600-800 decent (?) gaming pc

[dwavrin]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (ASAP) BUDGET RANGE: (600-800)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (GAMING, then just basic stuff; music, movies etc...)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (I COULD come up with mouse, keyboard, speakers, BUT its old stuff and I'd be willing to spend for new if there's a good deal anywhere.)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (Probably newegg.com but cost is the main issue, if its cheaper elsewhere, I'll go there.)

PARTS PREFERENCES: (OK, this is my first build and I have basic PC knowledge but little regarding PSU, fans, or cooling in general actually. I'd LIKE to have a Intel i5 750, at least 4gb RAM, at least 512 VRAM, and a decent internal HD, but I already have a 500gb external so its not imperative. As far as the rest goes, I just want decent, well-priced parts that work well for demanding games.)

OVERCLOCKING: (No, don't really know what it is and it seems a little useless for my goals?) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: (Again, not 100% sure I understand this well enough to make a decision, hoping others would divulge their wisdom

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure yet, depends on monitor.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Building for my hs Senior Project, or at least thats my excuse for the parents

 

[overshocks]

you can get a i5 750 build for 800 after rebate for sure. so no need to get a core 2 quad..because i5 750 beats anything before it.

 

[dwavrin]

you can get a i5 750 build for 800 after rebate for sure. so no need to get a core 2 quad..because i5 750 beats anything before it.

Thanks overshocks, seems like a plan. I'll go with the 750 but what else do you guys recommend? I'm basically looking for a parts list with full compatibility from the ground up. All help is much appreciated

 

[overshocks]

alright fine ill help you out with a full list, ahh im lazyyyyy

but first answer this question, in the future are you planning to crossfire or sli

and wait, the 800 budget doesnt include monitor. do you need 1? then i5 750 might not be suitable for you

MOBO + CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270434


or this mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128401

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

 

[dwavrin]

haha thanks a lot, I understand your lethargy. Um, for the sake of simplicity, we'll say that the monitor is NOT included in the 800 but I do need one at some point. ( I looked at the i5 a little more closely and don't think I could go without now) And I am thoroughly uneducated about SLI/Crossfire. I have had mostly Nvidias so I like them over ATI but my bias has no foundation so I'll leave the choice for an expert.

 

[Proximon]

All of those parts are good choices, let's see if you can finish that build under budget.

800 is good for an i5 build, but not with a good monitor included.

OK I couldn't fit a decent monitor into an i5 build, so you are back to an AMD build that can be upgraded down the road.

this is version 3... 800 ain't easy

X3 720BE and Asus 785G MB -182
A capable 3-core CPU... somewhere down the road you can upgrade to a faster quad, but for now you will find this plenty... equivalent to an Intel E8400, which I use and have absolutely no need to replace. The board is just a single GPU board, not crossfire capable, but it does have a nice onboard video for backup.
OCZ DDR2 1066 CAS 5
---
Antec 300 and BP500U PSU -95
The case is adequate now and can be upgraded with more fans later. The PSU is adequate for now.
---
HD -55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Optical -29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

---
Monitor -160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050
While you might get by with a smaller monitor, I think 22" is pretty much standard these days. I have set you up with just enough GPU to handle it in most games at high settings... adding a second 4850 will cover the rest.

---
4850 -95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824
Buy a second one when you can.

Vista 64-bit with Windows 7 upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

To be added later, an after market CPU cooler so that you can overclock the CPU.

With shipping, you should be at your budget cap.... possibly just over but you'll have rebates.

 

[overshocks]

ahh proximon!! u beat me to it..i was just away..good find on the combo.

remember that mobo doesnt CF or SLI

"And I am thoroughly uneducated about SLI/Crossfire. I have had mostly Nvidias so I like them over ATI but my bias has no foundation so I'll leave the choice for an expert. "

okay lesson time, BASICALLY crossfire is a brand name for ATI Technologies' multi-GPU solution. The technology allows up to four graphics cards to be used in a single computer to improve graphics performance.

sli is a brand name for a multi-GPU solution developed by Nvidia for linking two or more video cards together to produce a single output. SLI is an application of parallel processing for computer graphics, meant to increase the processing power available for graphics.

info taken from wikipedia, more professional definition

 

[Proximon]

Yes I was thinking CF is probably not in the works, but perhaps a more powerful GPU instead along with a budget 22" monitor... I was on my laptop at work and ran out of time, so I'll dress that list up now.

