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Gaming rig for $500-$700

So I'm looking at making a gaming rig for playing some MMORPGs. Mortal Online in specific, graphics are very nice. I also want the computer to be able to run fraps while I play and do "some" rendering/video editing... I do have a mac laptop to do some of that on as well.

Also I'd like the computer to last me around ~3 years and be semi upgradable in the future so I don't have to do a complete new build.

My biggest question is which would be a better bet, the i5 or the phenom x4?

Any ideas/input at all is welcome, and I'd really like to stay around that price range the best as possible, the lower the better of course lol.
14 answers Last reply Best Answer
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  1. An i5 build would be very tight, and you would be forced to cut back on GPU selection, just to get close to your budget's upper end.

    The cheaper and more appropriate alternative would be an AM3 build, with a Phenom II X3 720 BE CPU.

    First things first though, what resolution will you be gaming at? Do you plan on OCing or utilizing SLI/Crossfire?
  2. Transmaniacon said:
    An i5 build would be very tight, and you would be forced to cut back on GPU selection, just to get close to your budget's upper end.

    The cheaper and more appropriate alternative would be an AM3 build, with a Phenom II X3 720 BE CPU.

    First things first though, what resolution will you be gaming at? Do you plan on OCing or utilizing SLI/Crossfire?



    I do not plan on SLI/crossfire and prob. no OC'in either. I'm looking at maybe a 4870 or 4890 GPU. 1440 or 1680 resolution.
  3. Best answer
    Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=antec%20illusion ($69.95)

    CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx ($89.99 w/ $10 MIR + Free Shipping)

    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&cm_re=720-_-19-103-649-_-Product ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

    ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 ($114.99 w/ $15 MIR)

    G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=ripjaw-_-20-231-276-_-Product ($89.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL 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=N82E16814102849&cm_re=4870-_-14-102-849-_-Product ($154.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 ($27.99)

    Total: $717.88
  4. Trans listed pretty much the same build I quoted you earlier Miller. The only thing you might consider is using a less expensive PSU to stay within your budget. I don't think you'll need much more than a 500 watter for a midranged single GPU setup. Although if you can squeeze it, stick with corsair imo...and if you can live with spending a tad extra go with Trans' suggestion. A good PSU is always a wise investment.
  5. Is there any advantage in buying an AMD X3 core when they now offer $100 quadcores?

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-ii-propus,2414.html there's the article.


    Just seems to me, and granted I have limited experience, that getting the quadcore would be the way to go, more bang for the buck. Correct me if I'm wrong please!! Lol
  6. Difference being that quad core is an Athlon processor, while the triple core is based on the newer, faster, Phenom technology. Those new quad cores for <$100 will be great for non-gaming mutli-tasking on a budget, but the Phenom II X3 is still the front runner.
  7. Ok gotcha. So for the price the Phenom X3 is better. I got the impression, though, that the Athlon Quadcore would perform pretty good for gaming, not stellar mind you, but pretty good.
  8. Well at the current level of gaming technology, clock speed matters more than number of cores. Only a few mainstream games support multiple cores, GTAIV and FSX for example. The Phenom II X3 is clocked higher and OCs better, not to mention its cores are more effective the Athlon's cores. When games start utilizing multiple cores across the board, then you may see a performance increase in the budget quad-core chips for gaming, but likely by that time the Phenom II X4 will replace the X3 pricewise.
  9. Transmaniacon has a good build, you could substitute this budget Antec case which comes in a combo deal with a Antec Earthwatts 500w power supply that would be fine for a non overclocked CPU and the HD4870 and save a chunk of $$ at $100.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246456
  10. really appreciate the comments folks. Keep them coming!
  11. Transmaniacon said:
    Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=antec%20illusion ($69.95)

    CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx ($89.99 w/ $10 MIR + Free Shipping)

    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&cm_re=720-_-19-103-649-_-Product ($119.99 + Free Shipping)

    ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 ($114.99 w/ $15 MIR)

    G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=ripjaw-_-20-231-276-_-Product ($89.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product ($49.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL 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=N82E16814102849&cm_re=4870-_-14-102-849-_-Product ($154.99 + Free Shipping)

    SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 ($27.99)

    Total: $717.88


    Hey man could u maybe make me a similar build with an i7 920 and to utualize sli Evga Gtx 260 216 SSc 55nm (i already own 1 of those need to buy another) and maybe better cooling and a better case for under 1k? thanks =]
  12. Lets not hijack this thread, just create a post using the forum template and I will put one together for you.
  13. Save another 15 with the same mobo and cpu in a combo.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254078
  14. Very sweet.
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