$500 gaming rig

[i2kdave]

I'm trying to build a decent gaming PC on a budget. I'd appreciate any input/advice, as this is my first time actually building a system from scratch. Here's my newegg wish list: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=5007965

 

[roadrunner197069]

I hope your only planning on playing old games or you got some used parts. If I were you I'd but the ASUS P5K SE motherboard and Intel e2140 CPU and overclock. I got the mobo and a e2180 cpu. I would be happy to help you overclock it. 3.0+GHZ

You wont be able to play Crysis for $500.00.

 

[chookman]

yeh sorry to disappoint but no Crysis... and with that newegg link you wont be able to install windows no CD drive.

Giga mobo $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

e2140 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116037

Patriot 2gb (2x1gb) 667 $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220095

Lite-on burner $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106070

CoolerMaster 532 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119094

thermaltake 500W $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

WD 160Gb $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

HIS HD3850 $179
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161211

total $603

I dont think youd wanna go much lower than that... could find cheaper mainboard maybe , drop cd drive if you have one...

 

[Seikent]

I would seriously try to get a HD3850, I know it's not easy to get extra $70 dollars, but those would be the best invested $70 dollars in you rig xD (double performance maybe).

 

[i2kdave]

oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention that I already have a DVD-R/RW drive
thanks for the responses
can I get some more detail as to why I won't be able to play new games??
i know it's not a dx10 video card, but that's not really necessary, is it?

 

[paq7512]

I totally agree with Chookman that is an awesome budget build.

 

[chookman]

oh yeah, sorry I forgot to mention that I already have a DVD-R/RW drive
thanks for the responses
can I get some more detail as to why I won't be able to play new games??
i know it's not a dx10 video card, but that's not really necessary, is it?

Non DX10 isnt the problem... the problem is the RAW power... the 7900GS that you have while good for older games (ive got one) newer games (believe you me) are a big let down, my 7900GT struggles at 1920x1200 in bioshock... let alone crysis. the newer card handle the newer games better, currently after reviews ive seen the 3850 is the way to go cheap (like you want) and good performance (out does 8800GTS in some cases). And obviously with this card you get DX10 as well (not that it matters all that much currently).

 

[roadrunner197069]

If you want new games up the budget and go 38XX or 8800gt

 

[jjodabell]

With Chookman's build, what kind of games(at what res) could you expect to play?
And in terms of playing 3D games, would OCing help the gameplay much? Isn't it bottlenecked at the graphic card anyway?

 

[chookman]

With Chookman's build, what kind of games(at what res) could you expect to play?
And in terms of playing 3D games, would OCing help the gameplay much? Isn't it bottlenecked at the graphic card anyway?

Initial reviews of the HD3850 will still probably put it in the low-medium range for Crysis (depending on how smooth you like your games), however, as stated in a few reviews Crysis seems to be the only one that brings the HD3850 to it knees at lower res's

This review is on OCed e6700 (3.3ghz) you will get the e2140 to 3Ghz easy so show realistically should reach around the same performance.
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews....extreme_pcs_-_amd_3850_performance_explored/6

This one on an ExtremeX6800 although Crysis low again UT3 and others have nice and high results at nice resolutions
http://techreport.com/articles.x/13603/6

Again here nice results with e6700 stock... Company of heros and UT3 at good resolutions VERY playable.
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=2419&cid=3&pg=6

Hope this helped to answer

 

[aklass]

yeh sorry to disappoint but no Crysis... and with that newegg link you wont be able to install windows no CD drive.

Giga mobo $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

[strike]e2140 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116037[/strike]
e2160(OC to 3.2ghz on stock hsf)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036

Patriot 2gb (2x1gb) 667 $57(try to get ddr2 800 for ocing cpu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220095

[strike]Lite-on burner $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106070[/strike]
Samsung burner better quality
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153
CoolerMaster 532 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119094

[strike]thermaltake 500W $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052[/strike]
Tier 3 psu(could take out your entire system if it dies)
Silver stone tier 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256008
WD 160Gb $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

HIS HD3850 $179
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161211

total $603

I dont think youd wanna go much lower than that... could find cheaper mainboard maybe , drop cd drive if you have one...