$500 gaming pc help?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite... Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $99.94
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite... Combo Discount: -$10.00 Combo Price: $134.98 Free Shipping*
GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E6300 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $119.99 ($109.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
MSI N250GTS-2D512-OCv2 GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Quad heatpipe cooling overclocked at 760MHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $49.99 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=N82E168... $64.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $29.99
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

Total: $499.99 | $489.99 w/mail in rebate

kangster, could you edit your first post to include the info listed in the link in my sig? Things like OS, monitor resolution, and overclocking questions are a big help.

Why me has a good setup for you there if you're going to OC. I'd choose a different PSU/case combo, because there's some here who have used the basiq power antec PSUs and don't have any faith in them. You could do worse for sure, but could do better also for the same price. I'll offer up some suggestions after getting some more info from you.

That Antec Basiq is the "version 2.01" and it's nothing like the first first version. In fact it's gotten great reviews.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/792/10 <--- Like this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Thanks for that link, its been bookmarked. Glad to see they went to a 3year warranty on it.

pentium is not the way to go for any new computers for the past half year at least if not longer, go for an AMD phenom II processor. those are a great value for the price

Well then how about you post a Phenom build for under $500 on here.

First sorry for DELAY!
---------------------------------------------
Hi,
Here’s a good one…

CPU: Specs. (2.8 GHz, BE, 6MB C, & Triple Core) $124 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
AMD Phenom II X3 720

Main-Board: Specs. (AM3, 16GB DDR3, 790X/SB750, & x8 x8 CF) $125 / $110 (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
GigaByte MA790XT UD4P

GPU: Specs. (Stock FreQs, Heat pipe cooling design, ??, & ??) $155 / $125 (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
XFX HD4870-ZWFC Vanilla

Ram: Specs. (4GB, 1333MHz, CL9, & ??) $70 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
G-Skill F3

HDD: Specs. (500GB, 7200RPM, 32MB C, & 500GB P) $55 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
SAMSUNG SpinPoint F3

DVD Drive: Specs. (2MB C, 22x~8x DVD +/-RW, ??, & ??) $29 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
LG DVD/CD +/-RW vanilla

Case: Specs. (ATX-mATX, 20.7" x 8.4" x 19", 3x 120mm fans, & ??) $70 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GC

PSU: Specs. (550W, Modular, 2x +12V Rails, Active PFC & 80+) $75 / $50 (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY

Total: $646.00? w/o Taxes, MIRs or Shipping fees. -- $55 available MIRs to bring the price down to $595

I allowed my self to raise the limit to $600 (since you didn't say it's your absolute limit..) after MIRs if you can get them beside $30 (at most) for shipping and i presume no taxes....
This system is more future proof than the LGA775 system and will outperform it easily, You'll have the option for CF after updating the PSU without the need to upgrade the mobo and having to reassemble the system....

Sig.. Medo

Nice build Medo...but your over budget.   ... The magic # is $500 USD  

Thanks   But he only said what we think about April's $500 SBM so i thought this is not the ultimate limit for him.. He didn't say "STRICT $500 BUILD.. NO MORE!!"
Also for $90 more he will get -Better CPU -Better GPU -Better and more Ram along with a better mobo (AMD perspective) and Case..
I'll try and curse a $500- AMD build  

Swap your CPU/Mobo deal for this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

its not phenom, but it is an AMD alternative

I'd also advise against open boxing items for a new builder. They won't have a back log of cables, no I/O shield, just a bad idea.

+1

^^ I edited the links...

Consider this build:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz AM3 95W $99+0 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H 785G mATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Corsair 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 TWIN2X4096-6400C5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Combo price = $125+Ship 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC 4870 1GB GDDR5 $145-20+0 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Samsung HD502HJ 500GB 7200/16MB SATA $50+0 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Samsung Black SATA DVD Burner $32+Ship 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

BFG Tech GS-550 ATX/EPS $50+0 9/30/09
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

HEC 6K28BB8F Black mATX Mini Tower Case $32+Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Total w/rebates = $513 + some shipping.

