First BUDGET Gaming Rig Build

[Herbo13]

Hi Everyone. I'm building my first budget gaming rig - Naturally I'm trying to get the best bang for my $, but I have to keep costs low. Ideally I would like this rig to be able to run Fallout 3 on High settings decently. I'll also be doing some overclocking and hopefully modding down the line. I hope to have this rig for a while and upgrade later as needed. I have a keyboard and mouse, but I have to start from scratch with everything else and I have Verizon Fios so I have get my home network adapter from them. I composed this plist from Newegg.com - Would you guys give me some input and suggestions? Does everything look compatible? Am I missing anything? Do you have any ideas for switches for better deals or more bang for my back while keeping costs low? I was gonna start on it January so things might tentatively change due to price drops and sale changes? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance! Jeff


Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$69.95 -$10.00 Instant $59.95

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Retail
$74.00 -$5.00 Instant $69.00

GIGABYTE GA-MA770-DS3P AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$79.99 -$5.00 Instant $74.99

ASUS EAH4830/HTDP/512MD3 Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$119.99 $119.99

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready
$149.99 -$40.00 Instant $109.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 2.7GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor Model AD775ZWCGHBOX - Retail
$74.99 $74.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$64.99 $64.99

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$169.99 -$40.00 Instant $129.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
$22.99 $22.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
$99.99 $99.99

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
$36.99 $36.99

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
$22.99 $22.99

Subtotal: $886.85

 

[dmw16]

I've seen Radeon 4870 cards for ~$160 at newegg. Try and save a little more cash and go up to a card like that.

You can probably find ram for about $10 less and skip the aftermarket cooler since you are buying a retail CPU. That savings alone should get you into a MUCH better card.

 

[Herbo13]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I've seen Radeon 4870 cards for ~$160 at newegg. Try and save a little more cash and go up to a card like that.

You can probably find ram for about $10 less and skip the aftermarket cooler since you are buying a retail CPU. That savings alone should get you into a MUCH better card.

Are sure about the after market cooler? I was planning on Overclocking... not intensely probably, but still... I don't wanna fry the computer. =)

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Herbo13

Originally posted by: dmw16
I've seen Radeon 4870 cards for ~$160 at newegg. Try and save a little more cash and go up to a card like that.

You can probably find ram for about $10 less and skip the aftermarket cooler since you are buying a retail CPU. That savings alone should get you into a MUCH better card.

Are sure about the after market cooler? I was planning on Overclocking... not intensely probably, but still... I don't wanna fry the computer. =)

Getting the cooler is fine, but saving for this hd4850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121272
would give you tons more fps in agmes, and if you could get an HD4870, you'd gain even more, the 4830 is weak sauce.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Most games need a good graphics card much more than they need an overclocked CPU, so if you can only do one I'd get the 4850 instead of heatsink.

For the DVD burner, do you already have software? A lot of the OEM burners at Newegg no longer show a Nero OEM CD as being included, you just get the bare drive. If you want software look at the pictures of OEM and retail burners to see what's inlcuded.

 

[Herbo13]

Originally posted by: videogames101

Originally posted by: Herbo13

Originally posted by: dmw16
I've seen Radeon 4870 cards for ~$160 at newegg. Try and save a little more cash and go up to a card like that.

You can probably find ram for about $10 less and skip the aftermarket cooler since you are buying a retail CPU. That savings alone should get you into a MUCH better card.

Are sure about the after market cooler? I was planning on Overclocking... not intensely probably, but still... I don't wanna fry the computer. =)

Getting the cooler is fine, but saving for this hd4850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121272
would give you tons more fps in agmes, and if you could get an HD4870, you'd gain even more, the 4830 is weak sauce.

I'd like to go for the 4870 actually. Probably hold off on the cooler for now - can always OC in the future once more $$$ is available.

 

[Herbo13]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Most games need a good graphics card much more than they need an overclocked CPU, so if you can only do one I'd get the 4850 instead of heatsink.

For the DVD burner, do you already have software? A lot of the OEM burners at Newegg no longer show a Nero OEM CD as being included, you just get the bare drive. If you want software look at the pictures of OEM and retail burners to see what's inlcuded.

Wow, didn't even realize that about the DVD drive - I have to check on it, because I don't have the software! Thanks for the heads up! And I agree now- I think hold off on OC'ing for now, pass the heatsink and try to updgrade the GPU! Thanks!

 

[harle]

You could always get the Athlon X2 6000+ 3.1 Ghz with an Antec 430 watt power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.150312

That would be $88 compared to $185. I am not sure if that would be enough power if you decided to upgrade the graphics card.

Are you factoring in rebates to the total price? I looked up that ram on newegg and it is $40 after rebate. Rebates are your friend, especially when going for a budget rig.

