<$500 Gaming system

[lunyone]

Okay this system is as budget as I can get it, without sacrificing too much. So here it is:

CPU $79
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2.0GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103637

Motherboard $70
MSI K9NU Neo-V Socket AM2 ULi M1697 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130056

Case/PSU $77
Antec Solution SLK1650 Beige Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129149

DVD Burner $37
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE 16X DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013

Hard Drive $63
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160811AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148149

Memory $110
mushkin Enhanced Performance 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146438

Video Card $93
POWERCOLOR X800GTO256MBDDR3 Radeon X800GTO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131007

Total is ~$510 w/shipping, which is $10 over budget, but I'm sure I can talk my friend (one who is paying for it) into paying the extra $10. Keyboard, mouse, monitor and OS isn't needed.

Is there anything that I might consider or change in this system? Remember I only have $500 budget with shipping included.
Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[lunyone]

Unfortunately I don't have them and I'm building this for a friend of mine. It's a birthday/christmas present. They have an older Dell, but they need that for other things. This system is for a budget gaming system, so this is the best that I can come up with. I'm hoping that I have good quality parts here and that this will work until they can afford to upgrade later.

 

[lunyone]

I see that you have a 7300gt, which is about the same $ as a x800gto, right? I could go with a smaller HDD which would save about $10-15 or so, but unless I can find a more affordable case/PSU combo, I think I'll be stuck.

 

[lunyone]

I can find a cheaper case/PSU setup, but it is from Atrix and I'm not sure it will hold up over time.

ATRIX CSCI-L8029-C34 Black/Silver SECC steel sheeting FCC class CB&CE approved ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 480W (20/24 pin Prescott version) Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811209026

If you think this is good enough, than I might consider it. I'm just leary of off brand PSU's, so I'm hesitant to say the least.

 

[lunyone]

Yeah I forgot to check it, your right. Here is another example. I just don't know where I can save any more in the setup to fit the budget, except for the $10-15 on HDD and on the case/PSU setup.

Linkworld 431-06 C.2828 Silver SECC/SGCC rustproof and galvanized steel available ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164060

 

[qwertycopter]

If your buddy is 18 he should sell his plasma. Some places will give you $50 for the first donation. That'll help a bit.

 

[lunyone]

No probably doesn't need burner, would like it though. I'm thinking that maybe just DVD/CD-RW drive and maybe a cheaper motherboard (not sure).

Motherboard $60 (saves ~$10)
ECS RS485M-M (V1.0) Socket AM2 ATI Radeon XPRESS 1100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135011

DVD rom $25 (saves ~$12)
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106992

Hard Drive $51 (saves ~$12)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST380811AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148148

Video card $135 (adds $40 minus $20 MIR)
eVGA e-Geforce 7600GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card w/DVI-I, VGA & HDTV Support Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322834

Grand total w/7600gt card
~$528 w/shipping and subtracting $20MIR would reap a $508 cost.

The games he'll be playing will be probably HL2, Quake 4, WoW....

 

[rwpritchett]

I'm glad to see that you changed your case from beige to silver. Installing a black DVD drive in a beige case is a major fashion faux pas around here. 8)

 

[Giraffe]

the system wont be that bad for games. it should play everything on at least medium 1024x768 and most things on max 1024x768

surely u can get a cheap case for like 30-40$? in aus cheap cases with sh*t 400watt psu's are like 40$. and thats like 30US$

y get a good case if everything else is sh*t. generic cases and psu's arent that bad.

 

[TSIMonster]

Drop the 3200 for a 3000+... I have mine at 2.55Ghz right now. According to Sandra, it beats an fx55 with ease. . .

That should help you stay in your budget. You'll be much happier if you swing for the x850 or 7600gt over the GTO. So definately consider that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=NEC+3550A&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=27&Go.y=33

Thats the optical drive you should be considering. Also, I have that ECS MOBO suggested earlier, and I tell ya, for its price, it is one awesome motherboard (I am getting 2.55Ghz outta my 3000+ with ease)

Honestly, just look at the system in my sig, it meets and exceeds all of your requirements.

 

[TSIMonster]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820161662

This is my RAM BTW, holding steady at 700mhz with 3-4-4-12 timings


Also, if you get that ECS board, MAKE sure you get RAM that is capable of running at 1.8 . .. the boards vdimm CANNOT be adjusted. The RAM above works great at low volts

 

[Giraffe]

yea i agree with the guy above me.
drop the 3200+ for the 3000+

u will hardly notice a difference between them anyway.

 

[lunyone]

Yeah I'm seeing a $4 savings if I go from 3200 to 3000.

 

[lunyone]

So here's the adjusted system, please let me know if there is anything that I should change.

CPU $74
AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3000+ Socket AM2 (62W) Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-8

Motherboard $60
ECS RS485M-M (V1.0) Socket AM2 ATI Radeon XPRESS 1100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813135011

Memory $110
WINTEC AMPX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820161662

DVD/CDRW $25
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106992

Hard Drive $48
Western Digital WD Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101206-1

Case/PSU $70
Antec Solution Series SLK1650 Mini Tower Case (Beige) Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/350W Power Supply
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140035

Video Card $135 - $20 MIR
eVGA e-Geforce 7600GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card w/DVI-I, VGA & HDTV Support Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322834

Total w/shipping: ~$523 - $20MIR= $503 ($3 over budget)...

