$300 Gaming PC help?

[kunoyang]

Budget:$300

Usage: Gaming(Cod:mw2, Left 4 Dead, Total War games.)

Parts not required: Mouse,Keyboard,Monitor(If it fits in the budget then I'd like a new one.) OS

Resolution as of now: 1400x1050


Everything else I must buy. If I cant get a computer to play these games, what's the best setup possible within this budget?

Thank you.

 

[tkgclimb]

GIGABYTE gz-ph2a3 Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
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2. Diablotek PHD Series PHD450 450W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply
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1. GIGABYTE gz-ph2a3: $14.99
2. Diablotek PHD450: $34.99
Combo Discount: -$15.00
Combo Price: $34.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.452052


Foxconn M61PMP-K AM3 NVIDIA MCP61P Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
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2. AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX245OCGQBOX
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1. Foxconn M61PMP-K: $43.99
2. AMD ADX245OCGQBOX: $58.99
Combo Discount: -$24.00
Combo Price: $78.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.452366


Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075


LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864BA1339
$47.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148194


GIGABYTE GV-N240D5-512I GeForce GT 240 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Original Price: $89.99
You Save: $10.00
$79.99
($59.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125304

Just search on newegg for good cheap combo deals, you should really allocate more funds though

 

[kunoyang]

Thanks and just to make sure, these are all the parts I need to make a computer right? I'm not missing anything?

Thanks again!

 

[tkgclimb]

Yeah, I think so, I don't think I'm forgetting anything, since you said you already have an os, monitor, keyboard, mouse. If you want better performance out of the cpu OC it, and for that I would reccomend an aftermarket cooler like

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103075

 

[kunoyang]

Alright thanks again.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325138

Is that compatible with the setup you have given me?

And Is there a way to connect this desktop to a TV? What kind of plug would I have to buy for that?

 

[tkgclimb]

Yeah that's compatible, to hook it up to a tv, you might need a s-video, a s-video to analog adapter, a dvi to hdmi, or just a dvi cable into your tv. A lot of this stuff might come with the card. If your tv has a dvi or vga port in it thats the easiest.

Also are you using a 64 bit os, if so you might want to consider 4gb's of memory, or getting a mobo with 4 mem slots so you can put more in later.

 

[kunoyang]

Well I was thinking windows xp pro...should I use vista? I have it but im not to fond of it to be honest. The sites are likely to have drivers for xp and vista right?

Upgrading to 4 gigs ram is a possibility though. Any idea how much that would be?

 

[zooted]

$304.92 AR

 

[kunoyang]

Thanks for that build schem. zooted.
I think Ill stick with the 240 GT though because I heard it's better for gaming, is that true? And alot of the reviews for the Radeon HD 4670 said that it died very quickly.

I looked up the cost of having 4GB RAM. The cheapest I could find was around $80 so that would add about $30 to my price already.

And I found this case that comes with a 480W power supply and is only about $30 rather than $35 for a 450W with a case.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CS-206BK&cat=CAS

Well actually, the cost so far is $298 so with the rebate and money I save on the case I would have $25 and replace my $48 2GB RAM with a 4GB RAM for only an extra $5 which brings the cost to $303. Thats not too bad.

What Frames per second do you think I could run Modern Warfare 2 on high with this setup so far? At least 30 I'm hoping.

 

[tkgclimb]

That PSU, is a generic brand PSU and is of more questionable quailty (though the diablotech isn't very nice either). If you were going to spend some more money (which I would suggest) I would get a nicer motherboard. One with more ram slots and 2 pci-e slots. Though make sure if your getting a mobo with two pci-e's that it's AN amd chipset if your getting an amd card or an nvvidia chipset if your getting an nividia card.

That way you can sli or x-fire easy.

 

[Jack_Cookie]

Just my quick 2 cents here,

For a PC that can play a game like Total War (especially Napolean and Empire) you're not gonna get a decent build under $500. And if you start sacrificing quality with things like your motherboard then it will really come back to get you in the future, cutting costs with a MOBO is asking for trouble.

But then again, I'm still pretty new at this.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Check this though.

http://3btech.net/whlamadate321.html


Here's an idea for the case/PSU combo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121002

The reason I'm saying this....yes it is a little extra. But it is free shipping, and comes with a 585 watt power supply. If you check the pictures, one of the pictures shows the PSU label saying it has 2 12 v+ rails one at 19 amps, one at 20. I've never used this company or their products, but if that rating is anywhere near close, on paper that should be a lot stronger than most other cheap power supplies.

The one you picked, comes to about 45 after shipping. So not a major price difference.

