Putting my gaming rig build aside for the time being, I need a bit of help whipping up a machine capable of some halfway-decent gaming and general drudge-work (aka "business") capability for about $500.
I'm only solid on two components: A C2D E2160 to be overclocked to 3.0GHz, assuming proper parts, and a bit of luck. But this particular "rig" will be happy with quite a bit less, since it isn't intended to be a killer, just a workhorse with mid-range gaming potential. Once the proper gaming machine is built, this machine will be performing mostly as a Usenet interface/storage machine.
The other settled item is a Western Digital 500GB SATA2 drive.
Gamingwise, I'm really only looking to be able to play NWN2, Bioshock, HL2, UT2004, Civ4 and similar games at at least "decent" quality with smooth average frame rates. Crysis can wait.
In looking at video cards, I think something like an EVGA 256-P2-N749-LR GeForce 8500GT 256MB PCIe x16 w/passive sink, or one of the other mostly equivalent offerings from MSI or BFG looks about right. Of course, the mobo would need at least one PCIe x16 slot. The vid card does need to have a DVI out.
The CPU should weigh in at about $85 or less. The gfx card between $60 and $80 depending on rebate/vendor discount status. The WD drive is around $100. So, that leaves roughly $235 for the remaining necessary goods.
This machine will be used with a 22" Samsung 226BW LCD monitor. I currently use a 1920x1200 desktop through an old GeForce2 MX board, though the monitor's native res is the typical 1680x1050. I don't expect any newer vidcard to have an issue with the 1900x1200 (?).
Since this will be an upgrade of a current machine with guts and extremities ranging from ancient to 2-3 years, there are some bits I'm sure can be cannibalized, and a few that are probably serviceable to keep the end-price down.
Aspire 520W PSU
4GB (2x2G) Corsair XMS2 RAM (5-5-5-18 stock timing)
rather ginormous old-school steel full tower
SB Live! Plat 5.1 (PCI)
200GB Seagate HD, UltraATA/100 (IDE)
Floppy (yay!)
Then there's some stuff that's circling the grave, but which might still be useful somehow:
Linksys 100TX NIC card (PCI)
Pioneer DVR-109 (IDE)
PS/2 rat
Logitech wireless keyboard
80GB Maxtor HD (IDE)
The DVD burner and keyboard still work perfectly, but the burner is IDE and the keyboard is a PS/2, which of course, could be a problem with a curent budget mobo.
The case is 24" tall, 7.75" wide and 16.75" deep, so it's big enough for far more than I expect to stuff into it, including a tall heatsink if needed.
Right now it's totally fanless, but I can see at least three places that should fit 120mm fans with mounting brackets. There are 4 external 5.25" bays and 4 internal 3.5" bays, and of course, a floopsy bay.
Thanks in advance for your sage wisdom. I can only read so much technical data and so many reviews before I just have to ask for advice to help sort it out.
I'm only solid on two components: A C2D E2160 to be overclocked to 3.0GHz, assuming proper parts, and a bit of luck. But this particular "rig" will be happy with quite a bit less, since it isn't intended to be a killer, just a workhorse with mid-range gaming potential. Once the proper gaming machine is built, this machine will be performing mostly as a Usenet interface/storage machine.
The other settled item is a Western Digital 500GB SATA2 drive.
Gamingwise, I'm really only looking to be able to play NWN2, Bioshock, HL2, UT2004, Civ4 and similar games at at least "decent" quality with smooth average frame rates. Crysis can wait.
In looking at video cards, I think something like an EVGA 256-P2-N749-LR GeForce 8500GT 256MB PCIe x16 w/passive sink, or one of the other mostly equivalent offerings from MSI or BFG looks about right. Of course, the mobo would need at least one PCIe x16 slot. The vid card does need to have a DVI out.
The CPU should weigh in at about $85 or less. The gfx card between $60 and $80 depending on rebate/vendor discount status. The WD drive is around $100. So, that leaves roughly $235 for the remaining necessary goods.
This machine will be used with a 22" Samsung 226BW LCD monitor. I currently use a 1920x1200 desktop through an old GeForce2 MX board, though the monitor's native res is the typical 1680x1050. I don't expect any newer vidcard to have an issue with the 1900x1200 (?).
Since this will be an upgrade of a current machine with guts and extremities ranging from ancient to 2-3 years, there are some bits I'm sure can be cannibalized, and a few that are probably serviceable to keep the end-price down.
Aspire 520W PSU
4GB (2x2G) Corsair XMS2 RAM (5-5-5-18 stock timing)
rather ginormous old-school steel full tower
SB Live! Plat 5.1 (PCI)
200GB Seagate HD, UltraATA/100 (IDE)
Floppy (yay!)
Then there's some stuff that's circling the grave, but which might still be useful somehow:
Linksys 100TX NIC card (PCI)
Pioneer DVR-109 (IDE)
PS/2 rat
Logitech wireless keyboard
80GB Maxtor HD (IDE)
The DVD burner and keyboard still work perfectly, but the burner is IDE and the keyboard is a PS/2, which of course, could be a problem with a curent budget mobo.
The case is 24" tall, 7.75" wide and 16.75" deep, so it's big enough for far more than I expect to stuff into it, including a tall heatsink if needed.
Right now it's totally fanless, but I can see at least three places that should fit 120mm fans with mounting brackets. There are 4 external 5.25" bays and 4 internal 3.5" bays, and of course, a floopsy bay.
Thanks in advance for your sage wisdom. I can only read so much technical data and so many reviews before I just have to ask for advice to help sort it out.
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