Is there anywhere else where I could get these items from at a lower price? I like ZZF and Newegg, since I've ordered from them before.

Thanks for all of your help

 

[bliq]

If you have access to a Fry's retail store, you can get a better deal on the motherboard and processor...

For example, an ECS KN1 Lite (nForce4) and a A64 3800+ for $119 was on sale 2 days ago.

 

[skyguy]

Sorry I haven't shown the details, you gotta click on the links. It's close to what you got but cheaper (and perhaps a bit better in some respects in my opinion):

-Case/PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156180
$79-$25 rebate = $54
(this one's better than what you show)

-CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535
$70

-Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135177
$55

-Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148148
$45

-DVD Burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106013
$31

-RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231079
$107

-Graphics card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
$132 - $20 rebate = $112

TOTAL: $480 plus shipping

Drawback: this one is socket 939. But if you can go a bit higher, then grab the AM2 CPU, mobo, and RAM. It's worth the extra $30 though

 

[lunyone]

The problem is the PSU in that case is not going to be able to powert that system. It only provides 14A on a single +12v rail. You need a total of about 18A-20A for that CPU and Video card.

That is what I was concerned about. I'm still sticking with the AM2 for now, since I can get it for ~528 minus $20 MIR= $508. I'm still not sure if the ECS and AMP2 setup is good, but I'm willing to try it.

 

[vegettonox]

I strangely remember seeing a post from you a while back lunyone i was wondering why you never replyed to the system i had built. I believe it was last responded too around the 13th. I had a really nice system built i dont thing you care anymore but this was my build and it was absolutly perfect for an under 500 system.


LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model SHW160P6S05 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106014
(same deal no change) (30.99)

ATRIX CSCI-L8033-C43 Black SECC steel sheeting FCC class CB&CE approved ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 480W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811209022
(same deal no change no reason to change trust me on this one) (37.99)

Western Digital Caviar WD800BB 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144102
(Just a price saver no biggy) (41.99)

ASUS A8V-E SE Socket 939 VIA K8T890 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131033
(asus all the way if i cant go abit) (64.99)

SAPPHIRE 100106PEL Radeon X850XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102059
(keep the video card as high as you can) (119.99)

MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Sleeve Case Cooling Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835150007
(still need the fan) (1.99)

2 X (A-DATA 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory Model VDBGB1916 - OEM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820211119
(good ram used several times before and good quality) (99.98 for 2)

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0GHz Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103535
(best processor in the price range) (70.00)

Total Sytem Price before tax is $467.92

The best part is the cpu is the same, still have the gig of ram on dual channel though and you dont have to skimp no the gpu at all. In fact this one is highest of the x800 series and has 256bit memory interface which you want trust me.

Anyways i know im only up to like 11 posts i only recently started to help out here. I do know what im talking about and you would do best to skimp on the am2 platform and go with the faster video card. The 3200 is more than enough to keep this system in check for a gaming pc. If you went with the am2 a low end video card would be pointless yah it would be faster but if they are gaming whats the point without a decent card. I know this build is perfect ive been doing this for a long time. So take my advice or leave it its your choice. The only thing i would maybe change would be a larger hd and maybe a different case depending on user preferences.

 

[lunyone]

Sorry I didn't reply to earlier responses. Thanks for your help. I've been in the process of moving and haven't had any time to get back on here. I ended up getting the s939 3000+ with x800gto video and Antec case w/350watt PSU, which is working fine. I loved the case, but the $76 price tag was on the edge of the budget. I did find it for $6 cheaper on ZZF, so not that big of a deal breaker. My friend has already tried it out and loves it so far (only been 2 days though). And by the way, I do listen and take any/all information that is posted on the site. I do care, because I know that I don't know enough to be considered an amatuer, just maybe better than a new builder. I did post on a previous area, but that was under the video card section (I think). I started a post here, because I think is a more appropriate place for it. Again, I thank all of you for your help with my purchasing decisions. I don't always believe the newegg feedbacks, so its nice to here from a well educated community!

Thanks all!

 

[TSIMonster]

So here's the adjusted system, please let me know if there is anything that I should change.

CPU $74
AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3000+ Socket AM2 (62W) Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-8

Motherboard $60
ECS RS485M-M (V1.0) Socket AM2 ATI Radeon XPRESS 1100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813135011

Memory $110
WINTEC AMPX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820161662

DVD/CDRW $25
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 1.5M Cache IDE Combo Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106992

Hard Drive $48
Western Digital WD Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101206-1

Case/PSU $70
Antec Solution Series SLK1650 Mini Tower Case (Beige) Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/350W Power Supply
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140035

Video Card $135 - $20 MIR
eVGA e-Geforce 7600GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card w/DVI-I, VGA & HDTV Support Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322834

Total w/shipping: ~$523 - $20MIR= $503 ($3 over budget)...

Is there anywhere else where I could get these items from at a lower price? I like ZZF and Newegg, since I've ordered from them before.

Thanks for all of your help

Looks great (like my system) You should be happy. Just for reference here is my most recent 3dmork05 score http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=2275720

7018! It plays any game I want it to (haven't tried oblivion)