What do you think of this budget computer gaming setup?

[calzukin]

EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

BIOSTAR TA770 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI

Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz


Now in addition to this I will need to get a cheapo case but I am also wondering what kind of power supply do i need. I am wondering if the processor is ok to skimp on a bit to splurge on a more powerful video card. Would love your thoughts or reccomendations. Lookinf to run this as a gaming maybe movie watching machine with Windows XP black edition.


Please also feel free to recommend a setup conducive to gaming but that is of a budget form.


I read that the 8600gt was a piece of junk and that the 8800gt was far superior to it. Why go intel instead of AMD on this and why particularly is this not designed for gaming (casual that is).

 

[Kohlhagen]

What is your budget? an Intel E2xxx (Allendale) will OC very good on a cheap <$100 P35 motherboard.
I don't know Excelstor that well. I would get more mainstream like WD, Seagate, Hitachi etc. And for power consumption so you don't have to spend so much on a nice quality PSU you could get a 3850 512MB

i personally would keep the 8800GT, but give your overall budget and what parts you have already..

 

[calzukin]

I think my budget is $550 including taxes and shipping, case and everything else. I think i will be able to pilfer a dvd drive out of another system so that really isn't issue. Thanks for the response i really appreiciate it.

 

[Avenger_K]

It may be held back a bit, but unless you play games at low res you should be OK.

 

[calzukin]

THe AMD is a dual core processor though. What makes the intel chip better for gaming?

 

[Avenger_K]

THe AMD is a dual core processor though. What makes the intel chip better for gaming?

Sorry, I missed the X2 in the X2 4000+.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Ive had good luck with this thermaltake 420W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

And I like the budget coolermaster cases without PSU or maybe an Antec NSK with psu

 

[calzukin]

So do u guys think this is a good configuration then. I am planning on pluging it into my 52" 1080i plasma and gaming like that. I basically want this in lieu of an xbox 360 or ps3 although like i said I am not a hardcore gamer. Please feel free to offer an alternative configuration that would lower my price point like maybe i don't need the 8800gt card.

 

[pchelper07]

MOvie or gaming with an 80 Gb HDD these days, it will fill up fast! Unless you keep it well maintained. I would get a 2nd 80 hdd,, place the swap file and internet temp file folder on the 2nd hdd. Then you'll do better!

 

[calzukin]

Good point about the hardrive. Anything other thoughts on the main parts of the config, namely the mobo, processor or video card?

 

[calzukin]

bump

 

[calzukin]

Does anybody think I should just get an xbox 360 and forget about the pc setup in general?

 

[nvalhalla]

What is XP black edition?

 

[Avenger_K]

Does anybody think I should just get an xbox 360 and forget about the pc setup in general?

No

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Does anybody think I should just get an xbox 360 and forget about the pc setup in general?

Given your budget, that's worth evaluating. Though, based upon my 3 kids arguments, you'd be better off with a PS3.

 

[calzukin]

Bump

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Might look at the Radeon 3850 for video card, I'm thinking it's a little less than the 8800 and would be comparable.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Just looking at those cards, on newegg cheapest 8800gt is 200+ 3850's are closer to 170

 

[johnnyq1233]

A nice case for cheap with power ANTEC SONATTA III comes with an ANTEC 500watt supply!
I've got the SONATTA II with 450 watts and it handles my system (see sig at bottom.)

As for vid card ya these guys are right 1080i no problem with the 3850....

 

[calzukin]

Someone reccomended the 8800 gs which is priced closer to 170. How does it compare to the 3850. Also do you guys thing the e2180 intel is fast enough to not hold up my system at low res? What Mobo would you recommend for around 70 shipped? Thanks

 

[curnel_D]

First...

Drop the cheap mobo and hdd. Both are brands known for poor quality, and you're only gaining like 5 bucks savings on them. Not worth the trouble. (My preference is Western digital and gigabyte)

Second, where are you getting your procc? Everywhere I look I'm seeing the 4400+ for the same price.

Third, You'll save more money for the same overall performance if you grab a 3850 instead, unless you're playing on a 30"+ monitor. It also helps make the difference in the mobo and hdd.

4th, Ram is fine.

5th, you should be safe with a 450Watt PSU.

6th, I'd look at some of the coolermaster cases. They are in a great pricerange, and have great airflow.
(And they look good. but I'm a sucker for the clean industrial look. lol)

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

As far as Biostar motherboards, man those aren't junk. I've used a couple of those, I think they are great boards. Biostar and Gigabyte are my 2 favorites, but I don't think the Biostar would give you too much trouble.

 

[calzukin]

THis is my new system I am considering?


Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136075
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy



$49.99




XFX PVT88SFDD4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

XFX PVT88SFDD4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150276
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$169.99




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

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145590
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy


$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$54.00




ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813127031
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant


$99.99
$89.99




Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160

Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819116036
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy



$73.99

Any ideas on saving a few more bucks from any components.

 

[calzukin]

Any good ideas for an intel mobo for around 70 before rebate?

 

[resonance451]

For games, your video card is more important than your processor.

So, I'd spend more on the video card, but you still need a respectable processor to do the job.