System Builder Marathon: $500 Gaming PC

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Making Every Dollar Count

System Builder Marathon, October 2008 : The Articles

Here are links to each of the four articles in this month’s System Builder Marathon (we’ll update them as each story is published).

Day 1 : The $4,500 Super PC
Day 2 : The $1,500 Mainstream PC
Day 3 : The $500 Gaming PC
Day 4 : Performance And Value, Dissected

How little money can you spend and still build a machine able to serve up decent performance in a wide range of applications and games ? In this System Builder Marathon, we aim to see if it can be done for less than $500.

With such a limited budget for the entry-level system, it seemed obvious that the components would need to take overclocking into consideration in order to truly put up impressive performance results.

Our choice of hardware may not satisfy everyone, nor will they necessarily offer the best performance out of the box, but we are confident that once overclocked, this system will squeeze a serious amount of performance and value out of each and every dollar spent. Let’s take a look at the pieces we picked for this month’s entry-level system.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Component	Model	Price (U.S.D.)
CPU	Intel Pentium E2180	70
CPU Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper TX2	30
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L	85
RAM	Wintec AMPO PC2-6400 2x1GB	35
Graphics	PNY VCG88512GXEB-FLB GeForce 8800 GT 512MB	110
Hard Drives	Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB	65
Sound	Integrated 8-Channel HD Audio	0
Network	Integrated Gigabit Networking	0
Case	Antec NSK4480B	80
Power	Earthwatts 380W Included w/Case	0
Optical	Lite-On 20X DVD±R SATA Model iHAS120-04	24
Total Price	$499

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96 Comments Comment from the forums

radguy

Thanks for the article. I always enjoy these sbm builds you guys do. I guessed wrong again but actually think you guys picked a better choice. Nice to know build quality is still taken into consideration even at the 500 dollar range. Also just to mention this again next time noise and power consumption charts please.
Reply
"The silicon hard drive grommets"

That wouldn't dampen much noise.

Try silicone hard drive grommets
(They are usually silicon-oxygen based polymers)
Reply
slomo4sho

I wish you used the E5200 CPU for this build, current prices reflect a difference of $14 only.

Also, in the future, would it be possible for you to have two builds for the $500 budget build. One based on Intel AND the other on AMD?
Reply
xx12amanxx

I would have spent maybe 30$ on a cheapo case and put the 50$ toward's a hd4850! Most people building a 500$ pc are going to want maximun performance and not care what the case looks like.
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cangelini

xX12amanXxI would have spent maybe 30$ on a cheapo case and put the 50$ toward's a hd4850! Most people building a 500$ pc are going to want maximun performance and not care what the case looks like.
$30 for a case and PSU? Sounds like a build asking for trouble. I personally don't think $80 for a nice chassis and power supply is bad.
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cangelini

Slomo4shOI wish you used the E5200 CPU for this build, current prices reflect a difference of $14 only. Also, in the future, would it be possible for you to have two builds for the $500 budget build. One based on Intel AND the other on AMD?
Heya Slo! We're actually weighing the possibility of simply switching off each month on the $500 system since AMD has some very compelling hardware in that range.
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slomo4sho

cangeliniHeya Slo! We're actually weighing the possibility of simply switching off each month on the $500 system since AMD has some very compelling hardware in that range.
Well in this case, an AMD build might have allowed for a 4850. I look forward to seeing what you decide upon but I still think a monthly build of each platform at the $500 build is definitely something worthwhile.

Transitioning month to month between the two usually does not allow for comparative annalist in your "Performance And Value, Dissected" write-ups
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cangelini

Slomo4shO
Gotcha. We'll discuss that as a possibility, then.
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lounge lizard

I love the article and second the notion that it would be a great idea to run it every month. I for one am a firm believer of upgrading more consistently at a reasonable cost per component rather then just throwing $1500 at new machine.

At some point it would be interesting if you guys could run an Upgrade Edition of the $500 system builder. Most people that have the courage and knowledge to overclock their new parts by over 50% (wow the E2180 rocks!)would almost definitely have components that they could and would want to swap between rigs.

Again, great article.
Reply
reasonablevoice

king_edgar"The silicon hard drive grommets" That wouldn't dampen much noise.Try silicone hard drive grommets(They are usually silicon-oxygen based polymers)
What the hell are you saying?
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