$800 Budget Gaming PC

fatexx

May 8, 2010 9:19:47 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: $650-800 After rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (mostly WoW), internet, movies, multi-tasking

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: First build. Will eventually upgrade to 1920x1080 monitor, would like run WoW with max settings and watch 1080p movies, slightly future proofed for next expansion.

More about : 800 budget gaming

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secranox

May 9, 2010 1:53:53 AM

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SHANEMARINES

May 9, 2010 2:32:52 AM

fatexx said:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: $650-800 After rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (mostly WoW), internet, movies, multi-tasking

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: First build. Will eventually upgrade to 1920x1080 monitor, would like run WoW with max settings and watch 1080p movies, slightly future proofed for next expansion.

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batuchka

Gaming Authority

Azerothian

May 9, 2010 5:02:38 AM

$767 featuring native SATA 3 support and USB 3 via NEC chip HD 5850 for GPU ^^

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SHANEMARINES

May 9, 2010 5:21:01 AM

batuchka said:

$767 featuring native SATA 3 support and USB 3 via NEC chip HD 5850 for GPU ^^
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/Untitled-60.jpg

Okay I have to say I like my build a little better, but you found some great deals! I just wanted to say good job man!

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fatexx

May 9, 2010 8:26:34 AM

Would the builds suggested need more cooling if I was overclocking (other than secranox)?

What's most important for my build is performance per dollar and longevity.

No one put up an Intel build so here's one for critique and suggestions.

Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

XFX Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) HD-577A-ZNFC Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E168...

Grand Total: $775.56
and I think I can save more if I look through the combo deals and a different power supply.
I wouldn't be overclocking this one.

Again, any opinions and recommendations are welcome, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and want to get the most bang for my buck.

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secranox

May 9, 2010 8:25:20 PM

The only additional cooling you might consider is a better heatsink than the stock heatsink that comes with the CPU. In most cases, the stock heatsink will be sufficient for light CPU overclocks though.

The Core i3-530 is a good CPU, and is recommended by Tom's. However, most people will probably prefer to either go with an Athlon II X3 that is almost as powerful in gaming applications, but about $45 cheaper.

Alternatively, people will commonly suggest just jumping to an i5 or i7 to see a more drastic performance gain. The i3 is still a good CPU for the money though.

If you're not ever going to utilize CF or SLI, then getting a 750W PSU will be overkill for you. Dropping down to a 650W PSU or below would save you some money if you'd like.

Also, most people would recommend the Samsung F3 500GB drive over a Caviar Blue due to the numerous awards it (and it's 1TB variation) recieved. They cost about the same though so it's up to you. Otherwise your build looks good.