Also consider 3 gb of ram. Yes, it would not run in dual channel, but would probably be better than 2.

If you are going for 100 for a gpu, consider this puppy

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121380

That's if the power supply can handle it. The one in that case I showed, on paper should, but I would not guarantee it.

 

[tkgclimb]

Everybody suggestions are excellent, and there are lots of ways you could do this with many different parts.

Here's another thought, just scrap by with what you have now (or wait to even get a comp) until you have 500$ to spend, then you can make a computer that's easily upgradable when more funds come along, is nicer quality, and more powerfull, meaning it will last you probably twice as long.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

True. Also to the op. Consider getting a good power supply now, get a decent case, and other components, get 2 gb of memory for now, and use integrated graphics. Then when you have a little more get a new video card, then get the extra 2 gb of ram.

 

[kunoyang]

Ok so I have decided to increase the budget of this project to less than $400. I can't do $500 like you recommended though..

So far here is my cart and I'm wondering if these are all compatible so far and whether or not they will all fit in the case.



CASE and PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.452052 $34.98



RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148194 $47.99



CPU and MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436339 $119.99



DVD Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 $17.99



HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075 $38.99



VIDEO CARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143187 $94.99


TOTAL: $354.93 + $26.99 shipping = $381.92


What do you think? I might end up saving up more for a better Gaming PC if this one would get outdated to fast, already sort of is lol.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I would not trust my build to that power supply. Just my opinion.

If you can squeeze it...I'd say this would be better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432095

Also, the board you picked is ddr2 ram. While we are at it, let's see if we can find something more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436269

How about this? That is 20 bucks more...but gives you an x3 instead of a dual core. A little more future proof.

If you want to spend 100, this is a better video card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125236

Though since your budget seems to be tight. Only a suggestion. The 9800gt is not that strong a card for today anyway. How about going to a 4670 with an eye to upgrade?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125277

That is 70.

But for the better PSU and case it's 60. And about 20 more for the better cpu and board.

I ran the numbers again, and if we did those modifications, better case/Power supply, better CPU, and the 4670 you are at 398.99.

However, with a 9800gt, you would be upgrading later anyway most likely. Here you'd have a better CPU more capable in the future as games become more multithreaded. With a 4670, it's not as good as the 9800gt, but you won't have as much into it.

With the better power supply, you shouldn't have to worry about it killing your system.

Also, I currently have a 9600gt, 2 gb of ram, and a dual core chip and it runs empire total war and napoleon decently actually. The 9600gt is roughly equivalent to the 4670. So it will do some games now, but when you upgrade later, sell it for 30 bucks on ebay or something, and you are not taking a huge loss.

 

[zooted]

That psu is generic I would highly recommend getting one from a known brand..
I would reccomend bumping the hd up to the spinpoint 500gb, it would be worth it and if you are gonna spend 100 on a video card get the 4850

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Also, I said it before I think, but may consider this drive. It's generic, but 320gb, and cheaper than what you've got now. Free shipping too.

http://3btech.net/whlamadate321.html

 

[kunoyang]

Thanks ohiou_grad06 and zooted for giving me a heads up on the PSU.

ohiou_grad06, I can't see the first link you posted it. Could you repost it?

And I probably will get the HD 4850 now instead of the 9800GT.

Thanks you guys!

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436269

 

[kunoyang]

Taking into consideration on what everyone said here's my new list


DVD BURNER: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 $17.99


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


VIDEO CARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131179 $69.99


PSU and CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432095 $59.98 380W enough?


CPU and MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436269 $137.98


RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148235 $37.99

Total: $378.92 + $20.63 shipping - $20 rebate = $379.55 ($399.55 without rebate)


I'm going with the 4670 cause it is alot cheaper and it can run most modern games and the ones I originally wanted to run (L4D,MW2, Total War) at either medium or high settings just fine.

So..should I save up for a couple months and go for a slightly better build? Or get the current one?

 

[che3zeman]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14500726

Go with this instead.

 

[kunoyang]

I'd rather put more money towards the CPU because I'm planning to run Windows XP so I don't think I'll really need 4GB of RAM.

 

[dan4patriots]

that ram you specified won't work as that motherboard uses ddr3 not ddr2 so find a 2gb ddr3 kit and drop the ddr2 also since your motherboard is 785g it has an ati HD 4200 which is pretty good for integrated and later when you have more money buy a better gnu

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Just so you are aware, you will eventually want to move from XP, as there is no Direct X 10 or 11 available. Direct X 9 games should be around for a while, so you are ok, but when you get a chance, moving to Windows 7 is advisable.