System Builder Marathon, March 2010: $750 Gaming PC

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]pkan51[/nom]with 2 graphic cards I can set up duel monitors right? Also is there any coupons or codes I can use for neweggs? Right now I am paying CA tax and 10$ for shipping.[/citation]

You can set up four monitors with those cards, or use them together like he did to put a bunch of graphics power to a single display. I'll let Paul chime in about your Hydrovision options...

 

[sojrner]

[citation][nom]pkan51[/nom]with 2 graphic cards I can set up duel monitors right? Also is there any coupons or codes I can use for neweggs? Right now I am paying CA tax and 10$ for shipping.[/citation]

every modern discrete graphics card that I know of can handle dual monitors. You do not require two cards for two monitors. Go to the 5000 series ATI cards and you get 3 or more monitors possible. All with a single card installed.

 

[mikemaven]

Can I stick with the onboard video and add the graphics cards later? This would be good start for a budget family PC.

 

[tipmen]

Still impresses me what two 4850s can do

 

[ionut19]

Sorry to tell you this but i think you messed a little bit. The article is good but: http://www.tomshardware.com/gallery/Cooler-RAM-Clearance,0101-241147-7692----jpg-.html this is not a dual channel setup !! If i know right you have to use slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 for a dual channel setup. If i am mistaking please ignore this post.

EDIT:
"If two memory modules are to be installed, it is recommended that you install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 sockets."
I just checked the manual. My mistake.

 

[pkan51]

One more fresh question. Do I ned to buy Win7 and other softwares on top of this? Sorry if I shouldn't ask this here. But I haven't build a computer in the past 8 years =(

 

[jehosephat]

I signed up just to add my 2 cents. I've always liked these articles and I appreciate the effort you folks put into them. They always give me a good idea of what I can afford if I build vs. buying a system off the shelf. It's cool to drool over the ultimate systems and such, but I'm a tight budget guy and can't afford that type of investment.
That being said, first cent , I think that $500-$700 is a good price point. If I go to Best Buy/Office Max/big superstore and look at their package deals, this is what I'm going to spend. If I can build a much better system for that money by keeping my current monitor and printer, then I feel justified in doing so.
Second cent, I agree with a number of the earlier comments. Being a budget guy, I want to get an initial system that I can milk for the longest period of time that I can. So, when I look at my components, I have to think about an upgrade path also. For that reason, I would have spent my GPU money on a newer video card to get the latest DirectX features knowing that, in a year or so, I would buy another one to do Xfire or SLI and extend the life of my system.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]jehosephat[/nom]I signed up just to add my 2 cents. I've always liked these articles and I appreciate the effort you folks put into them. They always give me a good idea of what I can afford if I build vs. buying a system off the shelf. It's cool to drool over the ultimate systems and such, but I'm a tight budget guy and can't afford that type of investment.That being said, first cent , I think that $500-$700 is a good price point. If I go to Best Buy/Office Max/big superstore and look at their package deals, this is what I'm going to spend. If I can build a much better system for that money by keeping my current monitor and printer, then I feel justified in doing so.Second cent, I agree with a number of the earlier comments. Being a budget guy, I want to get an initial system that I can milk for the longest period of time that I can. So, when I look at my components, I have to think about an upgrade path also. For that reason, I would have spent my GPU money on a newer video card to get the latest DirectX features knowing that, in a year or so, I would buy another one to do Xfire or SLI and extend the life of my system.[/citation]

Single HD 5750 then?

 

[RazberyBandit]

Single HD 5750 then?

Umm... a single 5750 as an alternative to dual-4850's? That's reasonable, I suppose. Seeing as the 5750 is somewhat of a 40nm version of the 4850, it makes some sense. Sure, it's missing a few SPs and TUs, but you get an upgrade to DDR5 and all those 5000-series features - Dolby Audio, Eyefinity, and DirectX 11, and significant Power Savings. (Unfortunately, the 5700-series cards were downgraded to a 128-bit memory interface.) You could always add a 2nd one when you could afford it, and would likely see similar performance to this machine. Though, a single 5770 would be the better way to go if you wanted to maximize the performance potential of a Crossfire setup down the road.

