Help with building gaming system

markj

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2009
9
0
18,510
I want to build a case that can run COD4 and COD5 very very well at 1024 resolution, and I don't want to spend more than $500, is this possible?

Or in other words, what is the best system I could build with $500?
 
This list will run $500 exactly. This is a great setup if you know how to OC a cpu. If you don't know how to OC or don't want to try, up the cpu to the E7300. If you need opticals, add about $25 each. If you up to the E7300 and don't OC, you can drop the cpu cooler. This will play the games you want just fine.

If it's more than you want to spend, you can drop the 4850 and pick up a 4830. It would still be a decent card for you.

cpu - 73
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

CPU cooler - 37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

board - 53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280%2050001314%201070509908%201070725639&name=1333%2f1066MHz

Case/psu combo - 120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.158005

Video card - 162
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802

RAM - 55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209
 
CPU cooler comes w/pre applied thermal paste, cpu is easy to oc to 3.3Ghz (12.5x266)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.158005 Combo Price: $119.94
Antec Case / PSU Combo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 $73.99
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835101027 $19.99
ASUS V52 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150316 $129.99 ($109.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Call of Duty 4 game included, limited time offer

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 $39.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372 $98.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
2 Oz Copper PCB + DualBIOS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136010 $39.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106266 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

Total: $522.88 + shipping
$502.88 w/ mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
 
$499.93, free shipping before any rebates :p
Sub500.jpg

 

markj

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2009
9
0
18,510
Thanks guys. :)
I've been researching a lot, and I decided to pay a little more for the system, here is what I like so far. Can you tell me if one of the items will cause a bottleneck? Or if a cheaper item would be almost as good??

Video card: Radeon HD 4850 1GB $161
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802

Mboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132&Tpk=e7300

Cooling: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 $37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Case & PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.158005 $119

RAM: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

DVD Drive: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106266

Total: $620

 


Nice build. I would definantly change the cpu though to the one down below. It only makes sense. Also if your going to go with that Xigmatek you want the retention bracket kit for the fact that Xigmatek is HUGE! Also don't forget the thermal paste. I like this Arctic MX-2 for the fact it's non conductive, and there's no set up time. Slap it on and go. One thing to think about...that Xigmatek is a great cpu cooler....but unless you plan on doing some heavy overclocking you might save yourself some $ by going with a cheaper one. The E7400 runs at 2.8ghz with a 1066 FSB. If you drop the multiplier on it to 9.5x333=3.16ghz...that moves up your FSB so that your running at 1333FSB and your voltage isn't having to be cranked up and no added heat. If you go that route you can run safe with alot cheaper aftermarket cpu heatsink/fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $8.49 Free Shipping*
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail


Cheaper alternitive if your not going to do any heavy/exteme overclocking is the one down below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835101027 $19.99
ASUS V52 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
 

markj

Distinguished
Feb 9, 2009
9
0
18,510
Thanks for reminding me. :)

Another thing came up, I just found the E8500 CPU and I am tempted to get instead of a 7400. Is it worth the extra money?
 


+1 for the E8400