What do you think of this low budget PC for gaming?

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dalmazian

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Nov 24, 2005
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Ok,
So for the past week I have been looking at all new parts for a new PC. I currently have a 3700+ , 2 gigs of ram, and a x800. (still AGP) I plan to sell the old parts after I build the new one to keep the cost down.

So I want to build a really cheap gaming computer with a budget of $450.00 or lower. Any upgrade from what I have will be a huge difference for me. I play games like Company of Heroes, COD, Armed Assault, a huge FPS fan. I actually bought COD WAW and then realized I need SM 3.0 or higher. I would love to be able to play that game decently on this new computer. One more thing I will have this plugged into a 52" Sharp Aquos, don't know if that will help.



BOARD - Foxconn A7GM-S AM2 $66.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813186141

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Brisbane 2.8GHz $66.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103289

CPU FAN - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835185125

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231122

VIDEO CARD - SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814102792

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835100007

CASE - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black With 500W Power Supply $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062#spec

That puts me at about $393.00 + $40.00 Shipping. Can anyone suggest any other parts? What should I add or change? I am trying to make a decision but I need input from others. :) Thanks in advance.
 
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aznguy0028

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Dec 14, 2007
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i was going to suggest you something but the offer ended.

if you posted a bit earlier, i would have suggested the Antec Sonata for your case/PSU

raidmax has a horrible reputation with power supplies, they are one of the lower tiers in PSU's. they are on tier 5 on this list of PSU's

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

back when newegg had their black friday sales, the antec sonata was only 79.99$ and it comes with a Earthwatts 500W PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

but it's 129$ now. i'm just linking it to you because maybe newegg will have another deal sometimes in the near future.
 
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loftie

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Jun 23, 2008
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I would go with a more basic case with a case fan, and stick with the stock cooler, unless you're planning to overclock, I'd even stick with the paste supplied and forget the arctic silver. Also, I wouldnt trust that power supply, I'd go with a corsiar 450, im pretty sure that could power your pc, and I'd get a 4830 instead of the 4670 if you can.
 
jalpaugh1978

jalpaugh1978

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Jan 5, 2008
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Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:A7GM-S
Item #:N82E16813186141
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$76.99 -$10.00 Instant $66.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141

Update EVGA 512-P3-N971-TR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:512-P3-N971-TR
Item #:N82E16814130397
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

$122.99 -$8.00 Instant $114.99 ($94.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130397

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250410AS
Item #:N82E16822148262
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$54.99 $54.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

Update Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:EA650
Item #:N82E16817371015
Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$99.99 -$40.00 Instant $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015


Update G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Model #:F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
Item #:N82E16820231145
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
$49.99 -$5.00 Instant $44.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145
or
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G8004GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227199
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $46.99-$5.00 Instant $41.99 ($21.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227199


Update AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Brisbane 2.9GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5600DOBOX - Retail
Model #:ADO5600DOBOX
Item #:N82E16819103234
Return Policy:processors (CPUs) Return Policy
In Stock
$69.00 $69.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103234

Update NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Open Window - Retail
Model #:CS-NT-ALP-WOW
Item #:N82E16811146041
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

$69.99 -$10.00 Instant $59.99 ($34.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146041

Update ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:Freezer 64 Pro
Item #:N82E16835185125
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$29.99 $29.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125
Subtotal: $500.93

Select All - Select None

I seen you didnt have a HDD in your list so I added one to it just in case you forgot...If you go with the AC freezer you wont need the AS 5...IMHO I think the AC MX2 preapplied compound is awesome at load my cpu stays 35-37*c , however if you don't plan to o/c I would also just with the stock cooling

Also, I think everything but the cpu cooler has free shipping and some of the items have mail-in-rebates which should put you around $450. If you want to save more $$$ maybe downgrade you cpu and find a different case(seen some nice one's in the $40 price range w/free shipping. I would stick with the 9800gt, for less then $100 after the mail-in-rebate you'll be able play the games you mentioned at very high quality. I can play COD 4 maxed with my rig in my sig


SIGMA ORCA ORCA-WB Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Solid brushed aluminum front panel shines
$39.99 Free Shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811226020

 
evongugg

evongugg

Splendid
Jul 6, 2006
8,044
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How about Intel?

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 $75.99

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

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-20-145-034-_-Product $39.99 -$30.00 MIR

POWERCOLOR AX4850 512MD3-DH 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=N82E16814131125 $159.99 -$20.00 MIR

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Antec Neo Power 500 500W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940 $89.94 (Combo with case)

Total - $450.85
 
jalpaugh1978

jalpaugh1978

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Jan 5, 2008
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The Intel rig is nice, but I think he'd get more for his $$$ with the AMD rig...Not flaming, just just my opinion based on his budget.
 
Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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Very nice, with the following changes:

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650. Overkill, but only $60.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
Or, if you'd prefer modular, the Antec BP550 Plus is $55: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016. I suspect the Earthwatts is better, but I would trust either one.

RAM: Get DDR2-800 that operates at its advertised timings on the JEDEC standard 1.8V, such as A-Data ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211188 ), or Mushkin ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 )


 
C

chuccck

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Jan 12, 2008
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I did a lot of research with Power Supplies when researching my new build (going from ultra newb to semi knowledgeable but still a newb) and I would definitely heed the previous advices. Go with the antec Earthwatts (i picked up the one jt mentioned) and if you throw in the xigmatek or sunbeam cooler for the intel build, you would still be under $500 and have an awesome rig that has MUCH more potential than the AMD build. just my well researched but un-experienced opinion, my IMWRBUO.
 
blashyrkh

blashyrkh

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Jul 4, 2007
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I have the Giga ep43 and the 5200 and I can tell you, I'm getting back much much more than what I paid. OC this puppy to 3,66 on air 24/7 paired with my 4870 and I play everything max at native (1080p)
 
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jthorn

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Aug 15, 2006
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The intel build offered up by Evongugg (and the tweak by others) is at the top of the Performance/$$$ charts. IMO, you cannot do better for a low budget desktop. And for under $500, nicely done!
 
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mtyermom

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Jun 1, 2007
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not flaming, but the intel rig jtt posted will smash the amd build you posted, and for about the same price. (and with overclocking considered, it's not even close)
 
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dalmazian

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Nov 24, 2005
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Wow, thanks for all of the awesome information and suggestions. I will be doing my research and looking at all the suggestions, evongugg thank you for the intel idea. For some reason I have always stayed away from intel, but maye its time to give it a shot. I also forgot to add in VISTA, and I might as well get a new HD, unless I could get away with using my old IDE for a few weeks.
 
jalpaugh1978

jalpaugh1978

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Jan 5, 2008
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He said he had a budget of $450. Based on that I put together a more than capable pc for him. Sure if he has the extra cash I'll admit the Intel is the better buy as I have stated in some other post. However some people have strict budgets and can't excede what they set. In that case I would defintely go with the AMD build. I plan on upgrading the rig in my sig within the next year or so to something a little more high end and I will definitly make my first purchase an Intel cpu(prolly i7 920 or similar). If you can swing the extra cash definitly go the intel route, just keep in mind most games depend more on the gpu than the cpu so my advice is go with at least the 9800gt or maybe try to squeeze for the ATI 4850(find for around $150 on newegg).
 
Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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The build evongugg started and I tweaked comes in under $450. Now, if that has to include a Vista license, then AMD is the only choice. If it doesn't, then Intel is within reach and better.
 
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