anyway to build a gaming computer for $450?

[Xarick]

that will last a while? or is that unfeasible?

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

all that? for $450? I highly doubt it. Maybe you could pick up some used components from ebay or something... that's probably your best bet. But as I see it... Lets say $60 for a bargain mobo, $60 for a bargain CPU, and $80 for bargain 1G RAM... Leaves you $250 for a GPU which could get you something decent but not spectacular. For a gaming computer, you'll probably want things that are beyond the bargain items, otherwise I have trouble calling it a gaming computer as opposed to a cheap computer that plays games. But yeah, ebay sometimes has good deals. I've seen used 1900xtx GPU's go for less than $300 on there, so you COULD pull it off... but it'd be hard. With even an extra $100 you give yourself an enormous advantage. Of course, if you do get a higher-end video card, you'll have to also consider a better power supply and such.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Xbox 360.

Collect Hot Deals parts over a few months with $1,000 in rebates and pirate Win XP.

$400 Sunday paper deal from Office store with $300 in rebates and awesome nv 6100 graphics. It will "last awhile," but will be lousy for gaming until you come up with at least another $100 for a graphics card.

 

[Lonyo]

$140 for an X1800GTO, $80 for a 3200+ AM2, $60 for an AM2 mobo, $188 for 2GB of RAM. (slightly over $450)
Or $140 for an X1800, $135 for an X2 3800+, $80 for a mobo, and $90 for 1GB of RAM, or X1900GT for $160

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
$140 for an X1800GTO, $80 for a 3200+ AM2, $60 for an AM2 mobo, $188 for 2GB of RAM. (slightly over $450)
Or $140 for an X1800, $135 for an X2 3800+, $80 for a mobo, and $90 for 1GB of RAM, or X1900GT for $160

That's not going to run very well without a case + PSU, DVD, HD, and Win XP

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: Lonyo
$140 for an X1800GTO, $80 for a 3200+ AM2, $60 for an AM2 mobo, $188 for 2GB of RAM. (slightly over $450)
Or $140 for an X1800, $135 for an X2 3800+, $80 for a mobo, and $90 for 1GB of RAM, or X1900GT for $160

That's not going to run very well without a case + PSU, DVD, HD, and Win XP

Topic Summary: mobo, proc, ram and video
I was assuming he only needed those bits, but he's not very specific. I don't know what might have been in the post before the edit though.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Good point, I read it as needing a full PC but he really isn't clear.

If he already has all of the other parts (including a strong enough PSU), you listed some good choices.

 

[sjandrewbsme]

The answer to your question largely lies in what you intend to play and what settings/performance you consider to be acceptable.

 

[Xarick]

well that answers my question guys. I actually have $650, but would like to replace my monitor one day. I guess I will wait on the monitor and spend the $650 on the parts instead. As for what I need.. mobo, proc, video and ram is what I will be buying if I go nvidia. Mobo, proc, vid, ram and psu if I got ati. My psu can handle the geforce 7series but not the radeon x1x series. Thanks anyway guys. Was just trying to see if I could do both at the same time. But alas.

 

[Newf]

Originally posted by: Xarick
that will last a while? or is that unfeasible?

I see 2 ways to go here, and both have compromises. The first will allow you to slip in a Conroe (or Quad) later for much better performance at a low upgrade price. The second is MUCH faster today for gamers but is a relative dead-end.

$456 Gaming CPUMobo/Ram/Video?
Good Upgrade potential:

Intel D805 2.66 $93+0 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116001

Asus P5N-E SLI 775/nF650i $145+6 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142

OCZ Value 2x512 DDR2667 1.8 5,5,5,12 $106-10R+5 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227059

Foxconn 7600GT $140-35R+6 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814186004

$440 Gaming CPUMobo/Ram/Video?
Best Speed Now:

AMD 3800+ 2.4GHz 939 Retail $82+0 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103531

Foxconn NF-4UK8AA-8EKRS 939 nF4 Ultra $64-10R+6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186037

OCZ Value 2x512 DDR400 2.5,4,4,8 2.6v $101-10R+5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227039

Foxconn 7950GT $239-45R+7 1/1/07
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814186006