Gaming build between 600-700

[asdftt123]

Hi all, I'm planning to make a build for a friend in the next few weeks but I haven't been up-to-date with current hardware. I'd appreciate some suggestions for a 600-700 build (including shipping costs) not including monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Thanks.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Gaming, schooling

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$600-700 with shipping

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
No preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Antec 300
N/A

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No overclocking

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1680x1050-ish

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
In a few weeks

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

 

[hnzw rui]

Everything from Newegg:

Case : Antec 300, on-hand?
PSU : Corsair 400CX, $50 ($30 after $20 MIR)
MB : Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H, $260 (Newegg combo with CPU)
CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz, -
RAM : Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333, $100 ($90 after $10 MIR)
GPU : Sapphire 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB, $150 (after coupon code VGA14873, $145 after $15 MIR)
HDD : Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB, $55

TOTAL : $615 ($570 after MIR)

All items except for the power supply has free shipping. Depending on your location, you might need to pay taxes, though. Motherboard was selected for the dual PCIe x16 slots making for possible Crossfire down the line. Alas, you might need to beef up your PSU for that. You could easily get something cheaper if you forgo the extra PCIe x16 slot. Some upgrades if you can stretch your budget a little:

PSU: Corsair 650TX, $90 ($70 after $20 MIR, much better option if going Crossfire)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE 3.2GHz, +$15 ($275 combo deal with Gigabyte MB above)
GPU: HIS iCooler V H583FN1GD Radeon HD 5830 1GB, $180 (after coupon code VGA14327)

Of the possible upgrades mentioned, the PSU is the one I recommend the most. The PSU is one thing you tend to keep for a while even as you upgrade the motherboard, CPU, etc.

 

[mfenn]

Is this meant as an upgrade for the rig in your sig? If so, you're better off keeping a bunch of your parts than going for an entirely new build. hnzw_rui's build has a smaller HDD, equivalent GPU, and the same amount of RAM. I can definitely see you keeping your HDD, PSU, and potentially your RAM. That would allow you to focus your money on CPU and GPU and get a much faster system overall.

 

[hnzw rui]

Is this meant as an upgrade for the rig in your sig? If so, you're better off keeping a bunch of your parts than going for an entirely new build.

Hi all, I'm planning to make a build for a friend in the next few weeks but I haven't been up-to-date with current hardware.

I'm guessing the OP realizes he doesn't need to upgrade his build for a while as nothing currently available is really worth the upgrade cost.

 

[asdftt123]

Hey guys, many thanks for your input! This is a completely new build for a friend. hnzw, I sent the build that you gave me to my friend to look at...looks pretty good! However, I will need to purchase a case and dvd/blu-ray drive, which will bump up the cost. I also wasn't able to find the combo deal with the CPU+mobo so I went for a Phenom X2 instead. Check out this build from newegg. All parts will be ordered from there:


LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98 - $29.99
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX - $99.00
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $49.99
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - $139.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $54.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - $99.99
POWERCOLOR PCS+ AX5770 1GBD5-PPG Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card - $154.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL - $90.99
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $54.99

Total is around $775 (above budget though he might have an OS already).

Thanks!

 

[hnzw rui]

Here are the links to the combo deals. Incidentally, they also have one for the Phenom II X2 555.

GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE $219
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X4 945 $260
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE $275

 

[mfenn]

Here are the links to the combo deals. Incidentally, they also have one for the Phenom II X2 555.

GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE $219
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X4 945 $260
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H + AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE $275

I don't think any of those deals are worth it when you consider than none of them bring the effective cost of the GA-890GPA-UD3H down to the price of the GA-870A-UD3 ($107). Sure the 870A doesn't have the ability to Crossfire, but midrange CFX is always pointless when you consider that you could just buy a better single card and not have to mess with all of the CFX-related nonsense (profiles, negative scaling, etc.).