Low Budget Gaming Build

[redsox3553]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:Next few weeks, before Christmas BUDGET RANGE: $350-$500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:Gaming mainly, light photo editing
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
CPU: Intel Q9450 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115039

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: No real preferences

OVERCLOCKING: Most Likely SLI OR CROSSFIRE:No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: If I end up using my TV, 1920 x 1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I may be able to go a little bit over $500, but I would like to keep it as low as possible while still having a quality rig.

 

[nofun]

Do you already have that CPU?

 

[redsox3553]

Yeah, I got it for free so I'd like to put it to use.

 

[redsox3553]

On second thought, I'll probably use a smaller monitor. I'm pretty sure its resolution is 1024x768

 

[gkay09]

^ Here is a setup...
Mobo -
GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3LR -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128371
Note - This uses DDR3 RAM...So you can reuse the RAM in your future builds as DDR3 will become mainstream...And preice difference between the DDR2 and DDR3 RAM is minimal...

RAM
GSkillz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145265

CPU cooler -
Xig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduct.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

HDD -
Samsung F3 500
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SATA-Hard-Drive-HD502HJ/dp/B002J65AHQ

CASE + PSU
CM Storm Scout + OCZ 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.291796

Graphics card - It would depend on the resolution that you want to game - If low resolution, then the HD 5750 or little higher resolution, then the HD 5770

 

[hundredislandsboy]

A GTX 260 or HD 5770 will nicely compliment your Q9450. Any GPU more powerful might not be pushed to its full capacity by your CPU, unless you know how to OC.

 

[redsox3553]

That RAM gkay suggested is sold out. How does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227483

 

[nofun]

That RAM gkay suggested is sold out. How does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227483

That's a very good deal. You don't need anything faster than DDR3 1333, but since that is at such a nice price, no reason not to.

 

[redsox3553]

I was planning on getting the HD 5770, but now someone I know is telling me it is weak and overpriced. Is this true?

 

[nofun]

I was planning on getting the HD 5770, but now someone I know is telling me it is weak and overpriced. Is this true?

For it's price-point, it is a great card. Prices range from $165-$180. The GTX 260 offers better performance, but costs about $20-$30 more. The HD 5770 is fairly priced, don't let nVidia fanboys tell you otherwise

At your resolutions (1900x1080), I wouldn't take anything LESS than an HD 5770. It depends, though, on what types of games you will play and how much graphics quality you want. The 5770 will deliver reasonable performance for most games at medium settings at that resolution. If you want to run very intense games with better model detail or higher frames per second, then you need to go bigger.

 

[gkay09]

@redsox3553 as for the RAM, that OCZ is a good option...Check out even the Corsair...It has better quality than the OCZ, but the price of that OCZ after Rebates is very good...

And as for the Graphics card, nofun is right...But he missed out the main advantage of the HD 5770 - It is a DirectX 11 card compared to the GTX 260, which is a DirectX 10...So this card will last you longer without the need to upgrade when DirectX 11 becomes mainstream...