 

[Herbo13]

Originally posted by: harle
You could always get the Athlon X2 6000+ 3.1 Ghz with an Antec 430 watt power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.150312

That would be $88 compared to $185. I am not sure if that would be enough power if you decided to upgrade the graphics card.

Are you factoring in rebates to the total price? I looked up that ram on newegg and it is $40 after rebate. Rebates are your friend, especially when going for a budget rig.

I'm guessing 500 Watt would probably be safer- would like to look into OC'ing in the future plus I'm looking out for good deals on 4850's. And yes... I LOVE rebates and most the products I pick have one (if possible!) I'm actually hoping for some price drops (CPUs and GPUs) soon, but we'll see on that one!

 

[Denithor]

OCZ 500W PSU $25AR
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 $45
WD6400AAKS $75

I would personally prefer an e5200/P45 setup for gaming use (OC to 3GHz and nothing from AMD will touch it) but the newer 7 series from AMD at least don't suck quite as badly for gaming as the older chips. Of course, the whole 95W thing does suck pretty badly, those chips are going to be toasty and still won't beat the much cooler Intel chips across the board.

 

[Herbo13]

Thanks Denithor, I'm def. considering the e5200/P45 now... any MOBO recs on that?

OK, one other Q now- any mobo recommendations IF I go with the AMD 7750 BE? I'm questioning the 770 board now. The chipsets are really throwing me for a loop and I'm GUESSING i want an AMD 790GX/X/FX??? NOT the NVIDIA chipsets or AMD 770s or 780s? I really don't need SLI, but I want the chipset/mobo to be decent speed, ability to OC and a little future proof and updgradability for when I later move to a Phenom of some sort (Possibly PHENOM 2 down the line). I know I want an AMD2/AMD2+ but I am on a budget and want the most bang for $$$, I'd like onboard audio but no onboard graphics are really needed. Trying to keep the MOBO under $100. I'm sorry for the dumb question here, but I don't really even know what manufacturers to trust for a MOBO. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Most games need a good graphics card much more than they need an overclocked CPU, so if you can only do one I'd get the 4850 instead of heatsink.

For the DVD burner, do you already have software? A lot of the OEM burners at Newegg no longer show a Nero OEM CD as being included, you just get the bare drive. If you want software look at the pictures of OEM and retail burners to see what's inlcuded.

Agree 100%

 

[MyLeftNut]

I think pretty much any cheap P43 board should be able to max out the OC on an E5200, you don't need high FSB at all with the kind of multipliers on that CPU. But if you plan to upgrade in the future, you'll probably want a P45.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Herbo13
Thanks Denithor, I'm def. considering the e5200/P45 now... any MOBO recs on that?

OK, one other Q now- any mobo recommendations IF I go with the AMD 7750 BE? I'm questioning the 770 board now. The chipsets are really throwing me for a loop and I'm GUESSING i want an AMD 790GX/X/FX??? NOT the NVIDIA chipsets or AMD 770s or 780s? I really don't need SLI, but I want the chipset/mobo to be decent speed, ability to OC and a little future proof and updgradability for when I later move to a Phenom of some sort (Possibly PHENOM 2 down the line). I know I want an AMD2/AMD2+ but I am on a budget and want the most bang for $$$, I'd like onboard audio but no onboard graphics are really needed. Trying to keep the MOBO under $100. I'm sorry for the dumb question here, but I don't really even know what manufacturers to trust for a MOBO. Thanks in advance!!!

If I understand what you are looking for ...

Foxconn A79A-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX: $105AR

The A79A-S is listed under the Foxconn AM3 Ready Motherboard Support List with BIOS ""coming soon"".

I doubt you will top this for 'bang for the buck' - I've almost convinced myself to try one

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Foxconn A79A-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX: $105AR

I would not take a risk of $60 rebate with FoxConn.

 

[Herbo13]

Thanks for the info, guys! I'll consider the P45 if I go Intel 5200, and thanks for the advice, heyheyboo - But why don't you trust Foxconn rebates, Jack?

 

[PingSpike]

I'd go intel like Denithor said. There motherboards seem to cost a little more, but its pretty easy to turn a $70 cpu up to 3ghz and be good to go.

Is there any value with buying expensive ram? It never really seemed to offer much of a bang for the buck in my experience, and you can get 4gb the common stuff for next to nothing these days.

 

[Herbo13]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
I'd go intel like Denithor said. There motherboards seem to cost a little more, but its pretty easy to turn a $70 cpu up to 3ghz and be good to go.

Is there any value with buying expensive ram? It never really seemed to offer much of a bang for the buck in my experience, and you can get 4gb the common stuff for next to nothing these days.

Yeah, I'll have to just weigh out everything as far as e5200 vs. 7750 BE and decide. IDEALLY, I'd like an e8500 to OC and try out, but the money...
So, is everyone in agreement that 4 GB of 800 mhZ ram is fine compared to the 1066? No need for the extra money spent, right?