System Builder Marathon: $625 Gaming PC

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[citation][nom]Tindytim[/nom]If I were to get a new computer, and decided to get rid of the old one, I could use the license from my old box, to install the OS on my old one.[/citation]

When I say 'get rid of' I mean were it will be no longer in use. You wouldn't be able to use your license if it's installed on 2 computers that are in use (unless it was a bulk license).

I've been using my same license for Windows XP that I got from an old Dell machine, and that fine and legal.
 
Very interesting article- I agree with adding a couple of more fans to the case. I think a lot of people with a tight budget would go for a lesser PSU and gamble on it. I like the way you squeeze a lot of performance out of the very low priced CPU.
 
[citation][nom]cangelini[/nom]International competition is in edits--almost ready to go live! Interesting results there, too.[/citation]
awesome! looking foreward to it. i was begining to think it got cancelled or somethin..
 
My two cents:

The OS/peripherals/display cost shouldn't be considered here. Adding those into a new build budget of $625 destroys what you can buy and all you're left with as an option is a barebones kit from tigerdirect running a g31 mobo and e2160 or low end AMD x2. Not exactly a gaming machine. If you don't have all the extras and only have $625 for the whole kit and kaboddal, go to a brick and mortar and buy something there with an open PCIe slot. Then when you are ready to build, you have the extras you need. you need.

Suggestions for future builds:
If its on sale when buying the HSF, look at Sunbeams Core Contact Freezer Pro. Its a 120mm fan, 4 DTH pipes, and comes with Tuniq TX-2. As long as it will fit in the case, its a great performer for the price. Keeps my E5200 at 55 degrees prime at 1.45v. The only downside is the fan isn't PWN and has a manual control if installed.
 
My understanding is that a Retail license can be used over and over again as long as it is only used on One computer at a time.
An OEM license (from dell or purchased cheaply) can be used for ONE computer and only that computer. Computer meaning a combo of GPU, CPU, and HD, you can upgrade 2 of the 3, but one original piece has to be there. M$ may not enforce it that strictly, but that's the wording I remember reading when I bought my XP OEM license.
 
They should make a Phenom II build and an intel build and then compare them, as they said the Phenom II X3 7xx is great and I'd like to know they're at least considering them. I think 3 cores is perfect since most games can only handle 2 cores so you have 2 cores for the game and the 3rd for background tasks and the OS.
 
[citation][nom]SABOT00[/nom]They should make a Phenom II build and an intel build and then compare them, as they said the Phenom II X3 7xx is great and I'd like to know they're at least considering them. I think 3 cores is perfect since most games can only handle 2 cores so you have 2 cores for the game and the 3rd for background tasks and the OS.[/citation]
thats what im hopin for to! they can crank alot of juice out of that phenomII x3, and for only 140 dollars, thats a really great OCing/gaming CPU :). thats gunna be my next upgrade. time to swap out the ol 5000+ BE 😛
 
[citation][nom]mrblonde[/nom]An OEM license (from dell or purchased cheaply) can be used for ONE computer and only that computer. Computer meaning a combo of GPU, CPU, and HD, you can upgrade 2 of the 3, but one original piece has to be there. M$ may not enforce it that strictly, but that's the wording I remember reading when I bought my XP OEM license.[/citation]
Oops. Turns out you're right.
http://www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/licensing/index.aspx

But, I still have a retail copy, I'll have to fix the license on my slipstreamed disc.
 
Thanks for the comments (all).

You won't see a Phenom II this month as our components were ordered just prior to PII 940/920 launch/availability. Of course, at $235 for the 920 (at launch), we wouldn't have seen one in this budget anyway. It sure looks like our options have now opened up for any future builds though.

In regards to the 120mm case fan - with $1 remaining in the budget, an extra case fan would not have been an option at the time. I'm also curious as to the load temp difference with a front intake fan, using AS5 compound, and blocking off the side CPU vent from being an intake. Unfortunately just couldn't take the time to explore this while the system was on the bench.
 
i just saw the the rear fan 120mm in the case was screwed backward!!

air is blowing from outside to back of the cpu!!!

are those temperature results correct??
 
