$400 gaming rig challenge

[blackersabbath]

I am looking to spend $400 I have saved on a new AMD system. I had RMA'd a 4000 x2 brisbane that newegg is sending me back because it is supposedly physically damaged that I want to test out. I will be playing some dx9 games such as FarCry, HL2 and Doom3. I have a full ATX case and an ASUS IDE DVD burnerwith 5 case fans. I will be overclocking too. I have a Thermaltake 400-420w PSU with 18a on the 12v rail also but I may replace it. Pretty much I am going to need a CPU, Mobo, RAM, GPU, HDD, CPU cooler, and maybe a new PSU. $400 budget here guys no more than that shipped.

 

[blackersabbath]

no one wants to take the challenge?

 

[Tarrant64]

How about, putting up some of your own ideas of what you might want, and we'll help you out from there.

In the end it's your decision what you want to go with. I don't know too many people that just want to hop onto online websites and build you a $400 system.

 

[Arkitech]

I'd actually be interested in knowing what are some lower priced video cards for playing the games the OP listed.

 

[blackersabbath]

Well, I figured that I would get some people that had experience with the AM2 platform. Here goes my ideas:
Mobo: Biostar 520-A2 $60
CPU: 4000 x2 Brisbane $56
RAM: 2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800NQ's $55
GPU: EVGA 7600GT PCI-E $90
HDD: WD 160GB SATA $50
PSU: Fortron 400w $44
CPU Cooling: AC Freezer Pro 64 $20

 

[Ika]

For $90, you can do better than a 7600GT. I've seen 7900GSs and 8600GT(S)s going for that price. Otherwise, everything else looks alright...

 

[razor2025]

If you don't mind used, I can sell you my 7900GS for $85 shipped. It'll run circles around 7600GT. Otherwise, everything you've listed looks good. $400 is pretty hard to stretch and have options with.

 

[0roo0roo]

xbox

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: blackersabbath
Here goes my ideas:
Mobo: Biostar 520-A2 $60
CPU: 4000 x2 Brisbane $56
RAM: 2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800NQ's $55
GPU: EVGA 7600GT PCI-E $90
HDD: WD 160GB SATA $50
PSU: Fortron 400w $44
CPU Cooling: AC Freezer Pro 64 $20

If the price isn't too different, I'd go with a retail box CPU and use the included HSF, and use the $20 of the AC Freezer on a better video card. Go for an 8600GT or Radeon 2600XT.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: blackersabbath
Well, I figured that I would get some people that had experience with the AM2 platform. Here goes my ideas:
Mobo: Biostar 520-A2 $60
CPU: 4000 x2 Brisbane $56
RAM: 2x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800NQ's $55
GPU: EVGA 7600GT PCI-E $90
HDD: WD 160GB SATA $50
PSU: Fortron 400w $44
CPU Cooling: AC Freezer Pro 64 $20

I something like that for mine 2 months ago.

I would fork a few more buck on the motherboard, as I got the Biostar 570 SLI (even I have no plans for SLI, the 570 is better than the nvidia's lesser siblings according to Newegg's user review). I also got the MSI 8600GT for under 100 BEFORE rebates.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2-OC GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit

Around $106/shipped (after $20 rebate)

And I'm not the one to answer this question but I think there is something odd about memory spped when you OC an 'odd-GHz' cpu like a 4000 x2 Brisbane. It is unable to derive a memory clock from a half multiplier so it uses the next full multiplier value to calculate the memory frequency. In the case of the cpu you selected the memory controller at stock sets the effective memory clock at 700MHz.

The reason I ragged on about this is you can get a retail AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz for roughly the same price as your cpu/cooler.

It may run a touch warmer but it's still 65W, your ram can run at stock DDRII 800MHz and your "OC math" works out better