Under $700 Gaming Build

September 2, 2009 2:15:14 AM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within two weeks

BUDGET RANGE: max US$700

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD, ATI

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900

Basically, I want to check for compatibility and want to see what the community thinks about my build before I buy, just incase I can squeeze a bit more out of my money.

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$29.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$49.99

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$109.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$59.99

COOLER MASTER RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W 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?Ite...
$139.98

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
$249.98

Total: $639.92+shipping

More about : 700 gaming build

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nonxcarbonx

September 2, 2009 2:24:50 AM

For not much more you can upgrade that 4850. I think 4890s go for 200, and 4870s somewhere in between.

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EXT64

September 2, 2009 4:05:51 AM

Top four choices look good to me (I own several same or similar parts). At his res a 4850 is probably sufficient, though the upgrade is cheap. I also have the PII 940, and CM cases are almost always good. I know nothing about the board, though (all my recent ones have been Gigabyte).

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shortstuff_mt

September 2, 2009 4:10:55 AM

It's an overall good build. I would change the HD, though. The WD3200AAJS is an older model that's considerably slower than current drives. You can get the new 500GB Samsung F3 drive for the same price.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

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Outlander_04

September 2, 2009 4:11:08 AM

I wondered if it was possible to build an AM3 system with the latest technology for that price so

Your case + psu $140

Your DVD $30

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 $70 [ after MIR ]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Total is $640

You do give up a graphics card slot so you cant add a second gfx card for crossfire later on , but you wont need to do that for a 19 inch monitor any way
But you do get the latest technology and a bigger faster hard drive

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shortstuff_mt

September 2, 2009 4:13:08 AM

+1 for Outlander_04's build. I would get the 95W version of the CPU for the same price, though.

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

You also might want to consider a GPU that exhausts its hot air outside the case if you can afford an extra $15.

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

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EXT64

September 2, 2009 4:13:26 AM

I second that board if you don't mind losing a slot. It is a solid board (I have two).

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lebaneseguy

September 2, 2009 4:19:39 AM

Sorry if this seems stupid but what would the difference be with the 125w and the 95w other than it using less power

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shortstuff_mt

September 2, 2009 4:21:15 AM

The CPU would also run cooler and be compatible with more motherboards. Some motherboards have trouble with the high wattage chips.

They may also have more overclocking headroom.

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EXT64

September 2, 2009 4:21:18 AM

Nothing huge I think. Normally the 95W chips come out as the process matures allowing for better parts which allows for lower voltage or less leaking.

Edit: sometimes you already have the low power part. My Phenom II 940 easily undervolted to 1.25V at stock clocks, effectively making it a 95W part or so.

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Outlander_04

September 2, 2009 4:22:15 AM

lebaneseguy said:

Sorry if this seems stupid but what would the difference be with the 125w and the 95w other than it using less power

The short story is AMD have improved quality so the CPU does as much work and uses less power

Go with the 95 watt version

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godless

September 2, 2009 4:29:04 AM

And if you plan on overclocking i suggest an aftermarket cooler. the stock cooler from amd is too loud and the temps are too high especially when you overclock.

i really like my Scythe Mugen2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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godless

September 2, 2009 4:36:56 AM

aren't the new ati 5850 cards coming out pretty soon? if yes then maybe you should either wait couple weeks for the new generation or for a major price drop due to new generation cards.

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batuchka

September 2, 2009 5:03:02 AM

Oh well an AM3/DDR3/SLI build since no one suggested it

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enfilade101

September 2, 2009 5:42:23 AM

If I use a build similar to Outlander's, but instead of using the PII X4 945 revert back to the PII X3 720 and get a larger graphics card (since I will no longer have the option to crossfire later), would this be a good trade?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

I believe its a little more, but still under 700.

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shortstuff_mt

September 2, 2009 5:51:47 AM

I wouldn't worry about upgrading the GPU unless you plan on upgrading your monitor within the life of this computer. A 4850 will easily power a monitor running at 1440x900.

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Outlander_04

September 2, 2009 5:56:00 AM

enfilade101 said:

If I use a build similar to Outlander's, but instead of using the PII X4 945 revert back to the PII X3 720 and get a larger graphics card (since I will no longer have the option to crossfire later), would this be a good trade?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

I believe its a little more, but still under 700.

I'd stick with the 945 but get a 790g series mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Either of these is inside your budget , and they can crossfire later on

Id buy the gigabyte since the quality is the same and the cost a bit lower

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