Under $700-$800 Gaming Rig

[bounce]

OK guys, I've been doing some research lately, and I have a pretty tight budget.

I was originally going to go with a phenom x4 955 or x3 720, but a friend of mine suggested I save on the processor and put that into a better graphics card.

This is a rough rig setup, I just want some comments:

Mobo: M4A79 Deluxe (189.99 on newegg)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ (89.99 on newegg)
VGA: I haven't decided here, but I want some opinions. My allowance for a vga is around 200-250.

Total for this comes to around 530.00 before shipping/tax etc.

Everything else really isn't that important at this point so I want some good solid advice on what I have so far.

I understand that there are much better processors out there, but I think I can make do with this one for a while.

Also, to help you structure your advice, the games I play MAINLY are:

Company of Heroes
Team Fortress 2
Left 4 Dead
Call of Duty 4

My goals are to play them at the highest settings possible, and on 1920x1200 (1440 x 900 if not)

If these goals aren't attainable with the parts I have listed, please let me know why, and what I should get instead. Thank you!

 

[Helloworld_98]

no.

get a TA790GX A2+ and a 720 BE with a 4890, that mobo is a waste with that cpu.

 

[bounce]

no.

get a TA790GX A2+ and a 720 BE with a 4890, that mobo is a waste with that cpu.

I don't want to use this CPU forever, only until I can save up some more money and get a better one when the prices drop.

I also want to make sure I can do SLI or xf in the future. Only one vid card for now, though, I will purchase the second at a later time.

I saw this on another thread:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190734

Don't know about the mobo there though...

 

[fullmetall]

Bounce, you can get a 790x ud4p + a x3 720be in a combo for around $40-$60 less than that junk 600+ amd athlon, there's no reason to get that mobo + cpu when it wont perform well over a x3 720be + ud4p am2+/am3 board.

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

Graphics: 4890 xfx.

 

[Helloworld_98]

the TA does have CF and by 2010 all amd cpu's will be AM3 and F+ with no AM2+ and F support due to only having a DDR3 IMC.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Bounce, you can get a 790x ud4p + a x3 720be in a combo for around $40-$60 less than that junk 600+ amd athlon, there's no reason to get that mobo + cpu when it wont perform well over a x3 720be + ud4p am2+/am3 board.

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

Graphics: 4890 xfx.

+1

The GA-MA790X-UD4P + Phenom II X3 720 is a much better idea than that overpriced motherboard and 6000+ CPU IMO.

 

[aevm]

I was originally going to go with a phenom x4 955 or x3 720, but a friend of mine suggested I save on the processor and put that into a better graphics card.

This is a rough rig setup, I just want some comments:

Mobo: M4A79 Deluxe (189.99 on newegg)
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+ (89.99 on newegg)
VGA: I haven't decided here, but I want some opinions. My allowance for a vga is around 200-250.

Never build a computer with a MB that costs twice as much as the CPU. The opposite is always a better idea.

+2 for Fullmetall's combo. It will be way better.

Edit: your friend was correct, kind of. The graphics card is more important than the CPU, for most games. However, the CPU is more important than the case, MB, HDD etc, so don't start by cutting the CPU.

 

[Kill@dor]

That is a good combo...

+1 Fullmetall

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Follow these steps:

1. ask your friend to stand with his back to you
2. apply a good solid kick
3. Never build a computer with a MB that costs twice as much as the CPU. The opposite is always a better idea.

+2 for Fullmetall's combo. It will be way better.

:lol:

I'm glad you said what I was thinking!

 

[aevm]

:lol:

I'm glad you said what I was thinking!

Yeah, but then I changed my mind and edited it. I think his friend had a clue after all, but the OP didn't tell him he was going to spend $190 on a MB.


@OP: if you get the GA-MA790X-UD4P, you have two good possibilities for VGA in the $200..$250 range:

1. A single HD 4890 now, a Corsair 750TX PSU, and add a second HD 4890 later when you have more cash and if needed

2. Two HD 4770 now and a 650TX PSU.

You could also get a GTX 275 card with a 650TX PSU. However, that's less future-proof because it won't allow a second card.

 

[bounce]

I'm most likely going to go with fullmetal's combo, I saw that on newegg a while ago but didn't know what to think.

I also am leaning towards the 4890 single right now, and adding a second in the future.

Is this a good rig to add on to in the future without expensive changes? ie: i want to find a mobo to last a good while, that can be updated with another vga and processor.

So my rig looks like this now:

GA-MA790X-UD4P
Phenom II x3 720 (is this the black edition?)

218.99

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

------------------

XFX HD 4890 (but which model from xfx? and will it fit for crossfire in the future?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=hd+4890+xfx&x=0&y=0

229.99 - 245.99 (after rebates)

-------------------
650TX PSU

69.99 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=650TX%20PSU

--------------------

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB SATA

69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Hard+Drives-_-Western+Digital-_-22136218

----------------

Keyboard/Mouse/Speakers are already owned.

