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Budget Gaming - First Time Builder

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Budget Gaming - First Time Builder

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banon   01-08-2009 at 09:44:58 AM

Hello everyone. Let me start by saying that this is a fairly standard build, using many frequently discussed components. As a first time builder, I'm primarily looking for a brief review to soothe my pre-purchase jitters. I'll primarily a MMO gamer, so I'm hoping to be able to run the more demanding games (LotRO, EQ2, etc.) at or near max settings (low resolution 1360x768), as well as have a small amount of future proofing. I'll also list a few alternates I've been considering. Thank you for all your thoughts!

Case: Antec Three Hundred - 60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

PSU: PC Power & Cooling 500W - 50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703015

***Alternate Case/PSU Combo***
Roswill R512BS w/ 500w - (55. Getting what I pay for though?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147129

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro - 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131299

***Alternate Motherboard***
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L - 85 (Only $15 less, but no plans to sli/crossfire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128345

Procesor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz - 165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037

Memory: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 - 15 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184

***Alternate Memory***
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 - 40
(Not sure I see this as worth the extra $25, but thought I'd check)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231209

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 7200 RPM - 50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148261

CD/DVD: SAMSUNG 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW - 30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151173

Operating System: Vista Home Premium SP1 64bit - 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488
(I linked everything else, gogo obsessive consistency :lol: )

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 - 145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

***Alternate Video Cards***
ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 - 140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121272

SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 - 90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102803


Total Cost - $715


Message edited by banon on 01-08-2009 at 10:08:27 AM
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outlw6669   01-08-2009 at 01:30:11 PM
- 0 +

Looks like a good build.

Stick with either your first PSU and Case combo or get the Antec Sonata III w/ Earthwatts 500w PSU combo.
DO NOT get a Rosewill PSU!!!

Either motherboard is fine.
Even though you are not planning on using CrossFire now, I would still suggest the ASUS P5Q Pro for it's $15 premium.
If you decide to upgrade to a 1080p TV or a 24" monitor down the road, it would be nice to have the possibility to CrossFire your current GPU for higher performance.

CPU is fine.

Either of those sets of RAM will treat you fine and I could suggest another alternative.
This Set will run you $27.99 after MIR and will give you the tighter timings of your more expensive kit.

Switch the hard drive to This 500Gb one for only $5 more.

Either a 4850 or 4830 should give you enough power for gaming at your resolution.
The 4830 you link is a great deal!
If you have the budget, upgrading to a 4850 for $130 after MIR would be a great way to spend it.
Both will work fine but the 4850 will give you more power for future games.

Reply to outlw6669
Bronze Home Brew badge Shadow703793   01-08-2009 at 02:01:01 PM
- 0 +

^ + 1 for no Rosewill PSU. Get a Corsair or the PC Power & Cooling. +1 for the P5Q Pro.

Depending on budget and games, get the 4850 or 4870.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
daskrabbe   01-08-2009 at 02:13:24 PM
- 0 +

Go quad cores, dual core is SO 2008ish.

Reply to daskrabbe
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