Planning of cheap gaming rig

[turtlecool2]

Can you get this rough idea cheaper and better?
my goal is to build a gaming rig under $700 but right now im focusing on the mobo/cpu but i dont want to use more than $200. (i want to stay with intel core 2 duo)
(i want a cheap gaming motherboard)


plan:
intel core 2 duo (havent decided version is the best and cheapest)
Asus p5kc or asus p5q-e or Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L

any better ideas?

 

[ilovebarny]

well there is probably better but the gigabyte you listed gets good reviews. also maybe look at like the c2d E7200

oh this is cheaper. not better but cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

 

[turtlecool2]

hmm e7200 looks cheaper than the e6550, wats up with that?

 

[megamanx00]

At that budget I say go with AMD. Since you want to stick with Intel though and are willing to spend $200 on the board and CPU I say get a good P45 board, then pair it with a Wolfdale Pentium E5200 and overclock it. The Gigabyte is probably easier to use, and having a single PCI-E slot is fine if you don't plan on taking advantage of crossfire, but I recommend getting a board with two PCI-E slots since you can buy a 4850 now, and then buy another one for $100 down the line and crossfire it.

 

[dirtmountain]

Well over budget at $255 after rebate is this CPU and motherboard combo deal E8400 and Asus P5Qpro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299
or cheap motherboard like a P35 Asus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131278
and a E7200 at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
Personally, i'd cough up the extra $50

 

[turtlecool2]

hmm the p35 sounds really good, but is it better than the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L, because if it is, im getting that.
e7200 sounds fine for me?

any more ideas?

 

[dirtmountain]

Yes, a P45 motherboard and a E5200 CPU, that way you spend little on the CPU and upgrade it later down the line.
E5200 wolfdale $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
Foxconn P45A-S at $110 after rebate which keeps the crossfired graphic card (4850) available
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186148

 

[englandr753]

If you want cheap, I saw a deal at Frys Electronics that included the E7200 and an ECS mobo for 99.99 for both. That would get you off the ground quite nicely. You could upgrade the mobo later. I dont know if you are near a Frys or if they are still having the same deal. Its worth looking into. That would let you put the other 100 into a better video card and/or a decent power supply...

 

[turtlecool2]

right now my own choices are the p35 asus and e7200, is there anything better than these two combos? (plz dont give me rebates)

 

[dirtmountain]

OK, this Biostar P45 motherboard for $110 with the E5200, again it keeps the crossfire option available in the future.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186148 If i had a choice between upgrading a CPU in 4-6 months or a motherboard, i'd pick the CPU. Go higher on the mobo, lower on the CPU imo

 

[englandr753]

I guess not everyone is like me and will rip out everything to do an upgrade such as the mobo at a moments notice.

If you're a glutton for punishment then the option is good either way. A better cpu with a weak mobo will give u more powa now! But more work later reinstalling everything.

As dirtmountain says its easier to replace a cpu and keep going. This is as long as the temporary cpu is powerful enough to keep you happy until then...