APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This month
BUDGET RANGE: $400-$600 (Cheaper the better, obv)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing net, happy stuff
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Compaq W17q (1440x900) monitor, Speakers, Sennheiser PC130 headset, DVD R/RW, Maxtor 360 GB Sata hard drive*, Antec Earthwatts 500D PSU*, Case*
(* These are not required, but I can/will change them if needed/better parts avail)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.com, www.tigerdirect.com, www.frys.com, Frys Retail Stores
PARTS PREFERENCES:
CPU/Graphics: I prefer AMD and Radeons mostly because of pricing. I am open to Intel and Nvidia though.
Mobo: Gigabyte is my preferred vendor. I have used Asus before and would again.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe. This would highly depend on the general consensus of the board. I have never OCed before, so I won't be pushing my parts to the max if I do.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 on 17" WS
As I stated earlier, I have never OCed before, but I've been told by a couple friends that it's insanely easy and I should go ahead and try it. If it's pretty easy (install aftermarket heatsink, use BIOS to tweak CPU slightly, etc), then I'll go ahead and try it. I won't be doing something like getting a $70 CPU to perform like a $200 one unless it's disgustingly easy.
The PC will mostly be used for gaming. To give you an idea of the performance I'm looking for, it'd be to run CoD4:MW at 30 FPS on High. This isn't to say that's what I want; rather, if I can get better performance on High for a bit more, or a rig that does meh on High but 60+ on Medium, I will. Right now, I get 60 FPS on super low settings (everything off; details low).
So far, the parts I've been looking at are as follows:
CPU: Phenom II X3 710
Phenom II X2 550 BE
Currently running an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ on an AM2 socket. I chose these two because it looks like the X3 710 is pretty good for the money, and the X2 550 BE is excellent for OC. I haven't followed Intel for a long time, so I'm not entirely sure on their most cost-efficient processor.
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX
That's the only mobo I've liked so far in my budget range.
Graphics: XFX Radeon 4850 512 mb
I'm open to other video card vendors and suggestions. I've been ATI most of my life, and I'm currently running an ATI x1600.
RAM: 4-6 GB of DDR3 1333 MHz. I don't have a preference for vendors, and I'll probably go with whichever is the best deal (Frys Retail Store had Corsair 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz for $80 after $20 rebate).
Case: Currently using a CoolerMaster Elite 340 ATX. It works pretty well, but I'm open to getting a new case if it'd be better for OC.
Hard drive: Don't remember the model, but it's a Maxtor 300/360/320/smth GB Sata. I might replace it since I'd probably try running dual OS (Windows 7 + Ubuntu), and I've always preferred having a new boot HD for a new rig.
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500w
Not the exact model (I have EA-500D), but roughly the same. If I need a bigger PSU, I'll get one.
Thanks.
BUDGET RANGE: $400-$600 (Cheaper the better, obv)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing net, happy stuff
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Compaq W17q (1440x900) monitor, Speakers, Sennheiser PC130 headset, DVD R/RW, Maxtor 360 GB Sata hard drive*, Antec Earthwatts 500D PSU*, Case*
(* These are not required, but I can/will change them if needed/better parts avail)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.com, www.tigerdirect.com, www.frys.com, Frys Retail Stores
PARTS PREFERENCES:
CPU/Graphics: I prefer AMD and Radeons mostly because of pricing. I am open to Intel and Nvidia though.
Mobo: Gigabyte is my preferred vendor. I have used Asus before and would again.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe. This would highly depend on the general consensus of the board. I have never OCed before, so I won't be pushing my parts to the max if I do.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 on 17" WS
As I stated earlier, I have never OCed before, but I've been told by a couple friends that it's insanely easy and I should go ahead and try it. If it's pretty easy (install aftermarket heatsink, use BIOS to tweak CPU slightly, etc), then I'll go ahead and try it. I won't be doing something like getting a $70 CPU to perform like a $200 one unless it's disgustingly easy.
The PC will mostly be used for gaming. To give you an idea of the performance I'm looking for, it'd be to run CoD4:MW at 30 FPS on High. This isn't to say that's what I want; rather, if I can get better performance on High for a bit more, or a rig that does meh on High but 60+ on Medium, I will. Right now, I get 60 FPS on super low settings (everything off; details low).
So far, the parts I've been looking at are as follows:
CPU: Phenom II X3 710
Phenom II X2 550 BE
Currently running an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ on an AM2 socket. I chose these two because it looks like the X3 710 is pretty good for the money, and the X2 550 BE is excellent for OC. I haven't followed Intel for a long time, so I'm not entirely sure on their most cost-efficient processor.
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX
That's the only mobo I've liked so far in my budget range.
Graphics: XFX Radeon 4850 512 mb
I'm open to other video card vendors and suggestions. I've been ATI most of my life, and I'm currently running an ATI x1600.
RAM: 4-6 GB of DDR3 1333 MHz. I don't have a preference for vendors, and I'll probably go with whichever is the best deal (Frys Retail Store had Corsair 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz for $80 after $20 rebate).
Case: Currently using a CoolerMaster Elite 340 ATX. It works pretty well, but I'm open to getting a new case if it'd be better for OC.
Hard drive: Don't remember the model, but it's a Maxtor 300/360/320/smth GB Sata. I might replace it since I'd probably try running dual OS (Windows 7 + Ubuntu), and I've always preferred having a new boot HD for a new rig.
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500w
Not the exact model (I have EA-500D), but roughly the same. If I need a bigger PSU, I'll get one.
Thanks.
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