New Builder - Cheap Gaming Computer

[Kcortes]

Hi There - I've been doing online research on the site for afew days and have come up with the following Build. Mostly I'm interested in a High medium range setup with room to grow a bit and if I'm missing anything that most of you regular builders take for granted (i.e. do I need Thermal paste?). I've given up planning too far in advance, since it seems my ideas are obsolete within 1-2 yrs).

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within next 2-3 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $600-$700

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (MMO's like Dragon Age II and new DC heroes in fall, starcraft II)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:keyboard, mouse, monitor, graphics card (I have EVGA GTS 250 1GB).

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca or other canadian sites

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: rather have good quality main parts, can always upgrade other stuff a sI go

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600 or 1900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I haven't built a machine before but have swapped out most components except MB and CPU. I am worry that I'm forgetting something or that the parts I've picked won't work together. I haven't picked a Hardrive yet and am open to suggestions - don't need alot of space - I'm moving from80 Gig . Thanks for any advice in advance!

Here is what I have so far:
- Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
- SeaSonic SS-500ET Bronze 500W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
- AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX440WFGIBOX
- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
- Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7261S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

Subtotal: $525.43

 

[calguyhunk]

Better Mobo for only $12 extra : ASUS M4A87TD/USB3

Faster RAM for only $10 extra : G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB)

Keep the rest of your build. Looks pretty Kick-a$$.

 

[calguyhunk]

OOPS! Forgot - You don't need Paste/HSF till you Overclock. The stock cooler & thermal pad should be good enough.

Also keep your HDD if you dont need a lot of space. If you do however, go with SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 320GB

 

[ScrewySqrl]

you forgot the most important bit: the GPU.

from your original setup at $525 you could add a GeForce GTX 460 768MB model and burn up most MMOs

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261074
$199

drop the cooler you won't need, and use this.

 

[calguyhunk]

you forgot the most important bit: the GPU.

from your original setup at $525 you could add a GeForce GTX 460 768MB model and burn up most MMOs

Read his post. He already has a 250.

 

[Yargnit]

I'm kinda torn between recommending he replace his GPU, or buy a second and SLI it. (I know you said no SLI, but if u already have 1, and have a bit of budget room left)

But I don't think I'd stick with a single GTS 250 either way with what u have left in your budget.

 

[calguyhunk]

Option 1. Get another 250 for an Sli set-up.

Option 2. - Get yourself a Radeon HD 5770

But really, a single Gts 250 should be enough for SCII and stuff on med-high @ 1600 X 900 (I'm assuming that's what he means by 1600).

 

[calguyhunk]

Sorry for the US link. Newegg.ca - SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5770

 

[Kcortes]

Thanks Calguyhunk for the info. I appreciate the advice.

I agree the graphics card is weak part - but I can upgrade that in another 6 months easy enough

Kellie

 

[mosox]

You can also consider the SeaSonic S12II 520 and the OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

And the GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

For crossfire or SLI you need some other mobos.

 

[zooted]

I might be blind but I don't see a HDD =[?

 

[Kcortes]

I might be blind but I don't see a HDD =[?

Nope - I mentioned I still need one and open to suggestions.

Kellie

 

[Kcortes]

You can also consider the SeaSonic S12II 520 and the OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

And the GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

For crossfire or SLI you need some other mobos.

Thanks for the suggestions mosox! Seems like there is just so much to choose from - knowing which parts to get just seems confusing unless you know what to trust.

Kellie

 

[calguyhunk]

Stick to the 870 if you don't wanna be SLI'ing that GTS 250 of yours.

890GX/FX are gonna be better choices if you do however choose to go down that road.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you need a hard drive, the top choices around here are the Samsung F-series Spinpoint drives.

the F4 320 GB drive ($42)
The F3 500 GB ($54)
and the F3 1 GB ($75)


Also Drives from Western Digital and Seagate are reliable. stick with at least 7200 RPM, and get one that's the best price for you.

 

[Kcortes]

Thanks for the advice so far. Between what I have been reading (lol can't even keep my thread on the first pg for a day) I think this may be what I'm going to go with. Not sure on the MB yet seems pretty even. Any last minute advice on the below? I'm ok with upgrading something by $50 if it means noticable performance or quality increase.

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 OR MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 Motherboard
AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7261S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

...approx $600 Cdn once I decide which motherboard to go with.

** I already own:
- a EVGA GTS 250 1GB I will likely need to upgrade card in near future, but I think I'll stick with 1 card system and upgrade to a 5770.
- LG W2353V 1920x1080p monitor

Kellie

 

[Kcortes]

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 OR MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 Motherboard

Kellie

Ok, last question on this. Some have suggested I maybe lookforward to SLI the 250s...what motherboard should I look at if I want to do that? Do I need to upgrade my PSU then and do I need to worry about a heatsink/paste then?

Any input is appreciated - thanks in advance

Kellie

 

[calguyhunk]

You'll need a HSF/Paste if you wanna OC your CPU. Till such time, stock cooling will do you just fine. SLI/XFire has nothing to do with CPU cooling.

HDD : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3

To SLI on an AM3 Mobo, you need a Nvidia chipset. The Giga/MSI/Asus discussed in this thread so far will not support SLI (Xfire only), till you can access hacked drivers on the net.

These two are amongst the best --- (The costs are on the higher side though).

3 way SLI : MSI NF980-G65 AM3

2 way 16/16 SLI : ASUS M4N98TD