Building a Mid-Range Gaming Computer

[Guest]

Around 800$

CPU: intel E8400

Motherboard: Gigabyte EP43-DS3L

GPU: Gigabyte GeForce 9800GT or

Point of View GeForce 9800GTX+ (I didn't decide yet)

HDD: WD3200AAJB or WD3200AAKS 320 GB (I didn't decide yet)

DVD R/RW: 22X NEC AD7220S

RAM: 2x1GB OCZ Reaper HPC Edition Dual Channel 1066 MHz

Case: Antec 300

XP Pro->Windows 7

TOTAL PRICE: 740$

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:the closer-the better

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE:No

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:I would like a quite PC and a nice case

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024*768/1280x1024

Which PSU should I take?

Will this Computer be able to run good games on Windows 7?

I will be happy to hear your opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[Guest]

I didn't noticed... thanks!
I'll change it...

 

[gkay09]

Hi...
Have you noticed the new AMD CPUs ?
And you dint give your total budget yet...

 

[ALX_The_Joker]

Ok, lets see:

CPU: E8400 is great for the Mid-Range. Moreover, you can easily OC it to 3.5GHz without a third-party cooling system (considering you have a normal stock and a good Case).

Motherboard: Gigabyte EP43-DS3L is great for the Mid-Range unless you're looking forward to build an SLI array so you'll have to take the DS3 version.

GPU: The difference between the 9800GTX+ and the 9800GT is quite negligible for the Mid-Range so I'd take the 9800GT.

HDD: WD3200AAKS which is faster a has SATA II interface (correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the WD3200AAJB's interfaceis SATA II).

DVD Burner: As you said. no need to buy a Blu-Ray at this moment.

RAM: I don't think there's a 1GB OCZ version. anyway, I would take two sticks of Kingston KHX8500D2/1G. I would take the two sticks of OCZ Reaper if you want 4GB of RAM which may be useful.

Case: Antec 300 is definately superb. You might look on Antec 900 as well.

PSU: As for the PSU, if you don't mean to build an SLI you don't need more than 500Watts. So I'd say Zalman ZM500-HP 500W or Thermaltake 500W Toughpower 140MM 12V SATA.

 

[gkay09]

^ Hmm some what nice explanation but you have left out some major points...

1. CPU - E8400
I would suggest X3 720 instead - Gives nearly the same performance as the E8400 in games and better in multi-threaded apps and is about $30 less.
This also overclocks very well.
2. Mobo - ASUS 790GX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198615

3. RAM -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

4. HDD -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074&Tpk=WD3200AAKS

5. DVD
http://www.amazon.com/SONY-NEC-OPTIARC-AD-7220S-0B-DVDRW/dp/B001HJPY72

6. Graphics card - 2x 4850 1GB in crossfire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161275

7. Case + PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198951

Total - $755 without rebates...
And it would easily beat that setup of yours by a very high margin...

 

[gkay09]

A single 4850 1GB would outperform the 9800GTX+ 512MB in most of the games...
ans 2 of them in crossfire would blow the 9800GTX+ out of water...

 

[ALX_The_Joker]

A single 4850 1GB would outperform the 9800GTX+ 512MB in most of the games...
ans 2 of them in crossfire would blow the 9800GTX+ out of water...

I don't think Crossfire is located in the Mid-Range as he asked...