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$500.00 Gaming PC-- Your opinions please :)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - $500.00 Gaming PC-- Your opinions please :)

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echofoxtrot   08-01-2008 at 06:37:14 PM

I have selected these components for a decent gaming rig- I already have a sata hdd and an accelero s1 (rev2) for the gpu (w/ 2 80mm fans attached)

1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy $79.00
1 Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115052
Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $119.99
1 Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371015
Limited 30-Day Return Policy $64.99
1 Open Box: MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814127325R
Open Box Item Return Policy $129.99
1 Open Box: ASUS P5K PRO LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131275R
Open Box Item Return Policy $71.38
Shipped from TN
1 Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129042
Standard Return Policy $69.95
Subtotal $535.30
Tax $0.00
UPS Ground $8.89
Order Total $544.19

------------------------------ "When people agree with me, I always think that I am wrong" Oscar Wilde
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echofoxtrot   08-01-2008 at 06:41:37 PM
- 0 +

So I guess i'm wondering how this rig will do with kind of modern games? I've got bioshock , C&C 3...

------------------------------ "When people agree with me, I always think that I am wrong" Oscar Wilde
 Reply to echofoxtrot
zenmaster   08-01-2008 at 06:52:26 PM
- 0 +

I would be especially concerned about the Open Box Mobo.
Spend an extra $15 or So and get a DS3L that is not Open Box.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
 Reply to zenmaster
ZOldDude   08-01-2008 at 07:01:11 PM
- 0 +

Open box/returns are like buying another persons problems.
You don't need 4 GB of RAM unless you insist on Vista (bloated and crappy) and 2GB RAM sets are all over the Net for $29 with email code.
9800GTX was onsale last week for $149 with an email code.
Dualcore 3Ghz AMD and Asus MB combo's are on the Net for about the same price as the E7200 alone...and while game playing you can't tell what CPU it is.

Save your cash and spend some of it on a real PSU.
PC Power & Cooling 610 (49 Amp constant @ 12V) are $109-$119 with free shipping.

------------------------------ *While we crash and burn, small, low tech, agrarian societies such as the Hmong in the mountains of Laos will continue on without so much as blinking an eye.*
 Reply to ZOldDude
one-shot   08-01-2008 at 07:03:06 PM
- 0 +

Spend a few more bucks and let them keep the Open Box item. Get a new one. The vid card looks great for that price, but again, no Open Box items. I didn't think you could build a pc that fast for that cheap. I never really added up how much i've spend on mine. I also just ordered the same RAM that you did so I guess we'll both see how it works. Good Luck :)

------------------------------ Antec P182, i7 920 3.8Ghz @ 1.325V, Xigmatek 1283, Asus P6T X58, 3 x 2048MB OCZ Plat DDR3 1600 RAM, 2 EVGA GTX260 Core 216 in SLI, WD 160gb,320GB 1TB WD Black. Corsair 750TX. Acer 24" Monitor. Vista x64 Home Premium.
 Reply to one-shot
echofoxtrot   08-01-2008 at 07:17:40 PM
- 0 +

Thanks so much for all the replies so far-- I think I went open box on these items, well b/c of the cost-- and I'm not in too big of a hurry to throw it all together. I've bought bad open box in the past, rma'd w/ asus and got a new one-- but I've never worked with MSI before--anyone have any thoughts on experiences with warranty (what is their warranty for gpu's?) and rmas?

Great suggestions so far on the gigabyte board and the 9800gtx--I'm reconsidering :)

Oh and btw i picked out the 4g of ram for the vista 64-bit that will be installed (indeed crap when it comes to compatibility with older games but other than that I don't think its so bad)

------------------------------ "When people agree with me, I always think that I am wrong" Oscar Wilde
 Reply to echofoxtrot
njalterio   08-01-2008 at 07:18:01 PM
- 0 +

That PSU should be fine. Do not get an open box motherboard whatever you do. It will not have the cables or anything with it. You should be able to get a different P35 at around the same price. If you are gaming, spend $30 more and get a 4850, way better performance.

It's amazing how much prices have fallen.....

------------------------------ Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand.
I don't care, I'm still free you can't take the sky from me.
 Reply to njalterio
echofoxtrot   08-01-2008 at 07:22:24 PM
- 0 +

You know-- and I almost went for a pre-configured dell, b/c I was like "wow for 400 bucks this thing is cheap", but then I went on a mission to build something from newegg and was like "wow dell is raping us" b/c you can something MUCH better if you spend the time and spec out cheap crap. lol

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ "When people agree with me, I always think that I am wrong" Oscar Wilde
 Reply to echofoxtrot
ZOldDude   08-01-2008 at 07:43:39 PM
- 0 +

Yeah if your going to use Vista then get 4GB of Ram.
I also use G.Skill (the older 7 unit LAN system in my profile is OC'd 50% on stock volts w/ PC P&C).
You could still save money on the RAM by getting two sets of the Corsair TwinPacks.

Mostly I would still spend a bit extra and get a "real" PSU (PC P&C)...every Antec I ever used died about the same time the warrenty did!

