Build a budget rig around the gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P

[wiljamin]

Hey all,

I'm want to build a low cost gaming rig around the Gigabyte ga-ep45-ud3p mobo. I want to keep the cost around $700.00 dollars with plenty of room for future upgrades. I haven't built a machine in a few years and with all the new technology advancements,I'm a bit rusty. My last builb from scratch was around a Gigabyte P4 Titan GA-8ID533.lol Its been a day or two. SEND HELP PLEASE! Thanks, Wm.

 

[WR2]

That is a popular motherboard and a popular price range too. Here is a
THG $625 builders guide that will give you some ideas.

Another set of ideas going the AMD route: Utility Player PC suggestion from TechReport

Both of those explain why the parts were chosen, and you could of course, make substitutions.

 

[wiljamin]

Thanks, I have the board already.Got it for less than $100.00 Dollars.

 

[WR2]

That helps make some of your choices easy.
So we're still talking about $700 left to spend? Is there anything you don't need, like monitor, OS, keyboard, mouse?

 

[wiljamin]

Yes,that's right.abt $700.00. I have a new monitor,along with older OS( well wait for the 64 bit ),keyboard,and Mouse. Like I said before,I want to be able to upgrade and keep running this new machine for a few years.

 

[wiljamin]

Also,What would be the best cpu to start with for the money.Thanks!

 

[wiljamin]

That helps make some of your choices easy.
So we're still talking about $700 left to spend? Is there anything you don't need, like monitor, OS, keyboard, mouse?

Yes,that's right.abt $700.00. I have a new monitor,along with older OS( well wait for the 64 bit ),keyboard,and Mouse. Like I said before,I want to be able to upgrade and keep running this new machine for a few years.

 

[MykC]

I would consider these your 3 best choices for CPUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 LGA 775 E8400 $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055 LGA 775 Q8200 $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 LGA 775 Q9400 $230

Two best choices for GPUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40677 512MB 4850 $140 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40678&PropertyCodeValue=683%3A20729 1GB 4870 $200 - $30MIR

Best two choices for cases:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300 case $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 CM 690 case $80

Other parts:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 2x2GB G.Skill PI Black DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight $40 (Intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 Artic MX-2 Thermal Compound $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 CORSAIR 650TX PSU $95 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887001 6pin adapters $3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG DVD Burner $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640GB AALS $80

So something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 LGA 775 Q9400 $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 2x2GB G.Skill PI Black DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40678&PropertyCodeValue=683%3A20729 1GB 4870 $200 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 Giga UD3P P45 $0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 CM 690 case $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight $40 (Intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 Artic MX-2 Thermal Compound $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 CORSAIR 650TX PSU $95 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887001 6pin adapters $3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG DVD Burner $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640GB AALS $80

$805 - 25MIR

You can save $55 by going to an 8200 or $65 by going to an E8400.
You can save $25 by going to Antec 300 case.
You can save $25 by going to a 320GB HD.
You can save $60 by going to a 4850 GPU.
You can save $25 by going to Corsair XMS2 memory. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

 

[wiljamin]

I would consider these your 3 best choices for CPUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 LGA 775 E8400 $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055 LGA 775 Q8200 $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 LGA 775 Q9400 $230

Two best choices for GPUs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40677 512MB 4850 $140 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40678&PropertyCodeValue=683%3A20729 1GB 4870 $200 - $30MIR

Best two choices for cases:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300 case $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 CM 690 case $80

Other parts:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 2x2GB G.Skill PI Black DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight $40 (Intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 Artic MX-2 Thermal Compound $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 CORSAIR 650TX PSU $95 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887001 6pin adapters $3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG DVD Burner $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640GB AALS $80

So something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 LGA 775 Q9400 $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 2x2GB G.Skill PI Black DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A40678&PropertyCodeValue=683%3A20729 1GB 4870 $200 - $30MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 Giga UD3P P45 $0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 CM 690 case $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight $40 (Intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 Artic MX-2 Thermal Compound $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 CORSAIR 650TX PSU $95 - $25MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887001 6pin adapters $3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG DVD Burner $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640GB AALS $80

$805 - 25MIR

You can save $55 by going to an 8200 or $65 by going to an E8400.
You can save $25 by going to Antec 300 case.
You can save $25 by going to a 320GB HD.
You can save $60 by going to a 4850 GPU.
You can save $25 by going to Corsair XMS2 memory. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Thanks for all the great info. I do have a couple of questions though. Is there a reason for going with the Gigabyte video card? What about going with two cheaper cards in crossfire and up grading later. What is all the hipe about running multiple hard drives. Oh I looked at the Antec300 case and went over budget for the Antec900.Much cooler, no pun intended lol. Thanks!

 

[MykC]

In general, you want to start with a single video card and leaving the option to crossfire down the road. I don't think there is a crossfire solution ie two 4830's that really provide enough value to warrant going with a crossfire setup out of the box.

There is no reason to select a gigabyte videocard over any other, other than its the cheapest at the time. I personally have no brand preference when it comes to GPU selection, as long as the card doesn't run overly hot I'm fine. If the user reviews are good that I'll take the card.

There shouldn't be any hype about running multiple harddrives ie Raid 0. As from what I've read for gaming it provides almost no benefit.

 

[wiljamin]

Thanks for all your help!