Help: Specs for a gaming PC.

[Video Gone]

So, as the title implies, I need help with PC building. I've got some specs, and I need to know if they're future, or even recent-past proof. Yeah, I know next to nothing about PC building, so these specs might be incomplete, I'm not sure, but I think I've been pretty thorough on seeing what parts I'd need.

Case: Xigmatek Midgard
Processor: Phenom X4
Memory: 2 sets Corsair XMS2 2x2gb OR GSkill 1600mhz RAM
GFX Card: CrossFireX, Dual ATI Radeon HD 5850 1024MB
Hard Drive: 750gb, Seagate
Sound card: Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium
Power Supply: Corsair 750TX
Monitor: Asus 24" VH242H Wide Gaming LCD TFT Monitor (5ms, Full HD, HDMI, Black)
Motherboard: ASUS 790GX

If you've got some essential stuff to add to the above, please do, because I don't want to start up a top-of-the-line rig and find it missing goddamn-near everything. Yeah, a DVD drive suggestion would be much appreciated.
Anyway, I plan to play FPSs, like TF2, Garry's Mod (Wow, I love that game's online so much, as well, obviously, as the offline), Bad Company 2, UT 2004 or UT3, maybe some CoD, definitely Stalker. Will this be PC enough to handle Crysis?
Oh, and I'd love some more game suggestions, being pretty knew to hardcore PC gaming.
NOTE: This isn't really relevant, but for some reason my current PC has godly performance on any Source Engine game, as well as Unreal Engine games. I have no idea.
Thanks in advance.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Escapist-PC-Gamers

That is all

 

[Legion]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Escapist-PC-Gamers

That is all

So I assume they have no problems giving advice and whatnot? I am planning on upping the specs of my PC this year, or getting a new one depending on which works better.

 

[TheComedown]

NOTE: This isn't really relevant, but for some reason my current PC has godly performance on any Source Engine game, as well as Unreal Engine games. I have no idea.
Thanks in advance.

Whats your current PC? The one you have listed there is pretty beefy and should last you a while, couldn't tell you about the processor tho, i don't know much about the AMD ones. Although i don't like the look of that case (just think its a little plain/ugly) you would also get better cooling out of something like one of the coolmasters or the antec 900 the xigmatec midgard isnt a bad case either.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Escapist-PC-Gamers

That is all

So I assume they have no problems giving advice and whatnot? I am planning on upping the specs of my PC this year, or getting a new one depending on which works better.

Usually you can't stop them giving advice

 

[Raikov]

A motherboard perhaps?

Or maybe I'm just not seeing it...

 

[Wolfram23]

I posted on the other thread you made... I'll just copy it here since this appears to be the "real" one

I have a big issue with the CPU. An X2? Bad idea. Get minimum an X3. You should really be looking for a Phenom X4 955 or 965. Still cheaper than the i5 750 but has great gaming performance. At this stage of the game, a 2 core CPU is just a bad choice.

The graphics cards are good, that's what I'm running and I can tell you, they'll run anything at highest settings.

PSU: Same as mine. Great choice. Can't really beat the Corsair TX series for price and performance.

Sound card: Pretty good. For the price, good choice. Might consider upgrading to an AuzenTech Prelude or Bravura.

Memory: Not enough info (speed, timings?) but Corsair is known for quality so I'm sure it's ok.

Case: Not very good cooling with just 1 rear fan. If your 5850s have reference coolers (which blow out the rear) you can probably get away with it, but if they're non reference (vast majority are not) then you might have heat issues. Look for the Antec 300. Looks like it's cheaper and it has 1 rear, 1 top, and 2 front fans.

EDIT: You also don't mention which motherboard. That's very important.

 

[Video Gone]

NOTE: This isn't really relevant, but for some reason my current PC has godly performance on any Source Engine game, as well as Unreal Engine games. I have no idea.
Thanks in advance.

Whats your current PC? The one you have listed there is pretty beefy and should last you a while, couldn't tell you about the processor tho, i don't know much about the AMD ones. Although i don't like the look of that case (just think its a little plain/ugly) you would also get better cooling out of something like one of the coolmasters or the antec 900 the xigmatec midgard isnt a bad case either.

I've CanYouRunIt'd every game I could want, and my current PC just falls very far short of them. Also, I quite like that case, it's definitely convenient, looking at the specs of it, also, is a Coolmaster a full case or just an addon?
Yeah, I'm a PC noob, as I said before :\

 

[TheComedown]

NOTE: This isn't really relevant, but for some reason my current PC has godly performance on any Source Engine game, as well as Unreal Engine games. I have no idea.
Thanks in advance.

