Gaming rig on a budget

[czech09]

I've got $700 I'd like something with an amd64 processor, 1gb of ddr, 160gb hd, and a nice vid card...case and psu I have figured out...let me know what you guys can find.

I appreciate any help thank you.

 

[Mik3y]

all for $700? that's gonna be a sucker for your video card.

 

[czech09]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
all for $700? that's gonna be a sucker for your video card.

Ya I know ... Ok let's say $800 I can spare a little more...

Just no higher than that...

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: czech09
I've got $700 I'd like something with an amd64 processor, 1gb of ddr, 160gb hd, and a nice vid card...case and psu I have figured out...let me know what you guys can find.

I appreciate any help thank you.

I don't think you build a rig worth having with all of that for $700. Wait 3-6 months, then you'll do much better.

 

[naruto1988]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=14-127-127&depa=1 - msi radeon 9800 pro $185 (currently out of stock)
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE - samsung 160GB IDE 7200 $86
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE - corsair value select 1 gig pc3200 $157
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE - asus "AV8 deluxe" via k8t800 pro mobo $129
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE - amd64 3000+ winchester 939 OEM $149

you gotta find a heatsink for the CPU or some crap. anyways, total of around $706 before S&H and tax. *shrugs* i tried, ahaha

edit: get a vga silencer 3 for the radeon and flash and overclock to an XT...radeon 9800 pro's aren't dead yet! i love mine's =D

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Here is what I found with a quick search on Newegg
A64 3200+
$210 or

OEM Version
$194

PC3200
$157

Abit AV8
$111

Hard Drive
$91

9800 Pro
$189

Total: $756 with the retail 3200+ and $742 with the OEM version. For the OEM 3200+ you need a heatsink too.
Or you could get a 3000+ Winchester like naruto1988 said.

 

[jpeyton]

A complete system head-to-toe for $800, with an 3200+ A64 and 1GB of memory will limit your video card to something like a 9800. If you open up your mind to overclocking, you could probably squeeze in something current-gen. My config for a budget gaming rig:

(Prices include shipping)

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $77

Athlon 64 2800+ Newcastle Retail Box - $130

1GB Corsair Value PC3200 CL2.5 (512MBx2) - $157 (thanks Computer MAn)

Samsung Spinpoint 160GB 8MB 7200RPM EIDE - $92.75

BFG 6800 OC - $279

Total is $735. Or $656 if you get 512MB of Corsair PC3200 now and add one later.

 

[Rapsven]

jpeyton has the best setup so far.

If you want upgradeability, I'd recommend waiting for the nForce 4 boards to come out (Gigabyte's already out) and get the cheaper, but equally performing 6600GT or X700XT bundled with a gig of Corsair, Crucial, or Mushkin value RAM and a 3000+ Winchester.

Go with jpeyton's if you don't plan on upgrading, but getting a new computer. Either one would work just fine.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Rapsven
jpeyton has the best setup so far.

If you want upgradeability, I'd recommend waiting for the nForce 4 boards to come out (Gigabyte's already out) and get the cheaper, but equally performing 6600GT or X700XT bundled with a gig of Corsair, Crucial, or Mushkin value RAM and a 3000+ Winchester.

Go with jpeyton's if you don't plan on upgrading, but getting a new computer. Either one would work just fine.

You point out something all buyer's should be aware of if they plan on upgrading within the next few months. Socket 939+NF4 are almost here, and this is significant for gamers because of one thing: 6600GT. An awesome budget card by any measure, but you need a PCIE slot to use it.

 

[swatoke]

Here is what I cam up with you will have to get a lesser video card or something if you want it to be around $700.

ANTEC SLK3700AMB Mid Tower Case 350W PS -
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, Socket 754 Retail -
ABIT KV8 Pro -
Corsair Value Select 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 -
Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive -
POWERCOLOR RADEON 9800 PRO -
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 -
Lite-On SOHR-5238S 52X32X52 EIDE CD-RW Drive -

Total - $804.72$69.99$151.99$91.49$157.00$90.75$155.00$60.00$28.50

 

[DanDrop]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

You point out something all buyer's should be aware of if they plan on upgrading within the next few months. Socket 939+NF4 are almost here, and this is significant for gamers because of one thing: 6600GT. An awesome budget card by any measure, but you need a PCIE slot to use it.