 

[rutoojinn]

I like how each component is listed and priced at the beginning of each SMB article. Only thing I want to add is a side by side comparison from the previous build. Other than that AMD has a terrific and very OC friendly cpu also I am amaze a $750 system can have crossfire or dual gpu configurations.

 

[jehosephat]

[citation][nom]RazberyBandit[/nom]Umm... a single 5750 as an alternative to dual-4850's? That's reasonable, I suppose. Seeing as the 5750 is somewhat of a 40nm version of the 4850, it makes some sense. Sure, it's missing a few SPs and TUs, but you get an upgrade to DDR5 and all those 5000-series features - Dolby Audio, Eyefinity, and DirectX 11, and significant Power Savings. (Unfortunately, the 5700-series cards were downgraded to a 128-bit memory interface.) You could always add a 2nd one when you could afford it, and would likely see similar performance to this machine. Though, a single 5770 would be the better way to go if you wanted to maximize the performance potential of a Crossfire setup down the road.[/citation]

It's been a while since I've researched a new system so I'm a little behind on everything. $200 was spent on the dual card setup in this rig. So I'd say, aim for the best at or below that price. Looking at Newegg and the GPU charts show me that the 5770 might be about right. It's faster than a single 4850 or 5750. And if I shop around I might be able to find it in the $160-$170 range.
After looking at the ultimate system review, I think the goals for each of the systems is fairly the same but for different reasons. For the ultimate system, you're on the leading edge of the technology curve and hoping to stay there. For the budget system, you're a little on the backside hoping to keep up with minor upgrades each year($100-$200 at the most). You know that when you build your system that, in a year or so, there are going to be new games that are going to make your system drag some. So you try to plan for it. And hope technology doesn't make any big changes in the meantime.

 

[Guest]

750$ comp without taking into account buying the OS

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]BulletsVsDreams[/nom]750$ comp without taking into account buying the OS[/citation]

Use Ubuntu, the only reason Windows was used with this machine is because Tom's has Windows-based benchmark programs.

 

[RazberyBandit]

Use Ubuntu, the only reason Windows was used with this machine is because Tom's has Windows-based benchmark programs.

And the vast majority of games are not also Windows-based? Heh heh. Come come now...

It is something you should consider including for perhaps 3rd and 4th quarter SBMs, perhaps even in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I'd say Win7 Home Premium would likely suffice, but I suppose it's always possible performance differences may exist in some titles in the Business or Ultimate editions. You might also find a new audience explaining any differences that may arise, as well gain the opportunity to educate viewers on the differences between retail and OEM Windows licenses.

 

[instigator2008]

Have been on holidays for a few weeks. This was an article I read and wanted to print out for later use, the way I did before. Seems like the "print article" capability has been deleted and I am again forced to print it out page by page. Any logical reason for this change?

 

[instigator2008]

Just tried it again , and "print article" works now.

 

[RazberyBandit]

These video cards just dropped another $10 at Newegg w/ promo code VGA3171, making them only $84.99! Only good through 3/24, though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

 

[Guest]

