Building A Cheap Gaming Rig... Checking if everything is kosher

[Nemesis37]

With a friend's help, I put this list together for a new system. I'm not looking to blow games out of the water, but I am looking to make a solid gaming system within the $600-$800 range. Just wanted to know if everything is compatible/fits well with everything else, as well as checking prices to see if they are good.

Two of my primary concerns are whether the processor cooler will fit in the case, and whether or not the motherboard I chose is the best option for my price range.

Note: I will be using an EIDE DVD-ROM optical drive from my previous comp, as well as a case fan, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I may eventually buy casing (w/ USB) for my old EIDE 40GB hard drive to access the data on it (Making two potential EIDE slots required). If there is anything I'm missing, please suggest it here.

Case: Antec Sonata III 500 Black Computer Case $130 (w/ $50 rebate = $80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811129024
Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835233001
(Thermal Compound and Retention Bracket... $13)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822136074
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R ATX Intel Motherboard $130 (w/ $20 rebate = $110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128344
RAM: CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820145177
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819115037
The RAM and Processor are combo-priced for $236 (w/ $30 rebate = $206)
Video Card: ASUS Radeon HD 4850 EAH4850/HTDI/512M Video Card $181 (w/ $30 rebate = $151)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814121253

It ends up being about $780, with shipping $820, after the rebates it gets to right under $700.

I'm primarily concerned with beating the system reqs on the new Warhammer MMO coming out soon (http://www.warhammeronline.com), but I'd also like this to last a few years gaming-wise before I have to make major upgrades.

I know a decent amount about computers, but my friend knows more, and he said that the people on this forum eclipse even him, so I'd appreciate it if you could share any thoughts you have.

 

[dirtmountain]

SD964 is supposed to be better and it's cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233014
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2269 it is a bit noisier at full speed.
you'll need to change the bracket.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233020
and yes it should fit, the Antec Sonata is a good case, but it leans more towards quiet rather than cooling.
This HD4850 card, same price, better cooling, free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770
2 GB RAM is my minimum for Vista, if your OS is XP then you're good.
Good solid build. You'll crush warhammer.

 

[Nemesis37]

Thanks for the help. Ya, I'll be runnin XP for now, plus the motherboard has 4 slots for more RAM upgrades down the line. I like the other HD4850 you suggested, as well as the cooler. Thanks!

 

[huron]

I don't think you're getting all the value out of that combo deal. The E8400 is only ~$180 and you can get 2x2GB of RAM for less than $50.

I'd get the Western Digital 640 GB HDD for only $20 more (double the space for $20).

The rest looks fine. +1 for the 4850. Good luck. Have fun.

 

[scurvy]

Great mobo, good ram.
Go for the E8500.

And go for stock cooling, save on the 25 bucks and try and get a better VGA.
Try for a 4870.

With that combo u can kick some serious ass.

The best online prices are at www.newbiiz.com (much cheeper than newegg)

 

[croc]

PSU?

 

[dirtmountain]

The 500w Antec Earthwatts comes with the case.