Budget Building

[xSeongminx]

I am building a new computer and want to build a computer that will handle most of the games out today well, at a fairly low cost. My budget you ask? $600, and that's including a monitor...

I already have some of the components, which are..

AMD 64 2800+ Newcastle = $0
Thermaltake XP-90 HSF = $0
DFI NF4X Infinity = $0
Case (Bought 2 years ago but still looks nice) = $50
Antec 350 Watt Power Supply (Bought 2 years ago) = $30
Emprex 16X DVDRW = $30
2 x 160 Gig WD HD's = $10
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (Bought 3 years ago) = $30
Samsung 914V (Bought a year ago) = $200

So far, I'm up to $350, giving me $250 to spend on a video card and ram. I'm thinking about 2 gigs of ram AND a higher performance card. It's going to be tough, but if you guys think that I should take an alternate route, give me suggestions. I have the choice to buy a 7900GT off of someone for $175 btw, but that will leave me with only $75 for ram...

Btw, I can take the easy way out and buy a new EVGA 7600GT for 125$ from CC and get some used ram, but like I said, it would be too "easy"...

 

[LW07]

I'd go for the 7900GT and use the $75 for 1 gig of ram and save up for the other gig.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141307
This would be a good stick. $10 over budget, but I think that could be done.

BTW, can't you use some of the ram in your current computer and you'll need a more powerful PSU, as 350W probably isn't going to run a 7900GT and all that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
Here's a good PSU. Fortron Source 450W.

 

[xSeongminx]

I was afraid that the PSU wouldn't cut it. Hmm..., possibly best to go with the 7600GT then?

I was shooting for some overclocking ram, as the cpu that I have now runs at 2.6Ghz (possibly the fastest on anandtech for a Newcastle...).

 

[LW07]

Yeah, go with the 7600GT for now and when you can, upgrade it to something better. 7600GT is still a very good card for the price and performs really good, if you stick to 1024*768 and 1280*1024, that is.

 

[xSeongminx]

Dope.., didn't even think about the max res on the monitor. It's 1280x1024... I'm just trying to have a sufficient computer till DX 10 comes out (along with Conroe) .

 

[xSeongminx]

Btw, is the 6600GT decent enough to play games these days. I have one left over from my AGP system, and still have the ECS mobo so I could just stick with the 6600GT if it'll suffice.

 

[secretanchitman]

if you search for my thread "my 6600GT is awesome" under the video forums, you'll get an idea of what resolutions you can play games at. and remember, im using a p4 northwood system!

oh and btw, you can play WoW on 1280x1024 4xAA 8xAF, high settings and still get around 60fps.

 

[CKXP]

Originally posted by: xSeongminx


Btw, I can take the easy way out and buy a new EVGA 7600GT for 125$ from CC and get some used ram, but like I said, it would be too "easy"...

that's a good deal for a 7600GT...and should hold you over nicely til DX10 comes out.

 

[LW07]

Originally posted by: xSeongminx
Btw, is the 6600GT decent enough to play games these days. I have one left over from my AGP system, and still have the ECS mobo so I could just stick with the 6600GT if it'll suffice.

The 6600GT is decent, but is getting old. I don't think it could do 1024*768 on Oblivion(1024*768 is what I consider minimal for a good experience), and it only can do 1024*768 in Prey with no AA and AF.

I would get the 7600GT if you can.

How much ram do you have in the AGP system? You could bring it over to your rig and add it if you have enough, and if something goes wrong with your current rig, then take the ram back to the AGP rig, if that's possible.

 

[xSeongminx]

Thanks for the replies guys. I only have 512 ram .

 

[LW07]

Is that 512mb of ram in your AGP system? Is that the only rig that you have to use as of now? What configuration is that 512mb of ram, 2 256mb sticks, or 1 512mb stick?

 

[xSeongminx]

1 512 stick. I'm using the AGP computer components in my new rig.

 

[LW07]

Then either get that 1GB stick of ram I linked to, and then you'll have 1.5GB, or you could save $40 and get this and have 1GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141424

And then you'd be really close to being able to afford that 7900GT(probably be only $20 or so away, which I think you could go over that much. I would do that myself if I had to choose between a 7600GT and 7900GT.)