Sub-800$ Gaming build with 8800GTS

[crystalklear64]

Hello all,
Price drops on processors should be soon, so I'm looking at building a new pc. I've got on the "non-pc" already (monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) so I just need the box itself.

Using New Egg, I'm trying to put together a build that makes use of a 8800GTS and I have no intentions of using SLI. I have no brand loyalty, and have noticed that if I was to go with AMD products it would turn out cheaper, however I have no idea how AMD compares to Intel.

Here is what I have come up with thus far, only 1 major problem, no case or psu. So I certainly need to add that in:

Build 1 (Intel):
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard-$109.99

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card-$260.00

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor-$186.00

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory-$88.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-$79.99

ASUS 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe and 14X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA- $29.99

Total: $774.95

Now my goal is to get that number as low as possible while still supporting the 8800gts. I am all for easily over clocked lower processors for a cheaper price if any can be recommended. Anything that will get that price as close to 600 as possible, and of course I need to add in a PSU and case.

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Dior]

Rosewill Tu-155 with 400WPSU $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 $110
E6550 @2.3Ghz ~$170?
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $82
EVGA 8800 GTS $260
320GB Seagate $80
LG 18X black $28

$785 Just have to wait for E6550 to appear on newegg.

 

[crystalklear64]

Looking good there Dior! My only question is 400w (385) going to be enough? I hear the 8800 is a power hog.

 

[Dior]

I'm not a 100% sure but a system like that shouldn't consume over 300 watts. You should ask around before purchasing anything just do be certain though.

 

[Dior]

You can also get this case for $70 after a $20 rebate which will cruise through an 8800 and everything else you have but this way we go over the $800, especially with the shipping costs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

 

[crystalklear64]

Alright.Thank you very much. Time for the waiting game : )

 

[descalada]

The minimum spec req's on the 8800GTS is 400 watts... I'm opting for the XION Supernova that comes in at $80 after rebates for my rig... http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817190012 But that's because of the ratings and cabling. This LOGISYS has a PCI-E connector for your 8800GTS, 575 watts, and it's only $24.99. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170017 It looks like it has all the connectors you need.

 

[foxrocks]

Skimping on the PSU is such a bad idea. Other than the video card it's just about the worst place to make cutbacks in a gaming rig.

 

[delluser1]

Looking good there Dior! My only question is 400w (385) going to be enough? I hear the 8800 is a power hog.

No , 400w and only 17 amps on the +12 volt rail is not going to cut it.
The Logysis that has been offered up is just looking for problems.
The 500w/28amp in the Smilodon may suffice for a time, but that type of oem power supply has proven to be of lesser quality.

Inexpensive Rosewill psu ( 31 amps )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182016

Review
ht tp://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=48

Moderator; What's the deal with links to jonnyguru being broken up ?

 

[crystalklear64]

Heres what I have so far. Just need to wait for the processor to show up. Also, its going to be a little over budget.
FSP 500w
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104034

Cooler Master Centurion 5 Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119047

 

[elbert]

The lowest PSU you should use is Rosewill 500w. I would suggest the rosewill 550w for some needed breathing room.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182017
The 550 Rosewill puts out 420w(35A) on 12v Which could handle a 8800GTX OC'ed system. The thing here is over time all PSU's loss power output. They have a nice blue glow if you like that mod look.


I would suggest the Rosewill R6425 BK Black SGCC. Its not that great looking but for OCing the side door vents can hold 2 fans blowing right on the CPU, RAM, and GPU. The GPU vent can house a 120mm fan. You will have the remove the side air duct from the CPU vent for a fan mount. Either way cut the duct down may be needed as some CPU cooler hight and size may make contact with the side door duct.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147071


These are about the cheap parts I would suggest and may allow you an upgrade to a Q6600 and be in budget.

 

[delluser1]

FSP 500w
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104034

[/quotem sg]

The Fortron would work also, but is $30 more than either of the Rosewills and has a lesser warranty period.

 

[emp]

Are you people insane? Rosewill as a PSU?? Do you want to fry his system....?

Get a REPUTABLE brand PSU, like Antec, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, or Corsair. Get either the Corsair 520HX or Antec NeoHE 500 (I have this one for my GTS based system) and you won't have to worry about stability.

Other than that, you're pretty much good to go.

 

[ben72227]

Are you people insane? Rosewill as a PSU?? Do you want to fry his system....?

Get a REPUTABLE brand PSU, like Antec, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, or Corsair. Get either the Corsair 520HX or Antec NeoHE 500 (I have this one for my GTS based system) and you won't have to worry about stability.

Other than that, you're pretty much good to go.

+1; What's up with these people saying "Get a Rosewill, it will be better than the OEM case PSU" :lol: Rosewill is one of the prime OEM PSU makers there is. And, IIRC, Rosewill is Newegg's 'in-house' brand - getting a Rosewill PSU from Newegg is kinda like going to Wal-Mart and getting Sam's choice soda instead of name brand like Pepsi, Coke, etc.