 

[overshocks]

Yes I was thinking CF is probably not in the works, but perhaps a more powerful GPU instead along with a budget 22" monitor... I was on my laptop at work and ran out of time, so I'll dress that list up now.

totally agree. so are you doing 800 WITH monitor proximon
ill make a list too.

 

[overshocks]

GPU + RAM Combo Price: $229.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265386

option 1 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $284.98 (it can crossfire,micro atx)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273112

vs

option 2 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $314.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270435

vs

option 3 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $289.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270438

HDD $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

O.S $109.99 (free coupon to windows 7)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Optical drive $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

PSU + ANTEC 300 Combo Price: $129.94 (2 fans cheaper model, 10 bucks more for 3 fans with LED)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265998

OVER BUDGET: even with cheapest mobo (option 1)
$836.87..have to cut down on GPU
or cut down GPU to 4850 and get better mobo ..like option 2 or option 3.

out of 800 budget

Monitor $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157

 

[Proximon]

Doh I knew I forgot something.... OS.

Overshocks, the optical drive you have is IDE. He should use a SATA for the few bucks more.

I'll have to trim something off that build now.

 

[overshocks]

Doh I knew I forgot something.... OS.

Overshocks, the optical drive you have is IDE. He should use a SATA for the few bucks more.

I'll have to trim something off that build now.

thanks for the catch didnt realize its IDE. ill change to urs

 

[overshocks]

just an update proximon if u missed it. he said 800 exclude monitor and check out my monitor

"haha thanks a lot, I understand your lethargy. Um, for the sake of simplicity, we'll say that the monitor is NOT included in the 800 but I do need one at some point. ( I looked at the i5 a little more closely and don't think I could go without now) "

 

[Proximon]

/cry

Yes I missed it.

Yes, that Acer is on my short list, but I look at it this way.... more monitor needs more GPU to run at native resolution. Also the one I listed is faster, better in games.

The Acer you listed is better for high def movies and such though.

I think he should go with the UD4P and the 4850, then grab the second one later....

Or go a 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150442

For any gaming build the biggest expense should be the GPU, not the CPU... so it seems to me CF 4850s or a single 5850.

 

[overshocks]

/cry

Yes I missed it.

Yes, that Acer is on my short list, but I look at it this way.... more monitor needs more GPU to run at native resolution. Also the one I listed is faster, better in games.

The Acer you listed is better for high def movies and such though.

I think he should go with the UD4P and the 4850, then grab the second one later....

Or go a 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150442

For any gaming build the biggest expense should be the GPU, not the CPU... so it seems to me CF 4850s or a single 5850.

5850 is OVERKILL if he get your monitor 1680x1050.
dont forget my monitor is 1920x1080 at same price
my build owns yours no hard feelings hehe

 

[Proximon]

None I just gave up trying.

I'm thinking a lower cost AMD solution with a crossfire capable board, your monitor, and a 5850 at this point.

The 720BE comes with a nice AM3 790X combo as I recall.

 

[overshocks]

None I just gave up trying.

I'm thinking a lower cost AMD solution with a crossfire capable board, your monitor, and a 5850 at this point.

The 720BE comes with a nice AM3 790X combo as I recall.

its just too bad i5 750 DOMINATES every amd processor..thats the thing..

at 800 bucks..its nice with 4870 1gb

 

[randomizer]

Not in gaming it doesn't. Unless your idea of "dominates" is different to mine.

 

[Proximon]

It's just a matter of bang for the buck.

You have to ask yourself what is going to be faster in games, because that's what the build is for.

An X2 550 with a 4890 is going to be faster in most games than an i5 with a 4850... at least at 1680x1050.

