The gaming PC for less then an Xbox core ($299.99)

[jamesgoddard]

I have a little challenge to aid our friends with a little less cash, can we build a decent gaming PC (of half decent) for less then the cost of an Xbox core - at only $299.99 - and prevent them from making the grave mistake of getting a console for there games

Seeing as the Xbox does not come with a screen, we can ignore this, and I am sure software can be sourced elsewhere, but everything else??? So far I have a few ideas, but I am at $292.99 without a case and DVD drive, anyone want to suggest a system!

Xbox core = $299.99

Gaming PC so far = $292.99 (without case and DVD)


Heat sink, ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64, $18.03 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC6PRO
Memory, CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 675, $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145539
Graphics, BFG GeForce 6600GT 128MB, $48.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143084
HDD, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80GB SATA, $43.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231
Motherboard and CPU combo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane + ECS RS485M-M AM2 MATX $111.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135011
PSU, COOLMAX V-400 ATX v2.01 400W Power Supply, $9.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159045

 

[pmr]

Depends on what you call a decent gaming pc. What would we play with a 6600gt?

 

[jamesgoddard]

You also need to consider a decent PSU and not use any that come bundled with the case.

I use the PSU that came with a case, but then again it's an Antec case

And yes I know - crappy PSU's will get you nowhere

 

[vertigo_2000]

I play BF2142 with my 6600GT on a P4 3.2 with 1 gig of RAM.

Granted nothing is set very high, but I make due. (I'm upgrading after the price cuts in April.)

I get decent framerates and it is definitely playable.

 

[pmr]

I had a 6600GT and know what it's capable to do and not.
So, if you have a 6600GT right now you are limited to older titles or playing newer ones with low settings and having an IQ like a PS2 or inferior.

That's why I said "depends on what you call gaming". Right now I can't stand sh!tty IQs

At the OP: that psu costs $19, not $9, and you are missing DVD, mouse, keyboard, monitor and speakers. So, what's the point? If they already have a pc, why not buy a console? To make a sh!tty buy like that, better spend it in other things

 

[knowsitall]

for gaiming i guess if ur budget is 300bucks a xbox will blow to shit any pc in that price range for GAMING

 

[fender22]

There is no such thing.... At 300 bucks the xbox will win hands down.. Thats the thing about PC gaming, it's more expensive

 

[Eviltwin17]

well that pc already sucks.... nice try


besides that, you probably should have gone with the x360 premium and a $400 pc because the core system doesnt have a hard drive, the extra $100 will go a long way

 

[smartel7070]

Yeah more expensive alright .... I spent 350$ yesterday to upgrade vid card + psu to play STALKER at decent fps. But IMO pc gaming is much more satisfying than consoles

 

[3Ball]

Your best chance would be to build one with parts online so to not pay tax and aim for beating the xbox 360 with the hard drive that you really do need if you have an xbox 360. So add in 360 + tax since most are bought in retail store and try to make a comp around $425 to beat the $432.xx xbox 360 premium console or you could take into account the xbox 360 elite that is comming out for $479.99 with a 120gb hard drive, HDMI, a black finish (which looks nice i might add), and 65nm processors for heat reason, also some sort of tivo like function! Then build based on that monster @ $520 after tax in a retail store!

Best,

3Ball

 

[rodney_ws]

Depends on what you call a decent gaming pc. What would we play with a 6600gt?

WoW, NWN, Guild Wars... that's about all that comes to mind for me.

I don't really see the point of trying to compete with the XBox 360 on a cost basis... it is a standardized device built in the millions... so it will always be cheaper than individual components and initially it was an even better deal as the components cost OVER the selling price. An XBox 360 can play Oblivion and that "gaming" rig built in this post... well, it can't.

Now I'm sure someone is about to tell me all about how they play Oblivion on their 6600 GT and you know what... I'm sure it does install, load and play on that card... just not at a pace that would make the average user happy.

You also neglected to mention the PC's lack of an operating system... you really gonna try to game on Linux? That XBox 360 does have a functional (but restricted) OS on it. So add in another $80 for the PC... and what about a monitor? Everyone has a TV so the XBox has that department covered... you gonna hook that PC up to a TV? I'm sure that'll work great!

When all is said and done you're looking at a bare minimum of $600 to have a semi-decent gaming PC... double the XBox 360.

And after saying all of that... I'm still a PC gamer 100% (I currently own no consoles)

 

[Heyyou27]

A Core Xbox360 would be better for gaming. $300 is no budget for a gaming PC.

 

[angry_ducky]

Depends on what you call a decent gaming pc. What would we play with a 6600gt?

You can play any game out there at full settings. And have a really, really pretty slideshow :lol:

But seriously, if you care more about gameplay than eye candy, you can play newer games on low detail and get a smooth framerate.

 

[chief5286]

CS:S works fine, HL2, Doom3, Fear, and yea, even Oblivion plays fine at low res on an OC'd 6600GT. Though Oblivion was the game that made me decide to upgrade the gpu.

 

[angry_ducky]

Antec budles there cases with one of the SmartPower line of PSUs. These are generaly low quality PSUs and are prone to failyer. It would be wise not to stick with that PSU.

The SmartPower's aren't good? I'd assume that they're at least better than that Coolmax crap, no?