Whats your current PC? The one you have listed there is pretty beefy and should last you a while, couldn't tell you about the processor tho, i don't know much about the AMD ones. Although i don't like the look of that case (just think its a little plain/ugly) you would also get better cooling out of something like one of the coolmasters or the antec 900 the xigmatec midgard isnt a bad case either.

I've CanYouRunIt'd every game I could want, and my current PC just falls very far short of them. Also, I quite like that case, it's definitely convenient, looking at the specs of it, also, is a Coolmaster a full case or just an addon?
Yeah, I'm a PC noob, as I said before :\

[link]http://www.coolermaster.co.jp/products/product.php?language=en&act=detail&tbcate=17&id=5363[/link]

Thats the coolmaster HAF, its a pretty popular case, cept its rather chunky and pricy

xigmatek midgard
[link]http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=24[/link]
If the HAF is to big and pricey for you and you want something a bit smaller i recommend that, front and rear fans as well as space for 2 on the top and one on the bottom, its more roomy then the antec 300 as someone else mentioned for roughly the same price (last time i looked) One thing tho throw out the plastic clips on the card slots, they wont hold anything down, just go with the screws, tho the drive bay clips are really good.

 

[Video Gone]

Snip

Thanks. I've edited in what I think are the best suggestions so far to the OP, so can you take a look over the list and tell me if they're any good. Again, big thanks for the help.

 

[Video Gone]

"Processor: Athlon II X2 250 @ 3.0GHz"

What? You don't want to go AMD with THAT setup. Your processor will lag behind your other parts so much it will make your head spin. If you are serious about 2 5850s in corssfire (which is pretty serious price wise) then you wll really be looking at an i-7

Also unless your are REALLY serious about squeezing evey ounce of performace and quality out of that thing at any cost a seperate soundcard is not necessary at all.

I changed the processor, actually. Thanks for the sound card advice too, but I've saved up quite a lot for this and I'm looking for near-legendary quality.
Seriously. In the style of Tycho Brahe/Jerry Holkins, the alter-ego'd writer of Penny Arcade, I shall name this beast.

 

[Wolfram23]

I like the updated specs so far, however, you can't use that mobo. Your 5850s will cover the PCIe 1x slot, so your sound card won't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find a decent mobo for a Phenom X4...

 

[Video Gone]

"Processor: Athlon II X2 250 @ 3.0GHz"

What? You don't want to go AMD with THAT setup. Your processor will lag behind your other parts so much it will make your head spin. If you are serious about 2 5850s in corssfire (which is pretty serious price wise) then you wll really be looking at an i-7

Also unless your are REALLY serious about squeezing evey ounce of performace and quality out of that thing at any cost a seperate soundcard is not necessary at all.

I like the updated specs so far, however, you can't use that mobo. Your 5850s will cover the PCIe 1x slot, so your sound card won't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find a decent mobo for a Phenom X4...

Thanks. But, as the guy above said, do I really need a seperate soundcard now? I know I've got money saved up, sure, but overboard is a place I don't want to be going to anytime soon.

 

[Wolfram23]

I like the updated specs so far, however, you can't use that mobo. Your 5850s will cover the PCIe 1x slot, so your sound card won't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find a decent mobo for a Phenom X4...

Thanks. But, as the guy above said, do I really need a seperate soundcard now? I know I've got money saved up, sure, but overboard is a place I don't want to be going to anytime soon.

Depends. I bought the Logitech X540 5.1 speakers and an AuzenTech Bravura 7.1 sound card. First I just plugged the speakers into the motherboard's "high def audio". I thought it sounded good, surround worked. Then I installed the sound card and plugged into that. Literally at the windows start up sound I went "whoa..." it was way better. Crystal clear. Plus, better support for surround sound in games. For, what, $80 for the XFi Titanium it's very worthwhile IMO if you're getting speakers too.

 

[TheComedown]

"Processor: Athlon II X2 250 @ 3.0GHz"

What? You don't want to go AMD with THAT setup. Your processor will lag behind your other parts so much it will make your head spin. If you are serious about 2 5850s in corssfire (which is pretty serious price wise) then you wll really be looking at an i-7

Also unless your are REALLY serious about squeezing evey ounce of performace and quality out of that thing at any cost a seperate soundcard is not necessary at all.

I like the updated specs so far, however, you can't use that mobo. Your 5850s will cover the PCIe 1x slot, so your sound card won't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find a decent mobo for a Phenom X4...

