[New Build] Economy Gaming $450 - Challenge!

[starflame]

Hi all, here's the challenge:

I would greatly appreciate some expert advice on a cost-effective new build specifically for gaming and linking to an HD 1080p TV. The requirements are below.

Approximate Purchase Date: November 1st - December 1st

Budget Range: $450 or less

System Usage: Specifically for maxing out Mass Effect 2, Star Wars the Old Republic, Lord of the Rings Online, browsing on the web with HD 1080p TV with internet access.

Parts Not Required: I have 2 80GB Hard Drives, a salvaged Xbox 360 CD Rom Drive and Wireless Mouse, Wireless Keyboard, TV

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com - any others OK

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I know that I need RAM, CPU, Motherboard, Video Card and Case/Cooling. Cable for TV as well?

Overclocking: Maybe, Advice?

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe Advice?

Monitor Resolution: Need advice for HD TV monitor - what do I need on the PC side for best compatibility with gaming?

Additional Comments: Appreciate the help - I'm decent with PC's but I am not up to date on current hardware


Thanks Again!

 

[Dougie Fresh]

For the TV look at the Panasonic VIERA TC-P50G25 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV. It's the best TV for just a hair under $1000.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-TC-P50G25-50-Inch-Plasma/dp/B003924UCK

 

[starflame]

Thanks bud I do still need to buy the TV haha.

 

[Juanchioo]

dont buy that.. its a plasma.. they are bad, they break

 

[starflame]

Ok still waiting for anyone who can help me with this PC challenge. This is what I have so far . . . keep in mind that this is slightly over budget. And I may be forgetting things like fans, cables and artic silver so please advise if this is necessary.

Here's what I have thus far (click to zoom):

Note that I went for Tri-core for gaming reasons, because I believe it can be unlocked and based off recommendations. The Video Card is based off recommendations from Newegg but I have no clue as to its viability vs others in the same price range.

Opinions please! Where are all of the outspoken people when you want them? Haha

 

[Juanchioo]

get the cheapest case u can get a better psu and the cheapest ram will work

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144454 this for ram and u can add another 2 later

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171028 and this for the psu

 

[kureme]

They're probably all gone because its night time and its the middle of the week.

Keep in mind you need a mobo that supports core unlocking to actually unlock cores.

All the GPUs of the same model are the same. You just pay for the factory overclocking from the base clock, warranty, and how well the manufacturer has established themselves (customer support).

Athlon II x3 445 and ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 $157.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.537770

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 $61.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

PowerColor Radeon HD 5770 $134.99 - $20 rebate = $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131327

Antec 300 Case and EarthWatts 650W $119.98 - $15 rebate = $104.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514534

Total: $474.94 - $35 rebates = $439.94

If the budget is before rebates, drop the 4gb ram for one 2gb stick and add another later when you got the money.

You don't need arctic silver, the stock heatsink already has thermal paste applied.

Only need aftermarket cooler if you plan to do extreme overclocking. You can do minor OC fine with the stock cooler.

 

[starflame]

Wow thank you Juanchioo and Kureme.

Kureme that build looks great. . . can you tell me why you're recommending that particular GPU (5770 Powercore) vs the 5770 Sapphire?

And how important is the CPU type/power going to be with games?

 

[mosox]

Here's a cheaper one:

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + GIGABYTE GV-R577UD-1GD Radeon HD 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.533383
AMD Athlon II X3 445 + G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.534849
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W + Rosewill Blackbone
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514519

$443.94/$413.94

The CPU is good for gaming.

 

[batuchka]

$440AR - think u on a IDE ODD so free SATA DVDRW with combo hehe

 

[reaper2794]

Don't suggest a freakin POWERCOLOR product to people, go with XFX, Sapphire or HIS

 

[Dougie Fresh]

dont buy that.. its a plasma.. they are bad, they break

That's a helpful remark. You have sources to back that up?

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/TVs_And_Large_Display/X3R4L5Q4

"Panasonic's 50" plasma is the best TV overall, according to an Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by US organisation Consumer Reports."

http://www.consumersearch.com/plasma-tv/best-plasma-tv

"Panasonic plasma TVs are best overall"

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/tvs/tv-buying-advice/tv-brands/tv-brands.htm#28973

"Panasonic is the market leader in plasma TVs"

 

[kureme]

Wow thank you Juanchioo and Kureme.

Kureme that build looks great. . . can you tell me why you're recommending that particular GPU (5770 Powercore) vs the 5770 Sapphire?

And how important is the CPU type/power going to be with games?

Most probably because to say within budget. There is nothing wrong with PowerColor. They're usually great for people aiming for small builds because they usually use shorter cards than the mainstream but in this case, the price was the deciding factor. It seems the price rose overnight so my recommendation should change to the HIS one for $124.99 after rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-338-_-Product

Regarding the plasma, they're great as TVs, but not so much as PC monitors. They are very prone to image burn-ins from displaying the same image for extended periods of time, i.e. the desktop. For a PC monitor definitely stick with LCDs.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here is my build for $445:

Athlon II X3 445 and 4 GB Mushkin DDR3 1333 RAM: $124.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514578

Asrock 770 motherboard: $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

OCZ 500W Modular 80+ PSU and 500 GB Samsung F3 hard drive: $89.98 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514455

MSI GTS 450: $119.99 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127527

Rosewill basic case $29.99 (w/ 1 120MM Fan)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147109

additional 120mm fan: $3.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835228010

22x DVD burner: $15.39 (10% off thru 11/3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

$444.31 total
$10.73 shipping

$454.94 total less $45 in rebates.

 

[starflame]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

I was comparing the 6850 vs the 5770 on passmark and the 6850 is ridiculously more powerful for the price (rated 25% better). I am, however, paranoid about overheating in the case, which is my current prob.

Some of the cases mentioned look good but this is my biggest weak spot in knowledge. Should I sacrifice some cost in the case and get the 6850 card (batuchka suggested), or go with something like the 5770 and put more into cooling (Kureme)...

 

[kureme]

You generally shouldn't have much overheating issues unless you improperly install the heatsink or do some heavy overclocking.

For the case, I wouldn't get anything below $30 because of poor design/construction/quality. They will be flimsy, rattle and/or literally fall apart.

Obviously get the 6850 if you can because it is "much better" but if you go with that kind of thinking, you may as well throw down another $300 for a budget i5 760 build.

Personally, I don't care too much about aesthetics so I can deal with an ugly or old case so long as it has decent airflow and most of the money is going towards performance. You usually have air being blown out through the PSU so at a minimum so you only need one more fan, preferably sucking air in from the front or blowing the hot air out behind the CPU cooler. Ideally you would want both of these.

 

[mosox]

Get the 6850 if you can.

 

[batuchka]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

I was comparing the 6850 vs the 5770 on passmark and the 6850 is ridiculously more powerful for the price (rated 25% better). I am, however, paranoid about overheating in the case, which is my current prob.

Some of the cases mentioned look good but this is my biggest weak spot in knowledge. Should I sacrifice some cost in the case and get the 6850 card (batuchka suggested), or go with something like the 5770 and put more into cooling (Kureme)...

With small differences, etc there is very little reason not to go with the HD 6850 as the gulf between it and HD 5770 is rather huge No reason to settle for inferior performance for the same $$