Budget Entry level Gaming PC

[B.def]

I need some help for developing my budget pc. I plan on using it to play most games at a decent quality. (Quake, UT, CS:S, Halo, Battlefield, ect.)

I have been doing some research and I've come across these so far.

-CPU&Motherboard
I read it can be overclocked to 3.7ghz & the other cores can be unlocked.
I dont know if this motherboard allows it to unlock the cores.
-Video Card
-CPU Fan
-Hard Drive

I haven't decided on a RAM, disk drives, or power supply and case.

If you have any advice at all I will greatly appreciate. This is my first build so I'm still learning as I go. Thanks.

 

[B.def]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
More towards gaming but also soft multimedia use.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
I want it to stay under $600 but I will pay up to $700 if needed.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
None
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
no
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes, I have been going through the forums and watching many youtube videos of budget builds and I'm getting a ok idea on what I need.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I plan to overclock to the extent that it wont hurt the pc.
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
20" widescreen.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
A month.

 

[MisterDonut]

Do you already have an OS?

 

[B.def]

I can get one. Don't worry about OS, Mouse, keyboard, or monitor. Thats my budget for the main components.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Take another look at your cpu cooler. You are on Socket AM3. Get the CM Hyper 212 Plus: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...6461016&sr=8-1

See if you can fit an Intel Core i3 530 and an ATI 5770 in your budget. Look at Newegg's DIY PC Combo's: http://www.newegg.com/Store/MasterComboStore.aspx?StoreID=7&name=DIY-PC-Combos&Page=1

 

[corkyg]

'Tis a puzzler. In my book, any gaming PC is beyond "entry level." For gaming, you can't do entry level for the grapjhics card or display unless you restrict yourself to entry level games. The games you cite are not entry level.

 

[MisterDonut]

I wouldn't get an i3 and a dedicated. Your best bet here is to go AMD. You can try for the unlock, but if you fail, the chip fails. Or you can go for the 630/635 Propus with a matching motherboard, RAM, and a 5770. I'd probably do something like that. Pick up a Samsung F3 1tb for $75. It should all fit under $700. That Seagate is a good deal, yeah, but I don't find it to be a very good HDD...

Throw in a Corsair CX400 and Antec 300 and you have yourself a great machine.

 

[mfenn]

That CPU cooler you have is probably worse than the one that comes with the CPU. I would also consider a 5750 or equiv. to be the minimum GPU for a "gaming" rig.

 

[B.def]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.415785 Is this a good combo

 

[Chapbass]

Looks pretty good, that power supply scares me though...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Looks pretty good, that power supply scares me though...

Why? It's an Antec PSU, it can't be too bad.

 

[corkyg]

Why? It's an Antec PSU, it can't be too bad.

It is a 430 watt PSU - and it should be adequate provided you don't hang a lot of extra drives and/or USB devices on it. Gaming puts a lot of stress on graphics power.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.415785 Is this a good combo

No, the Phenom II 940 is an old cpu that uses DDR2 ram.

 

[B.def]

No, the Phenom II 940 is an old cpu that uses DDR2 ram.

What do you recommend?

 

[mfenn]

Phenom II X4 945 Retail $140

Lower TDP and the same price when you consider that the other one is an OEM which means you would need to buy a heatsink.

 

[bamacre]

It is a 430 watt PSU - and it should be adequate provided you don't hang a lot of extra drives and/or USB devices on it. Gaming puts a lot of stress on graphics power.

LOL, considering he's looking at a video card that doesn't even need a 6pin, I think he'll be just fine.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=
CPU & mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...D=3332167&SID=
case & psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...D=3332167&SID=
ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ILL-_-20231321
gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121363
Subtotal: $717.93
CODES:
EMCYTZZ28 -$20 on hdd
ss05b free shipping on case

REBATES:
-$10
-$20
-$15
-$10

TOTAL- $642.93

+

Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $15.00

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

An i5 750 isn't much more if you'd prefer that and would be better for gaming. You do lose SATA III and USB 3.0 though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.404662
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.404661

 

[B.def]

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=
CPU & mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...D=3332167&SID=
case & psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...D=3332167&SID=
ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ILL-_-20231321
gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121363
Subtotal: $717.93
CODES:
EMCYTZZ28 -$20 on hdd
ss05b free shipping on case

REBATES:
-$10
-$20
-$15
-$10

TOTAL- $642.93

+

Newegg Promotional Gift Card - $15.00

This looks like the best deal for the budget. Can anyone else verify I should go with this?