$500 gaming build

[foody]

This is no different than any other budget build thread. If you have any suggestions don't hesitate to put in your own 2 cents. Keep in mind this is a rough draft which I'm sure has a lot of room for improvement. Also, I'm planning to stay 32-bit for this machine so don't bother trying to stick in more RAM.

1x SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support $31.99


1x COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $39.99


1x Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5 $47.99


1x GIGABYTE GV-R467ZL-1GI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $69.99


1x COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-460-PMSR-A3 460W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply $34.97


1x LITE-ON SK-1688U/B Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard $6.99


1x Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse $11.99


1x G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) $20.99


1x G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) $39.99


2x APEVIA CF12SL-UBL 120mm Blue LED Case Fan $13.58 ($6.79 each)

*COMBO DEAL*

1x AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX

1x ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $176.99


Subtotal: $495.46

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The build looks OK, but can be improved. That 320GB HD is an older model. You can get a considerably faster drive for just a few dollars more. That PSU is a POS. The little red voltage switch on the back is a dead givaway of a junk PSU that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near your PC. Your RAM won't run in dual-channel mode with three sticks of RAM. You might as well just get a 4GB kit even though the OS won't use it all. Here's a build with some of my suggestions:

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273371 $176.99 (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 $79.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=samsung%20f3%20500 $54.99

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203&Tpk=RC-310-BWN1-GP $39.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 $49.99 - $20.00 MIR

GIGABYTE GV-R467ZL-1GI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125277 $69.99 - $10.00 MIR

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188 $31.99

Total - $503.93 - $30.00 MIR's

Just add your keyboard and mouse. It's slightly over budget before the rebates, but worth it IMO. If you absolutely have to shave a little more off, you could use these:

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074&Tpk=wd3200aaks $49.99 (This is a newer model than the one you picked. This one uses a single 320GB platter and is faster than the one you picked which uses two platters.)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241 $74.99 (This RAM uses slower timings, only saves $5, and doesn't have free shipping)

 

[foody]

Why do you think the PSU is so bad? I used it on a past build and I've had no problems with it. As for the RAM I was expecting it to switch to single channel once it found 3 sticks. I'll figure it out. Thank you for all your help.

 

[build]

Agree with shortstuff, you'll actually be able to use 3.5GB of RAM with a 32-bit OS, so you might as well pay $2 more for a 4GB kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

This 4670 card comes with $30 Mail in Rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127440

Case + PSU combo:
Antec Two Hundred Black (comes with 2 fans so no need to buy anymore)
+
Antec Basiq BP430 430W Continuous Power
Combo Price: $79.94
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265972

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The PSU has no active PFC and only 70% efficiency. Those specs are not an indication of a quality PSU. The PSU is NOT the place to try to save a buck. A cheap PSU will cause all sorts of problems including wasting money (low efficiency), instability, and fried components. The Corsair is a MUCH higher quality unit.

 

[foody]

Ah. Thanks for all the help. I'll finish revising it soon.

 

[laweinhander]

Are there any other possible options for this price range?
Is that micro atx motherboard about as good as it gets for socket AM3 processors?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Are there any other possible options for this price range?
Is that micro atx motherboard about as good as it gets for socket AM3 processors?

You need to start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

 

[laweinhander]

You need to start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

Seeing as my thread would be titled the same as this one, and consist of the same topic of this one (~$500 gaming rig) I didn't see it neccessary..... All I was trying to do is to make an inquiry about whether or not the motherboard you picked was as good as it gets for that price range or if there are any other equal good and priced micro atx motherboards

my bad

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yes, I picked that motherboard because it is a very nice motherboard for a good price. The combo deal makes the deal even better.

 

[reconviperone1]

The build looks OK, but can be improved. That 320GB HD is an older model. You can get a considerably faster drive for just a few dollars more. That PSU is a POS. The little red voltage switch on the back is a dead givaway of a junk PSU that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near your PC. Your RAM won't run in dual-channel mode with three sticks of RAM. You might as well just get a 4GB kit even though the OS won't use it all. Here's a build with some of my suggestions:

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273371 $176.99 (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 $79.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=samsung%20f3%20500 $54.99

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203&Tpk=RC-310-BWN1-GP $39.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 $49.99 - $20.00 MIR

GIGABYTE GV-R467ZL-1GI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125277 $69.99 - $10.00 MIR

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188 $31.99

Total - $503.93 - $30.00 MIR's

Just add your keyboard and mouse. It's slightly over budget before the rebates, but worth it IMO. If you absolutely have to shave a little more off, you could use these:

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074&Tpk=wd3200aaks $49.99 (This is a newer model than the one you picked. This one uses a single 320GB platter and is faster than the one you picked which uses two platters.)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241 $74.99 (This RAM uses slower timings, only saves $5, and doesn't have free shipping)

I agree, you dont wanna muck around on the psu, some of coolermasters psu' are ok, but it's certainly not that one. Ive used a coolermaster realpower 750 for 2 years on one of my systems, and its fine, but im not straining it either.

 

[keviny47]

I think you should get the cooler master destroyer 600, tons of fans