Total: 604.96 before shipping/tax/etc.

Questions would then be:

What RAM, Case, and Monitor?

Also, does this setup look ok? Is there any way to knock off a few bucks here or there? Smaller PSU?

I appreciate all the input so far guys.

 

[bounce]

What do you guys think about this though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150329&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-150-329-_-Product

After rebate it's 169.99 and then there are the two games that total up to $80. So I get a VGA for 90.00?

Would I be better off in the long run with the 4890?

 

[Ogdin]

For that price i'd grab the 260.

 

[mlcloud]

There is nothing but the black edition for the Phenom II 720, I believe. If it reassures you, it does say "black processor" at the end of its name.

The GTX 260 *will* play games at 1920 * 1200. However, the motherboard you are currently getting is described as "Crossfire" only, meaning only ATI graphic cards will be supported (as opposed to the Nvidia-made GTX 260). I wish they would make that clearer in the description or the name. Of course, some mobos can have their SLI capabilities unlocked but I wouldn't count on that.

You've exhausted $600 and you still want a case (at minimum, $50), some RAM($30-$60, or $10-$40 with rebates which most DDR2 RAM have), AND a monitor ($160-$400) for under $800? And a 1920 * 1200 supporting monitor at that? I think you're pushing it a bit. You'll get advice from me once you readjust your budget or your wishlist.

Admittedly getting the GTX 260 will save you about $50. Your $700-$800 budget range, does it include shipping?

 

[smithereen]

That card's a steal, but you'd want a different motherboard, and an nVidia motherboard would almost certainly been worse value. THe 790GX is crossfire, and that would be not only a waste of money, but you'd kick yourself if you had to pass up a second GTX 260 for cheep.

 

[bounce]

There is nothing but the black edition for the Phenom II 720, I believe. If it reassures you, it does say "black processor" at the end of its name.

The GTX 260 *will* play games at 1920 * 1200. However, the motherboard you are currently getting is described as "Crossfire" only, meaning only ATI graphic cards will be supported (as opposed to the Nvidia-made GTX 260). I wish they would make that clearer in the description or the name. Of course, some mobos can have their SLI capabilities unlocked but I wouldn't count on that.

You've exhausted $600 and you still want a case (at minimum, $50), some RAM($30-$60, or $10-$40 with rebates which most DDR2 RAM have), AND a monitor ($160-$400) for under $800? And a 1920 * 1200 supporting monitor at that? I think you're pushing it a bit. You'll get advice from me once you readjust your budget or your wishlist.

Admittedly getting the GTX 260 will save you about $50. Your $700-$800 budget range, does it include shipping?

Apologies! I have a monitor at the moment, though I would like to buy a better one in the future. So take that out of the mix.

Also, can you recommend a mobo and processor then for the 260? I think the 260 is at a great price, and i think that may be the decider right there.

Also, many of the items I've seen on newegg come with free shipping so I'm not too worried about that.

 

[mlcloud]

I'm not too familiar with SLI enabled AMD boards. Someone else will have to comment on that.

As for the case, here's a few questions that'll help us choose a case for you:

Do you like LEDs?
Are side windows important to you?
Is cooling important to you?
Full tower or mid tower?
Are noise levels important?

If I were to arbitrarily recommend a case, it might be something from Coolermaster probably, since they make reliably stable yet cheap cases with generally many cooling options. Take a look at these:

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Or this one:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152

For DDR2 RAM,
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

I'm not sure if you can reliably get the rebates for that RAM, but if you can that's definitely a steal.

I personally am using the NZXT Zero 2, a very modest (and full tower) looking case, yet still very attractive with its few blue LEDs and sleek design (Plus I have 16 white leds in 4 fans on the side)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146054&Tpk=nzxt%20zero%202
But it has zero cable management, which is why it loses my recommendation.

 

[bounce]

Do you like LEDs? Sure but it isn't a deal decider.
Are side windows important to you? Same as LED's, they look great but I wouldn't miss them.
Is cooling important to you? Very important. I am practical, and want something that works as efficiently as possible.
Full tower or mid tower? Whatever fits all my components without ripping out cables.
Are noise levels important? Somewhat. I haven't owned a desktop for many years so I forgot what they sound like, but I don't want a jet engine beneath my desk.


I'm also going to stick with the 260. I believe it is the best deal I can get right now, and would fit the kind of computer I have in mind.

So, I just want a mobo and processor that works with the gtx 260 (and that RAM you recommended if possible)

It's looking like an Intel/Nvidia rig would be cheaper and work almost as well. Can I get an SLI mobo for a better price than the combo I listed previously?