Started my first build(a budget PC), but want to put something together that can handle most (not all) of the graphics requipments for so fairly high end games (mostly witcher, WOW TBC (and WoLK), Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (when it hits). Here's what I am thinking about putting together:
Currently the cost of all this is roughly $465.00 (Great for a budget). My main reason for going this route is with this setup I can add and ATI Radeon card (3000 series) and crossfire them later when I have more money. I need some advice as too how this setup might perform or hat I should add or subtract. Please help.
You seem to have the right idea, but there are some potential problems with your build.
Primarily, the case/PSU. You don't know what kind of power supply you're getting with that case, so beware. The Antec Sonata III w/ 500W Earthwatts PSU is a better idea. It moves your budget up some more, but think about it.
Also, for your budget, overclocking is a good idea. You can get much more performance for the price with simple overclocks.
Also, regarding the Crossfire, I assume you're looking at Hybrid Crossfire with your onboard GPU with a second add in card. I don't know much about it, so you should ask some questions over in the Graphics Cards forums.
Message edited by litlrabi on 04-18-2008 at 06:30:42 PM
Thanks for the input, yeah litlrabi I was thinking of using the Hybrid option. I'll check the Graphics forum to see others results in using this option. Which low-end cards support hybrid (Nevermind answer is HD 3400 series)? I know AMDs don't allow for mch overclocking but thought I found a good combo with card/mobo (with the onboard graphics). I agress that an ATX board might give me a more advantageous setup. Will think about reworking.
The Budget for this build will probably be 500 to 700 dollars. I am looking for a build that would be the mort competitive today, plus upgradable tommorrow.
Edit:
Now that I know about the crossfire, still think I will get this board, but just one good card. I will still look for a alternate build.
Message edited by rdawise on 04-19-2008 at 02:30:36 PM
Low System Total 564.01$ ( This is with tax and shipping here in Canada )
Processor Intel E2160 69,82 $
Memory Mushkin HP PC2-6400 2x1gb 996533 46,65 $
Motherboard Gigabyte P35-DS3L 86,05 $
Hard Drive Disk Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 53,88 $
DVD Writer Samsung SH-S203B 25,88 $
Case & PSU Antec Sonata III 98,88 $
Graphic Card XFX Geforce 8800GS 129,67 $
CPU Cooler Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 18,38 $
Go for something like that, you can easily OC the proc @ 3.1Ghz, the graphic card is pretty good for the price, but you can consider getting an 9600GT if you want, they are not much more expensive, it depend what deal you can get. Also you can go for a e4xxx or e6xxx series if ya want more power if you got budget for it. And check price after 20th april on intel processor, they will have some nice price drop.
PS: This is all Canadian price, you might find it at different price for you in US ( as i see that the HDD is more expensive ).
The memory is the cheapest good quality I found so far here. Don't go over that point for the price of 2gb that's for sure. It is pretty useless and anyway with that build when OC you won't go over ddr 800 much anyway. If you don't want Mushking, get Patriot/Crucial/Corsair good memory.
One thing I would suggest is not to go with a OEM operating system you can buy full AE versions online at thesame price <coughs> .The Academic software is for students and in a way are we all students of life <smiles>?
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Robert Wilensky: We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.
Well Amd_fanboi you took all of the fun out of it for rdawise, but i agree thats a solid build.
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Robert Wilensky: We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.