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Final ~$600 gaming build! need opinions!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Final ~$600 gaming build! need opinions!

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nolifeslacker   05-12-2009 at 09:25:31 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP, probably buying tomorrow or day after.

BUDGET RANGE: Around ~$600 hopefully

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Programming, Internet, some editing(photoshop), etc.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse. Although I do need a 17" or 19" lcd monitor, i'm not worried about that yet.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, although i'm willing to buy from anywhere, wherever is cheapest.

PARTS PREFERENCES: none.

OVERCLOCKING: In the future perhaps, but not until i buy an aftermarket HSF

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, i dont know?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm trying to build a cheap ok gaming comp. The cheaper the better, but i am wiilling to pay a bit extra for any significant differences in parts. The last few choices i need to make are the PSU (i've kinda narrowed it down to two choices) and maybe the mobo, which i also talk about below. Other than that, i'm pretty ready to buy this thing. This is my first build, so if anyone has any tips or pointers please let me know! thanks everyone!

The build: (Not including PSU, which is listed below)

Build so far:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Re
-$15.00 Instant
$69.95
$54.95

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
$54.99

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
-$10.00 Instant
-$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
-12% off with promo code

$124.99
$114.99

Logitech Deluxe 250 Black USB Standard Keyboard - OEM

$8.99

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail

-$2.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$59.99
$57.99

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Combo
-$6.00 Instant
-$40.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate

$254.99
$208.99

Subtotal = $523.89
Total = $563.36 (with promo)
Total after rebates = $518.36

** PSU's **
So i'm stuck deciding between these two, one is OCZ Fatal1ty, the other Corsair. Both are 550W, but there is a ~$25 price difference. I'm not sure about how hot/loud they run, so I'd like to hear your opinions please!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004


I'm not sure, but i might switch to this mobo combo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190734
It's the same CPU, just different mobo by GIGABYTE, it's only $10 more, but i'm not sure how much better it really is.

I'd love to hear any opinions about this build and any suggestions for other parts! Thanks in advance!


Message edited by nolifeslacker on 05-12-2009 at 11:55:44 PM
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Kill@dor   05-12-2009 at 09:33:40 PM
- 0 +

I think thats a pretty good build. The first PSU...with modular is better in my opinion. I'm also assuming you won't run Crossfire on this right? Even if you do, you can still run cross with that PSU with x2 6pins. You even have an extra 2 pins if you need 8pins.


Message edited by Kill@dor on 05-12-2009 at 09:34:11 PM
Reply to Kill@dor
nolifeslacker   05-12-2009 at 09:41:53 PM
- 0 +

whoops edited the graphics card, some reason i had the 4770 down, which is wrong lol.

Reply to nolifeslacker
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-12-2009 at 11:13:02 PM
- 0 +

The WD3200AAJS is a slow older model HD. You can pick up the current model that is a lot faster for the same price:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] wd3200aaks $54.99

You should also look for DDR2 1066 RAM to take advantage of the integrated RAM controller on your CPU.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166 $58.99

Reply to shortstuff_mt
nolifeslacker   05-12-2009 at 11:56:59 PM
- 0 +

o whoops, the HD was also a typo err, i copy pasted the wrong thing, what it says now is 100% correct.

Reply to nolifeslacker
nolifeslacker   05-13-2009 at 12:22:43 AM
- 0 +

Hmmm with your suggestion about the RAM, i'm stuck now between these.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227298

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

If i get the cheaper 800, i figure i can upgrade later when 1066 gets much cheaper.
But if the OCZ 1066 (which is almost as cheap as the 800) is just as good as the G.Skill, then i'd go for the OCZ.
But if there's a significant difference between the G.Skill and the OCZ (in terms of heat distribution, etc.) then maybe the G.Skill might be worth it, since many people seem to like this it.

Reply to nolifeslacker
xthekidx   05-13-2009 at 01:16:40 AM
- 0 +

Do you have an optical drive and operating system already? You didn't include them in your list.

------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
nolifeslacker   05-13-2009 at 04:58:11 AM
- 0 +

Yea, i forgot to include the optical drive, but I have one chosen.
As for OS, i'm gonna try windows 7 RC, for now, since i dont want to have to buy vista again, just to have windows 7 come out next year. But i figure if i dont like it, i can just use ubuntu, cuz i used to dual-boot my laptop with it.

Reply to nolifeslacker
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