Light Gaming Build

[67726e]

Approximate Purchase Date: tomorrow (hopefully)


Budget Range: $450


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Programming, Light Gaming, Internet


Parts Not Required: Keyboard & Mouse


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: None


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: In the +20"


Additional Comments: I do in fact have a selection picked out already:

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254049
System Bundle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.482715

I was told I should give this a shot first.

 

[cmcghee358]

Well at your price point, light gaming will equate to Solitaire or Internet flash games. Also do you need an operating system?

 

[RazberyBandit]

I refer you to the $400 September System Builder's Marathon machine:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-build-a-pc-overclock,2739.html

The combo you linked isn't horrible, but there's room for improvement. I'd prefer a better CPU, a dedicated graphics card, and a higher quality power supply. (Reviews on that PSU are quite poor. The amount of DOA's and early failures are absurd.)

Here's a build I just put together.

CPU & Motherboard combo: AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana w/ Gigabyte GA-MA770T-USB3 AM3 Motherboard = $140.98 ($130.98 w/ $10 MiR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524272

Power Supply & DVD Burner Combo: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W w/ LG 22X SATA GH22LS50 = $66.98 ($46.98 w/ $20 MiR card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524161

Case & Hard Drive combo: Rosewill Blackbone w/ Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB = $84.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514457

Video Card: Sapphire Tech HD 5670 512mb = $79.99 ($64.99 w/ $15 MiR card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870

Memory: Mushkin 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333 Dual-Channel Kit = $68.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Total before shipping: $441.92
Shipping: $13.86
Total due at purchase: $455.78
Total after MiRs: $405.78

Advantages of my build over the SBM:
1. Faster CPU.
2. 4GB RAM vs 2GB.
3. Higher powered and higher quality PSU.
4. Much larger hard drive.
5. Lightscribe capable DVD Burner

Disadvantages:
1. Higher cost if rebates aren't redeemed.

 

[67726e]

The problem is I need a monitor as well. So I'm going to stick with what I have. As far as my light gaming being relegated to flash games is complete BS. I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 with a 2.2 GHz Dual Core and an integrated graphics card and I have been able to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 without lag. (Albeit on the lower end of the graphics settings) I'm guessing that this machine can at least perform on par with my laptop, though I'm assuming it will far exceed it.

 

[RazberyBandit]

I understand. You want to come in under $470 or so including a monitor. If I came up with a similarly priced build that offered some improvements over the combo you're considering, would that interest you? If not, then I wish you good luck with your build.

And yeah, what he said about flash game limitation is BS.

 

[cmcghee358]

You need to take into consideration the resolution of your new build before you decide it will be sufficient based on your laptops performance.

Or maybe I'm completely wrong, at which time come back here and tell me

 

[cmcghee358]

After looking at the graphics card heiarchy chart I see the Radeon 4200 is ranked in the #21 category.

The minimum system requirements for CoD:MW2 is showing 256MB nVidia GeForce 6600GT or Radeon 1600XT.

The Radeon 1600XT is ranked in the #22 slot.

So I guess you could run it on integrated, but you and I probably have different opinions on fun.

 

[67726e]

@Raz I would be interested in seeing any other options. The only things I don't need are an OS and a mouse/keyboard.

@cmc As far as the gaming goes, I'm not all about the whole Hi-Res gaming. I mean with a game like MW2, I played it because the campaign/storyline is just so epic. If I wanted this computer for just Hi-Res gaming I would say F*** it and buy a PS3. My main thing is programming however so I just want a solid computer that works well and can last me through college. Besides, upgrading some components between now and then are not out of the question.

 

[RazberyBandit]

OK. I'll see what I can come up with. Gimme a half an hour or so to tear through some combos and what not.

 

[67726e]

Alright, I really appreciate it. Just don't expect to hear back from me until this afternoon. I have no chance to use a computer during any of my other classes.

 

[mosox]

The problem with that bundle is not the DDR2 but the CPU. You can get only 2G of RAM for now and something like this:

BIOSTAR TA790GXB3 + LG 22X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.522314
AMD Athlon II X3 445
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872
Kingston ValueRAM 2GB 240-Pin DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134812
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB + NZXT GAMMA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514452
Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

23" full HD monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009266

$483.92

 

[RazberyBandit]

Well, my efforts to squeeze a video card, specifically a 5670, into the budget are not turning out well. I keep ending up over $500 w/ a monitor, and closer to $550 than I'd prefer. Looks like adding a 5670 is going to end up much like my prior build did - over budget.

Though, if we take the SBM and mosox's builds as examples and only go with 2GB of memory for now, my original build can drop to $406.92, or $420.78 incl. shipping.
You'd still have $45 worth of rebates to cash in, too, taking the final price to $375.78 shipped.

It's a simple swap of the 4GB kit I listed previously for this:
Rendition by Crucial 2GB DDR3-1333 Module = $33.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148352

Then you can just add any monitor you choose.

Mosox, why not the Antec EA-380D? It's $5 cheaper than the Neo Eco. ($4 technically, as it costs $1 more for shipping)

 

[67726e]

Alright guys, thanks for all the the help. Now lets just hope I don't screw something up during the build.

 

[RazberyBandit]

You're welcome, and good luck. If you run into problems, there are people here who will help.

I hope whichever build path you choose to follow suits your needs.

 

[67726e]

I just wanted to let ya'll know I finished my build last night and have everything successfully setup. Thanks for all the help.