Mid-range gaming build

[RedWynd]

So, been browsing around on newegg and I've settled on these parts for my new computer. Got the motivation to upgrade when I tried to play Bioshock and the performance was simply unplayable, even with the lowest settings. (In case you're curious, I'm running a GeForce 7300 GS on an ASUSTek Amberine M with an AMD Sempron 3200+ and 1.25 GB of RAM. Yeah, it's almost 4 years old.)

So, without any further ado, my new choices:

BIOSTAR TForce TF8200 A2+ AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138113


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103064


Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134218


COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 650W ATX Form Factor 12V V2.3 / SSI Standard EPS 12V V2.91 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171023


I'm not looking to run any super-powered games, I don't care if I'm getting Final-Fantasy-quality or Tomb-Raider-quality graphics, as long as the game runs smooth as silk I'm fine. What do you all think? Should this do me for another few years?

I haven't included a graphics card just yet because it seems to me the GeForce 8200 chipset on the motherboard would work just fine for my purposes.

Oh, and one other thing... if I'm reusing the same hard drives, without reinstalling the OS, can I just load on the new motherboard drivers before taking it all apart and then hook it up with no problems? This is the first time I've recycled software, since I usually build my systems from scratch, so I'd rather not encounter a hiccup that would cost me dearly.

 

[Why_Me]

That build doesn't even make the "low end range" let along mid range.

 

[zipz0p]

Yeah, this is a very-very-low-end build. And without independent graphics, it's not a gaming build... Not at all. Go with the 780G chipset for considerably better 3D performance, but it's still far from spectacular.

If you want to make this a low-end gaming build, you'll almost certainly have to upgrade the processor (to at least the 4850e), and get a decent independent graphics card... Oh, and just get PC2 6400 RAM instead of that stuff... no need to pay for that extra speed - it won't make a noticeable difference.

 

[RedWynd]

Yeah.... that really doesn't meet the requirements for 'constructive criticism'. If you find the title of the post objectionable, then just keep it to yourself. Doesn't help me at all (but it does boost your post count! congratulations!).

And yes, taking a good long look at most systems nowadays, this is definitely a low-end build. Maybe I misspoke, so sue me. For >$500, it's not going to hold it's own in very many performance tests. But keep in mind these simple facts about how I play games:

I don't give a damn how good it looks. Hell, dial it down to the lowest setting, I don't care. As long as it doesn't jump all around and lag me to death, I'm satisfied.

Not going to be doing any multi-player. The online games I do play already run perfectly on even my current build, so this can only make them better. Not like I have loads of time anyways, what with work and college.

Okay, so maybe I should go for a faster CPU. But with plenty of RAM and an onboard GeForce 8200, what more could I really want? With a bit of overclocking it could perform in the 3GHz range. Depending on how this one works for me, I may or may not get a video card in a week or two, perhaps a GeForce 8800, or something similar. Which brings me to one more question... should I just skip right ahead to ordering a video card too? I'm not sure how onboard chipsets compare to a separate card with it's own memory. Either way, here's the card I'm looking at:


EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332


So, yeah. Helpful comments only, please.

 

[DestroiTe]

My 2 cents:

drop all that stuff... I would go for:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
ATi Radeon HD 4850
OCZ/Corsair/Geil (pick one) kit 2x2GB DDR2-800MHz
OR a kit with 2x1GB if your money is really short.
GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W

The rest of the stuff is waaay more personal and up to you. This is a serious bang for the buck if you ask me...

With a decent air cooler (lets say a Zalman CNPS9700) you can make the E8400 go nice and easy to 4GHz. These new HD 4850 are awesome and cheap. As far as the memory goes, 4GB kits are really cheap now and make the best choice. This PSU will handle you system just fine. And the motherboard is decent and cheap. If you have more money, try to grab a P45 one. If not, this is a cool rig and I would totaly go for it

Good luck!

