[Solved] Under 800 semi-gaming PC, need advice

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within a month

BUDGET RANGE: under 800 Canadian w/ tax + shipping (lower the better, $600 would be awesome but most likely that's wishful thinking)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (mostly WoW, but would like to be able to play latest games, see detail in additional comments), HD movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speaker, OS (I have a copy of XP Pro 32bit)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca or tigerdirect.ca or canadacomputers.com (basically any decent Canadian site)

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like an Intel CPU but AMD is fine too if it's better for the price

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (if it doesn't require me spending extra money on cooling etc...)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (not really important for what I use my computer for I think)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 (I have a Samsung 22')

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Ideally I would like to be able to play WoW on max settings (it doesn't seem to be very demanding anyways) and hopefully be able to most of the latest games on medium to low settings. Other than gaming I tend to open a lot of application at once (but shouldn't be too big of an issue because if it affects my games I will close other stuff anyways). Other than that, anything goes pretty much anything goes

I kinda made the following build based on random articles I read but I'm pretty sure some parts are over kill as I'm still kinda clueless (basically picking random products here and there). I haven't really looked into building my own computer since when Core 2 came out so I'm completely out of date on these things, and all the new products are really rather confusing.

Anyways, this is what I have:

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BFG Tech BFGE98512GTGE GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814143186
$125.49

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] &Tpk=e5200
$69.99

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5C G - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820145247
$69.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128372
$119.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817341016
$110.99

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 37&Tpk=690
$99.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3160813AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822148397
$69.99


Total (pre-tax): $ 666.43
Tax (13%): $86.64
Total (after-tax): $753.07

Then add in $50 shipping (assuming that's enough), that's $800


Other notes:
- I don't really care about the HDD size, 160gb is plenty (I have a 1TB in an enclosure used as an external for storing stuff), so if there's anything cheaper I'd go for that. However, I don't know anything about performance in terms of cache and what not
- This computer doesn't necessarily have to be upgradeable. My target goal is to have it last me around 3 year or so. I don't expect it to play all the latest games coming out, so as long as it can play the current games somewhat decently that's great
- I haven't included a DVD drive but I'll most likely just buy a cheap one for $20 to $40. It's mostly only for reading game installation CD's anyways so I don't *think* it'll be necessary? (atleast I can't think of anything else I'd use it for)

Please advise, and thanks in advance

Hi, thanks for the advice, just a few more questions:

- does ATI GPU work with Intel CPU/chipset (i think that's an intel chipset in the motherboard i picked) without any problems?

- In term of the case, will any ATX case work? (wondering if I can slash some money there) I guess, mostly, will everything here fit any ATX case? For example something like http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811208009 which is $50 compared to $110

- For the memory stick, should I be going with a DDR3 motherboard and DDR3 ram? I been reading some posts on this forum and they all seems to be pointing towards DDR3. As well, does the brand of the memory stick matter much?

- For the CPU, is AMD better than Intel for my price range? For instance, i been looking at this other post which came out to be around my price range and the person suggested AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] 0#t1971633
^ see second post

Again, thanks in advance (I apologize for any stupid questions)

The mb you list does have an intel p45 chipset and it will work equally as well with nVidia or ATI gfx cards . Chipsets have restrictions when it comes to multiple gfx cards , but thats not an issue for you .

ATX is a standard size , and you could use any ATX case with an ATX motherboard OR a micro- ATX motherboard
But you cannot fit an ATX motherboard in to a m-ATX case
Dont buy a case thats too cheap or the fans will be noisey and the air flow/cooling bad
The antec 300 is very popular because it has excellent cooling and is cheap

If you want a classy very quiet case with PSU already installed then
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129024 $120
would save you $60

You could also save a bit by buying a mb with a g41, G43 or p43 chipset . You lose some features but you probably wont need them anyway

The ddr2/ddr3 issue is complex . DDR3 is the future , but has no advantages if you are using an intel C2d mb and cpu . Intel is stopping making them so they are on the edge of being obsolete . Remember you didnt particularly want upgradability ...........

