$400-$500 Gaming Build

[bob lightnin]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks.

Budget Range:$400-$500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching HD movies and surfing the web.

Parts Not Required:Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, hard drive, DVD drive, OS and case.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg and Microcenter.

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Doesn't matter to me much.

Overclocking: No.

SLI or Crossfire: No.

Monitor Resolution: 1600x900

Here's what I have put together so far, let me know if you think it needs improvement, I'm always open to suggestions!

Processor: Intel Core i3 2100
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809

Graphics Card: Radeon 6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129191

Mobo: ASRock H61ICAFE (I know, not that great )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157246

RAM: Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1333
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360526

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

OS: Windows 7 64 bit Pro or Enterprise. (I have both )

And a 1TB 7200RPM SATA hard drive. I also have a ATX/mATX case.

Thanks in advance. ~ Bob

 

[erikalikesfire]

You've put together a great build for your needs and budget. The only suggestion I would make is to consider the i5-2400. Better performance, still in budget [1].

 

[erikalikesfire]

Actually, one other change: this HD 6850 instead. Same price, better reviews.

 

[manu 11]

i would get the gtx 460 1gb. for 140$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125412

 

[devin93]

>Watching HD movies
>resloution = 1600x900

are you planning on upgrading your monitor?

 

[Zero_]

for the budget, you've chosen a pretty good setup already

 

[samuelspark]

i5 2400 ($189.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
Asrock H61M-GE LGA 1155 H61 mATX 4 DIMM Slot Motherboard ($62.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157256
HIS 6870 ($159.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161389
Patriot Signature 8GB DDR3 1600 ($35.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
OCZ ModXStream 500w ($64.99) ($15 promotional card) ($20 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016&Tpk=ocz%20500w

Total = $498.95 with promotional card value included, + $10 off with promo newcustomer 10

 

[drunkducki]

changed something from smuelspark's build

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354590 - $149.99
Core i5 2400 LGA 1155 Boxed Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157256 - $62.99
ASRock H61M-GE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426 - $39.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094 - $59.99
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948 - $164.99 - $20MIR + Dirt3 Game Coupon
SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Total: $477.95 - $20MIR + Free Dirt3

 

[bob lightnin]

Best answer selected by Bob Lightnin.

 

[bob lightnin]

Thanks for the help everyone, I'll go with the I5-2400 and Radeon 6870 build

>Watching HD movies
>resloution = 1600x900

are you planning on upgrading your monitor?

I forgot to mention I plug up my computer to my 1080 48" TV


Also, sorry for taking forever to respond, I went to bed after I posted this

 

[samuelspark]

I feel sort of plagurized since drunk just changed to slower, more expensive ram, and changed the power supply. Also, microcenter doesn't ship which add's $30 to the budget which causes him to go almost to $520.

 

[bob lightnin]

I feel sort of plagurized since drunk just changed to slower, more expensive ram, and changed the power supply. Also, microcenter doesn't ship which add's $30 to the budget which causes him to go almost to $520.

I'm sorry, I should have picked yours now that I looked back at it, I haven't bought it yet so maybe I'll go with your build. Thanks.