Gaming Rig On The Cheap

[Sunburn]

Trying to build a gaming rig on the cheap. Been kicking around ideas for my next computer, been doing some homework, ended up here. (The last time I built my own machine was 1998, so I'm playing catch-up.) Not a rich man, so I'd like to keep this under 1000 USD.

The computer is going to be used for games like WoW, Battlefield 2, and hopefully anything new that comes out in the next few years. Add to that basic word processing, internet surfing, playing the occassional movie on the monitor/TV. As such, the processor/moboard combination is critical, as is the GPU and RAM.

Read the D805 overclock articles and I'm seriously considering basing a computer around that. However, an overclocked D805 is not just a 90 USD sticker price, it requires a moboard made for overclocking, an effective liquid cooler, and a powerful PSU. Meanwhile a stock Conroe E6600, while 350 USD, needs none of these things.

So I'm undecided. Things I'm not too undecided on include:

GPU: XFX GeForce 7900 GS (200 USD)
RAM: 2 GB DDR2-667 (160 USD)

Basically, I haven't done this since high school, and I'd feel alot better if I could get some advice from people doing this kind of thing right now. How would you build a DIY gaming rig on the cheap?

 

[laxman04]

looks alright, but get the e6600 over the 805d the e6600 will kick the 805d's ass. Also spend 30 bucks more and get a x1900xt instead of the 7900 gs. For the motherboard id reccomend the gigabyte ds3, i have one and it is very stable, a good overclocker, and its also one of the cheaper conroe boards out now.

 

[deusex]

By the X1900 XT you mean the 256MB edition, right?

-if you dont, by all means, get it - crazy PvP ratio

 

[laxman04]

yeah the 256 mb version

 

[Threshold]

Because I don't know -that- much about video cards.

Is there something wrong with the 512MB version? Is there some reason the 256MB version performs better than it?

Or is it just felt that 512MB is unnecessary and that the 256MB is cheaper?

 

[TSIMonster]

There is always the idea of going AM2 as well. You can get some good back for buck out of the AMD processors under $180, plus the AM2 MOBOs are much cheaper.

Conroe (C2D) will ultimately be the best system to build performance wise right now though (and bang for buck wise as well)

The 1900gt, xt, and xtx are the cards you should be looking at! Obviously the 512mb versions are going to perform better, but the 256 cards also perform well, and cost less.

 

[faded]

Alternatively you could get the E6400 and overclock that, and with the money you've saved on the processor get the better video card.. X1900XT (512mb ver)
Ram is fine, and maybe look at the Asus P5B.. not a bad mobo.

 

[angry_ducky]

Because I don't know -that- much about video cards.

Is there something wrong with the 512MB version? Is there some reason the 256MB version performs better than it?

Or is it just felt that 512MB is unnecessary and that the 256MB is cheaper?

The latter. There's a very small difference in performance, but there's a substantial difference in price. Also, a $350 CPU like the E6600 is a little excessive in a $1000 build. I'd change it to the E6400 for now, and if you have money left over once your parts list is complete, upgrade to the 6600.

If you don't already Windows XP, then figure $90 for XP Home, or $150 for XP Pro. Or you can always hit up your local software pirate (I'll turn a blind eye if you choose that route :lol.

 

[trixst4r]

I agree on getting a 6400 or 6300 if you want to save even a bit more and getting the DS3. From what I have read, allendales works nice on DS3 and conroes works better on the ASUS based boards (p5b, p5w) but costs more than the DS3.