$500 gaming build. How did I do?

[Capitalizt]

Well here it is...My goal was to create a cheap system with enough power to push the latest games once I pop an 8800GT in there next year.. I think this is a good combo of cheap/powerful parts. Let me know what you think.

mobo: $88
GIGABYTE Intel® P35 + ICH9 Chipset DDR2 1066 ATX GA-P35-DS3L
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.c.........tCode=10006307"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/......oductCode=10006307"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp...p?ProductCode=10006307"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006307">https://www.zipzoomfl............006307</a></a></a></a>

Processor: E4500 2.2ghz $125
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.c.........uctCode=371926"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/......ProductCode=371926"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp...jsp?ProductCode=371926"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=371926">https://www.zipzoomfl............371926</a></a></a></a>

power supply:
Cooler Master Extreme 650W $73
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Memory:
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB Kit DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme Performance - $86
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...sp?ProductCode=85025-6


Samsung DVD burner - $29
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006485

HD: Western Digital 160GB 7200RPM 16mb cache -- $57
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...?ProductCode=101208-13

Cooler Master CPU Cooler - $22
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10005600

Case:
Cooler Master deal on black friday with two 120mm fans = $20

Video card: 7900GT OC off Ebay - $100


Total = $598 - $100 in rebates = $498

I purchased this all yesterday...Does it look ok? I can return anythingwithin 7 days, so let me know if you have any suggestions. I'd like to keep the price around $500 total...unless I will get a big performance increase for an extra $50 or so.


My dream is to hit 3.33ghz (333 x 10) with that chip/mobo combo.. What do ya think..doable?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Not bad for a low end gaming rigg!!

 

[Red Storm]

If you're planning on going to a 8800GT in the near future, I'd recommend trying to get an EVGA card. That way you could use the step up program and just pay the difference. Or you could go with an XFX card, so if you decide to resell, you can offer the buyer a liftetime warranty (XFX's double lifetime warranty), which would make people more willing to buy your card.

Not a bad build you got there. It's good to see the price of gaming computers is on its way down.

Edit: I see you already bought everything, so my advice won't really be of use to you. Oh well, enjoy your computer!

 

[wwswimming]

Let me know what you think.

makes me cry thinking how much money i've spent
on computers since 1984.

your $500 computer is faster than 99% of them.

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmz, the coolermaster being advertised as SUPER SILENT ? It kept me awake during many lonely nights, and during the not so lonely nights I could still hear it I replaced the fan with antec tricool, the 12v rail isn't anything stellar either, with 33-34 a or so. For 73$ I'd rather get a 550vx or so at clubit.com.

 

[CLite]

I am in a similiar situation, though I doubt I can break $ 500 bucks because I need to buy an OS.

I personally would use a Antic Earthwatts 380 ( and am going to use )

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2123060&enterthread=y

for $20 dollars you save yourself $53, save the electricity bill, and get very stable power. With the Equipment your running in there no way you need the PS you just ordered for $73.

 

[gophins72]

it's a personal preference thing, but i hate the cpu cooler. the plastic clips are enough to drive a sane man crazy
nice system though

 

[arnav]

I would rather get the 256 mb 8600 GT which for $99 after rebates on newegg.com or the 256 mb 8500 GT also on newegg.com for $40
both support DX 10
or even get two of 8500 GT and SLI it. (lol... didn't know how else to put SLI in the sentence)
Other than that, great build.

 

[AVP]

Not to crap, but I would have bought cheaper ram, tried to find an antec earthwatts 500 for $50 (if the deal is still available), skimped on the cooler for a while and then bought an ATI 3850, for the same price.

 

[Skott]

Nicely done. Out of curiosity did you look at the Freezer 7 Pro hsf? They often run in the low $20s. Looking forward to your OCing experiences with that setup.

 

[Throckmorton]

You can find RAM for half that price

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: arnav
I would rather get the 256 mb 8600 GT which for $99 after rebates on newegg.com or the 256 mb 8500 GT also on newegg.com for $40
both support DX 10
or even get two of 8500 GT and SLI it. (lol... didn't know how else to put SLI in the sentence)
Other than that, great build.

LOL, are you kidding? The 7900GT will beat the pants off of the 8600GT! And the OP paid the same price! You need to do a little more research young Padawan .

 

[Muadib]

Can someone tell me how the op's new rig will run the new DX10 games like Crysis? I have a pal looking for a $500 gaming rig too.

 

[Skott]

Thats what we're wondering too. If he gets a good OC on it then the only real questionable component comes down to video card. Which can always be upgraded later and easily. Obviously a 8800GT or a 3870 would be better but greatly increases the budget.