Budget Gaming 300+

[Sid59]

Thanks for input! Looking for a budget gaming computer for my 10 year old. I have a few parts but i need some suggestions.

currently i have the following parts:
Intel e4500
4x 1GB GSKILL DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

1. Budget gaming - WoW, SC2 and FB crap
1a. Photo Editing

2. Budget - 300ish but with caveats.

3. US / California

4. no brand preference

5. Reusing:
Intel e4500
4x 1GB GSKILL DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Mouse
monitor and OS do not need to be part of the budget.

6. read a few but nothing popping out.

7. default is ok, i know the cpu can OC well but not a requirement.

8. resolution? my WS support 1680x1050. It doesn't have to get full screen, usually play windowed

9. buying time frame? between now and before the holidays


need suggestions for
HDD
Case + PSU
Motherboard
DVD optical drive
graphics cards - with a rub!!
- currently i'm running e8500 with an 8800GT. If you guys think it's worthwhile jump and splurge for a new gfx card, i can pass down the 8800GT.

I'm sure i might be missing something. Thanks for the help!

 

[Sid59]

My buddy has NIB GTS 250 for 80USD and Seagate 500GB for 40 USD.

Good deals?

 

[jchu14]

My buddy has NIB GTS 250 for 80USD and Seagate 500GB for 40 USD.

Good deals?

no, you can get a brand new Samung F3 500gb for $40.79 at Superbizz after coupon code 'COLUMBUS15'. Also Newegg has a XFX GTS 250 512MB for $100-$30 MIR.

From just a quick look at Newegg, socket 775 boards with 4 dimm slots seems to start at about $60. That's pretty steep considering it's such an old socket. You should look into buying a used mb, there should be plenty around as people are upgrading to Nehalems. You should also consider selling that processor (the e4500 seems to still sell for about $50 on eBay, so you'll be able to get $40 after fees/ship). Then it's not so much more money to upgrade to a Athlon X3 440 or 445.

 

[Sid59]

no, you can get a brand new Samung F3 500gb for $40.79 at Superbizz after coupon code 'COLUMBUS15'. Also Newegg has a XFX GTS 250 512MB for $100-$30 MIR.

From just a quick look at Newegg, socket 775 boards with 4 dimm slots seems to start at about $60. That's pretty steep considering it's such an old socket. You should look into buying a used mb, there should be plenty around as people are upgrading to Nehalems. You should also consider selling that processor (the e4500 seems to still sell for about $50 on eBay, so you'll be able to get $40 after fees/ship). Then it's not so much more money to upgrade to a Athlon X3 440 or 445.

both my buddy's hdd and card are new in box, never used.

 

[betasub]

Fine then, if they come with warranty.

 

[mfenn]

Here's a build:
E4500 $0
G41M-P35 $60
G.Skill RAM $0
8800GT $0 (get yourself a 5770 for $135)
Samsung F3 500GB $40
DVD Burner $17
430CX $25 AR
MicroATX case $30

 

[FishAk]

My buddy has NIB GTS 250 for 80USD and Seagate 500GB for 40 USD.

Good deals?

The GPU is fine, but which model is the Seagate? $40 is quite steep for a 500Gb drive, unless it's a single platter Barracuda 7200.12. (ST3500418AS) But it would be a killer deal on a Momentus XT.

 

[Sid59]

Here's a build:
E4500 $0
G41M-P35 $60
G.Skill RAM $0
8800GT $0 (get yourself a 5770 for $135)
Samsung F3 500GB $40
DVD Burner $17
430CX $25 AR
MicroATX case $30

nice thanks. The mobo says DD3, but i have DD2.

I'm not in-the-know about current gfx but is the 5770 a worthwhile upgrade to my 8800GT.

Also, what do you think is the bigger bottle neck my stock E8500 or the 8800GT?
If i wanted to set up past the 5770 what do you suggest?

 

[fffblackmage]

nice thanks. The mobo says DD3, but i have DD2.

I'm not in-the-know about current gfx but is the 5770 a worthwhile upgrade to my 8800GT.

Also, what do you think is the bigger bottle neck my stock E8500 or the 8800GT?
If i wanted to set up past the 5770 what do you suggest?

Most definitely the 8800GT, at least for SC2. A fast dual core is all you need for SC2, but you need a better gfx card.

The GTX460 and 5850 are good choices for something better than the 5770.

 

[mfenn]

nice thanks. The mobo says DD3, but i have DD2.

I'm not in-the-know about current gfx but is the 5770 a worthwhile upgrade to my 8800GT.

Also, what do you think is the bigger bottle neck my stock E8500 or the 8800GT?
If i wanted to set up past the 5770 what do you suggest?

D'oh I guess I read that as DDR2 800 on the mobo spec, as DDR3 800 is a rare breed indeed. Grab this Foxconn instead.

Your 8800GT is definitely the bottleneck. Off the top of my head, I'd say that the 5770 is at least twice as fast. Blackmage has good suggestions, though I'd probably lean towards the 5770.