I'd go with one of the more well-regarded brands like Antec, Seasonic, PCP&C, etc. if I were you; the PSU is the heart of your system. If it goes south, it's NOT pretty

 

[emp]

+1; What's up with these people saying "Get a Rosewill, it will be better than the OEM case PSU" :lol: Rosewill is one of the prime OEM PSU makers there is. And, IIRC, Rosewill is Newegg's 'in-house' brand - getting a Rosewill PSU from Newegg is kinda like going to Wal-Mart and getting Sam's choice soda instead of name brand like Pepsi, Coke, etc.

I'd go with one of the more well-regarded brands like Antec, Seasonic, PCP&C, etc. if I were you; the PSU is the heart of your system. If it goes south, it's NOT pretty

Phew... I misread your post at first and thought you were actually a Rosewill-supporter, I was thinking "What kind of cheap ass drugs is this guy doing?", then I read it again and I got it You had me scared there for a second haha

What ben and I are trying to say is that cheap PSU don't like to die alone (And they like to die often), they like to take something with them to the grave as well, could be only a ram stick, but it could as be the motherboard or the graphics card. And make no mistake, Rosewill is well known for making some of the crappiest PSUs.

 

[erloas]

+1; What's up with these people saying "Get a Rosewill, it will be better than the OEM case PSU" :lol: Rosewill is one of the prime OEM PSU makers there is. And, IIRC, Rosewill is Newegg's 'in-house' brand - getting a Rosewill PSU from Newegg is kinda like going to Wal-Mart and getting Sam's choice soda instead of name brand like Pepsi, Coke, etc.

I'd go with one of the more well-regarded brands like Antec, Seasonic, PCP&C, etc. if I were you; the PSU is the heart of your system. If it goes south, it's NOT pretty

Well, as has been pointed out by many people that follow many of the manufacturers, many of the "brands" have PSUs made by several different manufacturers. Even some of the "reliable" brands have sometimes ended up with a few PSUs that weren't that great.
At the same time some of the lesser reconginzed manufacturers sometimes end up with a good product too.

The link to the review at JonnyGURU's site had some pretty good things to say about one of the specific Rosewill PSUs, and it seems like a site that knows a thing or two about PSUs so the review is at least fairly reliable. As a case in point, the biggest quality complaint for that specific PSU was the type of caps it used which is also pointed out to be in several Antec PSUs which people generally suggest.

Considering the fairly tight budget and the favorable review from a decent source, I would at least consider that one specific model of Rosewill, especially considering the price of a Seasonic or PCP&C supply is going to be a huge increase in price in a system he is already trying to cut prices on.

 

[emp]

If you're going to put a GTS on a PC you also have to spend on a good PSU, as I said before the worst two places where you can cut prices on a gaming build are PSUs and graphics card. There are lesser mobos and lesser HDDs that won't impact performance and won't compromise the system.

If you want to live in that fantasy world where Rosewill might be a decent choice for a PSU then so be it, but Im not recommending any Rosewill PSUs until they start to get their act together. Mushkin (company that makes great memory but not so great PSUs) have started to get their act together and making better quality products, however they still haven't reached that point where I'd even begin to recommend them.

 

[Craxbax]

Spend the $ on decent PSU as others are suggesting!!! Check out the PSU101 on THG forum and these links for more info:

http://www.motherboards.org/articles/guides/1487_3.html
http://www.jon nyguru.com/reviews.php?catID=1

 

[crystalklear64]

I had chosen the FSO over the Rosewill because I've read in several places that it didn't measure up to its power ratings, where as the BlueStorm was one of the highest efficiency that did not vary at all from its voltage.

However, I am more than happy to spend a little extra cash so long as it does not exceed 100$ as I can trim down my HD at the least.

What about the Antec powertrio series?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371002

 

[MattyMustng]

Get this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

I am running an 8800 in that case and I have built three full systems using that exact case. It makes for an incredibly easy build - has ATX map on the case for motherboard placement and sliding rails to lock in hard drives and optical drives instead of screws. Very nice case, keeps things running quite cool as well. And its cheap at $40 with that rebate.

 

[crystalklear64]

Ok, heres my latest build complete with Matty's case suggestion and a Corsair PSU:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel-$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119047

Cor sair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W PSU-$105
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100

GIG ABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Mobo-$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128012

EVG A GeForce 8800GTS 320MB-$279.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130082

G. SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)-$88.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

Sea gate Barracuda 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-$79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

ASU S Black 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe-$33.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168271351 46

Total: $747.94

This is without a processor as I have to wait to see what happens with the prices over the next 2 weeks.

Whatcha think?

 

[foxrocks]

Much much better with that Corsair PSU.

 

[delluser1]

What about the Antec powertrio series?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371002[/quotem sg]

Would probably be as good as the Corsair that you have chosen, considering the fact that it and the Corsair are built by Seasonic, as is the PCP&C Silencer.
The Rosewill reccomendation was made to help keep your budget down, as you requested.
People get uptight over that kind of reccomendation because in the past there have been problems, but the same is true about the Antec's. When a company increases it's quality and it is proven, then there is no reason not to make the reccomendation for the newer product, no matter what the past track record is.

 

[andybird123]

be aware that some games (notably GRAW2 from a personal point of view) use more than 320mb for texture memory, meaning that Textures: High is not even a selectable option (or in other games where it is selectable you'll see massive slow down)

if you can stretch to it I'd say get a GTS-640 to make sure you can select Highest texture settings in new games