I5 750 gaming build <$800 - Can it be done?

[jrhilsch]

Looking to build my brother a gaming computer. I kind of promised him I could build him a new i5 gaming system with his budget. The machine I put together was $900+. HELP!


Approximate Purchase Date: Will be buying the parts over the next 1.5 weeks

Budget Range: <$800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Disk drive, mouse, keyboard, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: N/A

Country of Origin: U.S.

Parts Preferences: hoping to use a 15 750

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900

Additional Comments:

 

[batuchka]

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Seeing gaming on the cads and $$ an issue perhaps an interesting read for ya - games aren't even X4 optimised as yet ^^


The Game Rundown: Finding CPU/GPU Bottlenecks, Part 2
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Conclusion: A Trend Toward 3+ Cores

The average optimal number of CPU cores suggested by the test results is 2.75, showing a clear trend towards at least three CPU cores.The question of whether the CPU or GPU is most important is easily answered. If you don't have a multi-core CPU, then upgrade it. If you have a dual-core CPU at around 3 GHz, then invest your money into a graphics card, as most games are GPU-limited. This is not something that will change with new DirectX 11 games.

 

[cadder]

I sorta concluded that the budget gaming builds worked better with AMD CPU's, meaning you could save enough on the CPU to get a better GPU. You can read the recent system builder marathons that Toms has done and see what their results are, and try pricing the machine with AMD and with Intel.

If the prospective owner still wants Intel, he might have to come up with a little more money, or really economize elsewhere in the system.

 

[mgrzTX]

Looking to build my brother a gaming computer. I kind of promised him I could build him a new i5 gaming system with his budget. The machine I put together was $900+. HELP!


Approximate Purchase Date: Will be buying the parts over the next 1.5 weeks

Budget Range: <$800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Disk drive, mouse, keyboard, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: N/A

Country of Origin: U.S.

Parts Preferences: hoping to use a 15 750

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900

Additional Comments:

Here's the best I got...

Case/OS: Nice but cheap Case/ Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-147-153

CPU/Mobo: Requested CPU/ Reliable Asus Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.519636

Ram/PSU: Great Ram, PSU from a good company in Antec, 3 year warranty

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514383

HDD: As good as you'll need for just about anything

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

GPU: Should easily satisfy your resolution.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462

 

[jrhilsch]

Thanks, I really appreciate advice and the build. I think I will be giving up on the i5 750. Should I go with the anthon ii x4 640 or a phenom ii, remember no overclocking.

Also, I'm thinking for gpu of getting a gtx 460 768mb being that they just took a huge price drop. I know it's a little over powered for his res, but it will allow him to pick a better monitor in the future.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[jasonp12]

for the price of a gtx 460 768mb (not sure what they run now looks about 150-170$)

u may as well get the 6850 for that price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

as it blows both the 768 and 1gb versions outa the water

 

[jrhilsch]

The 6850 actually falls right in between the gtx 460 768mb and the gtx 460 1gb. I think you are right about grabbing a 6850 though. All the reviews are saying they are a phenomenal value.

 

[gordon_81]

get the 6850 its a no brainer

 

[jrhilsch]

Any thoughts on the the anthon ii verses the phenom ii? how will no L3 cache effect his daily use?

 

[batuchka]

This budget point easily Deneb + HD 6850 CFable config ^^

$667

+$100 OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754