budget gaming computer

[narutofan36]

First time building I want this computer to last me as long as possible... but i have a small budget. will use mainly for cs:s, cod4, and sc2 when it comes out... and maybe far cry/crisis on low/med.. and i dont plan on overclocking

im going to be buying a lot of stuff from ebay/live and using the cash back program, so acb means after cash back

Antec Three Hundred case - 50
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L mobo - 70 ACB
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - 130 ACB
G.Skill 4GB PC6400 (DDR2-800) RAM - 40 ABC
Western Digital 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache - 37 ACB
NEC 20X DVDRW - 20
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W - 40 ACB
visiontek ati radeon 4870 512mb - 150 ACB

Necessary?
Arctic 7 Freezer Pro
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 thermal grease


total, around 550... anything i should change?


besides my budget, the size of the computer is a big concern for me. is there anyway to get a smaller case while still keeping these items? (i plan on taking it with me for college)

 

[IlllI]

300 is quite small, but if you wanted an easier time carrying it maybe you could get a carrying strap. i've used them before and they are pretty useful http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=52

 

[narutofan36]

thanks for the suggestion

i wont be carrying it anywhere though, just trying to save some space for my cramped room

 

[Zap]

If not overclocking, AC Freezer 7 is just good for making it a bit quieter. You can start with the stock HSF (if the CPU comes with it) and get the Freezer later if you feel you need it.

ANY thermal compound is better than none. What matters is that you use thermal compound at all, and that you apply it properly (full coverage, but thin layer). IMO it matters a bit less which brand you buy.

For the PSU, I think you can do better quality than a $40 StealthXStream (but not modular). In the $40-50 price range you should be able to get Antec EarthWatts or even True Power Trio when they're on sale or maybe someone selling an extra in the for sale forum here. There has also been good quality Corsair PSUs and BFG LS-series after rebate, or a BFG GS-series (I think ProVantage had them under $40 for a 550). Disclaimer: I work for BFG.

For RAM you should be able to get around $40-50 regular priced, and then around $20 after rebate. Heck, yesterday Newegg and today Frys.com had $15 after rebate for 4GB DDR2.

For motherboard, $70 AFTER cashback? Really? Gigabyte has made several G31 chipset boards. They all seem pretty similar. Newegg has brand new ones for around $55, and even a refurb for $40. Newegg also has a refurb Biostar G31 chipset board for around $30. If you want to do REALLY cheap, then forget overpaying for this at Ebay (even with cashback). Still, you chance getting a bare board without the cables and I/O shield, so get the brand new one for $55 or so.

The motherboard you mentioned (and I mentioned above) are all micro ATX (warning, not all G31 chipset are micro ATX). If you want a small system and are getting a micro ATX board, then you can get a micro ATX case. The Antec NSK3480 is a nice small case that comes with a good 380W power supply. In fact, if it were me, I would try running your system on that 380W unit as it may do it just fine, and thus you won't even have to buy a separate power supply. It puts out a healthy 27A worth of +12v and is made by Seasonic. The Antec 300 case is pretty large in comparison to the NSK3480.

 

[narutofan36]

thanks for your suggestions Zap

ive decided to do a bit more research and here are my new parts. do you think its a safe time to build a new computer? or will prices drop soon on things like video cards/processors.


Newegg

-Thermaltake LANBOX Lite -$79.99
-CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $54.99
-Foxconn M7VMX-K LGA 775 - $53.99
-3 x VANTEC TF6025 60mm Case Fan - $19.35
-Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static - $3.49
-Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - $5.99

total with tax and shipping (not including rebates) 267.11

Amazon
-Western Digital 500GB 3.5" OEM Hard Drive WD5000AAKS - 58 shipped (already purchased)

Ebay
-Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W PSUI - 65 shipped (already purchased)


This leaves me around $360 (budget of 750) for the processor,video card, and a better heatsink.

-Intel Quad Q6600 Kentsfield (i might be able to get a 6600 SACR(Go) for $150)
-Zalman CNPS7700-Cu (i can probably get a refurbished one for around 15-20 off ebay)

and finally, im left with $190 to get a evga gtx260. if im not lucky on ebay, im willing to spend a bit extra to get the one on new egg for 220

 

[Zap]

If you want or need it now, buy it now. Your video card choice has a trade-up program and I don't see Intel charging any less for quad core CPUs.

Your new power supply choice... hmmm... Antec makes decent units, but the BP is pretty much their lowest end. For $55 you should be able to do better, perhaps with a lower wattage but higher quality. Heck, up through a couple days ago the Antec EarthWatts 650W (higher wattage and higher quality) was $60 with free shipping.

I know you said you want it as cheap as possible, but you're wanting a quad core with a fairly high end video card, fer cryin' out loud.

If you need to cut costs, do NOT do it with the power supply. Buy a cheaper CPU like an E5200 or E7200 and a cheaper video card, like a Radeon 4850 or GeForce 9800 GT. Yes, you will get less performance. However, you can then get a better power supply as well as save money.