500-600 Starter Budget Gaming Rig

Rocky33

Distinguished
Jul 29, 2011
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18,510
Hey guys and girls. I've been floating around the forums reading and trying to gather information. Been looking around tried to compile my own list and played with the idea of going with one of the DIY Combos from NewEgg. Not sure of what to haven't made a computer myself, but my buddy is going to help just he's been alittle busy these days.

My budget is alittle on the low end for a ''gaming'' rig, but heck I'm not trying to play Crisis or anything like that. I'm currently hooked/enjoy playing a couple MMOs that aren't too starved for super hardware. I'm basically just trying to get a ''gaming'' rig set up that will handle what I play and alittle more maybe with some upgrades when the time and money comes into play if there is ever a new game i want to step into.

For now the games I play are Global Agenda (System Requirements For Game), DDO and a couple more. Would love if my budget could get me beyond those with alot of room to play with. So that it isn't just barely running the games at full graphics and such.

Been using a P.O.S. laptop that worked great up until the games started getting updated alot more and started working the little laptop more then what it's used to. So, trying to step it up alittle bit. Appreciate the help and thank you in advanced for the build/advice.


Approximate Purchase Date: 8/8/2011

Budget Range: 500-600 (low right now, but i'm itching to play and all i can afford to get started atm)


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games, Music and occasional movies.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, headset, os


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com is the only one ive ever looked at.

Country of Origin: United States, WA


Parts Preferences: AMD processor buddy of mine is pushing me towards the black edition t1100, but idk if something you guys recommend let me know i'm open. Anything else is up to you guys, i'm the rookie here. 😀

Overclocking: Yes in future?

SLI or Crossfire: In the Future

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 or higher

Additional Comments: Well, just looking to be able to play my games that i currently play and possibly some games in the near future that might require more then what they currently require. I can go a tad over the 600ish mark atm, but not too much =P just trying to get something started is all that can handle what I do. Also, hoping for a case that will hold me over for awhile with plenty of room and stays cool.

Thank you guys in advanced.

**EDIT** also if it doesn't seem like it can happen on that budget let me know i can hold out for another month probably and bump it alittle bit more. just kind of figure for what i do it should be plenty. once again thank you.
 
Well this has a buy it price of about $690 but with MIR's it comes down quite a bit. At least you can use it for pointers.

CPU: Phenom II x4 955 BE $109 ( currently $10 CC ) - pretty much best bang for buck atm
MB: Asrock 970 Extreme 4 $104.99 ( currently $10 MIR ) - gives you crossfire support and am3+ socket, this is bout the best to go with right now
Mem: Gskill 2x4GB 1.5V CAS8 1600Mhz $59.99 ( currently $20 CC ) - really good memory, but sale doesn't last long ( other similar memory on sale pretty much all the time )
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 6870 $179.99 ( currently $20 MIR ) - agressively priced, worth it over alternatives
Case: Antec 300 illusion $59.99 ( currently $10 MIR ) - very good deal atm if you can afford to get this and like the case, this might be worth getting now
PSU: Antec HCG-750 $94.99 ( currently $25 MIR ) - nice MIR deal on this one, a quality PSU and will run crossfire too if you want to do that ( can go with lower if you don't want that )
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $59.99 - cheap, fast, reliable
DVD: Asus/Lite-On/Sony DVD burner $20 - basic DVD burner

~$690 before MIR's $625 after

 
Wow, thanks for a fast response. From the looks, a couple of the items you listed is what I have been looking at as for cpu and such. That's roughly the final price I keep coming to also. Sucks with the budget at the moment, but I set it low knowing I would have to go about a bill or so over.

That looks to be solid enough and some to do what I want with options and door ways for upgrade when needed/if. When I get time, I'll look at it alittle more when I get time, getting ready for work, but if there's any other suggestions I would be happy to hear them.

