Building a pc

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
0
0

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. For general family stuff such as web browsing, dvd burning, word, etc. Will also be used to play World of Warcraft at 1440x900 and maybe CS:S.

2. What YOUR budget is. As cheap as possible, around $500. This is excluding the monitor and mouse/keyboard.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. Whatever gives the most bang for my buck! :)

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Just the monitor and keyboard/mouse.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Most likely default :)

Thanks in advance guys!
 
C

chinaman1472

Senior member
Nov 20, 2007
614
0
0
Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3L - $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
CPU: Intel E2160 - $70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116036
RAM: 2GB - $28 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145590
GPU: MSI 9600GT - $145 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127333
DVD Burner: Any will do really - $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827118002
Hard Drive: Samsung 500GB - $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152052
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430 - $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006
Case: Cooler Master 330 - $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119115

$558 after rebates, before tax and shipping. This should point you in the right direction. You might be able find a cheaper motherboard (or open box), but I suggest looking for a P35 chipset. You could downgrade to the 8800GS 384MB for around $90-110, it should probably run those games pretty well at that resolution with some settings turned down, but probably won't have a long life for newer games.
 
S

SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
0
0
Originally posted by: chinaman1472
Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3L - $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
CPU: Intel E2160 - $70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116036
RAM: 2GB - $28 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145590
GPU: MSI 9600GT - $145 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127333
DVD Burner: Any will do really - $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827118002
Hard Drive: Samsung 500GB - $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152052
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430 - $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006
Case: Cooler Master 330 - $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119115

$558 after rebates, before tax and shipping. This should point you in the right direction. You might be able find a cheaper motherboard (or open box), but I suggest looking for a P35 chipset. You could downgrade to the 8800GS 384MB for around $90-110, it should probably run those games pretty well at that resolution with some settings turned down, but probably won't have a long life for newer games.
Click to expand...

Thanks! This would be better than an AMD setup, even if I don't plan on over clocking at all? Could you recommend a case that you can see through the side, and maybe even have a temperature gauge in front? Or is that unnecessary? Also, is there a good valued case/psu combo?
 
Vesku

Vesku

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2005
3,743
28
86
CPU: This OEM Athlon X2 is a good deal - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103242 Heatsink - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185125
If you need to keep within budget I'd grab a retail chip - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103211

Motherboard: MSI is decent and this was the best bang for the buck on Newegg. - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130138

Graphics: If you plan on using this machine for more than a year you shouldn't scrimp on the video, go for the best current bang for the buck. That's going to be Radeon 3870 for ATI and 8800 GTS for nVidia (9600GT if you really need to come in at budget) ATI - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102719 nVidia - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130334 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814134028

RAM - 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 (can downgrade to 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 if budget is tight) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820211188

Hard Drive and Optical - Whatever suits your needs and budget.

Case and Powersupply - Case looks are pretty subjective so just browse. I have not had any problems with cases that come with a power supply but you might prefer to get a "name" brand power supply. As for wattage, anything close to 450W will be plenty.

My biggest recommendation is to not be tempted for a cheap video card, even if you don't consider yourself a hardcore gamer you'll appreciate the video quality settings you'll be able to run with the cards I've listed.
 
Vesku

Vesku

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2005
3,743
28
86
As for that Dell, you'd want to add some aftermarket memory. Also, judging by the available graphic card upgrades I doubt the power supply has the overhead to run more than their recommended 8600.
 
S

SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
0
0
Oh yeah I forgot to add the fact that I'll be running XP pro :)! So that dell wouldn't run WoW at 1440x900 as it is? I'd most likely add at least another gig :)
 
Vesku

Vesku

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2005
3,743
28
86
You could slap a GF 8600 in it and be fine for 1440x900, I'd definitely add it after though $150 if Dell puts it in for you. Maybe you'll luck out and it will have a decent power supply, then you could put in a Radeon 3870 or GF 9600 for the same price Dell wants for a 8600. Wouldn't count on that though, they tend to configure their power supplies at just enough to run with what you select.
 
