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$600 budget build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - $600 budget build

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ncatanza05   10-06-2009 at 10:38:05 PM

I have been looking around lately and have decided to build a relatively cheap gaming pc. Here is what i've looked into already.

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
MOBO: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
CASE: Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

I plan to overclock so would need some good ram and graphics card to also OC.

Any suggestions or complete build?

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Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   10-06-2009 at 10:39:58 PM

You'll get a lot more help if you follow the format in the "How to ask for new build advice" sticky at the top of the forum. We need to know what's included in the budget.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
ncatanza05   10-06-2009 at 10:47:20 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of October

BUDGET RANGE: (600 -650) After or before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, programming, Internet, Music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse, moniter, speakers)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Don't have on yet

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: System that is capable of playing games at high settings and runs fast

Reply to ncatanza05
rockyjohn   10-06-2009 at 11:57:17 PM

Here is one fast system for $689

CPU AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition $120
CPU Cooler Xigamatek Dark Knight S1283 $37
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P $110
RAM
OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Model OCZ2G10664GK $50
Graphics 2 x BFG GTS 250 512MB $160
Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar Black 640 GB $75
Sound Integrated 0
Network Integrated 0
Case Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P BK $30
Power Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W $80
Optical Drive Samsung Black 22X DVD Burner SATA Model SH-S223B $27
Total Price $689


Note that it includes twin GTS 250s - now on sale at frys for $80AR.

http://www.frys.com/product/586624 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

To get it down to $609 just go with one of the cards now and add the other later.

I know that you requested an Intel system - but I wanted to show a better AMD system in your price range - better because it leaves more money to spend on graphics cards that accelerate game play. Also spending a little less on the case is important to put the resouces where the action is.


Message edited by rockyjohn on 10-06-2009 at 11:59:50 PM
Reply to rockyjohn
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   10-07-2009 at 12:02:42 AM

@Rockyjohn, your plan won't work. That motherboard supports crossfire, but not SLI. Nothing like muddying the water. I'll get a compatible post up in a few minutes.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to shortstuff_mt
Sythix   10-07-2009 at 12:05:18 AM

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.271970 $212


http://www.frys.com/product/520060 [...] IN_RSLT_PG $46 DDR2 4GB PC6400 DUAL PATRIOT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102849 $154 SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Card
$154.99
Your Price: $144.99
With Promo Code
EMCMLLT73

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $49 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 $30 SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185093 $35 Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341016 $60 OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068 $49.99 Case

Total: $626

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Sythix on 10-07-2009 at 12:15:39 AM
------------------------------ War is fear cloaked in courage
 Reply to Sythix
angry_ducky   10-07-2009 at 05:22:16 AM

Sythix wrote :

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.271970 $212


http://www.frys.com/product/520060 [...] IN_RSLT_PG $46 DDR2 4GB PC6400 DUAL PATRIOT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102849 $154 SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Card
$154.99
Your Price: $144.99
With Promo Code
EMCMLLT73

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $49 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 $30 SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185093 $35 Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341016 $60 OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068 $49.99 Case

Total: $626




You could save $30 and go with the Corsair 400W PSU that Newegg has on sale for $30 after MIR. It's got 30 amps on the +12V; I think that should suffice to run a 4870.

------------------------------ DFI nF4-DAGF
A64 3700+ @ 2.25GHz (11 x 205)
2GB G.Skill DDR400 @410
ASUS Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB
Reply to angry_ducky
Sythix   10-07-2009 at 05:38:33 AM

If you ever plan to crossfire the 4870's you will need something stronger than a 400, better buy bigger and not worry about it later.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Sythix on 10-07-2009 at 11:59:40 PM
------------------------------ War is fear cloaked in courage
 Reply to Sythix
rockyjohn   10-07-2009 at 07:57:57 PM

Sythix wrote :

If you ever plan to crossfire the 4750's you will need something stronger than a 400, better buy bigger and not worry about it later.



I presume you mean 4870's rather than 4750's. For a pair of 4870s I recommend you have at least 600w not just 500w. The listed system requirements for the card recommended above states:

"500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode)"


This alternate OCZ PSU is only $60AR so it would only add $15 to your cost:

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341010

Reply to rockyjohn
yoyojam55   10-07-2009 at 09:49:28 PM

Except that with the exception of the 400w, the stealthxstream line is pretty bad. If you are going for CF 4870s, I would go for the Corsair 650TX.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to yoyojam55
Sythix   10-07-2009 at 11:57:40 PM

Sorry, meant 4870's

------------------------------ War is fear cloaked in courage
 Reply to Sythix
Adroid   10-08-2009 at 12:26:05 AM

Don't cripple yourself with a weak PSU, esp if you doing sli/xfire~
The corsairs are tried and true

Reply to Adroid
rockyjohn   10-08-2009 at 12:29:16 AM

shortstuff_mt wrote :

@Rockyjohn, your plan won't work. That motherboard supports crossfire, but not SLI. Nothing like muddying the water. I'll get a compatible post up in a few minutes.



Wow that was a major blunder. My apologies to ncat and thanks to shortstuff for catching it.

Reply to rockyjohn
rockyjohn   10-08-2009 at 12:38:41 AM

yoyojam55 wrote :

Except that with the exception of the 400w, the stealthxstream line is pretty bad. If you are going for CF 4870s, I would go for the Corsair 650TX.



Please cite a source for you statement about the stealthxstream.

Here are quotes from a 10 page review posted at a trusted site - Hardware Secrets:

We loved this power supply. Why? Because it has exactly the same design of two other good high-end power supplies, OCZ GameXstream 700 W and Zalman ZM600-HP, but costs a lot less – only USD 85, on average, in the USA. For the average user this is a terrific buy. This unit not only costs less than competing 600 W products, but you will be also bringing home a 720 W power supply!

In fact OCZ could easily have labeled this product as a 700 W power supply and keep claiming 80% efficiency (during our overload tests we pulled 711 W from it and it kept 80% efficiency).

The only internal difference between OCZ StealthXstream 600 W and those other two high-end models are the rectifiers used on the +12 V output, capable of delivering less current (and thus power). But it is still enough for the majority of users. The other components are exactly the same.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451/10

They end the review with - "Anyway, we think this is a terrific product for the average user, being a power supply with one of the best cost/benefit ratios around." And that was at a review price of $85 - now it is on sale for only $60
-


Message edited by rockyjohn on 10-08-2009 at 12:48:50 AM
Reply to rockyjohn
snakej   10-08-2009 at 12:59:48 AM

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/snakejg/build.jpg

That what i recommend, yes a little bit more than $600, but i cant recommend less, if you can save $600 u should be able to get some more, patiend its the key and you wont regret.


Message edited by snakej on 10-08-2009 at 01:02:04 AM
------------------------------ X4 955 @ 3.752 1.47v 14.0x268
Xigmatek Dark Knight
OCZReaper 2x2gb 1078/5-5-5-12@2.2v
HIS 4890 turbo
Reply to snakej
rockyjohn   10-08-2009 at 02:43:06 AM

Snakj - the click to zoom is not working for me. Will you please post a regular version.

Reply to rockyjohn
snakej   10-08-2009 at 03:11:28 AM

sorry , here:
Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066

GPU: POWERCOLOR AX4870 512MD5 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131140

CPU & Motherboard combo: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail & AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273353

HSF: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Memory Ram: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231193

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181
currently sold out at new egg

DVD & PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail & LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS50 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.269815

Like I said a little over the $600 but he will see that the $80 difference makes a lot for gaming, if you currently have 600, wait a bit and get the 80 so you can have a nice build.




------------------------------ X4 955 @ 3.752 1.47v 14.0x268
Xigmatek Dark Knight
OCZReaper 2x2gb 1078/5-5-5-12@2.2v
HIS 4890 turbo
Reply to snakej
Sythix   10-08-2009 at 04:04:08 AM

I still insist going with this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102849
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Card
$154.99
Your Price: $144.99
With Promo Code
EMCMLLT73

+ free shipping


Message edited by Sythix on 10-08-2009 at 04:05:35 AM
------------------------------ War is fear cloaked in courage
 Reply to Sythix
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