Budget Gaming Rig for my Brother

[imported_rod]

My brother wants a reasonably cheap gaming PC. He was gonna buy a pre-built P4 system from shop, but I told him that he could get a heaps better system if he builds it (or if i do it for him).

Anyway, here's what I've come up with so far:

CPU: A64 3000+/3200+ Venice
MoBo: ???
RAM: 1GB (maybe 2GB) DDR400
VC: 6600GT/X800GTO/6800GT/7800GT (depends how far he can stretch his budget)
HDD: 250GB SATA
OPT: Pioneer DVR-110
Case: Whatever
PSU: SuperFlower 400W

As you can see, I'm still undecided on the MoBo. Was thinking ASUS A8N-E/A8N-SLI. Can anyone recommend any other boards, preferably by ASUS/Gigabyte/MSI. Don't think he really wants SLI.

Also, Im thinking of upgrading "MY" CPU/VC/RAM/PSU (see sig), and letting him have my old ones.

Thanks All
RoD

 

[eXx08]

Get a reliable PSU like this Fortron:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks for the recommendation, but I live in Australia, so finding something from a less mainstream brand tends to be more expensive that it's worth. I was thinking of getting an Antec, but a couple of friends have SuperFlowers, and they reckon they're rock solid.

BtW: I love your sig

RoD

 

[Remedy]

What is his actual budget though? $500 aussy?

 

[phaxmohdem]

Superflower. Sounds like they named it after the electricity arc that comes off your motherboard when teh PSU blows Hook us crazy americans up with a link to the PSU, so we can see what it is all about.

 

[Ike0069]

MSI Neo4-F.
It's the exact MB as the Neo4 Ultra (non-SLI) minus the SATA II and Firewire connections. If he can live without those two things, that MB is very solid yet inexpensive.
X800GTO/XL at a minium.
If he can stretch it, get the 7800GT. It's only a few $$ more (at least here in the states) than the 6800GT, so the 6800GT should not even be an option at his point.

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: rod


BtW: I love your sig

RoD

Thanks man!

 

[Skyhanger]

If you have Antec over there, a Sonata II will come with a Smartpower 2.0 450w PSU. It's good, but don't expect to OC alot with it.

 

[natep]

Originally posted by: rod

Also, Im thinking of upgrading "MY" CPU/VC/RAM/PSU (see sig), and letting him have my old ones.

Thanks All
RoD

Your stuff looks pretty good. I would feel like I was blowing money if I upgraded from that now. Just my 2cents.

 

[ixelion]

If you have Antec over there, a Sonata II will come with a Smartpower 2.0 450w PSU. It's good, but don't expect to OC alot with it.

What do you mean buy a lot of OC, I was able to get my winchester up to 270 FSB with it, I think its quite competent for OCing.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: rod
Thanks for the recommendation, but I live in Australia, so finding something from a less mainstream brand tends to be more expensive that it's worth. I was thinking of getting an Antec, but a couple of friends have SuperFlowers, and they reckon they're rock solid.

BtW: I love your sig

RoD

Fortron is anything but 'less mainstream'

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}
What is his actual budget though? $500 aussy?

$500 aussie wouldn't get you much (not with PC prices here anyway). He's looking around $1000 (~US$750).

Originally posted by: phaxmohdem
Superflower. Sounds like they named it after the electricity arc that comes off your motherboard when teh PSU blows Hook us crazy americans up with a link to the PSU, so we can see what it is all about.

LOL. linky. Looking at the 400W model (20A@+12V, 38A@+5V)

Originally posted by: Ike0069
MSI Neo4-F.
It's the exact MB as the Neo4 Ultra (non-SLI) minus the SATA II and Firewire connections. If he can live without those two things, that MB is very solid yet inexpensive.
X800GTO/XL at a minium.
If he can stretch it, get the 7800GT. It's only a few $$ more (at least here in the states) than the 6800GT, so the 6800GT should not even be an option at his point.

Thanks for the advice on the MoBo. He 'might' use SATA2, but he wouldn't use Firewire. Anyway, I'll look into it.
The prices for those cards (in AU$) are:
6600GT - $200
x800gto - $300
x800xl - $430
6800gt - $460
7800gt - $560
I think he's budget is only going to stretch to the 6600gt or x800gto. Otherwise i might get a 7800gt for me, and sell him my 6600gt for $100.

Originally posted by: Skyhanger
If you have Antec over there, a Sonata II will come with a Smartpower 2.0 450w PSU. It's good, but don't expect to OC alot with it.

We've got plenty of Antec over here (see my sig), but it's sorta expensive for a budget system.
SonataII w/450W PSU - $215
Superlanboy w/350W - $199

Originally posted by: natep

Originally posted by: rod
Also, Im thinking of upgrading "MY" CPU/VC/RAM/PSU (see sig), and letting him have my old ones.
Thanks All
RoD

Your stuff looks pretty good. I would feel like I was blowing money if I upgraded from that now. Just my 2cents.

The only one i really want to upgrade is my VC, but i was considering upgrading the rest so he could have my current gear cheap.

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Fortron is anything but 'less mainstream'

http://www.staticice.com.au is a search engine for computer parts in Australia. I get over 1000 hits for "Antec" (it only shows the first 1000 results), but i dont get a single hit on "Fortron". I guess they just don't sell them in Australia.

Thanks everyone.
RoD

 

[ribbon13]

Well, you can find Antec a lil cheaper, but not much.
$185AU - Antec Sonata II
$150AU - Antec SLK3700BQ

All I can say is, the Australlian computer market sucks. Anyone over there who wants a nice high-end machine might as well stay in the U.S on holiday and buy/build it here. Too bad you can't do that.

 

[imported_rod]

I was only searching for the case in Western Australia, since the postage on a case would probably outweigh the savings.

RoD

 

[imported_rod]

I've checked around for prices on the MSI Neo4-F, but around here, it only costs $10 less than the A8N-E and doesn't have SATA2. Any other recommendations anyone?

RoD

 

[Pollock]

Originally posted by: rod
I've checked around for prices on the MSI Neo4-F, but around here, it only costs $10 less than the A8N-E and doesn't have SATA2. Any other recommendations anyone?

RoD

I was going to recommend the Neo4-F too, but if it's not that much cheaper, you may try looking at the Chaintech nF4U board as well (whatever its name is). It overclocks fairly well, assuming you have the right BIOS.

:thumbsup: for Fortron as well.

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks for the reccomandation. I did a search for Chaintech, but in Australia all i can find hem selling is video cards.

Basically, youhave to go with the larger brands (ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Abit, DFi) here.

RoD