[Solved] Little gaming beast?

I've currently got a Dell Inspiron Mini Tower that I've upgraded into a gaming computer, my anemic dual-core is killing my minimum framerate in games, and I want to do an LGA 1155 i3 build sometime this month. My budget is $250.

The cheapest mobos are micro-ATX, and I'm just looking for best bang-for-buck gaming. I don't need SATA-III, USB 3.0, IGP, or overclockability, so I'm thinking this board will do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138332

I'm keeping everything semi-cool and quiet in my current case - mostly thanks to my GPU's amazing cooler, but I wanted something with a bit more ventilation and an intake fan because I fear for my hard drive's lifespan. I found this case on Newegg and it looks amazing and great for my needs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147122

The price is unbelievably low, and I know this thing is tiny and no-frills, but I can't help thinking there's something I'm overlooking. The dimensions almost exactly match my current case, and it has everything I want for cooling. I may put my own fans in, but that's not a big expense or hassle.

I'll probably be getting this basic RAM as well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231424

What do you guys think?

Message edited by jessterman21 on 02-07-2012 at 11:33:37 PM

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

I am sort of confused on what parts you have and what you are trying to do.
Are you trying to upgrade your Dell Tower? What parts are you going to use from it?

Reply to SingingThroughTheStorm

No, a regular motherboard will not fit in my Dell case without doing some modding. It's not that great a case anyway. New parts will be CPU, mobo, RAM, case. I've got the rest - see my signature.

Message edited by jessterman21 on 02-08-2012 at 12:00:58 AM

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

Case: NZXT Gamma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146061

CPU: Intel i3-2120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115077

Ram: Crucial 2 x 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148476

Mobo: Biostar H61MGC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138332

$255 with shipping (shipping is $10)

Reply to SingingThroughTheStorm

This Coolermaster is the same price as the gamma but is not complete junk

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119227

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Outlander_04

I did see that coolermaster case, but I love the size of the Rosewill Ranger-M.

Also, I will be adding a Crucial-Adrenaline-type SSD cache drive in the future, an Ivy Bridge i5/i7, and probably an IceQ HD 8870.

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

Outlander_04 wrote :

This Coolermaster is the same price as the gamma but is not complete junk

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119227

And the Gamma is junk because it isn't flashy like the Cooler Master?
The Cooler Master case is only cheaper if your rebate doesn't get turned down
and you remember to do it.

The cooler master also only has 1 intake fan installed, meaning a second fan would need to be
installed to blow out the air. Cooler Master also doesn't seem to have almost any cable management system.

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to SingingThroughTheStorm

I hate mail-in rebates.

Also the Gamma is huge. Probably its only con in my eyes.

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

SingingThroughTheStorm wrote :

And the Gamma is junk because it isn't flashy like the Cooler Master?
The Cooler Master case is only cheaper if your rebate doesn't get turned down
and you remember to do it.

The cooler master also only has 1 intake fan installed, meaning a second fan would need to be
installed to blow out the air. Cooler Master also doesn't seem to have almost any cable management system.

The cm 430 is a budget case and is cheaply built . But it has a great deal of cooling potential and I have seen highly OC'ed 2600K/ GTX 570 computers running well in one .

The Gamma is so stupid it has front mesh filters and then huge holes in the side of the bezel that let in any amount of dust , and also only has one fan fitted too

Reply to Outlander_04

Anyone see anything wrong with the Rosewill Ranger-M I want, though? It comes with two fans...

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

jessterman21 wrote :

Anyone see anything wrong with the Rosewill Ranger-M I want, though? It comes with two fans...

No painted interior or cable management, but other than that it seems fine.

Reply to SingingThroughTheStorm

Cool, I think I'll give it a shot.

Any thoughts on the cheapest Gskill vs. cheapest Crucial RAM? I've only ever bought Crucial...

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

SingingThroughTheStorm wrote :

And the Gamma is junk because it isn't flashy like the Cooler Master?
The Cooler Master case is only cheaper if your rebate doesn't get turned down
and you remember to do it.

The cooler master also only has 1 intake fan installed, meaning a second fan would need to be
installed to blow out the air. Cooler Master also doesn't seem to have almost any cable management system.

Id have to say go with the Coolermaster HAF 912, has great airflow, excellent cable management, room for large GPUs, a great mid tower budget case for 60.00 (50 after MIR)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =haf%20912

Reply to lldsgt

Best answer

CASE = Rosewill REDBONE Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 39.99 - 5.00 off
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147159

MOBO = ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157241

CPU = Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115077

RAM = G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory - 36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231424

TOTAL = 261.96 - 5.00 = 256.96 (Free Shipping)

You can lower this price by 14.00 if you don't need 8gb RAM and use this

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231396

Message edited by Pezcore27 on 02-10-2012 at 09:51:47 PM

Reply to Pezcore27

jessterman21 wrote :

Cool, I think I'll give it a shot.

Any thoughts on the cheapest Gskill vs. cheapest Crucial RAM? I've only ever bought Crucial...

you can get the g sill x series 1600 for 30.00 (2x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277

or if you want 4gb mem theres the 1333mhz x series for 40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231426

Reply to lldsgt

Thanks Pez - I did look at the Blackbone, too... Nice for the price.

I'm definitely set on the CPU - can't beat the price right now, but for the case I can't fit anything taller than 17". Also my $250 budget is strict, can't go over, and I won't do any MIRs.

Any thoughts on the different RAM brands? Also, any thoughts on Biostar vs. Asrock mobos?

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

Deffinately asrock over biostar.

Reply to Pezcore27

Yeah, they both have good reviews, but the Asrock's SATA ports aren't blocked by a long video card - like mine. Awesome, I think I've got my build then. Man, I can't wait to play my games without the pitiful minimum framerates I've been dealing with.

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

Best answer selected by jessterman21.

------------------------------ Dell Inspiron 546 MT - Athlon II X2 250 - HIS IceQ X HD6870 - 4GB DDR2 800 - 750GB Hitachi Deskstar - Antec Earthwatts EA-500D - Windows 7 Pro 32-bit - ASUS LED Monitor @ 1440x900
Reply to jessterman21

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey

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Reply to Mousemonkey

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