$700 budget gaming computer advice

[np-]

Budget Range: $700 (must include windows 7)


System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming (World of Warcraft) + aim + youtube + ventrilo (all these things simultaneously)


Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard, monitor (I have a 24 inch widescreen with native 1920x1080)


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, TigerDirect, or Amazon


Country of Origin: United States of America (New York City)


Overclocking: No


Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 or 1920x1080 (I have a 24 inch widescreen with native 1920x1080)


Additional Comments: Buying it on Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

My current computer is an Alienware Aurora 5500 that I bought in Q1 2006:
ASUS a8n-sli (basic)
AMD64 4000+ (939 socket, 2.53ghz)
nVidia 7800gt (256 mb)
2gb ram (PC3200)
80gb HD
650 watt PSU (ATX 2.0 with active PFC)

 

[deadcold94]

can almost promise you wont do better then this because of your price an needing windows this is a really good deal with the combos and such you pretty much pay 6$ for 2gb ddr3 ram

edit

with 600$ you could replace the 5770 with a 6850 for much better performance ... in games any how

and for 600$

my bad hard drive totally slipped my mind half asleep here anyways just add the spin point f3 500gb its the top performer..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=samsung_harddrives-_-22-152-181-_-Product


for the 600$ build you could just go back down to the 2x1gb ram and stay with the video card + the hard drive now

 

[zooted]

no hdd^?

 

[Onus]

Start with the $505 build and add a $55 HDD and a $22 optical drive. That's about as well as you'll do, but try to stretch enough to allow for 4GB of RAM.
What brand and model is your existing PSU? If it is good enough, you can re-use it. Your 80GB hard drive is not really something you'll want to re-use. It is small, undoubtedly slow, and likely nearing the end of its safely useful life.

 

[reaper2794]

Increase your budget or you're gonna be hurting...

 

[Onus]

Nah, if you're willing to lower a few settings, you'll be fine. Until recently, I was playing Guild Wars (similar demand to WoW since WoW's upgrades) at 1920x1080 on max settings except for AA with a HD4850, and staying pegged at 60FPS.

 

[mk-ultra]

Can you post exactly what you need? I am doing the same thing but with a 650 budget and all i need is CPU, Motherboard, Windows 7, 4GB ddr3 ram, PSU, GPU, I could fit a hardrive in there if I cut back on the psu.

 

[Onus]

He filled out the sticky we prefer people to use when asking for new build advice. You may wish to do the same; in your own thread, of course.

 

[np-]

ok, new budget = $700 (w/ win7)...also y win 7 pro? thats like $100 more.

 

[deadcold94]

700

here you go

 

[zooted]

You can drop another 6850 in there when it starts to show its age =]

 

[np-]

zooted's + ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

 

[zooted]

zooted's + ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

I chose the 870 for the cf capability

 

[Onus]

The 870 is much more future-resistant. You can shave money off zooted's build by getting a smaller HDD (e.g. the $55 500GB version of the F3) and a cheaper case (e.g. Antec 300 Illusion) because you'll want to add a cooler.
Actually, the only thing I don't like about Deadcold's build is the Biostar mobo. If you can work the combos out to get the ASRock 870 in there, that would be great.

 

[np-]

ok

 

[deadcold94]

The 870 is much more future-resistant. You can shave money off zooted's build by getting a smaller HDD (e.g. the $55 500GB version of the F3) and a cheaper case (e.g. Antec 300 Illusion) because you'll want to add a cooler.
Actually, the only thing I don't like about Deadcold's build is the Biostar mobo. If you can work the combos out to get the ASRock 870 in there, that would be great.

no biostar motherboard look again it asrock how do you get biostar?

 

[deadcold94]

regardless of whos build do not go with the powercooler hd 6870 it is a terrible version get the msi one alot better

 

[Onus]

Sorry about that; must have had some blear in my eyes this morning... Anyway then that's a nice build. SATA 3Gb/sec. should be sufficient for years to come, and USB 3.0, when needed, can always be added with an expansion card.

 

[np-]

deadcold...MSI is like $10 more..what about HIS? That one good? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

 

[np-]

Is this good?

 

[deadcold94]

Msi has a nicer looking fan set up IMO but they are both fine if you can find the xfx one I think it has a double life time warranty

 

[Onus]

That's a nice build. I have bought several HIS cards; all have worked well. I'm currently running a MSI GTX460, and it hasn't given me any grief either.

Edit: here's a current review on the XFX version: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/XFX-Radeon-HD-6850-Video-Card-Review/1127

 

[np-]

Last question, is that psu (650 watt) enough for 2 6850s (if I xfire in future)?? Would 550 be enough?

 

[Onus]

The system requirements page does not give requirements for Crossfire, but says 500W is enough for one. Since it has one PCIE power connector, that means it cannot possibly need more than 150W, so a 650W PSU would be enough for Crossfire. 550W would probably not be enough.

 

[np-]

Best answer selected by np-.