Advice 4 YOU: How to Build a $400 Gaming Computer

[ahthurungnone]

The following, based on vast experience with custom builds, would be a great economical gaming computer for around $400...

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128458 = $63
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103920 = $72 (scores 6.7 on WEI)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211364 = $40 ($16 off as combo with mobo)
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870 = $70 (scores 7.0 on WEI)
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395 = $50 (scores 5.9 on WEI)
DVD Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177 = $17
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023 = $45
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182074 = $35 ($10 off as combo with case)
TOTAL: $385.92

Of course, opinions may differ, but this is what I'd recommend to any of my friends or customers.

Having utilized these components before, this system should be able to run most modern games at 1920x1080 at high settings.

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

((Note: These recommendations are as of 2/7/2011.))

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Spinpoint F3 1TB is $5 more, faster and more reliable.

PSU is garbage.

Other than that it's a cheap computer. Those little X3 4xx series chips are decent though.

 

[banthracis]

7200.12 and f3 are pretty comparable in performance.
you'll have to copy paste due to tom's chart linkage fail.

"www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1010.html?prod[2770]=on&prod[2369]=on"

However, the 7200.12 is $38 atm making it a very good buy.

PSU/case wise you should just go with an antec earthwatts 430 for $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034&cm_re=antec_powersupply-_-17-371-034-_-Product

and CM elite or NZXT gamma for $40, that'll end up being $15 more for a better PSU and similar case.

 

[aznshinobi]

You need to stop spamming topics no offense to be a troll. But 1 topic is enough, but you made another on the same builds prior.

So you have 2 400$ builds As of 2/6/2011 and one more today. You need to slow down on the topic spam. Edit your posts, don't make new topics.

 

[daship]

Seajunk hard drives suck, I've seen so many bad ones come through the shop lately of new and old.

 

[Espada]

ive never had problems with seagate but i have had many problems with western digital. still like them and will still buy both depending on price.

 

[ahthurungnone]

You need to stop spamming topics no offense to be a troll. But 1 topic is enough, but you made another on the same builds prior.

So you have 2 400$ builds As of 2/6/2011 and one more today. You need to slow down on the topic spam. Edit your posts, don't make new topics.

Other members had made some recommendations that I took in consideration. So, I wasn't spamming. Just trying to make the post better and more revelant.

My hope is that new builders will see that they can build a decent system within having to spend a fortune. That's all.

 

[joelmartinez]

this system should be able to run most modern games at 1920x1080 at high settings.

with a 5670? 1 setting high and rest mid-low or something

I would get at least a 6850 for 1920x1080 @ high settings

 

[joelmartinez]

also change the psu to the antec suggested

 

[ahthurungnone]

Do you have a link to the Antec psu?

 

[ahthurungnone]

Please note the amendment due to new pricing from Newegg...

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341039&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL020811&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL020811-_-EMC-020811-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17341039-LC0D

$60 for Both!!!

 

[joelmartinez]

ocz is second tier, but I think I like that

 

[leyshadow]

WTH is that card so cheap? a 4850 is $100 or so, I realize it's close performance wise but it's gddr5 and newer generation!