Budget Gaming $500 system...opinions

[turboexec]

I'm putting together a budget gaming PC for a friend of mine. Light gaming COD4, Fallout 3, etc. Only needs mid level sittings. His budget is $500 not including the OS, monitor, keyboard, etc. This is only for the tower.

I've put together an AMD build but if there is a better Intel build we'd go that way. Mild overclocking will be done to the system, not going for any records...

Combo Case and Power supply:
Antec Sonata III Computer Case 500W Power Supply - 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

Motherboard:
MSI K9A2 Neo-F AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 - 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130173

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz Dual-Core black edition - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300

Video Card:
HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 - 79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

Memory:
Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - 40.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134730

Hard Drive:
Western Digital 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s - 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136010

Optical Drive:
LITE-ON SATA 22X DVD Burner - 25.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106286

Total Price $458.43
-$25 MIR
+ $35 shipping
-----------
$468.43

 

[Zenthar]

Overall good build, however, I would try to stretch budget a bit for a 4850. It think it would have much better longevity that way.

 

[alvine]

+1 on 4850
dont skimp out on graphic card since your building gaming rig

 

[turboexec]

I thought about that but his budget is $500 and the cheapest 4850 comes in at $60 more than 4670, putting us over budget. I could get a 4830 in there for only $10 more if it were worth the expense?

I'm sure in 8-9 months if he is unhappy he could pick up a 4870 for the additional expense.

 

[theAnimal]

4830 is worth the $10.

I'd change the HDD to WD 320GB, it's faster.

 

[batuchka]

Hmm ok
$507.93
$30 MIR
$18.76 Shipping
$496.69

Cute and light mATX casing but 4 x 120mm capable!
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=20&product_id=2876

 

[Zenthar]

^ Not bad, a bit better GPU, an X3 CPU instead of X2, motherboard compatible with Phenom 2 for some upgradability.

 

[The Flying Shoe]

Go with a 4830 about 20-30 dollars more.

 

[turboexec]

batuchka, I like that setup...I didn't think a Phenom II would fit in the budget. Thanks!

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I know everyone is saying better PSU. But could he save a little money with say an Antec Earthwatts 430 watt PSU for 20 less considering he may not do crossfire?

 

[Zenthar]

IMO, the problem with a 430W is that he may not even be able to power a 4870 with it so. If he wants a box he cannot upgrade at all, might as well get a console :-/.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Point taken.

 

[aford10]

This build is $499. You could OC the cpu ~2.8Ghz w/ the stock cooler. This is a great video card for gaming.

cpu - 73
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
board - 53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357
video card - 162
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802
RAM - 41
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267
case - 55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
psu - 40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
HD - 75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

 

[Onus]

I agree that an Intel build with an e5200 can fit this budget. Lunch is on the table; when done I'll try to post one.

 

[theAnimal]

psu - 40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

That PSU is garbage.

 

[Why_Me]

What's with all these AMD builds? That's like so 2004 Lets get this guy his money's worth. Also to the OP, , invest $5 in some thermal grease, that case fits another 120mm fan up front (this case runs 3x120mm fans. Masscool 120mm case fan ($5) on newegg ftw. So if you put $10 more into this rig you can safely punch that cpu up to 3.0Ghz @ 1066fsb (11.5x266).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119159 $89.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKRB-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 460W Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380 $84.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 $72.99 Free Shipping*
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 $45.99 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=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=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161259 $139.99 ($129.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)
HIS Hightech H485FN512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Total: $498.93 (not including mail in rebates)

 

[Onus]

Ok, here's an Intel build. It comes in slightly under budget. Comments with the parts:

MSI R4830-T2D512 Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
Model #:R4830-T2D512
Item #:N82E16814127420
$99.99 -$5.00 Instant $94.99
The original spec called for light gaming. I was tempted to put a 4670 here, but thought the difference in cost too slight. If more room in the budget is wanted elsewhere, this is the first thing that might be cut, maybe even down to a 4650.

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:EA500
Item #:N82E16817371007
$89.99 -$20.00 Instant $69.99
This PSU will handle a 4870 later, if desired. If that potential weren't there, this could be an Earthwatts 380.

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K - Retail
Model #:ADQVE1B16K
Item #:N82E16820211188
$39.99 $39.99
Runs on the JEDEC standard 1.8v. I've used these sticks without issue, but don't recall if I overclocked them. I don't think so, but the 1.8v should provide some headroom.

Rosewill R222-P-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:R222-P-BK
Item #:N82E16811147095
$29.99 -$5.00 Instant $24.99
I've used at least 3 different models of Rosewill's bottom-dollar cases (whichever was cheapest at the time!) and all have been reasonable. See the latest $625 SBM article for their concerns about cooling these cases, but they didn't add the front 120mm fan. There's room in the budget to add one if you plan to OC this rig.

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-EP43-UD3L
Item #:N82E16813128380
$84.99 $84.99
Won't allow Crossfire later, but this board should be solid. Not cramped like a micro.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
Model #:BX80571E5200
Item #:N82E16819116072
$72.99 $72.99
Will outperform similarly priced AMD when overclocked. This is another spot where an upgrade would help this build, depending on future needs.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250410AS
Item #:N82E16822148262
$54.99 $54.99
Why not a WD Black here??? Budget, that's why. There's another $25 there to go that way if you like.

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 - Retail
Model #:iHAS120-08
Item #:N82E16827106264
$25.99 $25.99
Pretty standard. The Retail version includes software. Add another few dollars here if you want Lightscribe.

Subtotal: $468.92 (not including shipping, or if you live in a state where Newegg has a facility, extortion).

So there it is. Not counting shipping, there's a little bit of wiggle left for a number of possible upgrades.

 

[Onus]

The 460W CoolerMaster PSU can't put out 460W, and won't be able to power a 4870; I suspect even a 4850 would kill it sooner rather than later.

 

[Why_Me]

The 460W CoolerMaster PSU can't put out 460W, and won't be able to power a 4870; I suspect even a 4850 would kill it sooner rather than later.

People are running 8800's and 9800's on that psu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171028 $34.99
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-460-PMSR-A3 460W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply - Retail

Specs

+3.3V@22A,+5V@25A,+12V1@18A,
+12V2@18A,-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@2.5A

 

[eroc]

why is no one recommending the antec 300? if there's a microcenter near you it's selling for ~$45.

also on newegg, a 4870, $175-30MIR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121288
i picked one up it's a great deal.

also i agree w/ e5200, as i've been running it @ 3.6GHz since i got it. handles anything.

 

[Onus]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/550/10

The Coolermaster 460 isn't a bad entry-level PSU, but it is only capable of 430W.

eroc, those might be great choices, but there's a pretty tight budget.

 

[aford10]

That PSU is garbage.

I know about the knocks on this psu. I'm not saying it's a great psu. It's not a true 500w psu, probably more ~380w, and not much power on the +12v rail. However, it's a reliable psu and will power the build I suggested. It won't blow up like many of the budget psu's. I would much prefer to recommend a corsair or PCP&C, but they just don't fit into a budget build very well.

 

[turboexec]

Thanks for the Intel builds to everyone. I gave him the option of the Phenom II 720 build or the E5200 builds...of course overclocking both.

Eroc, that 4870 is a little much for this build but thanks for pointing it out I think it just gave me a reason to upgrade my video card