Budget Gaming Build -- $800

[evongugg]

It is recommended you wait 2-3 months before overclocking to let the computer break in.

 

[Gundam1s]

Hey Bobsama,
A few things that I wanted you let you know.

1) the Arctic Silver Ceramique was tested against many other thermal compounds and even thought it didn't get first place, it came up better than Arctic Silver 5 so I'd recommed a tube of that.(its also cheaper 😛 )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100009

2) the Thermaltake Purepower may be reliable but the amount of amps on the 12V is quite low ~23Amps according to the info (280W/12V) available. There are other power supplies such as the FSP 450W Fortron Source($58) and the Hiper 480W($50) which supplies ~28Amps and ~29Amps on the 12V rail respectively.

3) I've never used a Infinity before but I would recommend a Arctic Freezer Pro 7, it costs $20 bucks and is an awsome cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134&Tpk=pro%2b7

Other than that I'd say you have a nice set up man. Oh and the ram you've chosen seems to be a great deal along with a 2600XT, hope it kicks a 7600GT's a$$. GL man

 

[Bobsama]

Evongugg--I have heard some stuff about "letting it break in", but I really don't buy it. I'll be doing some lighter overclocks over summer (right now), then gradually increase into Fall and Winter. If my luck holds, my room will average 65 Fahrenheit over winter. With any luck, that'll let me get to 3.6GHz (which would simply be awesome--a 100% increase).

Gundam--Do you have a review? I've heard too many people swear by AC5--not enough swear by ACC. It sounds good otherwise--being non-electrically-conductive. I'll think about it. Next, will I really need the extra amps? I picked the Purepower because it's considered a Tier-3 power supply... I can't afford anything more. After that, will the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 bring a Q6600 up to 3.6GHz or so? I was aiming for 3.6GHz overclocks on both--according to my calculator, a 3.6GHz Q6600 will draw about the same as a 3.6GHz E2160 (a bit scary-ne?).

That RAM looks golden, compared to most of the $100+ kits I've seen reviewed in DDR2 800 round-ups. I hope the 2600XT will kick some serious a$$--I'll be waiting for the latest Catalyst drivers to fix the AA problems... though I really don't use AA much.

*Runs off to order the PSU, motherboard, cooler, and thermal grease*
EDIT: Looking at the sticker seen on NewEgg, the Purepower has 29A over two 12V rails. It looks good to me, and, as said before, it's Tier 3.

 

[KyleSTL]

Get a DX9 card, there no point in getting an impotent DX10 card when you're planning on upgrading. It will have better performance now in DX9 mode than the 2600 in DX10 (and possibly DX9), and it'll have better resale value when you do upgrade to DX10.1. Other than that, everything looks fine.

 

[Bobsama]

Ok I ordered two items on the list...

1) Thermaltake Purepower 500W W0100RU, $60
2) Scythe SCINF-1000 (Infinity), $38

Shipping: $11
Total: $109

These are already ordered, and thus non-changeable.

EDIT: Anybody have anything else to add? I'm pretty sure I want what I listed, and I'm still overclocking. I'll be waiting for the new power supply (will probably use it as a temporary power supply in my old computer until I get everything else, to see if it works properly and if my old PSU is dying) and heatsink tower.

So, the build has officially started!

Last thing... I'm pretty sure about everything that's still on the list for ordering... maybe I'll make up my mind soon about the hard drive, though--I'm seriously thinking about shelling out an extra $7 for a 320GB Western Digital drive. Also, I might drop the AC5 if the thermal compound on the Scythe Infinity is good--if it even has any compound! 😛

 

[KyleSTL]

Just for argument's sake, I have a 7600GS (G73 Rev B1) card that is stock 1.1V core 400 Mhz. I have OC'd it without any voltage increase to 607 Mhz stable 10 hrs 3DMark06. The 7600GT has the same core but with 1.7V core (don't quote me on that, it's simply what I've seen on other websites/forums) and 560 Mhz stock. Think of the OC potential of that relatively inexpensive card (which also has DDR3 in most cases). That could be a pretty good performer on a budget.

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

I can't say I'm a big fan on the power supply, mostly because if you intend to make a major GPU upgrade in the future, you're going to kill your PSU.

At this point, an 8800GTS is really pushing it with the PSU. You've got 29A on the 12V, tops.

Upgrading your video card to anything high end in the future is almost out of the question if power draw increases compared to the 8800GTS.

 

[nhobo]

You should reconsider Vista. It's a hardware hog, DX10 has not-so-great reviews (as does Vista), and the hardware requirements for good performance under DX10 are far beyond what you're building.

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

You should reconsider Vista. It's a hardware hog, DX10 has not-so-great reviews (as does Vista), and the hardware requirements for good performance under DX10 are far beyond what you're building.

He has another $800-1000 in the future to upgrade. I'd stick with Vista.

 

[Joe_The_Dragon]

You may want to drop the os and reuse you old one also you may be able to windows at low cost from the college

 

[KyleSTL]

At the University of Cincinnati Vista Ultimate is $13. Yes, you read that right, 13. And Office 2007 Enterprise is like 7 or something. Yes, I'm pretty sure we sold our souls to the devil for that one.

 

[Onus]

No to Vista, unless you feel REALLY lucky. Is it worth it? Your call, but I say no thanks at least until 1Q2008 when official patches are due.

PSU is a done deal; it will run this rig. You couldn't put an 8800GTX on it, but you're not buying one of those.

Fwiw, I'll add my voice to those suggesting the x1950Pro. If you're not happy with it, get a DX10.1 GPU when you upgrade, but for now it is superior to the DX10 "midrange." A 7900GS would be another viable choice; weaker at stock but said to overclock very well.

 

[shadowmaster625]

I won't spend for XP because it's going to be discontinued

that is your perogative, but it is going to be at least 2 years before that becomes an issue.

 

[Bobsama]

I don't plan into putting a 8800GTX into the computer--that's just overkill. In 10-12 months, when I can get the other $700-$1000 to upgrade, I'll be throwing in a new processor, a better graphics card (maybe the G92 part that's supposed to be out for 2007Q4), probably more RAM, and evaluate if I need more space for storage and the suitability of the power supply.

I plan on keeping this computer as it is for 1 year--upgrade, then keep it for at least 2 more years. With XP's discontinuation impending, I'll stick my chances with 2GB of RAM and Vista. Anyways--I can't reuse my OS (it's OEM, and has been tied to the same PC for the last 4-5 years)

Anyways--I'll look into DX9 parts, just for the heck of it. If I can find a much better part for the same $100, maybe I'll do that. If not, I have basically no wiggle room anymore--my first order basically took all my wiggle-room.

 

[Bobsama]

Updated--changed to an E2140 (3.2GHz at a 100% OC), WD 320GB Caviar SE16 drive, ACCeramique, and ACCleaner.

Also, looking to order the Abit IP35-E tomorrow. I won't be grabbing anything else, I don't think.

 

[Bobsama]

Ok I ordered two more items on the list...

1) Intel Pentium "Dual-Core" E2140, $75
2) Abit IP35-E, $120 - $40 MIR = $80

Shipping: $7
Total: $202

These are already ordered, and thus non-changeable.

Oh, and everyone... I still need some help! Installation tips will be welcome soon.