 

[1971Rhino]

Yeah.... that really doesn't meet the requirements for 'constructive criticism'. If you find the title of the post objectionable, then just keep it to yourself. Doesn't help me at all (but it does boost your post count! congratulations!).

And yes, taking a good long look at most systems nowadays, this is definitely a low-end build. Maybe I misspoke, so sue me. For >$500, it's not going to hold it's own in very many performance tests. But keep in mind these simple facts about how I play games:

I don't give a damn how good it looks. Hell, dial it down to the lowest setting, I don't care. As long as it doesn't jump all around and lag me to death, I'm satisfied.

Not going to be doing any multi-player. The online games I do play already run perfectly on even my current build, so this can only make them better. Not like I have loads of time anyways, what with work and college.

So, yeah. Helpful comments only, please.

Take your $500 and get an XBOX 360, PS3, or Wii....that's the most helpful advice I can think of.

You've already got an obsolete computer, why do you want to build another?

 

[Why_Me]

Yeah.... that really doesn't meet the requirements for 'constructive criticism'. If you find the title of the post objectionable, then just keep it to yourself. Doesn't help me at all (but it does boost your post count! congratulations!).

And yes, taking a good long look at most systems nowadays, this is definitely a low-end build. Maybe I misspoke, so sue me. For >$500, it's not going to hold it's own in very many performance tests. But keep in mind these simple facts about how I play games:

I don't give a damn how good it looks. Hell, dial it down to the lowest setting, I don't care. As long as it doesn't jump all around and lag me to death, I'm satisfied.

Not going to be doing any multi-player. The online games I do play already run perfectly on even my current build, so this can only make them better. Not like I have loads of time anyways, what with work and college.

Okay, so maybe I should go for a faster CPU. But with plenty of RAM and an onboard GeForce 8200, what more could I really want? With a bit of overclocking it could perform in the 3GHz range. Depending on how this one works for me, I may or may not get a video card in a week or two, perhaps a GeForce 8800, or something similar. Which brings me to one more question... should I just skip right ahead to ordering a video card too? I'm not sure how onboard chipsets compare to a separate card with it's own memory. Either way, here's the card I'm looking at:


EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332


So, yeah. Helpful comments only, please.

Ok with that vid card, now your talking.! Lets see what we can do for on the cheap here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332 $109.99 ($79.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077 $64.99
GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077 $119.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118 $44.99
mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&Tpk=mx-2 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

 

[RedWynd]

I'd definitely like the total cost to be around $500, if at all possible. But I have leeway (go tax returns!) if need be.

As for the motherboard you've suggested, it's a good one, I agree. I specifically want a PCIe 2.0 slot, though. As far as expandability I think those are my best bets.

And, I will admit, I have prejudices against Intel and ATI both. While the ATI is definitely dynamite as far as hardware goes, I've had more problems with ATI drivers than any other combined. And well, with Intel it's not particularly a prejudice, but I prefer an AMD CPU simply because I trust them more. Can't really explain it, but it's there. I would definitely consider a faster CPU, of course.

 

[smokievol]

I have been looking at the same boards also.
Since I have a NX8600GTS Card I am going with,
BIOSTAR TForce TF8200 A2+ AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI ATX
$ 90.00
Plus
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
$ 105.00

Still looking at the CPU, weather to go with a Quad, or a 3 Core to save some bucks.
AMD Phenom 8450 Toliman 2.1GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor
$125.00
or a quad for another 45.00

I would have gone with the GIGABYTE GA-MA78G-DS3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD
for 90.00, which from my research is the best MB with on board graphics. But having the Video card made me switch. The 780 seems like the best board, beating out Nvidia 8200.

I need to find a Great TV card.

Any suggestions?

I already have the hard drives, case, DVD player and all the other stuff. Will probably purchase a new CPU fan.
In the future will buy a Blue ray when the prices come down.

I think either of these will serve your purpose, which seems to align with what I'm doing.