Sanji's Guide to Gaming PCs (Overclocking)

First off, I'm going to suggest this guide only for people who are feeling up to overclocking. If I'm going to get the best value, I've got to squeeze all the value out of the processor with OCing.

A few changes from the previous guide...
1. Prices are more up to date! Hooray!
2. New and retooled builds.
3. No more mail in rebates.

Remember, this is only a guideline for what, in my opinion, are some of the best deals you can get if you intend to overclock. Tweak them to your personal desires and get the perfect rig .

I'm reposting this in the New System Build forum mostly because there is more activity and I think it could be used better here. It is somewhat of a New System Build, I'm looking for input on my various builds.

Currently, prices have flucuated ~$5-10 dollars. If there is a larger discrepency, tell me.

Table of Contents

The Budget Buddy ($361)
Pros: Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. It is dual-core, overclockable, and has an X1650PRO.
Cons: It's not really great.

AMD Budget Gaming Rig ($529)
Pros: 7900GS, potential 2.8ghz on the X2 4000+
Cons: Hm. Slightly over the $500 budget is all I can think of.

E2160 Gaming Build ($777)
Pros: 8800GTS to blow through most games and with a good OCing mobo and processor, it could go far.
Cons: I would have liked to have had more HD space or a better processor.

Does anyone want an AMD build here? I just didn't feel it was worth it.

E6750 Gaming Build ($966)
Pros: The first build I've gotten under budget, all around more effective.
Cons: Not sure.
Kentsfield Gaming Build ($1015)
Pros: Quad-Core AND with the same gaming power as the E6750 build.
Cons: DS3L instead of DS3R.

Dual-Core Gaming King ($1490)
Pros: The 8800Ultra, the Antec 900, the PC&P PSU... It is a great gaming build.
Cons: Not a quad-core.

Kentsfield Gaming Build ($1444)
Pros: The overclockable 8800GTX (which is stock overclocked), the PC&P PSU, Quad-Core... It is a great gaming build.
Cons: Have to OC a GTX instead of an ultra

I'd like to say that I have a bias against the Scythe Ninja for the LGA775 sockets.

[b]The Budget Buddy
A $360 dual-core computer with 2GB of RAM and an X1650PRO. I'll take it! You'll have to overclock on stock cooling.
All in all, this REALLY impressed me. THis is a half-way decent rig on a super budget. I'm hoping that people with this budget can find some cheap OS with some student discount and find a monitor cheap in the newspaper.

Case: RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208 Beige 0.7mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156011
[i]Cheap and has the room to add two solid fans.

CPU: X2 4000+ $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103774
Cheaper than the 3800+ at Newegg.

Mobo: BIOSTAR NF520 AM2 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138077
This is the ULTIMATE uber budget overclocker. People have done 2.5ghz with this thing before. For $50, you're lucky to get anything more than a generic board.

RAM: pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820141064
DDR2-800 and cheap.

GPU: HIS Hightech H165PRF256N-R Radeon X1650PRO 256MB $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161037
Nothing is really better in the price range.

PSU: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS-430-PMSR/P ATX12V Max: 400W (Continuous), Peak: 430W $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171007
Reviews liked it. I can't complain for the price.

DVD: Generic Non-Burner $17
I got to cut costs where I can.

HSF: Stock


$500 AMD Build
This rig won't be beautiful. In fact, it'll look like that computer that I got back when Windows ME was new. Luckily, it performs a lot better than that generic beige computer. Overall, you can expect 2.5-2.8ghz on the X2 4000+ when OC'd, depending on how good the chip is. The video card is either the 7900GS or the X1950PRO, but since I was overbudget I went for the cheaper option. For $500, I find this computer a very suitable option.

Case: RAIDMAX Elite ATX-208 Beige 0.7mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156011
Cheap and has the room to add two solid fans.

CPU: X2 4000+ $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103774
Cheaper than the 3800+ at Newegg.

Mobo: BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 AM2 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138074
Good, cheap mobo. It OCs well, too. Some review took the old X2 3600+ to 2.8ghz using it.

RAM: Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820208329
Nice timings and cheap for DDR2-800. If I recall correctly, you want DDR2-800 for AMD based machines because with DDR2-667 you lose 5-10% of performance.

GPU: PNY VCG7900SXPB GeForce 7900GS $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133186
This isn't a bad video card. A click above the 7900GS.

PSU: Hiper 480W $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817128005
Quality PSU. Cheap.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 1682214441
Good HD. That's about it.

HSF: Scythe SCNJ-1100P 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185038
This is a good HSF. You should get a good OC.

Fan: SILVERSTONE FN82 80mm Case Fan $4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999348
Cheap, somewhat quiet, moves a lot of air. It's good for what it does.

