$400 Gaming Rig

[Skwidgy]

I finally decided on the components.

CPU: Intel G530 2.4GHz LGA 1155
GPU: ASUS EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5/V2
MOBO: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Intel H61 Micro ATX
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB 1333MHz
CD-Drive: Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM
http://www.amazon.com/Technologies-S...6362316&sr=1-1
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500 Watt 80 PLUS BRONZE <<< after considering the importance of PSU, thanks to lehvt's comprehensive knowledge about it, I decided to put additional budget. But I did pick the suggestion of LOL_Wut_Alex since it is cheap and from amazon.com.

Total Cost: $471.92 >> exceeded $450, but I got a mroe reliable PSU so I think its worth it anyway. This could still reach 400-450 if I found 2nd hand units.

I would really consider finding 2nd hand units from this lists. Thank you for all the help. Especially to LOL_Wut_Alex, since almost half of my build comes from your suggestions. This forum is so reliable! I will definitely seek help from this forum again for my future builds.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Excellent decision.

That looks very solid for the price. :thumbsup:

 

[Skwidgy]

Axel's list is good for the money, but don't fool yourself. A G530 and 6850 absolutely will not play the games you mentioned at the quality settings and resolution that you mentioned at anything resembling a decent framerate. Medium, sure, but not "high-ultra".

Yeah, medium-high is much more plausible. Doing ultra would probably put it at 20-25 fps. I could live with that anyway.

 

[jpeyton]

Solid choice on the case; my review of it: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2223854

This is a better choice of PSU, since it's modular and made by SeaSonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703035

Lastly, I would HIGHLY recommend rethinking your choice of motherboard. Go used if you have to, but get something that has a pair of PCI Express X16 slots. As the price of used GPUs fall, you can significantly boost your performance in games by adding a second Radeon 6850.

In my main system, I started out with a single 6870. It ran modern games well at a mix of medium/high settings. I picked up a second 6870 used and now everything is very smooth at 1920x1200 at high settings.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Solid choice on the case; my review of it: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2223854

This is a better choice of PSU, since it's modular and made by SeaSonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703035

Lastly, I would HIGHLY recommend rethinking your choice of motherboard. Go used if you have to, but get something that has a pair of PCI Express X16 slots. As the price of used GPUs fall, you can significantly boost your performance in games by adding a second Radeon 6850.

In my main system, I started out with a single 6870. It ran modern games well at a mix of medium/high settings. I picked up a second 6870 used and now everything is very smooth at 1920x1200 at high settings.

PSU is WAY too expensive, even with the code. That, and he can only buy from Amazon.

 

[jpeyton]

PSU is WAY too expensive, even with the code.

It's $47.99 AR, less than the Antec unit. ?

 

[SithSolo1]

It's $47.99 AR, less than the Antec unit. ?

He gets charged tax at Newegg. Before the rebate its $73.60(with 15% off and tax* included) out the door. Thats $33.61 more up front than the Antec. Even after the $20 MIR its still going to be $3.61 more than the Antec from Amazon.

*Assumed tax rate is 8.25%

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

It's $47.99 AR, less than the Antec unit. ?

]He gets charged tax at Newegg. Before the rebate its $73.60(with 15% off and tax* included) out the door. Thats $33.61 more up front than the Antec. Even after the $20 MIR its still going to be $3.61 more than the Antec from Amazon. [/B]

*Assumed tax rate is 8.25%

This.

OP has already gone over his budget twice now. The original budget was $400, and now we're nearing $500. Either the Antec EA-500D or Silencer MKIII 400W are much more than adequate, but the Silencer is at NCIX and he's limited to buying on Amazon. OP, just go for the EA-500D.