Just last month the SBM here at TH included an X2 550:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-gaming-pc,2424.html

That's actually quite similar to one of the previous versions I had posted for the OP. It's not exactly how I would do it today, but it's a good demonstration of the correct ratio of CPU to GPU when the budget is tight.

 

[dwavrin]

Thanks Proximon, this is pretty much everything I'd like to run with the exception of the i5 and possibly a 1gb videocard. If you could swap those in would everything else run fine? It seems I might have to run a little over budget...


X3 720BE and Asus 785G MB -182
A capable 3-core CPU... somewhere down the road you can upgrade to a faster quad, but for now you will find this plenty... equivalent to an Intel E8400, which I use and have absolutely no need to replace. The board is just a single GPU board, not crossfire capable, but it does have a nice onboard video for backup.
OCZ DDR2 1066 CAS 5
---
Antec 300 and BP500U PSU -95
The case is adequate now and can be upgraded with more fans later. The PSU is adequate for now.
---
HD -55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181

Optical -29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106289

---
Monitor -160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236050
While you might get by with a smaller monitor, I think 22" is pretty much standard these days. I have set you up with just enough GPU to handle it in most games at high settings... adding a second 4850 will cover the rest.

---
4850 -95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102824
Buy a second one when you can.

Vista 64-bit with Windows 7 upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677

 

[Proximon]

Of course. I went through 3 different builds before I saw you didn't need the monitor in the budget, so Overshocks is probably closer to the mark.

It's getting late, but I'll just touch on the points...

i5 and a crossfire capable board
CL7 1600Mhz RAM with 1.65V or less.

4850 with a 650W PSU for future CF

OR a 4870 1GB with 750W PSU for CF


Oh... and look at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273732
That an incredible deal on a case that is better than the Antec 300. And a very nice hard drive. Consider getting that right now before it disappears.

 

[overshocks]

Dude OP, you missed my post. My build is up there..it's the i5 build.



GPU + RAM Combo Price: $229.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265386

option 1 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $284.98 (it can crossfire,micro atx)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273112

vs

option 2 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $314.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270435

vs

option 3 MOBO + CPU Combo Price: $289.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270438

HDD $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

O.S $109.99 (free coupon to windows 7)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Optical drive $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

PSU + ANTEC 300 Combo Price: $129.94 (2 fans cheaper model, 10 bucks more for 3 fans with LED)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265998

OVER BUDGET: even with cheapest mobo (option 1)
$836.87..have to cut down on GPU
or cut down GPU to 4850 and get better mobo ..like option 2 or option 3.

out of 800 budget, but big performance gain against AMD

Monitor $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157

 

[overshocks]

Not in gaming it doesn't. Unless your idea of "dominates" is different to mine.

Umm i5 750 beats the amd 965 be in gaming too..so what are you talking about?(correct me if i'm WRONG) I'm talking about overall, not just 965 beating i5 in one game. and it's best bang for the buck as opposed to 965 being 50 dollars more (last time i checked)

 

[overshocks]

It's just a matter of bang for the buck.

You have to ask yourself what is going to be faster in games, because that's what the build is for.

An X2 550 with a 4890 is going to be faster in most games than an i5 with a 4850... at least at 1680x1050.

Just last month the SBM here at TH included an X2 550:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-gaming-pc,2424.html

That's actually quite similar to one of the previous versions I had posted for the OP. It's not exactly how I would do it today, but it's a good demonstration of the correct ratio of CPU to GPU when the budget is tight.

"An X2 550 with a 4890 is going to be faster in most games than an i5 with a 4850... at least at 1680x1050."

Yes, you are right here of course. The GPU is 4890 with x2 550, and i5 with a 4850. BUT, in this situation the OP can go with my build and get the 4870 WITH the i5 750. So the peformance will RAPE any amd CPU + 4870. That's what I meant when I said "dominates" every amd cpu.

 

[Proximon]

NP, the OP really wants an i5 anyway

Different things are important to different people. Some folks will say they want a gaming rig, when really they want a very quiet gaming rig, for instance. Or they want shorter load times in Crysis more than they want frame rates.