new system first build under $800

[Cartman0123]

I do a moderate amount of gaming, downloading, dvd encoding, etc. I don't need a blazing fast system obviously, but I was wondering if it would be possible to put a decent system together for about $800 (incl. shipping to 63640). I have nothing (not even a keyboard), so this would have to include a 17" lcd or larger monitor, a case, ram, etc..Everything!. Are you guys up to the challenge. Minimum requirements for gaming would be it would have to be able to play BF2 well. That's my favorite game, but my laptop can't run it.

I'm not a cheapskate, but my wife has me on a strict budget! 😛

 

[Flopmouth_Fish]

One question: Do you have a copy of Windows XP? If not, are you willing to use a pirated copy? If you don't have a copy, and don't want to pirate it, a license for XP Home is ~$90.

 

[DaBigHurt]

Woah! I dunno man If I were you I'd go for a prebuilt system with that budget. You mean you have Nothing?!?! You dont have a spare CRT laying around to hold you off at least? What about speakers? 8O


So you need:

CASE
PSU
MB
CPU
RAM
HDD
CD DRIVE
GPU
LCD
KEYBOARD/MOUSE
+ SHIPPING
$800

So basically a $760 Budget if we deduct what the shipping will be?

 

[Cartman0123]

Yes, let's say I have a copy of Windows XP home. Don't worry about operating system. I don't like prebuilt because I don't know what kind of crappy mobo they have and they always put in 512 ram and integrated graphics...by the time I upgrade all that to 1gig and a decent graphics card I come out to at least $800 or more. It's got to have a DVD RW burner, too!
I was going to say "don't forget the speakers!," but I think just forget about the keyboard, mouse, and speakers. I'll get them and fudge the numbers and pretend they're not part of the $800.

 

[ira176]

Yes, let's say I have a copy of Windows XP home. Don't worry about operating system. I don't like prebuilt because I don't know what kind of crappy mobo they have and they always put in 512 ram and integrated graphics...by the time I upgrade all that to 1gig and a decent graphics card I come out to at least $800 or more. It's got to have a DVD RW burner, too!
I was going to say "don't forget the speakers!," but I think just forget about the keyboard, mouse, and speakers. I'll get them and fudge the numbers and pretend they're not part of the $800.

LOL

 

[purdueguy]

Without worrying about speakers, keyboard & mouse.

Intel:

CPU: E6300 - $180
Mobo: ASUS P5NSLI - $127
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Perpendicular Drive - $95
Memory: PQI Turbo 1GB - $95. I would get a 1GB stick for now instead of 2x512MB to put into dual channel mode. You'll want 2x1GB in dual channel mode when VISTA comes out. I'm sure you can upgrade your computer in 9 months or so and get an extra gig of RAM then. ;-) And, C2D does not need DDR2 800 unless you are planning on OC'ing.
Video Card eVGA 7600GT - $119
Monitor Samsung 920N 19" - $194
Case & PSU Antec Sonata II with 450W PSU - $100.50

Total: $910.50

Sorry, couldn't quite do it with a C2D system. Though, to be honest, I'd wait and save up the $110.50 needed for the C2D system. Much faster than the below AMD system.

AMD:

CPU: A64 3500+ Socket AM2 - $89
Mobo#1: ASUS M2N-E - $100
Memory: PQI Turbo - $113. With an AMD AM2 system, you need the faster DDR2 800 memory. Anything slower won't cut the mustard.

Everything else the same.

Total: $810.50

Using an older mobo.

Mobo #2: ABIT KN9 - $83

Total: $793.50

NOTE: I had to find the Antec Sonata II through Pricegrabber to get the system under $800. Newegg has the same case for 19 bucks more.

There's my suggestions.

 

[Heyhey]

with the intel system , He could go a little cheaper on the case and maybe go with a slightly smaller hard drive ,


I would go with all the same parts on the intel system , but replace the cpu and mobo with AMD cpu and mobo , then go a little cheaper on the case , and you find it wil fit the budget.

 

[bastion]

Antec NSK 4400 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: NSK 4400
Item #: N82E16811129012
$69.99

ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5NSLI
Item #: N82E16813131032
$119.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6300
Item #: N82E16819115005
$180.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS1GBKIT667D2 - Retail
Model #: VS1GBKIT667D2
Item #: N82E16820145568
$115.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD1600JS
Item #: N82E16822144415
$54.99

SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black IDE Model SH-S182M/BEBN - OEM
Model #: SH-S182M/BEBN
Item #: N82E16827151136
$30.99

POWERCOLOR X800GTO256MBDDR3 Radeon X800GTO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: X800GTO256MBDDR3
Item #: N82E16814131007
$86.99

Optiquest by Viewsonic Q9b-2 Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: Q9b-2
Item #: N82E16824116011
$194.99


Subtotal: $853.93 @ newegg.com

 

[Cartman0123]

Would you guys even consider the Pentium D 805 for $89 and overclock it? I was reading an article in the build your own section here and it said on air cooling it is stable at 3.6 Ghz!

 

[evongugg]

SharkyExtreme put together two systems for $1,000.00:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/article.php/3633106

You may be able to cut back on something there.

 

[purdueguy]

I took a look at Tom's review again. If you plan on OC'ing that "little" chip, you are going to need a minimum of a 450W power supply. The article stated that the components were consuming 384W of power. I like giving a 15%-20% buffer. This is where I come up with a 450W PSU.

Edit: The case comes with a 450W PSU and not a 480W like I had originally.

I'd stick with the Antec Sonata II case since it comes with a 450W PSU. The case is simlar to the Perf Plus case that I've have for 5 years and it's a very good case.

Since it's Socket 775, you can eventually migrate to C2D as you want.

So, if you're up to OC'ing the chip, go for it. The money you save can get you a better video card. The X1900XT 256MB is usually the one I recommend but to fit your budget, go for the X1900GT - $202.

 

[o29]

I certainly wouldn't recommend the 805. It was a good chip for price/performance when the article was written, but now with the AMD price drops, there's really no reason to buy it, especially once you add the cost of an aftermarket HSF and the increase you'll see in your electricity bill. As it stands right now, AMD has the best budget CPU's. For what you'd end up paying for an 805, you could get a faster AMD chip. The only problem with AMD is that you obviously wouldn't be able to upgrade to a Core 2. If you go AM2, you'd have an upgrade path there, just not an Intel one.

I'm sure you don't really need a Core 2, but that extra power is nice to have. I'd go for a e6300 system myself if I was on a budget. However, I'm sure you'd probably also be satisfied with something like an X2 3800+. It's probably the best budget chip right now. But with an extra $100 you could get an e6300. It kind of depends on how strict your budget is and how much upgradability means to you.

If you've never ran an Athlon X2, I think you'd be surprised by how fast they actually are for casual use. Unless you're encoding or gaming or something, they're plenty fast -- definitely faster than whatever the equivalently priced Pentium D would be.

Also, remember that clock speed isn't everything. Architecture plays a huge part. So the fact that an 805 can be overclocked to a higher clock speed than a 3800+ doesn't mean much. And just for reference, the 3800+ is generally regarded as a good overclocker too.