Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New Gaming Build: $1000 Budget
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
joe2222   09-13-2008 at 09:12:42 PM

I am planning a new gaming PC for myself and I am looking for a second opinion on my hardware selection. The budget is $1000 give or take $100. Here is what I'm thinking.

Corsair TX650W Power Supply (650W)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
ASUS P5Q Motherboard (ATX, LGA775, P45, DDR2 PCI-E16, 2PCI-E1, 3PCI, SATA2, GBLAN)
Palit Radeon HD 4870 Sonic Dual Edition
OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB
LG GH22NS30 Black DVD+RW

LG W1942TQ-BF 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
w153r   09-13-2008 at 09:22:54 PM
- 0 +

Seems like the e8500 for an extra $25 is worth it, I've heard many many many great overclocking stories with this proc.

Reply to w153r
dagger   09-13-2008 at 09:25:19 PM
- 1 +

You should get 4gb of ram. 2gb is not enough. Large amount of page file usage will tank performance.

Consider $185 q6600 instead of e8400. Multithreading is the future. A quad will be more futureproof.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018

Dual vs quad benchmarks in gaming performance.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/c [...] 600_8.html

For single card, consider 9800gx2, performing far above 4870.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=13
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=14
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=15
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=16
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=17
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=18
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=19
It cost $280 free shipping for factory overclocked version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133231

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
thogrom   09-13-2008 at 09:33:21 PM
- 0 +

ok don't get a 19" monitor...

get a good 21/22 incher

get the better resolution for about the same price

also get 4 GB of ram not 2

make sure that you have an operating system

and only get the e8500 if you plan on overclocking, if you plan on overclocking also get an aftermarket heatsink such as the xigamatek 1283


Reply to thogrom
megamanx00   09-13-2008 at 09:33:44 PM
- 0 +

Depending on the games you are going to play you may want to consider 4GB of RAM. If you're pushing your budget, which looks like it might be the case, already then 2GB will be fine for now since you can get more RAM latter as funds allow.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
rabidbunny   09-13-2008 at 09:35:06 PM
- 0 +

if you already have an OS, that's great. But, if you don't , you're gonna have to include that into your budget.

Reply to rabidbunny
dagger   09-13-2008 at 09:38:19 PM
- 0 +

megamanx00 wrote :

Depending on the games you are going to play you may want to consider 4GB of RAM. If you're pushing your budget, which looks like it might be the case, already then 2GB will be fine for now since you can get more RAM latter as funds allow.



Ddr2 800mhz is dirt cheap those days. 2gb cost $30. There is no point saving $30 and running out of ram later.

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
Winly   09-13-2008 at 10:10:14 PM
- -2 +

looks good, but if you get 4GB or RAM you will have to install a 64bits operating system. i would go for 3GB and use a 32bits OS.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Winly
dagger   09-14-2008 at 12:05:20 AM
- 2 +

Winly wrote :

looks good, but if you get 4GB or RAM you will have to install a 64bits operating system. i would go for 3GB and use a 32bits OS.



You don't actually "need" it. 32bit os will recognize about 3.3gb of total 4, depending on video ram and components addressing. A small waste of about $10 worth of ram. Since it's so cheap, just get 4gb of identical modules to avoid possible complications.

Message quoted 2 times
------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
Winly   09-14-2008 at 12:26:10 AM
- 0 +

dagger wrote :

You don't actually "need" it. 32bit os will recognize about 3.3gb of total 4, depending on video ram and components addressing. A small waste of about $10 worth of ram. Since it's so cheap, just get 4gb of identical modules to avoid possible complications.



well i actually said 3GB because i know that a 32bits OS dont take the full 4GB of RAM. it will problably show 3.5GB of RAM and the rest will be like unallocated, so i guess 3GB will be the best, unless the person wants to upgrade later on to a 64bit OS. anyway you are right when you said is cheaper to just buy 4GB right away, it will help him save some money.

Reply to Winly
zenmaster   09-14-2008 at 02:50:54 AM
- 0 +

dagger wrote :

You don't actually "need" it. 32bit os will recognize about 3.3gb of total 4, depending on video ram and components addressing. A small waste of about $10 worth of ram. Since it's so cheap, just get 4gb of identical modules to avoid possible complications.



Agreed.

In General, A Windows 32-Bit Executable can use up to 2GB of RAM.
More and more apps are in some cases pushing closer to this limit.

Now, your OS and many other small startup apps will be running in the background.

With the low price of RAM, get over 2GB for sure.
And I agree that matching up your 4 sticks of RAM is the wisest choice.

So get 4 matching 1GB sticks if you can.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
 Reply to zenmaster
realyeti   09-14-2008 at 03:38:17 AM
- 0 +

If you are going to overclock, i recomend gettign an s-1283 xigmatek cpu fan, and 2 ram sticks of 2gb each, not 4 stick of 1gb.
You need a 64b vista, and WHERE'S YOUR CASE ??

I knew that an 8400+ hd 4870 + lcd monitor + OS would be imposible to squeeze on a 1000$ budget.

Reply to realyeti
joe2222   09-14-2008 at 04:12:25 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for everyones opinion.

I think that I may get the 4GB of RAM many are suggesting, sounds good to me. I will be using Windows XP 32 bit edition and as a future upgrade I will probably go to Vista 64 bit, but not yet. As for my case, I am going to recycle an old one.

Reply to joe2222
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New Gaming Build: $1000 Budget
Go to:

There are 1142 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.904 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?