Gaming Rig Advice

[ha2fb]

Hello all,

I've decided to take the path of building my own gaming rig. This will be my very first complete build. The gaming rig will consist of WoW, FPShooters, racing/sports genre games.

I have a limit of $500. I can spend $100 if the mail in rebates equal to or near $500 ($515 and below). So technically I have $615 to spend with the rebates.

If at all possible to get a combo deal that would increase the performance value of the PC I'm open to suggestions. After i'm familiar with the components, I'd like to OC it so keep this in mind as well. I'd also like to have the ability of SLI, and Crossfire compatible. If you or a friend has any components for sale matching the ones I'd like by all means PM me with condition, price, etc.

I've discussed various components with the member iBleet. After several PMs the following was brainstormed...

Motherboard: $85
Gigabyte p35 DS3L

Processor: $120
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300

Video Card: $135 (original) | $110 MIR
EVGA 512-P3-N975-AR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB

PSU: $50
Antec earthwatts EA500 500W

CASE: $70 (original) | $50
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black

RAM: $55 (original) | $25
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2

HD: $42
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB

OD: $25
samsung N82E16827151171

total original = $582
total mir = $507

 

[shortstuff_mt]

For the same price you might as well get a newer P43 chipset motherboard.

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347&Tpk=ga-ep43-ds3l $84.99

What OS are you planning on running? I suggest a 64-bit OS so you can use all 4GB of RAM.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

You can also probably squeeze in a 4850 which will be considerably faster than the 9800GT.

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770 $154.99 - $20 MIR

 

[dirtmountain]

By going with a E5200 at $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
you could go with a P45 crossfire capable mobo P5Q Pro $100 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299
and a HD4850 $135 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770
and stay within budget.

 

[ha2fb]

Thanks for the reply.

On that mobo, reviewers complain about the behaviors while diagnosing, and BIOS flashing. Is this going to be a problem? Has mediocre reviews...

I have Windows XP for system builders, may use this until I can get some more money for the one you mentioned.

Have read great reviews, and hype about the 4850 may look into that replacement.

-Are there any worth-while deals for Black Friday approaching, combo deals, or open box on New Egg to see?*-
-How about keeping everything the same and purchasing a CPU cooler, or better fans?

 

[ha2fb]

@dirtmountain,

Eh E5200 - I'd like to stay with something more current. I didn't see any charts available on this CPU.

P45, no bad reviews, and greater reviews than the P43.

After a little research it appears that the 9800GT is a newly renamed 8800GT. So I'm assuming 4850 > 9800GT. So 4850 it is.

 

[dirtmountain]

The E5200 is very capable of over 3.0 overclocks with that motherboard. Not as good as the E7200/E7300, but also a 45nm Wolfdale with a 2MB cache instead of the 3MB cache of the E7300 or the 6MB cache of the E8400.
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=70841

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=458728

It's a decent chip, overclocks to 3.2 easily and makes enough room in your budget to fit the 4850 and the crossfire capable P45 motherboard. There is nothing wrong with your original build though.

 

[ha2fb]

Does anyone else have any input on the mobo selection?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

 

[ha2fb]

With the above components, and the substituted Mobo + Video Card it's a total of $632 / $. I see I'm either going to have to go for the E5200, or start downgrading some other parts.

~ EDIT ~

After looking at the combo page on NewEgg, I found this deal. I'm not sure about the PSU, help please!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075
Total: $82

 

[ha2fb]

* Edit - Purchased CPU *

After reading several reviews, and opinions from members I believe I've completed the component list.

MOBO: $115|$100 mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

CPU: Intel E8400

VIDEO: $155|$135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

PSU & CASE: $55/$55|$90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

RAM: $55|$25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

HD: $42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

OD: $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

...............................
Total - $575 | $540
..............................

Is there anything that should be swapped?
Is there anything that needs to be additionally purchased?
- Keep in mind this is a temporary build, until more funds come in.

 

[ha2fb]

*Update*

I've went over budget around $100. Wife has given the thumbs up since this will be a well built system.

CPU: Intel E8400
$130.69 (shipping included)

MOBO: ASUS P5Q Pro
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512MB
PSU: Antec Neo Power 500 500W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
CASE: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
OD: SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
$361.06

Still missing some valuable parts like...

RAM (read mushkin is great, any specific model?)
HD (already picked out)
Thermal Paste (do i need aftermarket or stock is fine?)
CPU FAN (need a well built fan for <$20)

Is there anything else?