LOL, why pay $750 for a "gaming" PC when you can buy a PLAY STATION 3 (aka a system MADE for games) for HALF of that cost! AND you get TWICE as many GAMES!!!!!! Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Socom, Little Big Planet, GOD OF WAR anyone? The PC just doesnt have the games that the PS3 does, and thats where the PC fails. Yes, MAYBE the graphics are nice and can keep up with the PS3's best graphics... but it's the games that count. PS3 has and will continue to have the best and most varied games. So here is MY advice, if you want a "gaming" system, buy a PS3, you wont look back.. unless you wanna play crisis 1 that bad, lol.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]oo7PorscheMGS[/nom]LOL, why pay $750 for a "gaming" PC when you can buy a PLAY STATION 3 (aka a system MADE for games) for HALF of that cost! AND you get TWICE as many GAMES!!!!!! Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Socom, Little Big Planet, GOD OF WAR anyone? The PC just doesnt have the games that the PS3 does, and thats where the PC fails. Yes, MAYBE the graphics are nice and can keep up with the PS3's best graphics... but it's the games that count. PS3 has and will continue to have the best and most varied games. So here is MY advice, if you want a "gaming" system, buy a PS3, you wont look back.. unless you wanna play crisis 1 that bad, lol.[/citation]

-1 complete loss concept. If you have a PC you can add gaming gear to it for less than what a PS3 cost. If you don't have a PC...well, I guess you can play with your PS3 and cell phone...

 

[jryan388]

[citation][nom]oo7PorscheMGS[/nom]LOL, why pay $750 for a "gaming" PC when you can buy a PLAY STATION 3 (aka a system MADE for games) for HALF of that cost! AND you get TWICE as many GAMES!!!!!! Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Socom, Little Big Planet, GOD OF WAR anyone? The PC just doesnt have the games that the PS3 does, and thats where the PC fails. Yes, MAYBE the graphics are nice and can keep up with the PS3's best graphics... but it's the games that count. PS3 has and will continue to have the best and most varied games. So here is MY advice, if you want a "gaming" system, buy a PS3, you wont look back.. unless you wanna play crisis 1 that bad, lol.[/citation]

Why do you even bother commenting on a site like this? People aren't here to hear about consoles...

 

[aux]

hehe they didnt compare it with their e5300 config did they. they did but its not one on one, intel crap cant compete against an x3 to x4.

 

[pauldh]

hehe they didnt compare it with their e5300 config did they. they did but its not one on one, intel crap cant compete against an x3 to x4.

Actually spent a good portion of the text comparing the two builds, and also explained why the charts didn't include December data. I was as eager to compare the two builds as any reader, but unfortunately the benchmark suite was updated to new benchmarks or new versions of the old benchmarks. Crysis charts contained both, as it was the only repeat game still in the 2010 test suite. Otherwise, rather than crowd the charts with data from mixed benchmark versions, only the three sets for this build were included. But, links were provided to the December PC so readers could compare if they desire.

The Ahtlon II was impressive! I doubt I'd consider a dual-core CPU again for an SBM, unless it was a dirt cheap Athlon II X2 gaming system. Even then, prices are so close it's a shame not to grab an X3.

 

[joker021971]

Dig the article as I'm currently researching parts for a new build that will have to be on the lower end cost-wise. Also, I dig the comment sections as people are full of interesting ideas and counter points.

One idea that is floated a great deal is to upgrade older machines and detail the process in an article. What about this idea... A contest where Tom-fans submit our machine specifications and one (or more) machines are chosen for a make over? Once the upgrades are done, the machine can be sent back to the original owner. I dig that idea and I don't even have an older machine that is worthy of consideration.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]joker021971[/nom]Dig the article as I'm currently researching parts for a new build that will have to be on the lower end cost-wise. Also, I dig the comment sections as people are full of interesting ideas and counter points.One idea that is floated a great deal is to upgrade older machines and detail the process in an article. What about this idea... A contest where Tom-fans submit our machine specifications and one (or more) machines are chosen for a make over? Once the upgrades are done, the machine can be sent back to the original owner. I dig that idea and I don't even have an older machine that is worthy of consideration.[/citation]

Pimp my PC! Obviously Tom's would be accused of copying everyone else, but what the heck right? How's "Trick my Truck" doing for viewers?

Anyway, this sounds like a great way to represent readers, but I'm not sure it will fly with the higher-ups. Try running it past Chris Angelini

 

[shineon2010]

Absoultely love this case for the price, best budget case out there.