AMD or intel ......... AMD are usually better value right now

Im a kiwi and I dont know the Canadian newegg site , but I will have a look for AMD alternatives

^ Get the 1GB version...It would be more helpful when you turn ON the settings high with AA and AF...

And make sure you change your PSU to the SeaSonic SS-500ET 500W...

To maybe simplify your decision, all the builds above are pretty good, including yours with the few minor tweaks already mentioned. If you plan to do high overclocks, the intel will overclock better. If not the AMD will get you higher stock speeds and decent marginal overclocks.
You stated you are not too concerned about cranking up the AA and AF all the way, so a 512gb card is probably all you will ever need. For that same reason I would say save $50 and get the 4850
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 0HD%204850
If you decide later on you want stronger graphics these scale really well in crossfire. So I would suggest getting a MB that supports crossfire for a little future proofing. In the future you have a good upgrade path with crossfire, quad core support, and a good overclocking MB.

The antec 300 is a great gaming case . Pretty much the entire front is mesh so air can get in ... but that does let noise out as well . Its not bad , and if you are gaming a bit of fan noise doesnt make any difference to the sound of grenades exploding around you ...LOL
http://www.overclockersonline.net/ [...] e=articles

The Sonata is a case thats got good cooling , and its very quiet which I like when I am working and writing . Its also a fabulous deal with that PSU.
http://arstechnica.com/hardware/re [...] sonata.ars

Personal choice really

The 4870 is overkill for your resolution and usage but its going to guarantee you some head room

M-atx motherboards are the same width as ATX , but shorter from top to bottom . The double height cooler on a gfx card will block 2 of the available four slots but it will fit .

the gigabyte is the best one listed but any 790 gx AM3 mb is fine

The asus is more expensive and not better

and if you want to save a few $$$ then this ASROCK [ made by asus ]
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813157152

The Sonata III is a nice case, and the EA-500 PSU with it is solid, but it does not have the greatest cooling (the design favors quiet). That isn't a problem; just make sure you get a dual-slot video card that exhausts its heat from the case.

Hi, thanks for the tip

A friend told me to take a look at NCIX too. I did look up my build there but unfortunately they didn't carry some of the items on my list

For example, the motherboard I am currently looking at (with crossfire support)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128398

they don't seem to have this item and I don't really know enough about different brands to try another board. As well, they don't seem to carry very many OCZ memory sticks, which is cheaper ($80) compared to the 4gb Corsair they seem to carry alot of ($125 ish). Im not really sure what other brand to go for either.

If they price matched newegg though then it might be worth it because newegg prices are lower. In terms of shipping, to where I live (Ontario), it's about the same price from newegg or NCIX ($30 to $40). I'll probably wait till the start of September before making the decision where to order (maybe prices will drop)

A few questions though:

Does anyone know how long the instant rebates on newegg usually last? There's a $40 instant rebate on the Sonata III right now ($120) http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129024
The next alternative is the Seasonic PSU + Antec 300 (approx $135). If it doesn't last very long then I probaby want to order it soon (I like how it looks better than the 300)


Also, how long should I expect the Radeon HD 4870 1GB to last before it becomes useless (useless as in completely out of date and unable to play even the lower requirement games) 5 years? 10 years? I know this is a kinda iffy question since who knows how fast technology/graphic requirement will grow. Right now I'm debating between the crossfire or not because I can save around $50 by dropping down the micro ATX motherboard. So then if I'm likely not going to need to use crossfire for like 4 or 5 years, there's not much point in getting the crossfire board.


Lastly, if I go with the micro ATX board, will it fit a CPU cooler? I read somewhere that it's a good idea to have one anyways even though I don't plan on OCing. Is this true? I'm looking at this cooler http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6835207004
on this mother board http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128397

Thanks again