New System (500-550$)

[Guest]

So recently i opened a theard bout oc 6200 to 6600 and the guys say that its impossible...
So i thought for a while and thought that i need a new comp... cuz mine is already too old for new gen games
And my buget is not that high for tough gaming but i think for me a system of 500-550$ will be enough...
And i want to ask u whats the best buy for this money at the moment
Thanks in Advance

 

[outlw6669]

You should be able to build a good gaming system with $500-550.
I am not sure what you have available to you but I can point you in the correct direction.

For the CPU, you should get one of the Intel E2XXX, E4XXX, E6XXX or E7XXX series.
Any of the CPU's from these lines will be good performers and good overclockers.

You will need a decent quality motherboard with either an Intel P35, P45 or X38/48 (same chipset just rebranded) chipset.
I prefer ASUS and Gigabyte motherboards for their top quality.

2-4Gb of DDR2 800 with 4-4-4-X timings is the place to be.
Get as much as you can afford but remember that a 32 bit OS can only address a total of 4Gb (including your video card and other system devices). As long as there is a long warranty on it, get the cheapiest you can locate with a heat spreader.

For the video card, try and locate an ATI 4850.
If those are not available for you, a nVidia 8800GT, 8800GTS 512 (not the 320 or 640), 9800GT or 9800GTX(+) would work good for you also.

You will also need a new PSU.
Make sure not to get a cheap unit!!
For a machine like you are looking at, you will need a QUALITY 450W+ PSU.
Look at Corsair, Enermax, Silverstone, PCP&C, and the Antec Earthwatts lines.

Wish I could be more helpful but I am not sure what you can get or what it costs.
When you start shopping for parts, post your options and local prices and I can help more.

 

[Onus]

Here's a first shot at a build, just within your budget but doesn't include the O/S. I think there are a couple of rebates in there that will offset the shipping charges.

Rosewill R220-P-BK Black 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:R220-P-BK
Item #:N82E16811147074
$29.99 -$5.00 Instant $24.99

Basic case but can mount front and rear 120mm cooling fans.

BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCXFE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:BFGE96512GTOCXFE
Item #:N82E16814143134
$159.99 -$50.00 Instant $109.99

Yes, a 4850 would be nice, but just doesn't seem to be in your budget.

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:EA500
Item #:N82E16817371007
$89.99 -$35.00 Instant $54.99

Quiet, solid, runs cool and sips from the wall.

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-EP43-DS3L
Item #:N82E16813128347
$94.99 $94.99

Good basic board. Nothing special, but I've used a number of Gigabyte boards, so...

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail
Model #:BX80571E7200
Item #:N82E16819115052
$119.99 $119.99

You could drop this back to an e2180, especially if you're trying to fit an HD4850 into this build, but as much background crap (AV, firewall, etc.) as you may have, and games will become more demanding, not less, I think this is a much more balanced choice that will be more satisfactory overall.

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
Model #:996527
Item #:N82E16820146118
$44.99 $44.99

Runs at the JEDEC standard of 1.8V. No muss, no fuss. OC it yourself if you like.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD3200AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136074
$69.99 -$5.00 Instant $64.99

High bang-for-buck drive. You could save $10 to drop back to a 250.

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS220-08 - Retail
Model #:iHAS220-08
Item #:N82E16827106265
$29.99 $29.99

Never had a problem with Lite-On myself. This one is Retail, so it includes the software.

Subtotal: $544.92

You may find a good Antec Case+PSU deal. That would be an exception to the "PSUs that come with cases are crap" rule. Please remember this is a first shot, and it's real early in the AM. Others will likely find some good deals here or there, but this system is certainly decent for the money.

 

[jevon]

The only case+PSU deal I would recommend is the Antec Sonata III, which comes with the 500W Antec Earthwatts PSU. I think that's a really solid and reasonable combo.

Do you need to buy an Operating System? And what size of monitor will you be using? I would really try to fit in a 4850 and 4gb of memory with Vista 64 if you manage it because that will greatly increase the lifespan of the system! It may bring the total cost closer to $700-$800ish, but you'll be happy you did it in a year or two.

Also depending on which processor you pick, you may need to buy a heatsink if you plan to do a heavy OC. Some of the Intel processors can get a good OC w/o increasing volts so you can maybe get away w/o getting a heastink until you do start increasing them. Sunbeam Core Contact or OCZ Vendetta 2 are my personal favs right now.

I like the Gigabyte EP45-DS3L board that was suggested above.

Good luck!

 

[Nrocirpac12]

Are you reusing any parts from your old pc like the optical drive or anything?

here's a build from newegg with no OS or optical drive:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale $119.99
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 $139.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 $57.00($30 rebate)
GPU: ASUS Radeon HD 4850 512MB $182.99($30 rebate)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 320GB SATA 3.0Gb $64.99
PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W $54.99 (newegg promo code PSU8028 valid till9/3 for %20 off)
CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 $39.99


Shipping: 27.96
Grand Total w/ shipping and after rebates: $571.90

a couple changes could be a 9600gt which would save you $50. Depends on your monitor. You could also pick a cheap Rosewill case whoich would save another $10-$15.

 

[Onus]

Looking at the OP's current configuration, I don't think a new build requires a 4850. Even an 8600GT would be a howling improvement. If the new build offers the potential to expand, then starting with a 3850 would be worthwhile, and certainly within budget.

 

[Guest]

Looking at the OP's current configuration, I don't think a new build requires a 4850. Even an 8600GT would be a howling improvement. If the new build offers the potential to expand, then starting with a 3850 would be worthwhile, and certainly within budget.

yes ur right
but i thought of something a bit stronger then 8600GT
another reason i dont want those 4850 9600 is cuz here in europe the prices are 15-20% higher and it is out of budget

 

[Onus]

If a 9600GT is too high, perhaps a 9500GT will fit. That card is supposed to be a little bit better than the 8600GT (one notch higher on Cleeve's chart). Another option is a 3850 like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715
The build that I spec'ed, if otherwise in budget (maybe not, as I take it now that Newegg prices are irrelevant to you), will allow you to start with a lesser card and then upgrade later when your budget allows. The PSU should be good for up to a 4850, maybe even a 4870.