C

chinaman1472

Senior member
Nov 20, 2007
614
0
0
That Dell is a good box for an overall deal. The problem is the lack of memory and possible bottleneck at the video card. At $569, you could sell off one of the monitors, add more memory (WoW loves RAM) for $30AR and an aftermarket GPU for a 9600GT at $145AR or 8800GT at $170AR. It's possible the PSU might have an issue not supplying enough power for a 9600GT though. Vesku has a good alternative for an AMD build. I think the 5000+ Black Edition is about the same price and is great for overclocking, something I highly recommend. It's free performance, safe if done cautiously, and actually quite simple.

Personally, I don't think the Dell will be better for your needs. You won't see the benefit of the Q6600 for the games you run, and it's a great deal because it's bundles a monitor and OS (~$350 total if you buy separately). The 8600 GT isn't a bad card, but it isn't great either. At 1440x900, it won't have too much problems, but that generation is behind the times, no reason to invest in outdated technology, where the GPU is the main concern for gaming.
 
S

SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
0
0
Originally posted by: chinaman1472
That Dell is a good box for an overall deal. The problem is the lack of memory and possible bottleneck at the video card. At $569, you could sell off one of the monitors, add more memory (WoW loves RAM) for $30AR and an aftermarket GPU for a 9600GT at $145AR or 8800GT at $170AR. It's possible the PSU might have an issue not supplying enough power for a 9600GT though. Vesku has a good alternative for an AMD build. I think the 5000+ Black Edition is about the same price and is great for overclocking, something I highly recommend. It's free performance, safe if done cautiously, and actually quite simple.

Personally, I don't think the Dell will be better for your needs. You won't see the benefit of the Q6600 for the games you run, and it's a great deal because it's bundles a monitor and OS (~$350 total if you buy separately). The 8600 GT isn't a bad card, but it isn't great either. At 1440x900, it won't have too much problems, but that generation is behind the times, no reason to invest in outdated technology, where the GPU is the main concern for gaming.
Click to expand...

I'm leaning more towards a black edition AMD :). What is the best card for around $100? I've heard the ddr3 2600xt is good. Also, what's a great deal on a case/psu? I'd prefer a case that looks cool :)
 
S

SirJangly

Senior member
Apr 9, 2008
680
0
0
Also. What's your guys opinion on a laptop for around that price? They tend to have a low FSB (533mhz), and slower processors. I'm guessing the loss in performance wouldn't be worth the mobility. Unless you guys think World of Warcraft would run fine on them at 1280x800? :)
 
Vesku

Vesku

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2005
3,743
28
86
For the price you're aiming for I'd stick to a desktop. Also, try to fit a GF9600 or Radeon 3870 into that budget you'll be glad you did.
 
R

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
0
The 8600 is well more than WoW needs. Hell, WoW will run on integrated graphics. It's ugly and old as all hell, it doesn't ask for much.

Re: case that looks cool; bear in mind a case with a window in it will not shield surrounding electronic equipment from EMI as much as a full-sided case would.
 
Vesku

Vesku

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2005
3,743
28
86
Yeah, but from my experience why not spring the extra $50 so if you decide to buy some random "New Release" game it will actually look good? I'm speaking from personal experience of getting a just enough video card.
 
R

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
0
The 512MB one is better if you're gaming at 1280*1024 and higher.

Don't buy a case with a power supply. They all look crap and given the money you're paying, the PSU and case build quality will be crap. You can't afford to skimp on your PSU unless you don't mind some parts of your computer not turning on. Get yourself a decent case that'll last you years, and a PSU from a reputable company around 400-500W.

The Antec P180 and P182 and the Cooler Master 690 (iirc) are usually recommended around here, and for the PSU, this would do okay:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006
 
R

Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
0
If you really want to save money and don't mind a plasticy tacky case, get the cheap one you picked out, but at least make sure to spend some money on the PSU. The one I linked is only $50.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom