$600 Budget Gamer

[schupuppy]

So here's what I'm thinking...

Seems like two 3870's in crossfire would be some nice horsepower @ $150...dunno about the Regor but it has some pretty positive reviews...

Any thoughts?

 

[MothMusic]

So here's what I'm thinking...

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8743b3ea00.jpg

Seems like two 3870's in crossfire would be some nice horsepower @ $150...dunno about the Regor but it has some pretty positive reviews...

Any thoughts?

Try this:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706
$99 -Freeshipping

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
$55

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392
$70 -After rebate

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333G (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1333GB2G8-AG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211410
$89

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
$55 -Freeshipping


SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-864-_-Product
$165 -Freeshipping


OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
$45 -After rebates


LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106276
$20 -Freeshipping


Total = $599 -After rebates

 

[MothMusic]

So here's what I'm thinking...

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8743b3ea00.jpg

Seems like two 3870's in crossfire would be some nice horsepower @ $150...dunno about the Regor but it has some pretty positive reviews...

Any thoughts?

Your case is overpriced, the Antec 300 offers the same thing but cheaper.

That hdd is to slow for games, the Spinpoint 300 is waaay faster.

Your mobo is overpriced also, the GIGABYTE one is a better value and offers essentially the same thing.

Your gpu is simply to weak for the budget, that thing is for $500 budget systems and below.

That psu could potentially die on you and take your pc down with it. The one I choose is a good brand and offers more power at a lower price.

That ram does'nt need to be that expensive. Ram simply doesn't make that big of a difference in a gaming machine compared to the cpu/gpu.

Finally your processor is underpowered for your budget.

But all in all good shot though!

 

[schupuppy]

Thx for the quick reply MM, think i'll look your way on the AData and the Spinpoint - was thinking the 32MB cache on the WD would be helpful

... the CoolerMaster case is free shipping the Antec isn't... the ASUS is a 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 for the dual 3870's... which according to the 3DMark06 charts put the 3870CF a tick above a GTX275 - is that not a realistic chart then??...the DX11 thing i can understand though

... the psu is a single 12V rail pushing 41 amps, not sure where I'm wrong there

... and i dunno, a a 3+GHz dual core processor seemed like a good bet for basic gaming - where does it fall short??

 

[MothMusic]

Thx for the quick reply MM, think i'll look your way on the AData and the Spinpoint - was thinking the 32MB cache on the WD would be helpful

... the CoolerMaster case is free shipping the Antec isn't... the ASUS is a 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 for the dual 3870's... which according to the 3DMark06 charts put the 3870CF a tick above a GTX275 - is that not a realistic chart then??...the DX11 thing i can understand though

... the psu is a single 12V rail pushing 41 amps, not sure where I'm wrong there

... and i dunno, a a 3+GHz dual core processor seemed like a good bet for basic gaming - where does it fall short??

Hold on, configuring someone else's build.. Will respond in a bit..

 

[MothMusic]

Thx for the quick reply MM, think i'll look your way on the AData and the Spinpoint - was thinking the 32MB cache on the WD would be helpful

... the CoolerMaster case is free shipping the Antec isn't... the ASUS is a 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 for the dual 3870's... which according to the 3DMark06 charts put the 3870CF a tick above a GTX275 - is that not a realistic chart then??...the DX11 thing i can understand though

... the psu is a single 12V rail pushing 41 amps, not sure where I'm wrong there

... and i dunno, a a 3+GHz dual core processor seemed like a good bet for basic gaming - where does it fall short??

Didn't look closely enough, the cooler master is fine!

That psu is a bad brand and I would not recommenad it. But if you don't mind taking a risk and having it blow up/catch fire/or fry and take your pc with it then go ahead.

That cpu is one of the weakest ones for games. Modern video games use multi-cores, the 620 offers double the performance when compared to that chip, or for games double the fps. And even better its great for non gaming uses like video encoding and stuff.

And there is no way two 3870s can be stronger than a GTX 275. Can you cite where you heard that please?

This is your 3870 x2
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=Mobility+Radeon+HD+3870+X2

This a GTX 270
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=GeForce+GTX+275

This is the card I suggested, the 5770
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=Radeon+HD+5770

See?

 

[schupuppy]

Allrighty, i'll take your word of the psu... and the CPU, granted, I can see where a quad would be a better performer...

3870CF is from Tom's chart - it's not the x2, its 2 512's in CF (unless CF doesn't mean CrossFire on that chart??):
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/3DMark06-v1.1.0-3DMark-Score,1533.html

 

[MothMusic]

Allrighty, i'll take your word of the psu... and the CPU, granted, I can see where a quad would be a better performer...

3870CF is from Tom's chart - it's not the x2, its 2 512's in CF (unless CF doesn't mean CrossFire on that chart??):
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/3DMark06-v1.1.0-3DMark-Score,1533.html

If you want the 3870s in Crossfire, then hold on a bit. I'll select the new configuration in a bit!

 

[schupuppy]

I mean if that chart is realistic, for $150 that's not too shabby right??...

 

[MothMusic]

I mean if that chart is realistic, for $150 that's not too shabby right??...

Here:

HIS H387QS512NP Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support IceQ3 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218&Tpk=3870
$150 for two

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398
$100 -Freeshipping

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017
$60 -After rebates

Replace the mobo, gpu, and psu with this stuff and: Total = $628

 

[obsidian86]

actually there are many 4870's in the $150 area which is bout a 3870x2

and the 5770 is a newer mid range card which matches the 4870 older high end card

they have done the same wit the new 5870 which matches the 4870x2

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2464-8.html

only place the 3870x2 is better is synthetics

 

[MothMusic]

Try this:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103706
$99 -Freeshipping

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042
$55

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392
$70 -After rebate

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333G (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1333GB2G8-AG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211410
$89

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181
$55 -Freeshipping

HIS H487Q1GH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161292&cm_re=4870-_-14-161-292-_-Product
$160 -After rebates

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341017
$60 -After rebates, you need more power for that gpu

LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106276
$20 -Freeshipping


Total = $609 -After rebates

 

[obsidian86]

im running a 4870 toxic on this without a hitch

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

$45 after rebates

 

[MothMusic]

im running a 4870 toxic on this without a hitch

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

$45 after rebates

Thats good, I just didn't want to take the risk and leave his pc underpowered. Because I know that 4870s arent as energy effiecient as the 5000 series. But yea thats great, save some cash!

 

[MothMusic]

Final build, about as powerful as two 3870s:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103706
$99 -Freeshipping

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042
$55

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392
$70 -After rebate

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333G (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1333GB2G8-AG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211410
$89

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181
$55 -Freeshipping


HIS H487Q1GH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161292&cm_re=4870-_-14-161-292-_-Product
$160 -After rebates


OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022
$45 -After rebates


LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106276
$20 -Freeshipping


Total = $594 -After rebates

 

[obsidian86]

 

[MothMusic]

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww95/ANDR3W86/power_peak.gif

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww95/ANDR3W86/power_maximum.gif

http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww95/ANDR3W86/performance.gif

Just like I thought. 5770 uses less juice and is roughly the equal of the 4870, thats why I choose it originally.

 

[schupuppy]

Thanks for putting in the time MM and Obs, I really appreciate the suggestions and insight... Looks like a good Christmas is on the way!

 

[MothMusic]

Thanks for putting in the time MM and Obs, I really appreciate the suggestions and insight... Looks like a good Christmas is on the way!

I'm glad your happy. Merry Christmas!