^ Not good PSU..

But better than you'll find in most $500 builds. It will work just fine.
You may not have heard of the brand before, but BFG tech supplies are OK.
Way better than the Rosewill....

It's not the BFG name that makes it a poor PSU. The little red voltage switch on the back of the PSU indicates it doesn't have active PFC. The BFG LS series are quality units, but I would avoid that POS GS model.

This unit would power that system for a good price:

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 $59.99 - $20 MIR

It's not way better than Rosewill it's 1,000,000 better than Rosewill!
But there's no indication that it has active PFC nor a 80+ certification (even if in the secs it says 80~85%) but no certification..

And in most tests the Phenom II X3 beats the Athlon II X4..

A bit off topic (well, a lot!) But what happens to you guys when you go to "new system build" through the US site? Does it take you to the UK site or what? Sorry..

I don't see the rebate, but I agree that this psu is a better choice. It seems we have lost the OP though.

The Phenom X3 you listed costs more than the Propos, so it should somehow be better...
The driving force here is the 4870 card. Everything else takes 2nd tit in a $500 system.

Sorry but i didn't catch that  
What do you mean The Phenom X3 you listed costs more than the Propos, so it should somehow be better... ??
And yes only 1 post doesn't look good   But he didn't ask for top notch  

Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA770-UD3 $75 $65 amir
CPU AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz AM3 80W $90
Video Card SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 512MB $135
RAM Kingston 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) DDR2 800 MHz PC2-6400 $41
Hard Drive samsung f3 500gb$50
Optical Drive SAMSUNG SATA 22X DVD Burner $26
Case Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case$60
Power Supply Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous$50

$527 $517 amir

Sorry, what is open boxing?

There was a link to an open box item, but it was replaced with the retail version instead.

When Newegg gets returns that can't be sold as new but working, they will sell them as open box for a discount. But they don't use the original packaging, which also means they don't include the cables, manuals, or any other part that is really needed for a build. So unless you're an experienced builder with extra cables laying around and can live without the back of the computer being properly covered, don't buy an open box item. They are always listed at the bottom of the items list on newegg.

That's not always the case.. Some people reported that they got the items with a lot of packaging missing while the other (more) said it works good and has the necessary items..
The Retail version is about $30 (before MIR) more and the open box seems to be out of stock..

ahh, got it. yah buying a returned item. I know what you mean about spare parts. I think I have about... 5 old back plates, a dozen IDE cables (of varying quality), a power switch, a few system speakers, 4-6 SATA cables (and I have never even had a SATA HD), odd firewire (1394?) attachments (and never had a firewire before), even a few odd sized case fans. and prolly one ton of screws.

Now if I could just figure out how to wire my old 12" laptop screen to a Desktop to use as a free duel screen I could use my most expensive and least valuable spare part!

The OP better show up right now!
I don't think there's a way to plug a notebook LCD to a desktop.. I don't even think it's going to work (the LCD working as a display)....
What mobo do you have?? And other parts?

"CPU: Specs. (2.8 GHz, BE, 6MB C, & Triple Core) $124 / $??? (MIR/promo/combo etc.)
AMD Phenom II X3 720"

$124 > $99
While X4 >X3 the Propos has no L3 cache. The X3 at a higher market price should be faster/better/more valuable.
I don't know why and don't care. With the i5 750 out this is not an issue for me at least until Bulldozer appears.

heh. um. I will have to come back later with specs on the laptop display. its an old (active matrix?) Display from a '95 generic import. I don't even know how many pins it has - When I junked the old laptop, I saved the memory(not much of it, maybe 256), processor (P100 - ha ha hah), the display, and the hard drives. never used any of that stuff, but you never know.

Yah I don't think there is any way to hook it up either, but a LONG LONG time ago, I saw a case mod that had a small screen on the front, maybe 6" by 6", not even sure what he used it for, or how he got it connected.


But to answer your question:
Asus P4S800D-X
PNY Verto GeForce 6800

And, I think the ONLY way to do it would be to some how adapt the wrong number of pins to a duel screen cabable video card via some adapter. I havn't really looked that hard. If there WAS a way, I would find someway to mount it to the side of my main display, and use it either for Facebook, IMs or out of game browsing depending on what I was doing.