[citation][nom]jhyukkang[/nom]i just saw the the rear fan 120mm in the case was screwed backward!!air is blowing from outside to back of the cpu!!!are those temperature results correct??[/citation]
LOL, you have too good an eye there. Yeah, the core temps were correct. One thing I briefly tried after completing testing was quickly wedging the existing fan inside the front of the case as an intake, hoping the CPU cooler and PSU would act as sufficient exhausts (Didn't really see a change in temps though). The two case/system pics were taken after the article was finished and I made the mistake of snapping that fan back in reverse when preparing to take them. You bring up something else that would be quite fun to test though. :)
 
[citation][nom]caamsa[/nom]Ahhh yet another "Intell System Builder Marathon" please call it what it is.[/citation]

It's a "bang for the buck" series that uses overclocking to improve value. So, people use what works best. To do otherwise would be to play favorites.
 
I think your GPU memory speed is a bit low as I personaly have a sapphire HD4870 512MB and I managed to reach a stable memory speed of 1100MHz while setting the fan at 40% of its maximum speed yet the fan was still quiet (please note that I have the older edition of this card with the fan at the end)i.e.following AMD's reference design
 
[citation][nom]youssef 2010[/nom]I think your GPU memory speed is a bit low as I personaly have a sapphire HD4870 512MB and I managed to reach a stable memory speed of 1100MHz while setting the fan at 40% of its maximum speed yet the fan was still quiet (please note that I have the older edition of this card with the fan at the end)i.e.following AMD's reference design[/citation]
Not all cards are created equal.

The problem with Overclocking cards it that, they are only guaranteed to run at their factor clock. If you've ever bought multiple cards for a SLI/Crossfire setup, cards from the same brand will get difference clocks, and they'll all run at the slowest cards specs.
 
[citation][nom]gim159[/nom]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116378XP 64, Mine as well use it til something better comes out. Ubuntu isn't gamer compatible... $139.99 Unless you can find a version of home for less I would use this.[/citation]

I won't mention the vendor, out of respect for Tom's not getting ad bucks for their name being here...I want Tom's to make money and keep paying these guys for doing the system/parts evals I don't have time or money to do all of them.

But, I got Windows XP x64 Pro for $80 a piece. I bought 4 discs to make sure I had enough for installing on my new builds.

They are still selling the Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64 Bit NFR CDs. So if you want retail box, you have to pay the $140.

The company is still selling them, according their pricing on the major well-known computer parts search engine that I use (hint) that sounds like rice botch.
 
FWIW, the Sapphire 4870 has a $15 rebate putting it at $179 currently, only $20 more expensive than the 4850. Also, it comes with two 4 pin to 6 pin power adapters, so if you buy a power supply that only has a single 6 pin connector, you needn't panic (like I did).
 
[citation][nom]jbrons[/nom]FWIW, the Sapphire 4870 has a $15 rebate putting it at $179 currently, only $20 more expensive than the 4850. Also, it comes with two 4 pin to 6 pin power adapters, so if you buy a power supply that only has a single 6 pin connector, you needn't panic (like I did).[/citation]
Yes it's true about the power adapters coming with this Sapphire 4870. One fear we had, was if the Sapphire went out of stock at order time(it happens), then a similar priced HIS 4870 would have been our alternate card ordered. The HIS didn't come with power adapters so for this build we didn't want to rely on getting/using them and instead made sure the PSU had dual 6-pin PCI-e power cables.
 
these guides are really great for us to improve... this really helps me in getting parts for a new build..plenty of options to improve
 
I find it very inconsistent that you don't add the price of the OS (~$100) on the basis that your using one from an older PC yet you don't use Arctic Silver (~$6) even though you would probably have some of it left over from a previous build, I did at least.
 
Proposed build for SBM $625 for Mar/Apr for Mr. Henningsen

CPU - AMD Phenom2x3 720 BE $166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
Motherboard - Giga MA770-UD3 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376
RAM - 2x2GB DDR2 1066 $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241
GPU - HD4850 $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272
PSU - Silverstone ST400 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256032
Case - Rosewill windryder $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147114
Cooler - Xigma HDT S963 $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001
HD - WD 500GB $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Burner - Liteon $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100

Cost $627.91 (as of this post) you can save a few $$ on RAM to make the $625 if it's really needed. I think this would be an excellent budget gaming build and very interesting to compare to the previous E5xxx or E7xxx builds.
 
Safe to assume this would run WoW maxed out with no issues? And out of curiousity why not use a 64 bit OS aren't most of the new componets coming out compatible with 64 bit OS's now?
 
I would use Vista Home Premium 64 and it would run WoW at high settings with only a drop in fps in high graphic areas (Dalaran, raids, PvP) still smooth and playable though. The motherboard i have listed is now out of stock at Newegg, another would have to be substituted.
 
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