Best gaming system for my buck

[micahtheman13]

Hello,

I need to know what is a good system for under $420+shipping.
This is my first build. I currently have a Dell Dimension 2400.

 

[robert27]

Check out the Xbox 360 or PS3.

 

[buzznut]

yep, PS3 is my recommendation.

 

[angry_ducky]

Get a cheap Dell with a dual-core CPU and 2GB RAM, then throw a Radeon HD 4650 or 4670 in there, because you won't need to upgrade the power supply for that.

If you want to build yourself, you should look at AMD Athlon X2s or the Intel Pentium dual-core series. RAM is cheap, though; you should have no less than 2GB, and might even be able to get 4GB. For a video card, look at the Radeon HD 4670 and GeForce 9600GT. Any cheap, decent Intel or AMD motherboard will do, as will any SATA hard drive.

I also recommend the Antec Sonata III for the case; it comes with a good 500W PSU and newegg has it for $99 with free shipping (shipping is usually like $20 on a case):

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

 

[ehanger]

Ebay

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That's a pretty tight budget. I wouldn't consider a computer in that range a "gaming" computer. This is the best I could do:

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024 $99.99

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 $83.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345&Tpk=ga-ep45-ds3l $95.99 - $15.00 MIR

OCZ Vista Upgrade 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=N82E16820227189 $22.99

WESTERN DIGITAL WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005615&prodlist=celebros $49.99

ASUS EAH4670/DI/512M/A Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274 $79.99 - $10.00 MIR

Total - $432.94 - $25 MIR's = $407.94

I'd really try to find a way to squeeze in a nice 4GB set of RAM if you can.

 

[buzznut]

dude, your getting a dell.

 

[the1tarheel]

+1 to shortstuff's build
You also have to factor in an operating system unless you go linux

I made a medium range system for close to that but it is for a 19" @ 1280x1024 and most things need to be a few settings lower than max to enjoy.


Whole system for scratch AND free shipping!
find a little loose change in the couch to make up the 20 bucks difference and upgrade to the phenom II as it matures this coming year


LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106228
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

1 year: $9.99
2 year: $14.99
$20.99

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy -$50.00 Instant
$149.99
$99.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148261
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $49.99

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102792

-$5.00 Instant
$84.99
$79.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
-$10.00 Instant
$49.99
$39.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5000DOBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103211
$49.50

Not the fastest processor out there but the video is more important in games as of now and later a small upgrade price


Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116488
-$10.00 Instant
$109.99
$99.99
Subtotal: $440.44
Calculate Shipping
Shipping: $0.00

 

[micahtheman13]

That doesn't look to scrappy! I made another Post please check that out to see if that is a good build.