Looking for a $500-700 Gaming Build

[lvluffinz]

Approximate Purchase Date: End of August, beginning of September

Budget Range: $500-700 (no rebate)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Crysis 2, new Star Wars RPG, Battlefield 3, watching movies

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Speakers, OS I DO WANT A KEYBOARD and MONITOR HOWEVER

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or tigerdirect or even amazon

Country of Origin: All the way in the Caribbean, but I can still get it shipped

Parts Preferences: Doesn't matter, whatever gives the most bang for the buck. This includes the monitor

Overclocking: Probably

SLI or Crossfire: In the future

Monitor Resolution: 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200


Hey everyone! So I'm basically looking for an inexpensive gaming build. The 500-700 price range is for the tower and I'd pay whatever extra for the monitor. Just because I have a 500-700 price range doesn't mean I really want it at the $700 price... if you can find a good bang for the buck at say 600 or whatever, I'd take it!

I saw the guide on how to build a 600 gaming build that would run Crysis 2 like a boss and was wondering if that's worth it?

 

[sadams04]

How about $567 without monitor?

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 - $120

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-USB3 AM3+ HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 mATX - $105

Graphics Card: XFX 6850 1GB - $140 after MIR

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 1.5v CL9 - $46

Hard Drive: Samsung F3 1TB - $60

Case: APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case - $25

Power Supply: XFX Core Edition PRO550W - $50 after MIR

DVD Burner: SAMSUNG Black 22X - $21

A CPU cooler to overlcock would be a welcome upgrade at $30 more.
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311345539&sr=8-1

 

[lvluffinz]

How about $567 without monitor?

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 - $120

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-USB3 AM3+ HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 mATX - $105

Graphics Card: XFX 6850 1GB - $140 after MIR

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 1.5v CL9 - $46

Hard Drive: Samsung F3 1TB - $60

Case: APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case - $25

Power Supply: XFX Core Edition PRO550W - $50 after MIR

DVD Burner: SAMSUNG Black 22X - $21

A CPU cooler to overlcock would be a welcome upgrade at $30 more.
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311345539&sr=8-1

That build looks mighty fine! I would definitely need the CPU cooler if I plan to overclock right? I read on newegg it has a 90mm fan already and you have a choice of installing a 120mm fan in the front, so I take it i'd install that fan in the front?

Also now the thing is I'm a first time builder. Should have probably put that in my first post >< Is this everything I need to build it? I'm sure the parts come with instructions as to where to connect them, etc.

 

[sadams04]

Yes. If you plan to overclock you need to pick up a CPU cooler. Regarding fans on the Hyper 212+, I would add two aftermarket 120mm fans in a push / pull configuration to replace the stock single fan. This will give you the best cooling for the CPU. While you are buying fans, consider a case fan or two to prompte front-to-back air flow through the case. Stick with fans at or below 20dBA for a quiet PC.

Everything should be there except maybe SATA cables for the HD and DVD. If the description says "bare drive" you can assume it will NOT come with one. I believe you will need to pick two up... There are plenty of tutorials for assembling a PC available through a quick Google search. It is a fairly straight forward process, but don't hesitate to come back to the forum and ask for help.

 

[manu 11]

i would go with this motherboard, xfire ,sli support and am3+ at the same price
ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

for power supply,
antec earthwaats green 650w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
same price and high quality, you can xfire 6850 if you want in the near future.

for gpu, a 6870 is much better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

 

[lvluffinz]

Best answer selected by lvluffinz.

 

[lvluffinz]

I'm gunna follow suit with sadams04 and grab those stuff! I will post on forums when I need help to build it. By the way! I wanted to grab a monitor.. which not-expensive monitor do you guys recommend? I want some cheap (well not cheap as heck) but damn good in quality. At least at the 1920 x 1200 resolution

 

[Onus]

Manu 11's mobo choice would make a LOT more sense for future-resistance.

 

[gammerx]

I am pretty much doing the samething. I have a local microcenter, should I take advantage of the i5-2500k deal for $180 and $40 off a mobo? or this:

ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157262

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 - $120

Antec earthwatts green 650w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371044

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 1.5v CL9 - $46

haf 912 - $55 or NZXT Apollo - $60

My budget is $600 so that leaves me like $200 for a graphics card ( I have OS, keyboard, mouse and monitor...its low quality though) what you guys think?

 

[manu 11]

^hd 6870 for you gamerx

 

[gammerx]

I was wondering if that was the right way to go or if i should get the i5 2500k instead

 

[gammerx]

sorry to kinda hijack the thread but I think I will go with this for now:
AMD Phenom II X2 560 Black Edition Callisto
it combos with the 6780 and is only $90. The board will let me xfire and use BD later down the road. I will upgrade to a 750W PSU so I can just drop another GPU in there and I think this is looking great :]