~800$ budget gaming system

[luk444s]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ~2 weeks BUDGET RANGE: $700-850

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Being able to play most new games, listening to music, surfing the net.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Maybe no OS, considering Win7 is free for a while, but not sure if it plays all games...

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg... and TigerDirect, maybe?

PARTS PREFERENCES: No real brand reference, maybe AMD because it's cheaper? Mid-Tower case is fine, don't need any fancy lights..

OVERCLOCKING: Possibly in the future, once I learn more about it. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, if it can be fit in the price range, one good video card is good too.

MONITOR RESOLUTION:~19" monitor and has 1280x1024 right now, possibly purchasing a ~22" wide screen later on.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Don't need any bling, case can be simple, it being quiet is a plus too.

 

[obsidian86]

you can have a look round here think on page 2 or 3 there should be a few compatible systems that should be to you liking

 

[llllldtnlllll]

Antec Nine Hundred + EA650 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 650W Power Supply - Retail $159.99
.


GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard $109.99



XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card


$249.99 -$50.00 Instant $199.99



AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX
$199.99 $199.99


this is what im goin to build...pretty soon...look okie to me
if you remove the monitor then it should be around that price range




G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Save Cancel
$64.99 -$10.00 Instant $54.99





Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
$74.99


ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
$219.99 $219.99



SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support
$28.99 $28.99

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM (Includes free Windows 7 updrade coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235877.11-129-042 $154.94 (Case + OS combo)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649 $119.00

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392 $84.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBPI - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200&Tpk=g.skill%20ddr3%201333%20cas%207%204gb $74.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $74.99

Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015 $79.99

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102825 $149.99

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188 $28.99

Total - $767.88

 

[luk444s]

Alright, i'll look around at other threads too. Gonna be my first build so kinda nervous on picking the parts.

 

[luk444s]

I just went by what shortstuff showed, and changed a couple of things, but it looks really good.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM (Includes free Windows 7 updrade coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 11-129-042

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649 $119.00

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392 $84.99

Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/4GR - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134792
(Kingston is a good brand of memory, yes?)

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015 $79.99

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102825 $149.99

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151188 $28.99

Total:$769.38
$790.12 w/ S&H

 

[meatwad53186]

Just because it's different from all the other Antec 900/300 builds, and I think it looks awesome and pretty solid quality, and I haven't seen anyone else use it yet, I'm gonna go ahead and suggest the Xigmatek Midgard case, with a nice combo with their 80 plus certified modular 650W psu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216706 $169.98

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That Kingston RAM has a pretty slow CAS 9 rating. I noticed the G.Skill RAM I linked above just went out of stock. Here's another option that has faster CAS 7 timings.

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLK - Retail $78.99

The 640GB drive is faster than that 500GB drive due to higher data density. It's well worth the extra $5 to get a faster drive with 140GB more storage IMO.

 

[luk444s]

Is Xigmatek a reliable brand?

 

[luk444s]

That Kingston RAM has a pretty slow CAS 9 rating. I noticed the G.Skill RAM I linked above just went out of stock. Here's another option that has faster CAS 7 timings.

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLK - Retail $78.99

The 640GB drive is faster than that 500GB drive due to higher data density. It's well worth the extra $5 to get a faster drive with 140GB more storage IMO.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense, i'll update the cart now.

Edit: Better RAM and a larger HD, and almost the same price. Thanks

 

[meatwad53186]

Everything I've heard about them is great, especially their HSF's. i've never heard anything bad about their PSU's, and I just haven't really heard anything about their case (but I think it is brand new) but it appears to be very nice, made from nice material (no plastic), has a good amount of fans/places to add fans, and it is at a very nice price. If you decide to OC at all, their HSF's come highly recommended. In fact, I just ordered the Thor's Hammer and two Scythe Ultra Kaze's to put in push/pull on it for my upcoming P2 955 build.

 

[meatwad53186]

And the Xigmatek PSU is modular, which will be very nice for cable management.

 

[luk444s]

I decided to add an extra 200$, because 12 months and no interest is nice .

This is what I came up with.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220286
(2 of these, so 8GB total)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

COOLER MASTER RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231301

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235895.22-136-319

Total $1,007.91
Total w/ shipping $1,019.56

 

[rockyjohn]

I would upgrade to Corsair 750w since planning to go with two video cards. And I beleive nVidia is the way to go on them to get Cuda and because they have owned the top end of the video card market. Course that would require changing mobo and probably memory, but I think it might be worth it as more programs take advantage of that technology.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The motherboard and RAM in the most recent build aren't compatible. That motherboard requires DDR2 RAM. I would upgrade to the AM3/DDR3 version of the board.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $139.99 - $15 MIR

There's nothing wrong with your 790XT motherboard and ATI GPU. A sub-par Nforce chipset motherboard would be a step backwards IMO. The only motherboards that will reliably run an SLI setup are the Intel X58 boards.

 

[Fortunex]

I would upgrade to Corsair 750w since planning to go with two video cards. And I beleive nVidia is the way to go on them to get Cuda and because they have owned the top end of the video card market. Course that would require changing mobo and probably memory, but I think it might be worth it as more programs take advantage of that technology.

Wat?

He's gaming, Cuda is going to have almost no impact whatsoever on him. And what does nVidia currently having the fastest GPU available have to do with this guy's budget gaming rig? He's not looking for top-end.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Wat?

He's gaming, Cuda is going to have almost no impact whatsoever on him. And what does nVidia currently having the fastest GPU available have to do with this guy's budget gaming rig? He's not looking for top-end.

+1

 

[rockyjohn]

Wat?

He's gaming, Cuda is going to have almost no impact whatsoever on him. And what does nVidia currently having the fastest GPU available have to do with this guy's budget gaming rig? He's not looking for top-end.

Gaming is NOT his only application. And it sounds like he plans to keep the system for several years and upgrade along the way. Who knows what new applications he may get into. Have you not found any new applications to use in the last 3 years?

As for your trying to pidgeon hole him as a budget gamer, at the start he said that wants to consider OC and SLI and later he upped is budget by $200 and has included a 700w SLI certified and cross fire ready PSU. $1,050 is not a budget budget. This is not a budget rig. And he is moving towards a top end machine- and with a few later upgrades he might have a good one.

So don't give me the budget gamer crap or try to tell me he will never have high end cards. And why give away CUDA which is an added feature with nVidia that costs nothing.

 

[luk444s]

Thanks for all the input, i've been talking to some RL friends and this is what I came up with.

 

[Guest]

22inch screen?? forget that get a 24"... ws....!!!! is about 300$ for a good one! G2400WD benq! best lcd 24" tn panel!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That build looks great! Pull the trigger before someone talks you out of it.

You could save a few dollars by going with this cooler since you don't need the LGA 1366 bracket.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.61

 

[rockyjohn]

Why talk him out of it? Its a nice rig with a simple upgrade by adding another video card when he is ready.

 

[Onus]

I can't see the final build at work, but shortstuff's advice all along the way has been good.

 

[luk444s]

Yep just ordered it . 3 day wait....ahhhh.

edit:thanks for all the advice

 

[rockyjohn]

I can't see the final build at work, but shortstuff's advice all along the way has been good.

Mostly, yes, But not when he joined in in calling it a budget gaming system. This is no budget system now. And when he adds the second graphics card it will be a powerhouse. Luk wisely chose the upgrade from the 700w Coolermaster to the 750w Corsair - which will power and protect his system well.