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Budget Gaming Build $500-800

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Budget Gaming Build $500-800

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I'm planning to build my first computer for use in gaming, and graphics work (I.E. 3D solid modeling). I'm a college student and thus have a limited budget. My current plan for a build is as follows.

Case
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156062

CPU
intel Core i5 750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Motherboard
ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131404

Video Card
MSI Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.circuitcity.com/applica [...] CatId=3669

HDD
SAMSUNG HD502HI 500GB 5400 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152137

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231253

Optical Drive
LG Black 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Message quoted 1 times

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Kraganbloop wrote :

The Hard disk, DVD burner are out of stock.

CPU+ RAM Combo: i5 750 as you picked + G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.286399

Mobo:
No CF/SLI and No SATA, USB 3.0:
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] a-p55m-ud2
CF/SLI with SATA, USB 3.0:
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Hard Disk: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Optical Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151192

Video Card: XFX HD 5770 (Slightly slower in games than 4870 but takes uses less electric, less heat and DX 11)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] xfx%205770

Case: I hope somebody else can choose this one because I am not very good in cases. But 1 thing is for sure, any bundled PSU with a case usually sucks. This case is quite good: COOLER MASTER RC-690
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W (will give enough power to 4870 or 5770)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341016

OS: I recommend Windows 7 but if you already have an OS you want to use then never mind. Since you are a college student then jump on this offer you can get Windows 7 for just 30 $ and take the 64 bit version: http://www.win741.com/
The best way to get the offer is if your college gives away an .edu e-mail address. If they don't you may be still eligible
W/o CF/SLI and No SATA, USB 3.0: $784.92
With the CF/SLI with SATA, USB 3.0 motherboard: $859.92
And do you need a monitor? If you do how many inches and resolution you prefer?

Message edited by akash3656 on 11-05-2009 at 10:01:56 AM

Reply to akash3656

Thanks for the tip on the windows 7, I'll have to see if I can get that. I do need a monitor, but I'm not including this here, because my parents are going to help me buy it, and i've budgeted for it separately.

Reply to Kraganbloop

Ok. then the list of stuff I stated fits the budget well then... (or almost). So, its now up to you whether USB, SATA 3.0 important to you or not and whether you can push it to 859 $

Message edited by akash3656 on 11-06-2009 at 01:43:04 AM

Reply to akash3656

I'm sure i could push it there if i really wanted to, but i'm not sure that there's a huge advantage to getting the usb/sata 3.0 do you think it is worth it?

also, is it really going to make a big difference getting separate case and psu? If I get the case that I was originally going to, then I can get the better motherboard and still be within budget.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Kraganbloop on 11-06-2009 at 01:52:25 AM

Reply to Kraganbloop

One of these mobos would be better, for right at $800, namely the Asus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128406
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131410

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Sonic-Boom

Kraganbloop wrote :

I'm sure i could push it there if i really wanted to, but i'm not sure that there's a huge advantage to getting the usb/sata 3.0 do you think it is worth it?

also, is it really going to make a big difference getting separate case and psu? If I get the case that I was originally going to, then I can get the better motherboard and still be within budget.

I think you better get a separate case/PSU. I do not know about the PSU which comes with the case you suggested. If you still want a SATA, USB 3.0 motherboard, do not worry, just the one sonic-boom suggested (gigabyte) and get this PCIe X4 card when you need the sata, usb 3.0 features.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/A [...] ,8970.html

Reply to akash3656

Sonic-Boom wrote :

One of these mobos would be better, for right at $800, namely the Asus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128406
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131410

thanks for the suggestion on the asus, it seems really solid.

Reply to Kraganbloop

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Budget Gaming Build $500-800

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Budget Gaming Build $500-800