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Budget Build ---Occassional Gaming

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Budget Build ---Occassional Gaming

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stryker23   05-23-2008 at 05:16:19 PM

I have chosen the hardware for a new system. I don't have an exact budget, but I'm looking for a solid quality system that will play games decently. I mostly play BattleField, but I def. want it to play newer games. I'm not hardcore by any means, so if it is able to do decent settings(on newer games) smoothly I will be happy. I will also use it for some graphics and video editing. The video card is probably the weakest. It was just really cheap, but I am open to upgrading it. Any suggestions? Thanks

The System:

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813127030

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115032

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Dual Fans
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817182030

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068

(2x) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA (I was thinking a raid setup.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148262

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827129018


Message edited by stryker23 on 05-23-2008 at 05:24:12 PM
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pcgamer12   05-23-2008 at 05:26:51 PM
- 0 +

wow, $179.99 for a P35 motherboard? get a GA-P35-DS3L for about $90-109, it won't have raid but then you could get a Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM which is rated for 90MB/sec read and write which is unbelievable fast, Raptor fast actually. stay away from raid, it introduces problems

Reply to pcgamer12
pcgamer12   05-23-2008 at 05:27:59 PM
- 0 +

as for the video card. a $150 8800gt with company of heroes from xfx is a great deal. hurry while the game and rebate is still available.

Reply to pcgamer12
roadrunner197069   05-23-2008 at 05:29:37 PM
- 0 +

e7200 for $20 more is a way better cpu and OCs to 4.0.

The rosewill PSUs are known to be junk.

Reply to roadrunner197069
Cpt Deadboots   05-23-2008 at 05:31:45 PM
- 0 +

Looks great, but I would stay away from Rosewill PSUs. Get a Corsair 550VX on Buy.com.

I would strongly recommend a GeForce 8800 GS or 9600 GSO for your GPU. It sounds like they will fit your needs perfectly; both can be had for ~$100 AR on newegg, and performance is roughly equivalent to an 8800 GTS 640mb.

However, if you play at higher resolutions, an 8800 GT might be worth a look. A good 512mb model can be had for ~$170 on newegg right now.

I would personally buy the 9600 GSO or 8800 GS at this point, so I am just recommending personal preferences (I generally game at 1280x1024 or a bit lower). I am not a hardcore gamer either (occasionally I play Crysis, Oblivion, or Guild Wars), and these cards would go beyond my needs (I am happy with a 7600 GT for occasional gaming).

------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.06 GHz/1.275v - Zalman CNPS8700LED - Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L - 4 GB A-Data DDR2 800 @ 850 MHz/5-5-5-15 - XFX Core Edition GTS 250 1GB @ 738/1836/1100 - Seagate 250 GB 7200.10 hdd - Silverstone ST400 - Vista Ult. x64
 Reply to Cpt Deadboots
Cpt Deadboots   05-23-2008 at 05:37:01 PM
- 0 +

Roadrunner is right about the E7200.

------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.06 GHz/1.275v - Zalman CNPS8700LED - Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L - 4 GB A-Data DDR2 800 @ 850 MHz/5-5-5-15 - XFX Core Edition GTS 250 1GB @ 738/1836/1100 - Seagate 250 GB 7200.10 hdd - Silverstone ST400 - Vista Ult. x64
 Reply to Cpt Deadboots
pcgamer12   05-23-2008 at 05:50:19 PM
- 0 +

i recently built a pc, i didnt know that there was a e7200 and got a e4600 instead. its fast, but for 10 bucks more i could have gone faster. get the e7200. its fsb is 1066 instead of 800. u get more 133mhz more speed, and 1 more mb of cache, which is 50% more, cache is important in games, and its a new process, so less heat, and more optimizations and support for sse4. all for 10 bucks. maybe low multiplier, but the 45nm process fixes that. it ocs alot better than e4600.

Reply to pcgamer12
evongugg   05-23-2008 at 05:54:19 PM
- 0 +

For your PSU: 80+, modular:

Corsair 520HX
Antec NeoHE/Neo Power 380/430
Enermax Liberty 400/500
Enermax Modu82+ 425/525
Seasonic M12/M12II 430/500

All are excellent choices. The Corsair 520/620 and Enermax Modu82+ PSUs are raved to be the most silent PSUs around.

Or consult these:

Top Tier PSU:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] ngs?t=anon

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460

Silent PSUs
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html

AMD Certified PSUs (Single+Crossfire):
http://ati.amd.com/online/certifiedpsu/index.html

Certified SLI-Ready Power Supplies
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
stryker23   05-23-2008 at 05:56:34 PM
- 0 +

Ok, I will get the suggested power supply, motherboard, and processor. Is the 8800GS my best choice for graphics? Why does it only play well at lower resolutions?

Reply to stryker23
Cpt Deadboots   05-23-2008 at 07:05:36 PM
- 1 +

I doesn't only play well at lower resolutions. The 8800 GT will just play better than a GS at higher resolutions (512mb vs. 384mb, 256-bit memory vs. 192-bit memory).

As far as your needs (casual gaming), an 8800 GS or 9600 GSO will be perfect.

Both should play any Battlefield game maxed out, probably at a 1600x1200 resolution as well. The only game they might have "trouble" with is Crysis. Personally, I would be happy with the performance they give in Crysis: both cards can reportedly run at 1280x1024, medium-high settings, or 1024x768, high settings and still garner great framerates.

Also, you don't need a 520HX. I personally think that the 550VX is better value (cheaper, better wattage, single 12v rail). The ONLY reason one would go for a 520HX in your situation is because it is modular (better cable management).

------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.06 GHz/1.275v - Zalman CNPS8700LED - Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L - 4 GB A-Data DDR2 800 @ 850 MHz/5-5-5-15 - XFX Core Edition GTS 250 1GB @ 738/1836/1100 - Seagate 250 GB 7200.10 hdd - Silverstone ST400 - Vista Ult. x64
 Reply to Cpt Deadboots
stryker23   05-23-2008 at 07:26:12 PM
- 0 +

Sounds good. Your right, the video card will be fine for how I will use it. I was just wondering what you meant. I think I will go with the 550vx since it still sounds solid, and I will be saving a little money. Thanks for the help/suggestions.

Reply to stryker23
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