Its pretty easy to just duel screen, but I figure hey, I have this Worthless screen that I prolly originally paid half of the price of the laptop for in 1995, might as well see if there is ANY use to it!

(I "think" I paid about $2000 or so for this laptop in 95, it was a state of the art P100, 800 MB Hard drive, touchpad, gamepad joystick built in the the wrist rest, generic import. I think the 2 Hard drives I have from it are Toshiba. But as I recall from doing the various options and builds half the price for the unit was in the screen - it being a "new" active matrix screen )

Getting power to the display will be the trick I think.

As for the x3 vs x4, price isn't always about best performance. It usually is more about manufacture cost. And BEST performance is extremely subjective. The reality is, if you use your computer for gaming, and that performance adds the most value, the x3 is the better choice. Being a BE, it adds further value to an OCer too. But if you are a editor/renderer, then the x4, even with the lower cache is a better choice for that price point. Its not fair to compare a $100cpu to a $200 cpu. So for the budget, a production user will place more value on the x4 and to them, has the best performance and therefore value at that price bracket.

Here they are benched head to head. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=106&p2=83

The quad takes the SOLID victories on the production benches and the tri takes it on single threaded and games. Saying one cpu is better than another without even asking what the purchaser places value in is nothing more than fanboyism.

budget production = 620x4
enthusiast production = i5
extreme production = i7
budget gaming = 720x3
enthusiast gaming = quad (amd or intel)
extreme gaming = i7

It's not fanboyism because i didn't say a company is better than the other but 2 products from one company....
And where's the OP to ask him what he need?!! Is it you "hlbuchanan" but forgot the account details??!!

Edit| The link you provided proves the X3 a clear winner with 20:11 wins! (Please comment on that because they didn't say which is the blue and which is the orange!! I took the X4:blue)

Wow Psycho, what put you on the defensive? You weren't the one that said the x3 is better because it cost more. It was Newf I was responding to.

Um! Sorry! But what i said was that the PIIX3 is better than the AIIX4 (WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE COST  ) so i counted myself!
So about the edit in the previous post......

The key to which cpu is which is on the top of the chart. And you are correct, that the x4 was the blue. You are incorrect as to which cpu lead in more benchmarks. The tally is actually:
620 19
720 13
Take a second to actaully look at the tool you're reading. The longest bar isn't always the better performer. Just like the charts here, some are time benchmarks and lower is better. It says so on the left under the benchmarks title. So if you want to say that the cpu with the most wins is the better cpu, then the Athlon 620 x4 is the CLEAR winner.

Sorry! I read the first couple of bars then counted... And the title is for gaming PC so the PIIX3 wins here i think..)
So, Where's the OP??

I'd agree, the x3 is the way to go for this user. I was just getting sarcastic to your clear winner comment based on benchmark victories alone. As I said above, the x4 has a solid win in production apps, but the x3 is better for single threaded apps and games.

He edited his thread start just before http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-272015_13_0.ht...
He wrote:

The X4 also, being $25 cheaper, provides almost enough budget to get a psu that maybe won't explode trying to feed the monster graphics card.
I personally would not try to build a powerful gaming system for around $500. Given the constraints from the OP, this is the best I can do. I just hope he is not hooking up a 15" crt and a rubber ball mouse to it...

I don't think Fanboy is really fair. The Propus chip seems to be a fantastic bargain compared to other AMD offerings at up to 30% more money, and there are no Intel options near its price. A gaming system in the $800-900 range is where either company's cpu offerings become solid choices. The more you spend, Intel systems just make more sense. The less you spend, AMD has an edge. I agree that Phenom gaming benchmarks are their strongpoint, but beyond benchmarks you still have to deal with lower effeciency and heat issues (sounds like the P4 problems of the past?). If you read through posts here at Tom's, it seems that more folks are trying to decide between 2 Intel sockets rather than 2 companies offerings.