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My First Build - Budget Gaming, Need Suggestions Plz

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - My First Build - Budget Gaming, Need Suggestions Plz

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Hi, I've gotten sick and tired of using my 3 year old laptop to game (mainly Team Fortress 2). So I've decided to build my own, though I have never done it and am a bit worried with my lack of expertise. Well I'm on frugal budget of $750 (maybe $800, if its worth it)....and that is without rebates included. So here is what I'm plannign to get so far. Let me know if I need to rework anything, combo deals I missed, and/or parts I'm missing (do I need to buy Thermal Paste?).

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ~$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021
I chose this because of the great airflow, as I plan to OC.


CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor ~$120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115132
I chose this because it seem be a pretty good overclocker and wasn't willing to pay for the e8XXX's.

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard ~$120-$15MIR=$105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128359
Will this allow to me overclock up to at least 3.5ghz-3.7ghz?

GPU + Ram combo
SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
+
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK
~$162 - $30MIR = $132
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.152532
I'm stuck on whether or not to get the 4850......Can't I just overclock the 4830 to 4850 speed?

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ~$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
Seemed to be the sweet spot b/w price and performance.

Power Supply:
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply ~$60-$35MIR=$25
Hmmm, not sure if this is the right pick. My friend got this and said it's fine and it's really cheap......but maybe too cheap?

CPU Fan
Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler ~$45-$10MIR=$35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835106061
I wanna OC!


Just Things To Keep in Mind:
1) Mainly for gaming (looking to play bioshock, l4d, tf2, fallout3)
2) Plan to overclock CPU, GPU, and Ram (if possible?)
3) Using a CRT in at most 1440x900....will prolly buy LCD soon though, but hvae no clue which one)
4) Am i missing something small like screws, thermal paste, etc?

I would appreciate any help/advice in customizing my pc :??:

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for the PSU you're better with a Corsair VX450.

The 4830 is nice for OC... http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 98-12.html

but the PowerColor OC better http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131129 $119.99


Message edited by nocteratus on 01-06-2009 at 02:45:48 AM
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Reply to nocteratus

can't beat this build for the price.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2113.html

the only changes I would recommend for the build above is the heatsink. I have a freezer pro and it does a good job of cooling but the push pins are not fun. And the memory is good but a bit expensive. You can find a good Gskill ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122 ) or Mushkin ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731 ) for a lot less.

building is easy, if the pin/plug doesn't want to go don't force it. It's probably in the wrong place. Seriously though, just read the directions and double check everything before your first power on.


Message edited by mexpedip on 01-06-2009 at 02:30:03 AM
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Reply to mexpedip

Same with everybody else. Get either the $40 G-SKILL as mention above or the $45 Muskin. Then try to fit a $150 4850 into your build. For cooling i suggest Xigmatek S1283 with the bracket as mention above. See if you can fit the corsair 650tx into your built.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Is $100 - $20 rebate. I think these might be stretching your budget a little but it will give a better bang for your buck.


Message edited by deathsycthehe11 on 01-06-2009 at 02:43:56 AM
Reply to deathsycthehe11

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148298

Now $79 with free shipping. If you prefer WD then go right ahead with it, but this has an additional 110 gb for free.

------------------------------ q6600 @ 3 Ghz
4x1 gb DDR2-800
GA-P35-DS3L rev 2.0
Sapphire HD4850 512mb
Reply to Koolaidman23

Also, I am not sure if that is the correct retention bracket for the s1283. Maybe you meant this one??

Xigmatek ACK-I7751 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0ACK-I7751

------------------------------ q6600 @ 3 Ghz
4x1 gb DDR2-800
GA-P35-DS3L rev 2.0
Sapphire HD4850 512mb
Reply to Koolaidman23

This power supply is a winner, it will power your system no problem, also has free shipping. I had one for 8 months with an e2180 @ 3 ghz and a HD3850. Worked great, completely silent.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371005

------------------------------ q6600 @ 3 Ghz
4x1 gb DDR2-800
GA-P35-DS3L rev 2.0
Sapphire HD4850 512mb
Reply to Koolaidman23

Thx for the help guys! :)

Which 64 bit Vista OS should I get? SP1?


Message edited by wade3iverson on 01-06-2009 at 10:12:46 AM
Reply to wade3iverson

I have Home Premium x64. Works fine.

------------------------------ q6600 @ 3 Ghz
4x1 gb DDR2-800
GA-P35-DS3L rev 2.0
Sapphire HD4850 512mb
Reply to Koolaidman23
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > My First Build - Budget Gaming, Need Suggestions Plz
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