Budget Gaming Rig

[Deleted member 407502]

Hello,

I am looking to try my first build which will be a budget gaming rig.

Approximate Purchase Date: Whenever the parts list is ready.

Budget Range: My max price is $600 but going over a couple dollars is not a problem and after rebate is fine if i can get the deal in time.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web browsing, Media playback, occasional transcoding.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor ( currently 22" 1680x1050).

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference but Newegg does seem to have good deals.

Country of Origin: U.S.A

Parts Preferences: Quality and performance are most important.

Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe - Maybe, I haven't tried it before but I am curious since is it supposedly easy now.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes / No / Maybe - Doubtful, I am not really planning to upgrade the rig.

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: I am not sure if the processor I have selected can unlock but I would consider trying if it can. The build I am thinking of has been formed mostly by looking at all the information here, great site, so thanks.

Processor: AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana

Mobo: AsusM4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX

GPU: Sapphire Vapor-X 100273L Radeon HD 4850 1GB
POWERCOLOR PCS+ AX5770 Radeon 5770
I am not sure if the first card is sufficient, other choices are welcome.

Ram: G.Skill 2x2GB DDR3 1600

HD: Samsung Spinpoint 500GB 7200 rpm

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212
I am not sure if I need one, hopefully the stock fan is enough.

Optical:Lite-On DVDRW

PSU: Cooler Master Elite 460 RS 460W

Case: Rosewill Blackbone

This is a combo that comes with the Rosewill Blackbone and a OCZ ModXStream Pro PSU, I have not researched the PSU so I do not know if it is a quality part.

I am not sure if these parts are compatible so I leave that to you guys. Since this is a budget build, will I need any extra cables or connectors that would not ship with the parts? My main goal is to be able to play World of Warcraft, Portal 2, Mass Effect and other modern games at High settings and multitask for other use. I'm hoping the first GPU will be enough but the 5770 is my second choice unless a better one is suggested. I will probably only use this machine for 1-2 years after which it will simple be a home office pc so gaming longevity beyond that is not a big concern. Thanks in advance.

 

[gordon_81]

OCZ psus are better then coolermaster psus, you only need a an aftermarket CPU cooler if you are going to overclock, rather go for a 5770 as you will benefit with dx 11, but i would try going for a gtx 460 1gb even if it stretches your budget its worth it, look for some more combos

 

[gordon_81]

this website might help you decide http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/180?vs=172

 

[Deleted member 407502]

this website might help you decide http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/180?vs=172

Thanks for the reply gordon_81. I checked the comparison and the price for the GTX 460 but I do not know if I'm willing to put another $100 down for the GPU.

I will probably try to overclock, will the stock fan be insufficient if I do? Is the overall build decent or can other improvements be made?

 

[gordon_81]

get the cpu cooler if you are going to overclock, you did choose the right CPU cooler though the hyper 212+ is the best price vs performance in my opinion, if you cant go for the gtx 460 the 5770 should be sufficient its a decent card, i wouldnt go for the 4850 though

 

[ScrewySqrl]

with careful use of combos, you can probly squeeze in the GTX 460 1GB, almost certainly the GTX 460 768MB version

 

[gordon_81]

with careful use of combos, you can probly squeeze in the GTX 460 1GB, almost certainly the GTX 460 768MB version

i agree

 

[Deleted member 407502]

Thanks ScrewySqrl and gordon_81. I was wondering why you both were suggesting the card until I remembered I put my max budget at $600 and was only using $500 in my calculations. Are you both talking about combo deals just for the GPU or for the whole build? Any specific GPU you could recommend and would I need to change the mobo and CPU for this?

I was thinking of using this combo which has the same processor I listed but a ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO mobo.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

for the whole build. Starting with that combo you just posted, I can put together a $600 PC for you here...

 

[Deleted member 407502]

for the whole build. Starting with that combo you just posted, I can put together a $600 PC for you here...

Great, I would truly appreciate it. I am a true beginner and I am very worried about choosing compatible parts so all advice is most welcome.

I have to go to school then work right after so I won't be on till the evening but I will be back this evening.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Your Motherboard combo: $140.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.500489

OCZ Fatal1ty 550W modular power supply and Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB HDD: $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492759

4 GB Mushkin DDR3-1333 RAM: $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Palit Sonic factory overclocked Geforce GTX 460 1GB: $219.99
w/ Free Starcraft II Trial and Just Cause 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.455037

Note: there is an MSI one that has the same combo at $224, but a $20 rebate, i went with the lower base cost.

Rosewill Challenger case and LiteOn 24x DVD burnger: $53.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492959

$589.92

Shipping: $10.79

Total: $600.71

there is a $20 rebate in there as well

this was just a fast check

 

[Deleted member 407502]

Your Motherboard combo: $140.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.500489

OCZ Fatal1ty 550W modular power supply and Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB HDD: $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492759

4 GB Mushkin DDR3-1333 RAM: $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Palit Sonic factory overclocked Geforce GTX 460 1GB: $219.99
w/ Free Starcraft II Trial and Just Cause 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.455037

Note: there is an MSI one that has the same combo at $224, but a $20 rebate, i went with the lower base cost.