Fan: SILVERSTONE FN121 120mm Case Fan $9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999346
What can I say? Silverstone makes good fans.
Cost: $529

Intel Gaming Build
It topped out at $777, but it has an 8800GTS. It should take almost every game on fine and if you OC the processor, it turns into a demon. This is a great system, overall. For those who remember my old guide, I basically replaced the E4300 with the E2160, the DS3 with the DS3L, and memory has gotten cheaper so I could afford a better GPU.

Case: Centurion 543 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119106
Nicer case. 2 120mm fans.

CPU: Pentium 2160 $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116036
I stick to my guns with this puppy.

Mobo: Gigabyte DS3L $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059
Solid mobo with the P35. Good OCer.

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231108
Cheap RAM.

GPU: PNY VCG88GTS32XPB GeForce 8800GTS 320MB $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133193
This is still a great card to game with.

PSU: Antec True Power Trio 550W $79
http://www.provantage.com/antec-tp3-550~7ANTS02K.htm
42A on the 12v, it is good enough.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 1682214441
Good HD. That's about it.

HSF: Scythe SCINF-1000 120mm CPU Cooler $38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185027
Great HSF. If you need cheaper, look at the Arctic Cooler Pro.

Cost: $778

Intel Gaming Build ($1000 variant)
Hey, I actually was underbudget this time. It should take almost every game on fine and if you OC the processor, it turns into a demon. This is a great system, overall. For those who remember my old guide, I basically replaced the E4300 with the E2160, the DS3 with the DS3L, and memory has gotten cheaper so I could afford a better GPU. I also upgraded the HSF to the Tuniq Tower!

Case: Centurion 543 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119106
Nicer case. 2 120mm fans.

CPU: E6750 $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115029
Not a bad processor.

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128050
A step up from the DS3L.

RAM: Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820208329
Nice timings and cheap for DDR2-800.

GPU: PNY VCG88GTS32XPB GeForce 8800GTS 320MB $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133193
This is still a great card to game with.

PSU: Antec True Power Trio 650W $95
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-TP3-650&c=fr
52A on the 12v, it is good enough. SeaSonic OEM.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074
Good HD. That's about it.

HSF: Tuniq Tower 120 $50
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] T-120.html
GREAT air cooler. It's a giant cooling machine.

Cost: $966

Kentsfield Build
Same as above, except with a DS3L instead of the DS3R. Make sure you don't need that RAID or the extra SATA slots!

Case: Centurion 543 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119106
Nicer case. 2 120mm fans.

CPU: Q6600 $289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017
Back in my day, the E6600 was this expensive.

Mobo: Gigabyte DS3L $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059
Solid mobo with the P35. Good OCer.

RAM: Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820208329
Nice timings and cheap for DDR2-800.

GPU: PNY VCG88GTS32XPB GeForce 8800GTS 320MB $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133193
This is still a great card to game with.

PSU: Antec True Power Trio 650W $95
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-TP3-650&c=fr
52A on the 12v, it is good enough. SeaSonic OEM.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074
Good HD. That's about it.

HSF: Tuniq Tower 120 $50
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] T-120.html
GREAT air cooler. It's a giant cooling machine.

Cost: $1015

Dual Core King of Gaming
I had some fun with this one. The amazing 8800Ultra, the Antec 900, the PC&P PSU... It is a great gaming build.
Some people may have wanted faster memory. I went with the same old AMPO because I heard that the Conroe doesn't gain much from the better RAMs like AMD's CPUs.

Case: Antec 900 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021
I've heard great stuff about this case.

CPU: E6750 $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115029
Not a bad processor.

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128050
A step up from the DS3L.

RAM: Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820208329
Nice timings and cheap for DDR2-800.

GPU: MSI NX8800Ultra-T2D768E-HD-OC GeForce 8800Ultra $600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127288
The best GPU around. It's already factory overclocked, too. You can OC it further.

PSU: PC Power & Cooling 610W Silencer $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703005
I've ALWAYS wanted to have a PC&P PSU. They have great stuff.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073
The big storage drive.

HSF: Tuniq Tower 120 $50
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] T-120.html
GREAT air cooler. It's a giant cooling machine.

Cost: $1490

Quad-Core Fun
Very similar. This one has a different case. Still, it is a monster.

Case: Thermaltake Tsunami $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133132
Another fun case.

CPU: Q6600 $289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017
Back in my day, the E6600 was this expensive.

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128050
A step up from the DS3L.

RAM: Transcend AxeRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820208329
Nice timings and cheap for DDR2-800.

GPU: MSI NX8800GTX-T2D768E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTX $500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127281
The card is already fast and you can OC it to 8800Ultra speeds. It is as fast as some stock Ultras already.

PSU: PC Power & Cooling 610W Silencer $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703005
I've ALWAYS wanted to have a PC&P PSU. They have great stuff.

DVD: Generic $30
Pick whatever you want.

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073
The big storage drive.

HSF: Tuniq Tower 120 $50
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/ [...] T-120.html
GREAT air cooler. It's a giant cooling machine.

Cost: $1444


Any questions, comments, or suggestions?
Please Reply!