 

[enforcerfx]

I have a little challenge to aid our friends with a little less cash, can we build a decent gaming PC (of half decent) for less then the cost of an Xbox core - at only $299.99 - and prevent them from making the grave mistake of getting a console for there games

Seeing as the Xbox does not come with a screen, we can ignore this, and I am sure software can be sourced elsewhere, but everything else??? So far I have a few ideas, but I am at $292.99 without a case and DVD drive, anyone want to suggest a system!

Xbox core = $299.99

Gaming PC so far = $292.99 (without case and DVD)






Heat sink, ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64, $18.03 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC6PRO
Memory, CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 675, $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145539
Graphics, BFG GeForce 6600GT 128MB, $48.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143084
HDD, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80GB SATA, $43.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231
Motherboard and CPU combo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane + ECS RS485M-M AM2 MATX $111.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135011
PSU, COOLMAX V-400 ATX v2.01 400W Power Supply, $9.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159045

Pair it with a TT TR2 430w or a Forton 450w Powersupply,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814153031
That X1600pro.

And it would play some games on most likely medium settings. Could definitely Not cut it with a 6600GT, thats for sure.

And you forgot windows too. Restate your topic so it compares with a Wireless Xbox 360.

 

[enforcerfx]

I have a little challenge to aid our friends with a little less cash, can we build a decent gaming PC (of half decent) for less then the cost of an Xbox core - at only $299.99 - and prevent them from making the grave mistake of getting a console for there games

Seeing as the Xbox does not come with a screen, we can ignore this, and I am sure software can be sourced elsewhere, but everything else??? So far I have a few ideas, but I am at $292.99 without a case and DVD drive, anyone want to suggest a system!

Xbox core = $299.99

Gaming PC so far = $292.99 (without case and DVD)






Heat sink, ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64, $18.03 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC6PRO
Memory, CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 675, $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145539
Graphics, BFG GeForce 6600GT 128MB, $48.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143084
HDD, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80GB SATA, $43.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231
Motherboard and CPU combo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane + ECS RS485M-M AM2 MATX $111.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135011
PSU, COOLMAX V-400 ATX v2.01 400W Power Supply, $9.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159045

Pair it with a TT TR2 430w or a Forton 450w Powersupply,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814153031
That X1600pro.

And it would play some games on most likely medium settings. Could definitely Not cut it with a 6600GT, thats for sure.

And you forgot windows too. Restate your topic so it compares with a Wireless Xbox 360.

 

[angry_ducky]

From the look of that parts list, the user will be sitting at a table with a pile of parts trying to use magic to install an OS on a computer without an optical drive. This system would have made a very nice (albeit expensive doorstop) if it had a case, though :lol:

 

[enforcerfx]

What, one reply wasn't enough.

:lol: :lol:

Did it by accident. :lol:


And that 360 looks pretty sick. Makes me think about getting one.....

 

[zenmaster]

For $300 the XBox is a good deal because it is sold for less than it costs to manufacture. MS loses money on each console they sell. They make it back on the games.

You need to look at other things........

1) Do they have a PC? If not, they should get one because the internet is a wonderful thing that you don't get on the XBOX.

2) If they have a PC, consider selling it and using that money on top of the $300 to get a gaming PC. $500 may get you a useable gaming PC. Nothing great mind you, but stick with the x2 3600 and add in a decent video card like a 7600GT and some other parts. Even in this price range the XBOX may rule, who knows.

 

[angry_ducky]

Don't waste your time on an xbox core, you'll need a hard drive down the road whether you like it or not, and I have to tell you the truth, as much as I like to brag about my 6600gt, that thing will get you no where unless you love halo and you have two gigs of ram. My suggestion is to wait on the new black 360 that's about to debut 8O

It's going to have different led panels with a sweeeeeeeet x on it, a big 120gig hdd (take that ps3!!!!!), microsoft is debating on whether to install the hd dvd player or not since blue ray seems to be the winner so far from popularity, though hd is cheaper, and it's still less than the core ps3.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/24/the-return-of-the-black-xbox-360-rumor/

But just keep in mind microsoft may kill it before it's even launched, it has been a rumor for a long time, but a 360 ad from best buy featuring the black version seems to hint they're going to make it happen

If this video doesn't confirm the 120 gb xbox 360, then I don't know what will: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/xbox-360-elite-the-video-247713.php

Unfortunately, it doesn't quite look like the one in your picture

 

[jt001]

I think this thread is headed in the wrong direction, you can't make anything that will compete with the 360 at that price point, period. If you used the money to upgrade a pre-existing pc that would make a lot more sense.

Why are you guys telling him he'd need a monitor and such, if he's comparing it to an xbox 360 wouldn't it make sense he'd wanna hook it up to a tv/projector, and surrond setup?

 

[jt001]

Projectors are dirt cheap these days, you can pick up a 720p optoma for under $1,000(I've used one and for as cheap as it was it looked amazing), and I wouldn't be spending $300-$600 on the latest gen game console unless I had something decent to play it on. Who buys an HD console to play on a cheap sdtv :lol:

 

[angry_ducky]

I understand your point, but you have to understand some people's budgets aren't that big and can't afford all the 1337 things on the market

Sucks for them. Although by looking at my signature, you can tell that I'm part of that majority

 

[uri]

Well it depends on the games they like to play but if they have such a limited budget and they want to play good games Wii sound like a good option to me.