Around $700 gaming system?

[the_duck]

Hi,
I would like to build a gaming system for ~$700.
I really do not know much about current gaming hardware and what would be good for such a thing.
Basically I would like to play the newer games like RIFT (or upcoming games) at a decently high level of graphics.

The only stuff I have currently are (I currently just use a laptop ...):
Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit
23" Samsung LCD monitor

so ... I would need basically everything else but don't mind building it since it might be a fun project for me and my son.
Thanks for your time!

 

[ScrewySqrl]

a decemt $700 build is possible.

i5-2400: $190
MSI H61 Mobo: $85
8 GB RAM: $80
HD 6850: $170
1 TB HDD: $65
DVD Burner: $18
Antec Earthwatts 380W: $40
Rosewill 102 case: $30
extra fans: $7
$685

 

[jmsellars1]

Hi, seriously cant beleive how cheap it is in the US lol, heres what i came up with (from Newegg):

Antec 300 $59.95
Hitachi 500GB HDD $38.99
EVGA GTX 460 1GB $159.99
Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus 500W $39.99
G.Skill 2x2GB 1333Mhz RAM $42.99
GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3 $134.99
Intel Core i5-2500k $219.99

Total $696.89

This is actually better in some ways than my £600/$1000 build from only 2 months ago. I should also mention that you will DEFINITELY want to overclock that CPU and GPU with this build because they seem severely underclocked at the moment, even on stock cooling you should be able to get another 10% out of the GPU and 20% out of the CPU minimum.

 

[jmsellars1]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/TemporaryWishList.aspx?BundleExist=N&ChangeQty=0 theres a link, if it works.

 

[jmsellars1]

Sorry for the triple post but i just realised, that PSU may be cutting it a bit fine with overclocks. There are $30 worth of rebates in there, perhaps use them to upgrade it to CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-600CX 600W for $64.99 (with another $10 rebate )

 

[the_duck]

the link didn't work but thanks for the reply.
I'll look into it. I really do not know anything about overclocking however

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the build I posted would not overclock, but it would be good for games for several years

 

[gerry410]

Hi,
I would like to build a gaming system for ~$700.
I really do not know much about current gaming hardware and what would be good for such a thing.
Basically I would like to play the newer games like RIFT (or upcoming games) at a decently high level of graphics.

The only stuff I have currently are (I currently just use a laptop ...):
Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit
23" Samsung LCD monitor

so ... I would need basically everything else but don't mind building it since it might be a fun project for me and my son.
Thanks for your time!

Hi Duck, I was in the same situation as you. Needed a new system but was not sure what configuration was best for my needs. What I did is I read all the Tom's "Build your own articles", and selected the one i liked best and could afford. The system "receipies" are all laid out for you with the added advantage of being tested by Toms. I did this back in june of 2010, and followed the $1500.00 BYO build. I upgraded and changed a few things. I went to the dell website and put almost the exact configuration in it turns out I built mine for $900.00 less than dell would sell it to me for..

 

[jmsellars1]

a decemt $700 build is possible.

i5-2400: $190
MSI H61 Mobo: $85
8 GB RAM: $80
HD 6850: $170
1 TB HDD: $65
DVD Burner: $18
Antec Earthwatts 380W: $40
Rosewill 102 case: $30
extra fans: $7
$685

Personally i think this build is a bit unbalanced to be honest, 8GB RAM seems unecessary and that GPU also seems quite expensive. 380W would be cutting it very fine also. the_duck, just look into overclocking then decide if you feel comfortable, i should say though that it is relatively difficult to cause any permanent damage to your PC. Only realistic ways i can think of it happening are using extreme voltages over your CPU's safe level (or under your base level)

 

[jmagnus]

this look about right?
I added a DVD burner too.
Why wouldn't I want DDR 1600 BTW? only $5 more ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

 

[the_duck]

oops, that last post was from me.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Personally i think this build is a bit unbalanced to be honest, 8GB RAM seems unecessary and that GPU also seems quite expensive. 380W would be cutting it very fine also. the_duck, just look into overclocking then decide if you feel comfortable, i should say though that it is relatively difficult to cause any permanent damage to your PC. Only realistic ways i can think of it happening are using extreme voltages over your CPU's safe level (or under your base level)

the 380W has 30 amps on the 12v rails, since the 6850 only needs about 20a, its fine.

8 GB might be overkill, but at $80, its cheap enough, so why not? (6 months ago, 80 wouldn't get you 4 gb)

the Video card at $180 is a mid-range model, paired with the 2400 cpu, it shoudl deliver 40-100 FPs at 1920x1080 on any game you throw at it through 2013.

 

[gerry410]

In addition to what I said above take all these fantasy builds people are suggesting with a grain of salt.
Tom's "Build Your Own", then tweek it.

 

[jmsellars1]

I really don't see what you mean by 'fantasy' builds, we are really just doing the same thing as the Tom's build your own except we are giving more tailored info instead of trying to fit everything into one article. (As great as it is)

With the RAM, yeah why not go for 1600Mhz. Would make a pretty minor difference but at $5 why not.

Generally though im surprised you can get such an excellent system for that price.

 

[gerry410]

My point to him is only to weigh carefully peoples suggested individual builds. Tom's does not "try to fit everything into one article". If you read them you would know that.
They build, test then compare builds and publish the results. Thats why for a novice I suggested he take a look at them. Its a good idea that worked for me. Thats all.
I learned how to build my computer from the forum contributers and Tom's so any insult was unintentional.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

what I posted is actually pretty close to what I'm planning to build myself. I'm just waiting until June to see if Bulldozer is indeed a Sandy Bridge beater. If it is, for the same costs, I'll get that. Would hate to build a system that's outclassed so soon after building it

 

[the_duck]

What about this build?
I actually do not know the differences between the main components like GPU, CPU, MOBO so I put a list together based on some of the articles, etc. This one give me 8GB RAM (or i can just save $45 and go with 4GB).

Roughly $700 total

from Amazon:
ASUS AMD Radeon HD 6850 1 GB GDDR5 Video Card EAH6850/2DI2S/1GD5 $188.36

 

[jmsellars1]

Personally i wouldn't go with an AMD processor for a gaming PC. Also i seriously doubt that 8GB of RAM would be worthwhile for gaming. Dont really know much about that mobo though

 

[the_duck]

Best answer selected by the_duck.

 

[AcronymBlood]

I should've came here frst before I bought my AMD cpu for an intel motherboard.. /facepalm