Thanks. But, as the guy above said, do I really need a seperate soundcard now? I know I've got money saved up, sure, but overboard is a place I don't want to be going to anytime soon.

I wouldn't bother with a sound card, at least just now, your not planing on hooking up 5.1 or anything are you? Also I could be wrong but I don't think that the Asus Crosshair supports crossfire, it supports SLI but that's the nVidia chipsets, but as Wolfram said, you may be struggling for space on that mobo.

 

[Video Gone]

I like the updated specs so far, however, you can't use that mobo. Your 5850s will cover the PCIe 1x slot, so your sound card won't have anywhere to go. I'll try to find a decent mobo for a Phenom X4...

Thanks. But, as the guy above said, do I really need a seperate soundcard now? I know I've got money saved up, sure, but overboard is a place I don't want to be going to anytime soon.

Depends. I bought the Logitech X540 5.1 speakers and an AuzenTech Bravura 7.1 sound card. First I just plugged the speakers into the motherboard's "high def audio". I thought it sounded good, surround worked. Then I installed the sound card and plugged into that. Literally at the windows start up sound I went "whoa..." it was way better. Crystal clear. Plus, better support for surround sound in games. For, what, $80 for the XFi Titanium it's very worthwhile IMO if you're getting speakers too.

Thanks, but I mainly use headphones (Creative Fatal1ty headset) for everything. Another mobo suggestion would be appreciated, though, since I'm shooting for quality.

 

[Wolfram23]

Ok so I'm looking at some stuff. The Phenom II X4 has many models. Some use AM2+ socket and some are AM3. So the question is, how much do you want to spend? A good one (X4 955 Black Edition 3.2ghz) is $160. The X4 9950 2.6ghz is $86. I suggest going higher end than that tho. At least something like the X4 925 or 945. The 9950 is actually a different model of CPU (Agena) vs the 925/945/955/965 which are Deneb model.

 

[Video Gone]

Ok so I'm looking at some stuff. The Phenom II X4 has many models. Some use AM2+ socket and some are AM3. So the question is, how much do you want to spend? A good one (X4 955 Black Edition 3.2ghz) is $160. The X4 9950 2.6ghz is $86. I suggest going higher end than that tho. At least something like the X4 925 or 945. The 9950 is actually a different model of CPU (Agena) vs the 925/945/955/965 which are Deneb model.

I'm thinking the X4 955 Black Edition if it's got enough slots, outputs, whatever, for a soundcard.

"Processor: Athlon II X2 250 @ 3.0GHz"

What? You don't want to go AMD with THAT setup. Your processor will lag behind your other parts so much it will make your head spin. If you are serious about 2 5850s in corssfire (which is pretty serious price wise) then you wll really be looking at an i-7

Also unless your are REALLY serious about squeezing evey ounce of performace and quality out of that thing at any cost a seperate soundcard is not necessary at all.

I changed the processor, actually. Thanks for the sound card advice too, but I've saved up quite a lot for this and I'm looking for near-legendary quality.
Seriously. In the style of Tycho Brahe/Jerry Holkins, the alter-ego'd writer of Penny Arcade, I shall name this beast.

Then you will want an i-7 if you are going for total top of the range power. They are in a class of their own. They are a breed apart from any of AMD's offernings.

Also the antec 900 is still a great gaming case. if you want to go absolutely insane buy this bad-boy;

The Thermaltake Level 10. Thing of beauty.

Unfortunately, I have not won the lottery.
Seriously though, I know it's not THAT expensive, but I think I'll stick with the current case I listed above. Just a preference thing, I dunno.

 

[Wolfram23]

Thanks, but I mainly use headphones (Creative Fatal1ty headset) for everything. Another mobo suggestion would be appreciated, though, since I'm shooting for quality.

Well, you don't need a sound card. Honestly I don't know how much better it makes headset sound. If you like the way they sound on your current set up, it will probably be similar or slightly better off a new mobo's high def sound. You could put the sound card money into a better CPU.

I suggest you look at this link and try to pick the CPU that's right for you (in your price range): http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i5-athlon-ii,2675.html

Once you pick the CPU you want, then we can figure out a mobo and memory

 

[Wolfram23]

X4 955 Black Edition is a good choice.

Ok, so... how about
ASUS 790GX mobo $115 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366&cm_re=790gx-_-13-131-366-_-Product

and some decent GSkill 1600mhz RAM (Newegg brand, but it's actually very good) for $98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193