Budget gaming build around a GTS 250

[imaurer269]

Just picked up a new GTS 250 1GB for 60 bucks and looking to put together a budget build for a friend for gaming. Will be playing games like COD4 WOW and Crysis at 1600 x 900 res. Ordering in a few hours to use a couple 10% off codes at newegg have these in cart atm:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176 ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017 CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 WD Caviar Blue 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156237 RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 ASUS DVD Burner $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145218 CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 $35

Above with card is right around $270. I'm torn at rather to toss in a Athlon II X3 450 for $80 and have a budget extreme rig for $350 or go with a Phenom II X4 955 for $150 this combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612781 for $60 and swap in a Spinpoint F3 500GB for $50 for around $450.

I'm thinking the extra $100 would create a lot nicer gaming system and wanted some veteran thought before I pull the trigger thanks!

 

[megamanx00]

-_- the 955 is worth the extra money, but if you're going to overclock it I'd really recommend a decent after market cooler like this rifle cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233081

or the TX3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

rather than the puny stock one. I have a TX3 cooling my E2200@2.6 (it's an office PC not a gaming one) and it does a darn good job. You got a pretty good deal on that GTS 250. The case seems o.k (haven't seen any reviews for it), but I can't think of recommending anything cheaper ^_^.

 

[imaurer269]

Yeah I just ordered the combo(should of been a no brainer was 65 bucks vs like 75 on the memory & PSU durp) and more than likely will go with the 955, a Spinpoint F3 1TB and either a Antec Three Hundred Illusion or a Rosewill CHALLENGER along with that mobo I had picked once I get the spending approval from my friend

 

[batuchka]

Hmm double check with Sep 2010 $400 SBM - approximating 1280 x 1024 roughly to 1600 x 900 Crysis was playable on HD 5670 so i would try to hit something like a HD 5770/GTS 450?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-build-a-pc-overclock,2739-12.html

 

[imaurer269]

He's not looking to max out the settings I don't think, if he is tho I would think about going with the X3 450 and a GTX 460.

 

[batuchka]

Yep in the sub $400 range for rig : HD 5770 else any higher i would suggest slotting in a 768M GTX 460

 

[Onus]

He already has the GPU!

Good idea on the combo.
That case doesn't look bad (and it comes with 3 fans), but I really like the Rosewill cases at the lower end. Check out the Challenger for $55 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153 also with three fans, but a bottom-mounted PSU and better cable management.
The mobo you've picked is solid; I've built two systems with that one and a couple more with other ASRock boards, and they're all working well.

 

[imaurer269]

I have liked the Rosewill cases myself also gonna try out the challenger or the Antec 300 Illusion both are 55 shipped atm. Really just debating on what CPU I want to use now, almost think a Phenom II 955 BE is overkill for the GTS 250 and might go with a Athlon II 450 or roll the dice on a Phenom II 555(could swap out with my Athlon II 445 in my HTPC if I don't get lucky) Oh what to use what to use

 

[Onus]

The few Antec cases I've bought have been solid and high quality, but have also been very lacking in cable management. Especially with a non-modular PSU, I think you'll prefer the better cable management of the Rosewill.

 

[imaurer269]

Best answer selected by imaurer269.