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akhilles

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I wouldn't recommend that for playing cod2/bioshock. The lackluster performance will be shocking. :)

You can build a mid-end gaming rig for about $800 us. With 8800gts to boot.
 
rodney_ws

rodney_ws

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Dec 29, 2005
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That's a lot of computer for $99, but hardly any of it would be suitable for modern gaming. Dang... I might order one for a Linux box... but for gaming?!? You gotta be kidding me!
 
tlmck

tlmck

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It is a nice Centurion case, but those can be had separately for $39 on sale. As Rodney_ws said, it would make a good Linux box, but only after you replaced the throwaway PSU. Wattage is fine, but quality wise, I would be surprised if it even turned on, much less booted a system.

I have seen Bioshock played on a 2600xt, and a 8600GT, but the settings had to be reduced to 800x600 and low on everything else. In other words, it was just OK.

The reason I mention those two cards is that you could do such a system for $500-600. That is assuming OK is OK with you.
 
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Hitman908

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Apr 15, 2007
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so how bout this.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3142609
Would it be a decent buy?
 
tlmck

tlmck

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That will certainly get you in the ball park, but you could build better quality yourself for less. Their price is not that bad but they are of course charging you for building it. They also do not give details as to what MB, PSU, etc... Being a control freak, that is a deal breaker for me. Here is a system I put together at Newegg. You can probably find the same stuff at Tiger if that is what you prefer. Tiger prices might be higher.

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: RC-330-KKN1-GP
Item #: N82E16811119115
Mail-in Rebate
$39.99 -$5.00 Instant $34.99

GIGABYTE GA-P31-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P31-DS3L
Item #: N82E16813128062
$81.99-$5.00 Instant = $76.99

SAPPHIRE 100208L Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 100208L
Item #: N82E16814102700
$99.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-450VX
Item #: N82E16817139003
Mail-in Rebate = $10
$79.99-$10= $69.99

Intel Dual-Core E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E2160
Item #: N82E16819116036
$83.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Item #: N82E16820145034
Mail-in Rebate=$40
$98.00-$40=$58.00

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3250310AS
Item #: N82E16822148261
$64.99

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model AD-7170S-0B - OEM
Model #: AD-7170S-0B
Item #: N82E16827152079
$31.99

Subtotal: $570.93
After MIR $520.93

I selected a case that was sort of between the two you selected. It looks kind of like the Centurion, but has blue LEDs in the front. Very roomy and good air flow. You can of course select whatever case you want as it is more of a personal preference thing. I also did not include the OS or shipping costs. IMO this system will slightly spank the Tiger system, and I am sure of the quality.

If you get into OCing, here is a good guide for the E2160. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-e2160.html
 
lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Almost the same exact thing I was just writing up! :) Funny how minds think the same. The few things I had different, was I was getting him the 8600gts instead of the 8600gt, but that would only be about $15-20 more after MIR. The other thing was I used a RETAIL version of the DVD burner, since I'm betting he'd need DVD burning software. Also I don't know if you included the $15 shipping for the CM case, unless you were using the promo code at checkout, which would erase the $15 shipping.
links:
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106072

Foxconn 8600GTS-256 GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814186022

If you do the above changes to tlmck's build, it would only be about $20 or so more. Either system would be WAY more reliable and much better than the bundled one from Tigerdirect. PLUS don't forget, the pre-bundled systems from Tigerdirect that you mentioned, DON'T come with an OS! That's an additional $100-$150 or so more!

Edit: forgot to add promo code for case: Promo Code Discount (EMC1018CASE02) Use at checkout to get free shipping, plus if you do the $10 MIR, you'll get the case for $25!! NICE deal. Not sure how long the promo code is good for, but at least you can try it if you buy it from Newegg.
 
tlmck

tlmck

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I was gonna do the 8800gts, but it only does about 5-10 FPS better in most games from everything I read. I figured the 2600XT was a good compromise.

I usually don't include shipping due to the fact it is a moving target depending on location, bundling, etc...

I also did not include OS since Tiger did not.

We definitely do think alike. I used to have your exact system! I gave it to charity when I built my new Linux box. They love it.
 
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Hitman908

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Apr 15, 2007
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Ok Now how about this??

EVGA 122-CK-NF66-T1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i Ultra ATX Intel Motherboard
Item#:N82E16813188017

EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR GeForce 8600GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card Item#:N82E16814130286 . Would the 256 be good?

Intel Dual-Core E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Item#:N82E16819116052

APEVIA X-Dreamer II ATXB4KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
Item#:N82E16811144026

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148261

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model AD-7170S-0B - OEM
Item#: N82E16827152079

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Item #: N82E16820145034

all of this is from www.newegg.com. Is this good enough to run the games? and is there anything else i need.
 
lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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I would replace the Case/PSU combo above with this:
ANTEC New Solution Series NSK4480 Mid Tower Case Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006030
It comes with a 380w Antec earthwatts PSU, that is WAY better and more reliable than the one in the Apevia. It also leaves you more room to upgrade later. It has 2x17amp 12v rails and the Apevia only has 1x18amp 12v rail. The only price difference is $2 more!! The Apevia at newegg has $16 charges, which put it at $76 total. The Antec I selected is $78 total, so for $2 more, I wouldn't even flinch in buying it. The rest of the build looks good to me. As far as the 256mb or 512mb, their are games that will take advantage of the 512mb of video RAM, but the 256mb will work too. It all depends on what your will to pay for the GPU. It also depends on how much more your paying for the extra 256mb of RAM. I'm seeing about a $50 difference in price between the 256mb versions and the 512mb versions. Most of the 512mb versions are around the $200 mark, which is pretty high. If it was me, I'd wait a couple of weeks and see how the newer 8800gt's perform and what price they charge. This could drop the 8600gts down a bit and than you can decide if you want the 8800gt or the 8600gts.
 
lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
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Of coarse the 450w would leave more room for upgrades later, so yes it would be better. I was just showing you a better option than the one you listed. So if you can spend more than do it. I'm just trying to allow you to make informed decisions that you can live with. Of coarse if $ is tight, than the 380w Antec EW's will fit the bill. It's only $2 more than your selection and is so much more reliable and powerful to the Apevia. Ask around some more, but you'll find that I know what I'm talking about here concerning the difference between an Apevia (Aspire) PSU and an Antec EW one.
 
tlmck

tlmck

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The new machine would be fine except for the Apevia PSU. The 380 watt Antec would be a better choice, but it is not up to the usual Antec quality standards. I had to RMA the one from my NSK4400 case(the older version of the above) after 3 weeks. The replacement has worked fine so far. It is running a low power E2160 Linux system with on board video.

If the budget will allow, the Corsair 450 above would be your best bet. You will have no PSU worries. The lowest cost alternative I have used and recommend, would be this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104032
 
A

akhilles

Splendid
Jan 2, 2007
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tlmck's build will wipe the floor with the original barebone. The TigerDirect C2D build is not bad, but the price isn't great, considering the xp/vista is optional.

You're getting somewhere & hopefully will be playing the games at comfortable speeds.
 
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Hitman908

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i decided to go with the ANTEC New Solution Series case and hold off on the PS. Im not sure yet if i plan on OCing it but if i do then i will add the 450W PS.
 
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