Building a Budget Gaming PC starting with a 9800GX2 2GB

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

I have one sitting around and was wondering what's the best cost/performance machine I should build. Seems like I should get an e8400 and overclock it to 4GHz ...

I'm curious how you guys would build a mention with just the graphx card as a start.

Thanks,
-n

Akebono 98 · Feb 26, 2009

Gigabyte EP45-UD3R (non-Crossfire)
G.Skill Pi Black DDR2-800 (2x2GB)
E7400 (you did say you were on a budget)
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ backplate
PCP&C Silencer 610
Antec 300

Those would be my essentials.

jeremyrailton · Feb 26, 2009

does a 2 gig version of 9800gx2 exist?

Helloworld_98 · Feb 26, 2009

^Probably, there's a 1gb version of the GTX+.

Meh, if you think the e84 is the best to go for you haven't been on the internet for the last few weeks.

The AMD 720 X3 is now the best to go for, it has an extra core which will help in newer games... Infact if you get one from a certain batch it has two extra cores if you enable it in the bios. Also they overclock just aswell. The production models are hitting 4.2ghz on air.

Oh it also costs less.

shortstuff_mt · Feb 26, 2009

What is your budget for this build? What resolution will you be gaming at? What do you need included in the build? Monitor, keyboard, mouse, OS? It's pretty hard to help out without that info.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

I was definitely hoping to spend less than 1K. I want to be gaming at 1920x1080 without any problems. I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and os. I basically need a mobo, cpu, cooling, psu, and case. correct me if i'm forgetting anything.

shortstuff_mt · Feb 26, 2009

What OS do you have? Is it 64-bit? That will also be a big deciding factor in what system to suggest since a 32-bit OS can't fully use 4GB of RAM.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

Good point. I have all versions of XP and Vista sitting around. (was an MSDN subscriber last year).

shortstuff_mt · Feb 26, 2009

Obviously this will be for gaming. What other things will it be used for? Sorry for all the questions, but it's hard to throw together a build customized for you without knowing some of this stuff.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

Actually, it'll be mainly for gaming, and watching divx/mkv files on. That's it. It'll be my dedicated entertainment box.

shortstuff_mt · Feb 26, 2009

In that case, this would work fine:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $164.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 $114.99 - $15.00 MIR

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231211&Tpk=pi%20black%20900 $54.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $79.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%20900 $99.99

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99

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 $99.99 - $25.00 MIR

Total - $654.93 - $40.00 MIR's

The Phenom II X3 720's are also looking pretty good. You could keep the above and swap out the CPU, motherboard, and RAM for these:

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 $144.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128381 $114.99

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=N82E16820231246 $59.99

You could actually squeeze an i7 build into your budget, but it would be overkill for your intended use.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

AWESOME! Thanks for the reply.

I've combed through tomshardware ... and found various articles, threads on overclocking ... is there a definitive guide to how to and what's the max you can push these configs to?

Thanks Again,
-n

shortstuff_mt · Feb 26, 2009

You mileage always varies when it comes to overclocking. It's just a process of trial and error when you get to the upper limits of your hardware.

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

Ok well here is a rig I put together that you should use to base your build off of, but make a couple changes
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8899425

Change the CPU to a x3 720
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=x3%20720
Change the PSU to Corsair 650tx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650tx
Change the GPU to a saphire 4850x2 2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809
Since you have the OS take that out
And if you have some cash left over, change the case to CM 690
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265143

I highly recommend the 4850x2 for that resolution, It is a great card for the price. The GX2 isn't that great of a card IMO for the price, so unless you already own one, I suggest you reconsider the GPU.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

Damn, I already unfortunately own one ... but received it as a gift. I'm basically trying to not let it go to waste by putting together a budget system for playing L4D and other games

jeremyrailton · Feb 26, 2009

it's a decent card. I had one for a while and it performed beautifully in some games and crappily in others. it's dependent on Nvidia to keep up the driver support. Just don't run high resolutions with AA or AF on, and you'll be fine. Oh yeah, and you can cook eggs on it too. L4D-omelette time!

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

Well if you got it for free that is awesome and definitely use it. I was assuming that you were going to buy it, and it usually goes for around $350. I would pay $200 or more for it. Do not consider yourself unfortunate for owning it

So then you are saying that the rest of your system needs to come to less than 1k? If that is the case then I would recommend going with a Q9650 build, which is doable and will give you a very nice rig.

ngaminglee · Feb 26, 2009

xthekidx :

Would you spec out a Q9650 rig? (mobo, psu, etc ..)

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

You can also go for the Q9550 which is almost as good and about $50 cheaper...but if you went with that then I would change the Mobo too because there is a nice combo on newegg right now...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.160551

That cuts about $60 off that price.

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

Here is a great combo if you want to stick with the Q9650, its also available for the Q9550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.160652
That storm sniper case is sweet. It and the HAF 932 are my favorite cases.

xthekidx · Feb 26, 2009

So when I said the 9800 GX2 isn't that great, I meant for the price that it normally goes for. But don't get me wrong, its a very good card, just not as good as the other similarly priced cards. Read this to get an idea of how it will do, I don't think you'll have a problem with it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-9800-gx2-review,1792-7.html

Akebono 98 · Feb 27, 2009

Here's a slightly refined version of what I would do here:

Mobo: Gigabyte EP45-UD3R, $115 ($15 MIR)

CPU: E8500, $188

RAM: G.Skill Pi Black DDR2-800, $50

Heatsink: Xigmatek HDT-S1283, $37 ($10 MIR)

Backplate: ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket, $8.49

Thermal Paste: IC Diamond 7 Carat, $7

HDD: Velociraptor 300GB (HLFS version), $230 ($30 MIR)

Optical: Samsung SH-S223F, $24

Case: Coolermaster CM-690, $90

PSU: PCP&C Silencer 610, $100 ($30 MIR)

Extra Fan: Scythe S-Flex SFF21F, 1600rpm (for the roof), $15.49

Total: $865 before $85 of MIR

You could even add a Blu-ray reader and still fall within your budget.

For pure gaming, two cores is sufficient IMO and the 9800GX2 card is actually well matched to your 1920x1080 resolution.

I've also thrown in a Velociraptor for even more speed.

With an E8500 as spec'd above, aim for FSB of around 450 MHz at full multiplier and RAM at synchronous 1:1.

I think that you'd be pretty happy building around either the E8500, Q9650 or the PII X3 720.

batuchka · Feb 27, 2009

$689.94
$7.92 shipping
$40 MIR

Massive power savings when not in gaming mode via Hybrid Power? OS: 64 bit Vista Home Premium/Ultimate since u got every XP/Vista on hand hehe Make that 9800gx2 feel at home

Hybrid Power and you!

http://translate.google.com.sg/tran...on+GF8200&hl=en&rlz=1C1GGLS_enSG291SG303&sa=G

Building a Budget Gaming PC starting with a 9800GX2 2GB

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