Budget gaming PC (sub $500)

[mpow]

Hey all, I've been browsing the forums for a while trying to figure out my next build and figured I would just ask you all for advice. I'm looking to build a decent gaming/photo editing PC. I wanted to spend around 400 dollars but would go up to 500/600 if it will make the difference for upgrading over the next few years. I use a laptop mainly and want to have a more powerful computer for using when I'm at home. I dual boot Ubuntu and XP and really only use XP for gaming. I already have an acer 22" lcd monitor that I will be using for the PC and to play an xbox 360 on. So the PC games I'd play are mainly non intensive. What I had for my build so far was an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ but after reading the general guide for parts, I started thinking about intel more and more. The GPU I was looking at was the SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4650 as it ran about $60. But I am open to new ideas as I have no idea how outdated my original build is today, I feel like every month I have to revisit what I think is top line. Thanks in advance for all the help.
-Martin

P.S. this is a ground up build, so all I have is the monitor and keyboard and mouse. Everything else (that i can think of) is needed.

 

[Proximon]

My guide may still be a bit heavy on the Intel side, though I have tried to even it out.

For a budget build, the new AMD 7750 is very hard to beat.


Combo deal:
Kuma 7750 + Corsair 450VX 110

Gigabyte 770 MB 75
G.Skill 1066 4GB 50 235
Antec 300 case 60 295
Sunbeam CCTF cooler 40 335(comes with paste)

TWO Yate Loon Blue fans 14 350
Sapphire 4830 90 440
500GB WD 50 490
DVD burner 23 515

With a little overclocking, that's a very strong build with lots of upgrade room, for under 600 after shipping and before rebates.

 

[mpow]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I've been using that parts list to explore some more on newegg. I just have a quick question about overclocking the build. What would the CPU run at after overclocking? I never figured this into what I've been thinking about because it bumps up the power of what I put into it.

 

[Proximon]

I think 3Ghz is almost certain and 3.2Ghz likely. 3.6Ghz on air is possible.

 

[xthekidx]

I think for a budget of 600 for gaming, you have to go with a the E5200 and OC. The E5200 can reach some very high speeds from oc'ing due to its high multiplier and will outperform the 7750 BE. Here is how I would do it:

Corsair 400cx $50 with this promo code: EMCLRLN23 and $30 after $20 MIR

Windows Vista 64 bit $80 with this promo code: EMCLRLN28

Rosewill R5730-P BK Case with free shipping and good cooling, also quite roomy. Great deal for the price. $45

E5200 and GA-EP43-UD3L $145

WD6400AAKS $60

LG DVD Combo Drive $25

Mushkin 4gb DDR2-800 $45, $35 after $10 MIR

Xigmatek S1283v DK $40 (I think this will fit...but you will have to remove the side vent tube on the case above the CPU.)

MX-2 Thermal Grease $7

Edit: I forgot to add in the case, oops. So it leaves you about $100 for the GPU, so this one:
Saphire 4830 512mb $90, $75 after MIR.

 

[Outlander_04]

get 2 gig of RAM and spend the money saved on a better gfx card .

Probably the budget performance king is the intel e5200 so


e5200 $70
asrock G43 twins $67.
2 x1 gig of RAm $20
WD se16 320 gig hard drive $55
antec 300 $ 60
Antec earthwatts 430 w psu $55
Sapphire 4830 gfx card $ 90


Total = $407

 

[p00p00head]

get 2 gig of RAM and spend the money saved on a better gfx card .

Probably the budget performance king is the intel e5200 so


e5200 $70
asrock G43 twins $67.
2 x1 gig of RAm $20
WD se16 320 gig hard drive $55
antec 300 $ 60
Antec earthwatts 430 w psu $55
Sapphire 4830 gfx card $ 90


Total = $407

Outlander, I bow down at your build suggesting prowess.

mpow, you should not go for the 4650 if you want to game, especially when the 4670 is ALSO $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820

That should be your bare minimum card and this should be your choice if you want your build to be half respectable.

Sapphire 4830 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

E5200 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

Foxxconn g31 Mobo $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813186145

2 Gigs Corsair DDR2 800mhz $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034