my money more then I'm striving to be frugal at all cost.

 

[magreen]

Double-check about the ocz psu. I seem to recall it's a good one. Search for reviews of it on jonnyguru, Hardocp and AT.

 

[Denithor]

Yeah, I seem to recall those OCZ units being at least tolerable (meaning: able to crank out the power they're rated for) so at <$30 it's probably a good deal.

However, that Sonata III for $75 is an awesome deal, that comes with an EA500 which will handle a lot of video card (had mine running GTX 260 + 9600GT for a while with no hiccups) without problems.

Otherwise looks like a solid build with great parts selected. Go for it!

 

[Spike]

Stupid question but how old is that Antec PSU (TP 480) that died on you and do you still have it? My Smartpower 500 died a few months back and was still within the 3 year warranty so I was able to send it back to Antec. They gave me a choice of an NeoHE 500 or an Earthwatts 500, both of which are better than the OCZ you where looking at.

If you don't have it, it's older than three years, or your voided the warranty just ignore me

 

[mparr1708]

Thanks for the heads up on the OCZ guys.

The PSU was maybe 2 years old when it puked. Not sure if it would have been under warranty or not.... I didn't think to check. It's been trashed now or I would at least see what they say. Thanks for the heads up anyway.

 

[s44]

Top-end OCZ (EliteXStream and ProXStream) is really good. Below that... no.