Budget $600 need mobo, ram, proc and video for gaming

[Xarick]

I am upgrading! finally. $600 is my budget. I will be keeping my case, antec truepower 430 ps, sound card, dvd, HD etc.

However, I want a gaming rig. So for $600 do you guys think I can get a decent mobo proc ram and video that will last me a couple of years? is now a good time to upgrade or should I wait?

 

[Gautama2]

Gigabyte ds3, core 2 duo e6300, about 1gig of ram is all we can fit into your budget if you want a great video card so 1gig of ddr2 667 or ddr 800 if you plan on overclocking. Then a x1950pro and your set

 

[brikis98]

1. what games do you play?
2. what monitor do you use? specifically: what resolution are you gaming at?
3. what is your current system, in case we can salvage some mroe parts?
4. consider getting a new PSU, modern video cards and CPU's will reallllly push the true430. also, that PSU is probably 20 pin, whereas new stuff is 24 pin... it will still work, but again, it's just asking for trouble.

and IMO, now is not a good time to upgrade. RAM prices are sky high, quad core is around the corner and dx10 cards are due relatively soon.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: brikis98
1. what games do you play?
2. what monitor do you use? specifically: what resolution are you gaming at?
3. what is your current system, in case we can salvage some mroe parts?
4. consider getting a new PSU, modern video cards and CPU's will reallllly push the true430. also, that PSU is probably 20 pin, whereas new stuff is 24 pin... it will still work, but again, it's just asking for trouble.

and IMO, now is not a good time to upgrade. RAM prices are sky high, quad core is around the corner and dx10 cards are due relatively soon.

8800's on 11/8! I think they'll be expensive though, so I'll wait till next year.

 

[Xarick]

I have a gig of pc3200
a radeon 9800pro
my mobo is a shuttle an35n ultra 400
and the proc is a barton 2800+

If I end up having to buy a new psu then that is gonna have to come out of the $600 cause $600 is my hard limit.

I generally game at 1024x768 monitor is a older 17" viewsonic
I play just about everything

 

[Gautama2]

Originally posted by: Gautama2
Gigabyte ds3, core 2 duo e6300, about 1gig of ram is all we can fit into your budget if you want a great video card so 1gig of ddr2 667 or ddr 800 if you plan on overclocking. Then a x1950pro and your set

Like i said, this will fit your needs and beyond for ~$600

 

[dBTelos]

4. consider getting a new PSU, modern video cards and CPU's will reallllly push the true430. also, that PSU is probably 20 pin, whereas new stuff is 24 pin... it will still work, but again, it's just asking for trouble.

26A @ +12V rail. 5A for e6300, 5A for x1950, 2A for other +12V componants = plenty of power.

 

[Xarick]

I think I might go with anandtechs suggestions for an intel system found here:

Intel e6300 system

but instead of getting 2gigs of ram get 1 gig now and get a new psu. I think I would feel more comfortable with an appropriate psu. Thoughts on that? Should ring in right at $600.

 

[dBTelos]

The 7600 doesn't draw more then 3-4A, you have plenty of power.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Xarick
I think I might go with anandtechs suggestions for an intel system found here:

Intel e6300 system

but instead of getting 2gigs of ram get 1 gig now and get a new psu. I think I would feel more comfortable with an appropriate psu. Thoughts on that? Should ring in right at $600.

looks like a decent system and if you look around for hot deals - esp. around black friday - you might get it at a good price.

as for the PSU, on the one hand, i don't think the 7600gt takes all that much power, so you should be able to get away with your current PSU w/o issues. however, if you ever upgrade to a beefier video card - like an x1900xtx or anything from the dx10 generation - it'll be a more needed investment.

on the other hand, depending on how old your true430 is, you never know how much life it has left. some ppl here like to trash antec - which may or may not be unfounded - but the simple fact is that an old PSU could be a liability. take a look at the enhance 5140gh and 5150gh from eWiz.com... both are very solid PSU's at bargain prices and might be worthwhile...

 

[Xarick]

my psu is a couple of years old. I guess I could pass on the psu, pick up that extra stick of ram and then wait either until I get a new card or my psu craps out some day. Coming up with $50 in the future shouldnt be too tough.... is the 7600gt enough to play current games or am I gonna be lacking?

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Xarick
my psu is a couple of years old. I guess I could pass on the psu, pick up that extra stick of ram and then wait either until I get a new card or my psu craps out some day. Coming up with $50 in the future shouldnt be too tough.... is the 7600gt enough to play current games or am I gonna be lacking?

you can check out the card's performance in various games and applications here, as well as compare it to other vid cards. depending on what you use it for, you can see if the listed framerates are good enough for the resolution you play at.

as for the RAM, having more is always nice - and usually a change you'll notice... but, at the same time, RAM prices are sky high now... in theory they'll come back down eventually

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Xarick
my psu is a couple of years old. I guess I could pass on the psu, pick up that extra stick of ram and then wait either until I get a new card or my psu craps out some day. Coming up with $50 in the future shouldnt be too tough.... is the 7600gt enough to play current games or am I gonna be lacking?

I would not get anything less than the X1950 Pro. Don't even bother with a 7600 GT.

I'd get...

Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 P965 Express
$124.20
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322345

Intel® Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe Processor 1.86GHz
$181.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80858

Corsair VS1GBKIT667D2 1GB Kit DDR2-667 PC2-5300 Value Select
$107.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-44

Sapphire RADEON X1950 PRO 256MB PCI-Express
$204.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326853


When you get some more cash, snag another GB of ram. Your PSU should be fine with this. You may be able to save a few bucks with NewEgg with the parts above, I don't shop there too much (sales tax for TN).

 

[Xarick]

That is nice setup. But will my ps run it?
Also... I have a 9800pro right now.. and I am not very fond of it because ATIs drivers have really sucked... is there an nvidia alternative?

 

[dBTelos]

Yes, and yes the 7900GTO.

 

[ancient0ne]

I'm in a similar situation as Xarick. I have a Antec TruePower 420W PSU. You guys think it'll be okay with a similar rig?

Currently looking at

EVGA 7900GS 256MB
Gigabyte 965P DS3
1GIG VAlue ram
Conroe E6300

 

[Gautama2]

Yes.

 

[ancient0ne]

Thanks Gautama2

 

[dBTelos]

Originally posted by: ancient0ne
I'm in a similar situation as Xarick. I have a Antec TruePower 420W PSU. You guys think it'll be okay with a similar rig?

Currently looking at

EVGA 7900GS 256MB
Gigabyte 965P DS3
1GIG VAlue ram
Conroe E6300

Yes, the 7900 series uses very little power.