450$ gaming computer

[mitchlol7]

Hey guys im new and want a computer


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: A week BUDGET RANGE: 450$ Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:Gaming, Web Browsing, Movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:Newegg or tigerdirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:U.S.A.

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION:1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: reliable and upgrable

I already have some parts picked out
4770 and 4gb Ram

Asus p43 Socket 775 Mobo

650w Antec Earthwatts

e5200 intel dual core cpu

250 gb caviar blue hard drive

DVD burner

 

[kufan64]

No matter how hard I try, I can't get under the $450 budget with a computer that I would honestly recommend to you for what you want. Core 2 Duo's (and Quads) have recently been replaced by Core i5's (and i7's) and they will have very little upgradability. The cheapest i5 (the 750) is $200 which puts it well out of your budget range. AMD has some nice options though, with good upgradability and performance.

Anyway, here's what I came up with:

--COMBO DEAL--
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3
$197

--COMBO DEAL--
WD Caviar Black 640GB
CORSAIR 620HX
$205

mushkin XP 2 x 2GB DDR3 1600
$100
XFX Radeon HD 4770
$110
LITE-ON SATA CD/DVD Burner
$29

TOTAL:
before MIR ~$641
after MIR ~$591

You'll also want a good aftermarket cooler if you plan on overclocking which will run you around ~$50.

Cuts can be made here and there, and you actually might be able to bring it in under budget, but I would recommend putting away a little more money before taking the plunge. An extra $200 added to the budget will drastically improve the performance, reliability, lifespan, and upgrade-potential IMO.

Let me know what you think.

 

[mitchlol7]

well i could sacrifice some upgradability for cheapness and i probably wont ever use 250gb. How long do you guys think 775 will be good enough?

 

[apairofdocs]

I don't know if you are in the United States but if you are (I assume from you using NewEgg.) see if there is a Fry's Electronics near you. I know some people hate them but some of their combo deals are unbeatable. They have had an E7500 and MSI P43 board for $100 about a week ago and they usually repeat specials. If you can get that deal again that would be a great starting point for a gaming build. This week they have and E8400 and the same motherboard for $120.

It shouldn't be to hard to get the other pieces for $350.

 

[calinkula]

If you don't live near a Fry's (or a MicroCenter which also offers good CPU prices as well) maybe consider go AMD so you can get a socket AM3. Which will be more upgradable 2 years from now than a socket 775.

BTW, I checked new egg and saw an ATI 4850 512MB for $99.99.

 

[kufan64]

Suggestions to save money on that original build I posted:

New HDD suggestion ~$20 saved. Good performance at an unbeatable price.
Samsung F3

New PSU suggestion ~$65 saved. A decent PSU that isn't too expensive (especially after rebates).
OCZ StealthXStream 700W

TOTAL:
before MIR: $566
after MIR: $521

If you still need to cut costs, change the CPU. I don't really recommend doing this unless you have to. ~$15 saved. The 545 also has a combo deal with the same motherboard.
--COMBO DEAL--
PII X2 545 Callisto

I'm still $116 over budget, but maybe that new price will be a little easier to swallow.

 

[mitchlol7]

oh yeah also I mainly play tf2 and css and other fps's