Thank you once again.
 
i would go with an i3/h67 it performs better than a 955 in gaming, but if the future is in your mind, am3+ is probably the way to go. IDK if Ivy bridge will work with sandy, but if it does, go for the i3-2100
 
Keep in mind the h67 boards don't really have multiple PCIe 2.0 slots and are typically mATX. It's all preference really, If you really want to crossfire later, you only need a 6770 (saves like $50) and with that PSU you can Xfire whenever you want. People keep suggesting 6870s for budget builds for people who DON'T play metro 2033 and crysis 2 which is unnecessary. You can go for a $100-120 card and xfire in the future if you want. Just my $0.02
 
So far all helpful advice and taking it all into consideration. Playing around with the ideas and comparing. I'm alittle new at actually looking into the hardware, so alot of googling and whatnot looking at what the terms and what is what. Learning as I go and thank you for all the help. I got a question though, take in mind i'm new. Here it goes though. First off, difference in 128-bit and 256-bit, most/all 6770's i see are 128-bit running around 129-139, then there is the 6790 which is 256-bit for 139ish. I don't know what would better suit, but in general thoughts bigger is better? Could you guys fill me in and educate me a tad.

Just looking at options and trying to further the knowledge, I've read some stuff google pulled up and seeing if you guys can toss alittle more on it to clear up the question?

Thank you in advanced.
 
There's a sapphire 6770 for $120 on newegg ($10 promo) and a $20 rebate. I am actually getting it myself. It all depends on your resolution and what games you play! Most likely you could save yourself the cash and go with a 6770 instead of a 6870. Theres no point in a 6790 because you can get a 6850 for like $10 more. Usually if its $10-20 in the middle they dont recommend it, the 6770 is just the best budget GPU IMO.

What's your resolution and most intensive game you play/intend to play?
 
well, as of right now i just been enjoying some mmorpg type games. i believe global agenda is the most intensive game right now from what i can tell from requirements. i also play portal 2 when my exp groups aren't on. i do plan on getting into some other games, like some CoD and some other fps nothing to intense like crisis, but haven't gotten around to looking at the requirements. as for resolution ive just been running at 1280x1024 on my laptop but if the hardware is right and can handle anything better i would love to. i am in need of a screen, well a newer/better one but will ride with what i have at the moment until next pay day and upgrade alittle bit. also, i wish/plan to use two monitors, one for playing the game and the other with teamspeak/vent up so i can monitor my guilds/clan servers and such. assuming it's possible and not to intensive.

so, from what youre saying the 6770 would be best route with my current budge, should suffice and handle everything i plan correct?

once again thank you for your help and advice.
 
AMD/ATI cards do the 2 screen setup. With your budget I think the 6770 is the best idea. If you can put an extra $40-50 the 6850/6870 would be a good upgrade as well, especially for future games but you could always xfire later down the road!
 
Right on, I assumed and from what I have read on the net about them. Just wanting to clerify all my little questions to double check and make sure I'm not mistaken. I think I'll ride on the 6770 right now, because at the moment there is no set motion on me riding on another game at the moment. Got alot going on with my current ones and pretty dedicated at them with a couple of buddies around here. Should the 6770 well this current set up handle like CoD: MW2 with no problems without having to set the graphics settings ingame to lower standards? Really hate playing games all crap lookin lmao.

Once again thank you for the super fast responses. Appreciate it.
 
my suggestion:

i3-2100 ($125)
AS Rock H61-M/U3S3: $75
Mushkin 4 GB DDR3-1333 dual-channel: $31
seagate 500 GB HDD: $40
Xigmatek 400W PSU: $35
Rosewill R102 case: $30
Rosewill 120mm fan: $6
Rosewill 80mm fan: $3
DVD Burner: $20
Sapphire HD6770: $120
---
$485

Win 7 OEM: $99
$585
 
What sqrl said is a pretty good deal. I would change the PSU to an antec earthwatts 430w or whatever, just because it's more reliable. Case depends on you and what you like, everyone has different tastes! Only comment on his build is to try and go to microcenter, they have the i3-2100 for $100 ;]
 
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The 6770 is a re branded 5770 with the 6xxx series features. It will offer the same performance.
 
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