Budget Gaming Rig $800

[paganhagan]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: June 18th

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies,

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, tiger Direct

PARTS PREFERENCES:none

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:I am trying to figure whether an intel or amd solution is best for this build at the 800 dollar price point and having a capable video card or cards as well.

Some parts I have already looked at:

Intel E5200
AsRock P45XE
ACER X213Hbid 21.5"
OCZ 4GB DDR2-800
BFGTech GS-550
ATI HD4770 x 2

 

[shortstuff_mt]

AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103678

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190733 $148.99 (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 $58.99

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 $189.99

WESTERN DIGITAL WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005615&prodlist=celebros $51.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx $119.99 - $20.00 MIR

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300 $54.95

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $23.99

ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053 $169.99 - $10.00 MIR

Total - $818.88 - $30.00 MIR's

If that puts you too far over your budget, you could swap the case for this one:

Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P BK Dual 120mm Cooling Fans and Mesh Design Front Panel Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147114 $44.99

That would make the total $808.92

You could just use the 64-bit Windows 7 RC until the retail version is released later this year.

 

[paganhagan]

Thanks for the AMD side of things I think I can find some savings in a different powersupply and I am thinking two 4770s are better than 1 4870 if I can find someone who has them in stock.

I think I could change the powersupply to OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail. 89.99 -20.00 MIR

If anyone has any ideas on different cpus whether it be intel or amd I can probably find another $50 or $60 dollars to go into the cpu budget which would put it around 130 or so. Would really like to find a nice middle ground for price to performance.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I'm from the camp that likes to get the best single GPU you can afford. That way you still have the option of adding another GPU later if you need to. If you go with crossfire right off the bat you kill your GPU upgrade path. I don't like the idea of having to replace the GPU instead of just buying another one. That's why I picked the 4870 1GB and 750W PSU so that you could add another GPU without having to upgrade any other components at the same time.

If you can scrounge up some more money for the build the Phenom II X3 720 is an awesome CPU and also has a combo available with that Gigabyte motherboard.

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

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190734 $218.99

The Corsair 650TX is currently on sale at Newegg. It would also power crossfire 4870's.

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx $98.99

 

[IzzyCraft]

What about the os?

 

[not moose]

You won't get the most out of your system by going with a 1920x1080 resolution monitor. This is a better solution to get the most out of your money, while still going under budget. Use Windows 7 RC to save you some money.

Antec 300 - $54.95
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 - $119.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L / OCZ Fatal1ty 550w- $149.98
G.SKILL 4gb DDR2 1066 - $58.99
EVGA GTX 260 Core 218 - $184.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb - $74.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R - $23.99

Current total: $667.88
After rebates: $617.88

At this point you have a strong build for a 1680x1050 monitor, and the option to overclock on a stock cooler to about 3.3Ghz.

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" - $119.99

Current total: $787.87
After rebates: $737.87

Acer X203Wbd Black 20" - $139.99

Current total: $807.87
After rebates: $758.87

If you want a stronger psu just to be sure, you can go ahead and take that OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w and still come under budget.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What about the os?

You could just use the 64-bit Windows 7 RC until the retail version is released later this year.

 

[IzzyCraft]

Using a rc as your main os isn't always best. I'd at least confirm any popular software he uses works in that environment nothing spells disappointment quite like finding out the hard way.

 

[paganhagan]

I am not sure what you mean by you won't get the most out of your system by going with a 1920x1080 monitor. The suggested motherboard doesn't do SLI or Crossfire GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard.

Can anyone suggest a comparison between the AMD 720 x 3 and an intel cpu? Unfortunately the combo deal is gone shortstuff_mt but thanks for the suggestion. The 4770s use less power at full load then any comparable single card solution so I think I will stick with them.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I will be using the windows 7 RC until June 2010. So OS isn't a problem. Software problems aren't a big deal. I am use to it with Linux and finding a work around or an alternative.

 

[IzzyCraft]

Any real good reason to go 1920x1080 over 1680x1050
Acer X223Wbd Black 22" $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145
Good monitor anyways i would build something like this ( my 2 cents)

Combo Combo Price: $139.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190819
GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W $79.99 -$10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB $179.99 -20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133270

816.26 when shipped to my house in Cali -30 MIR =p

Lower resolution much less need to go sli or crossfire and can just upgrade single gpu, less power consumption less troubles.

Frankly sli or crossfire at 800 even with upgrade later is a bit worry some even the first build shown the build would easily be crippled by the kuma which would need to be upgraded. yada yada yada

But that's what i would do with 800 bucks and wanting to do "gaming" not counting me just going down to frys and slapping together a super cheap 300 dollar computer - psu, gpu and monitor then order the best monitor, psu and gpu i could get my hands on for 500

 

[paganhagan]

Okay after doing some reading and taking in everyones suggestions I think I finally have settled on some parts. If anyone would like to look this over and make any other suggestions that would be great. Also should I go with an aftermarket cooler on the X3 720?

Lg 22x DVD burner SATA

Antec 300 Black Steel Case

WD 250GB HD SATA

Asus 21.5" HDMI Widescreen

HIS HD4870 1Gbit DDR5

Corsair 750-tx 750w PS

G.SKIll 2x2GB DDR2 1066 RAM

AMD Phenom II X3 720

Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P MB

CPU MB Combo

Arctic Sliver 5 thermal compound
Total 885.37 -30.00 MIR

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The WD3200AAKS hard drive that I listed above is only $4 more and is considerably faster than that old 250GB drive.

You only need an aftermarket cooler if you're planning on overclocking. The same goes for the thermal paste. The stock cooler will come with thermal paste. If you do get a CPU cooler and thermal paste, I would get MX-2. MX-2 cools at least as well as Arctic Silver, is non-conductive, has no cure time, and lasts longer than Arctic Silver.

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $7.99

 

[paganhagan]

Any Idea how well the 720 will overclock on stock air?