------------------------------ *While we crash and burn, small, low tech, agrarian societies such as the Hmong in the mountains of Laos will continue on without so much as blinking an eye.*
 Reply to ZOldDude
aevm   08-01-2008 at 07:44:35 PM
- 0 +

Try getting a new HD 4850 instead of the open box 8800GTS. The price difference is not that big, and you'll get a better card and you'll know it hasn't been damaged by somebody else.

 

Edit: oh yeah, and open box MB, that's really risky.

 


Message edited by aevm on 08-01-2008 at 07:45:32 PM
Reply to aevm
roadrunner197069   08-01-2008 at 07:54:35 PM
- 0 +

If you buy open box you will be in for disappointment. And as far as a warranty from the mfg. they will require all the original components and cds which you most likely wont recieve.

Have fun running a motherboard without a i/o plate to help gorund.

A video card that is open box is almost a garantee DOA. They either work or they dont.

Reply to roadrunner197069
Shadow703793   08-01-2008 at 07:59:57 PM
- 0 +

+1 for no open box items.

 

If really on a budget and willing to OC:
P35-DS3L (good OCing) $85
E2180/E2160 (OC easily to 3-3.25Ghz; upgrade later to E8x00 or better) $60-70
ATI 4850 $175-220
XIGMATEK S1283 (+ bolt in kit) $40
2*1GB DDR2 800 ($25-30)
Corsair 650TX ($80 after MIR, good quality) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ir%2b650TX

 

Total cost for above parts: $~400-420

 

That leaves ~$120+ for HDD and DVD RW,etc.


Message edited by Shadow703793 on 08-01-2008 at 08:03:20 PM
------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
jtt283   08-01-2008 at 08:03:50 PM
- 0 +

I don't think I'd trust open box either. As ZOldDude said, you could be buying someone else's problems.
That PC Power and Cooling PSU is currently only $80 after MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 817703005.

For a bottom-mounted PSU, I was about to suggest this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341001
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC - $60 after MIR; until I saw it will not be able to draw its air up from the bottom in that particular case unless you mod it. The PC P&C unit is a better one, but this is also a high quality unit if you need to save $20.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
atrain   08-01-2008 at 08:12:28 PM
- 0 +

echofoxtrot wrote :

You know-- and I almost went for a pre-configured dell, b/c I was like "wow for 400 bucks this thing is cheap", but then I went on a mission to build something from newegg and was like "wow dell is raping us" b/c you can something MUCH better if you spend the time and spec out cheap crap. lol



Yeah, I just built my computer for <$1700 and saw an HP one in an ad for $3k+ that was only better because it had 2 9800GTXs and a nice sound card.

Reply to atrain
aevm   08-01-2008 at 08:38:35 PM
- 0 +

jtt283 wrote :

I don't think I'd trust open box either. As ZOldDude said, you could be buying someone else's problems.
That PC Power and Cooling PSU is currently only $80 after MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 817703005.

For a bottom-mounted PSU, I was about to suggest this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341001
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC - $60 after MIR; until I saw it will not be able to draw its air up from the bottom in that particular case unless you mod it. The PC P&C unit is a better one, but this is also a high quality unit if you need to save $20.



I'm voting for the $80 Silencer 610W with free shipping. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703005
Be careful, there's a $80 Silencer 500W there too with $11 shipping. Stay away from that one.

Reply to aevm
evilshuriken   08-01-2008 at 09:06:04 PM
- 0 +

I've honestly never had any problems with open box motherboards on newegg. I have gotten some sweet deals that way a couple times, receiving all accessories and a perfectly working item(getting all accessories is extremely unlikely).

Though I guess if it can be avoided it should, not having an I/O panel is a real inconvenience and it's always nice to know you have something brand new.

Reply to evilshuriken
rodney_ws   08-01-2008 at 09:25:30 PM
- 0 +

What sort of testing does NewEgg do on open box items? I can't imagine any testing scheme being good enough to catch even a majority of the problems. I would never feel comfortable buying an open box product. Maybe that's just me.

Reply to rodney_ws
Shadow703793   08-01-2008 at 11:49:27 PM
- 0 +

+1 for PP&C 610.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
spunks   08-02-2008 at 01:08:36 AM
- 0 +

Every open box item (2) I've ever ordered from newegg, Ive sent back.


drop memory in half to 2gb (unless going to vista 64 or xp 64) save $40

bump up the video card to a hd4850, so you absoultly no question on gaming power. spend $40 more



4gb system with an 8800gts vrs a 2gb system with a hd4850


No contest. Hd4850 with 2gb will walk all over that 8800gts



spunks


Message edited by spunks on 08-02-2008 at 01:09:19 AM
Reply to spunks
daffy1108   08-02-2008 at 02:26:19 AM
- 0 +

My son just built his $1200 gaming PC with his summer job money.
It uses a Visiontek 4850. It really flies with 2GB PC8500 memory
and Vista 32bit and Intel Q6600 quad-core.

For open box, I don't like to order open box from mail order.
I prefer to get open box from local electronics supplier like "Fry's Electronics"
because I can always claim the part as defective and get my money back.

Reply to daffy1108
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