Sorry i am quite a newbie to the nforce3 vs. nforce4 agp vs pci-e. Here are my questions:

If the 6600GT came out in AGP, is there any other compelling reason to wait for the NF4? Aside from the PCI-e that would be available in the NF4 board, are there any other reasons to wait for the NF4?

Also, if i already have a 6800GT in AGP, is there any BIG advantage to the NF4? Thanks.

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: DanDrop

Originally posted by: jpeyton

You point out something all buyer's should be aware of if they plan on upgrading within the next few months. Socket 939+NF4 are almost here, and this is significant for gamers because of one thing: 6600GT. An awesome budget card by any measure, but you need a PCIE slot to use it.

Sorry i am quite a newbie to the nforce3 vs. nforce4 agp vs pci-e. Here are my questions:

If the 6600GT came out in AGP, is there any other compelling reason to wait for the NF4? Aside from the PCI-e that would be available in the NF4 board, are there any other reasons to wait for the NF4?

Also, if i already have a 6800GT in AGP, is there any BIG advantage to the NF4? Thanks.

The 6600GT AGP? Maybe Jan. '05. If you already have an A64 board, the only advantage for moving to PCIe right now is SLI. And that's pricey for a new mobo and two vid cards.

 

[Mrvile]

Seriously, with a budget of 7 or 800 I'd stick with NF3. PCI-e is only for high-end users, and the difference between a PCI-e card and an AGP card isn't noticeable. JPeyton has the best setup right now.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I like Jpeyton's the best also. But in the OP's sig he said he wanted a 3200+ or higher thats why I chose it. He could always OC the 2800+ to 3200+ speeds though.

 

[rbownes]

Get this:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/g...BG/article.php/3435541

 

[LordPhoenix]

Aspire X-Dreamer ::: Not Nice

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
A complete system head-to-toe for $800, with an 3200+ A64 and 1GB of memory will limit your video card to something like a 9800. If you open up your mind to overclocking, you could probably squeeze in something current-gen. My config for a budget gaming rig:

(Prices include shipping)

Chaintech VNF3-250 - $77

Athlon 64 2800+ Newcastle Retail Box - $130

1GB Corsair Value PC3200 CL2.5 (512MBx2) - $157 (thanks Computer MAn)

Samsung Spinpoint 160GB 8MB 7200RPM EIDE - $92.75

BFG 6800 OC - $279

Total is $735. Or $656 if you get 512MB of Corsair PC3200 now and add one later.

:thumbsup:

We can get cheaper though:

Go to mwave.com here: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/Pro...ard+Bundles+By+AMD+CPU

AMD ATHLON 64 2800+ RETAIL
CHAINTECH VNF3-250; NO MEMORY; NO TESTING

=$195 + $7.55 shipping

BFG 6800 OC $250 + $4.99 shipping


1GB KINGMAX PC3200 CL2.5 (512MBx2) - $142.82 shipped

Samsung Spinpoint 160GB 8MB 7200RPM EIDE - $92.75 shipped

Total $692.11

 

[Zebo]

Amd64 3200+ or better

Why waste your money? 2800 is the same thing just underclocked.

Seriously, you will have no problem hitting 2200Mhz with a 2800 I would say 2400 is well within reason but gurantee 2200.

 

[cheesehead]

I would wait another two months until the NF4 boards come out.
Here's a good NF4 system:
AMD Athlon 64 90nm processor-170$ (NOTE: you can OC this to 2.6 Ghz, making it faster than a FX-53)
Thermalright SLK-948u heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 and 92mm Panaflo fan:57$
NF4 Ultra motherboard, ASUS or Abit:120$ (this is an ESTIMATED price)
1GB (2x512mb) Kingston HyperX-200$
Asus 6600gt PCI-E-180$
WD 80gb HD-60$
Lite-On 52x/2mb CD burner-22$
Samsung 16x/512k DVD-ROM drive-24$
SkyHawk/Eagle Mini Server Case (unpainted, ALL-ALUMINUM, ATX and MATX supported)-25$ (this is an IDEAL case for casemodding)
Coolmax CX-400B 400w power supply (has 5-star newegg rating) 40$
TOTAL:880$
(769$ if you re-use your optical drives and case from your old computer)
All of these prices are current prices at NewEgg, except for the motherboard (currently unavailable).

This is a bit more than you wanted to pay, but you're getting a very high performance system. You could save money by using the stock HS and using Corsair Value Select (which would save 100$ but keep you from OC'ing) if you wanted to.

Hope this helps,
Cheesehead.