Rosewill Challenger case and LiteOn 24x DVD burnger: $53.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492959

$589.92

Shipping: $10.79

Total: $600.71

there is a $20 rebate in there as well

this was just a fast check

Thanks ScrewySqrl, since there is no aftermarket heatsink I would'nt be able to overclock would I? I'll try to see if I can find any more combos based on your build.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the stock heatsink can handle overclock up until you change the voltage.

If you want to overclock, I recommend getting it somewhere else instead of Newegg, they tend to overprice coolers. Good choices are the Kingwin XT-1264, or the Coolermaster Hyper 212+

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you need windows in that build, by swapping out the motherboard to a ASrock 770 E3 ($59.99), and a combo with the Rana 445 and Windows 7 ($167.98) and then downgrade the HDD/PSU combo to a OCZ 500W modular and Seagate 500 GB for $89.99 and to teh Zotac 768 MB GTX 460. Total: $616.91 plus shipping, and $35 in rebates

 

[Deleted member 407502]

Thanks ScrewySqrl. The OS is not part of the budget, I've been looking at all the combos and this is what I've found:

AMD Athlon II X3 Rana and Asus M4A785TD mobo

MSI GTX 460 or
Palit GTX 460

I will probably go with the Palit if there are no problems with it, I've heard it can be loud?

Rosewill Destroyer Case and WD 500GB HD
RoseWill Case and 1TB HD

If I do get the Palit GPU, I will probably get the 1TB HD since it's hard to resist twice the space for $15.

G Skill 4GB DDR3 Ram

ModXStream 700W PSU and LiteOn DVDRW

That's what I've got right now, I'll order it today if there are no problems with it unless anyone has any critiques or suggestions.

 

[gordon_81]

get this gtx 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518&Tpk=msi%20gtx%20460%20hawk

according to somebody 007, linus OCd it past 5870 levels and was comparing it to a gtx 480

 

[Deleted member 407502]

get this gtx 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518&Tpk=msi%20gtx%20460%20hawk

according to somebody 007, linus OCd it past 5870 levels and was comparing it to a gtx 480

Isn't my build gpu limited at some point, would I even be able to utilize it fully?

 

[gordon_81]

if you OC your rana and manage to unlock the fourth core i doubt that there will be a bottleneck

 

[Deleted member 407502]

if you OC your rana and manage to unlock the fourth core i doubt that there will be a bottleneck

Alright thanks gordon_81.

I've changed the ram to Corsair XMS3. I'll be ordering everything soon almost everything and then deciding the final GPU. Will there be any compatibility issues with anything?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the Palit and MSI both have free game combos on Newegg (so you get Just Cause 2 and Starcraft II Trial). the MSI has a $20 rebate, so its $224.99 cost becomes $204 after rebate, while the Palit is $219.99 with no rebate.

 

[Deleted member 407502]

the Palit and MSI both have free game combos on Newegg (so you get Just Cause 2 and Starcraft II Trial). the MSI has a $20 rebate, so its $224.99 cost becomes $204 after rebate, while the Palit is $219.99 with no rebate.

The MSI was my first choice but the rebate apparently ended yesterday so I'm going with the Palit.

 

[Deleted member 407502]

the Palit and MSI both have free game combos on Newegg (so you get Just Cause 2 and Starcraft II Trial). the MSI has a $20 rebate, so its $224.99 cost becomes $204 after rebate, while the Palit is $219.99 with no rebate.

Fortunately, the rebate was offered again so I decided to get the MSI:

Asus M4A785TD-M EVO AM3

AMD Athlon II X3 Rana and Lite-On DVDRW

MSI GTX 460 1GB

Corsair XMS3 4GB RAM

Rosewill Blackbone Case and OCZ ModXStream 600W PSU

Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB HD

I just want to say thanks again to ScrewySqrl and gordon_81 for all the help and advice. Are there any big obvious mistakes in there?

 

[gordon_81]

maybe change the ram to some gskill ram, and change the seagate hdd to a samsung spinpoint f3 1tb

 

[Deleted member 407502]

maybe change the ram to some gskill ram, and change the seagate hdd to a samsung spinpoint f3 1tb

Those are the two I was looking at first but the Corsair Ram has a rebate and the Seagate had a coupon for $16 off, the building is at $609 right now.

 

[gordon_81]

well the seagate barracuda 7200.11 series had a high failure rate, but im not so sure with the 7200.12 series so just go for it then as we have not heard any problems, and as for the ram i guess just stick with the corsair, but find out how much the gskill ripjaws cost