Can anyone do better than this for the money?

[cdmccool]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16883113094

I'm just looking for a cheap computer that can handle Dark Age of Camelot. Is this my best option, or can someone do better for the money($419.98 shipped)?

The only thing I have is 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM. I DO need an OS. I don't want to overclock. I prefer AMD, and would really like an Athlon II X2 250 if it's possible.

Thank you in advance!

 

[M0RPH]

Is the integrated Geforce 9200 enough for that game? If so, looks like a good deal, would be hard to beat.

 

[Lunyone]

Here is something to consider:
$188 - $20 MIR's = $168!! AMD Athlon II x2 250/Asus M4A78 mobo/4 gb's OCZ DDR2 800mHz RAM combo
$70 - $10 MIR = $60!! HIS 4670 512mb GPU!! You don't need it but you will be able to play just about anything with this GPU. Might need some adjustments on newer games, but you get the point
$90 shipped!! Antec 300 case w/Antec 380w Earthwatts PSU
$70 shipped!! WD AAKS 640gb HD. You can get a cheaper HD, but this is a solid and fast HD for the $.
$26 + shipping, LiteOn DVD Burner

Total for build ~$445 - $30 MIR's = $415!!! Now you can download Windows 7 RC 64 bit from Microsoft and just upgrade to it when it releases later in the year. Currently you can download it for free, so there is no cost to you right now. The 4670 GPU is something you don't need, but it'll work for any game out there. Heck you could even go lower on the GPU, but at $60 shipped, it's hard not to recommend it!!

 

[cdmccool]

Thanks for the ideas Lunyone, this is what I ended up with:

($56.99) MB ASUS|M2A74-AM 740G AM2+ RT - Retail

($49.99) HD 320G|WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD3200AAJS % - OEM

($49.99) CASE ROSEWILL|R5717 BK 450W RT - Retail

($64.99) VGA SAPPHIRE 100255HDMI HD4670 RTL - Retail

($43.99) CPU AMD|A64 LE1660 2.8G AM2 65N R - Retail

($24.99) DVD BURNER LG | GH22NS50 BK SATA % - OEM

Total Amount: $299.93!

I decided I don't really need the Athlon II X2 processor for the games I want to play. It would be nice, but saving $44 is nice too. I can always upgrade later. The video card is $55 after mail-in rebate. I don't really need an HD 4670, but it was too hard to pass up. There was an 8600GT for like $18 after mail-in rebate that I would've jumped on, but they were out of stock, and it was a one time deal. I've heard nothing but good things about Windows 7 RC, so I'll use it until it is released.

I'm pleased with this, and it should suit me just fine.

 

[M0RPH]

The thing is, you said you needed an OS. I'm assuming this means that you do not have ANY valid OS currently. So using Win7 RC bides you some time but you're gonna have to buy a full version of Win7 eventually. IMO you might as well spend $100 now on a copy of Vista and then you would be entitled to free Win7 free when it's released.

When you factor in the $100 for an OS, the system you're building is still gonna cost you $400 in the end. The Gateway package is a better system for around $400 with OS included. But hey, if you're happy with what you have there, good for you.

 

[cdmccool]

Good point.

I guess I better pre-order Windows 7 now before the promotional pricing ends.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
The thing is, you said you needed an OS. I'm assuming this means that you do not have ANY valid OS currently. So using Win7 RC bides you some time but you're gonna have to buy a full version of Win7 eventually. IMO you might as well spend $100 now on a copy of Vista and then you would be entitled to free Win7 free when it's released.

When you factor in the $100 for an OS, the system you're building is still gonna cost you $400 in the end. The Gateway package is a better system for around $400 with OS included. But hey, if you're happy with what you have there, good for you.

Unfortunately "we" don't get the special pricing on the OS, so that tends to be the big difference in pricing that we get. I agree the Win7 RC just buys him some time. I believe the Upgrade pricing is good for a week or so, but this requires a valid previous copy, IIRC.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: cdmccool
Thanks for the ideas Lunyone, this is what I ended up with:

($56.99) MB ASUS|M2A74-AM 740G AM2+ RT - Retail

($49.99) HD 320G|WD 7K 8M SATA2 WD3200AAJS % - OEM

($49.99) CASE ROSEWILL|R5717 BK 450W RT - Retail

($64.99) VGA SAPPHIRE 100255HDMI HD4670 RTL - Retail

($43.99) CPU AMD|A64 LE1660 2.8G AM2 65N R - Retail

($24.99) DVD BURNER LG | GH22NS50 BK SATA % - OEM

Total Amount: $299.93!

I decided I don't really need the Athlon II X2 processor for the games I want to play. It would be nice, but saving $44 is nice too. I can always upgrade later. The video card is $55 after mail-in rebate. I don't really need an HD 4670, but it was too hard to pass up. There was an 8600GT for like $18 after mail-in rebate that I would've jumped on, but they were out of stock, and it was a one time deal. I've heard nothing but good things about Windows 7 RC, so I'll use it until it is released.

I'm pleased with this, and it should suit me just fine.

I wouldn't buy a Rosewill PSU that came bundled with a case. Don't expect to have a decent experience with a Rosewill PSU. Yes people have had okay luck with them, but I wouldn't want my build to be based around that PSU. This is why I suggested the Antec case/PSU combo. Don't ever skimp on the PSU for a build. If you don't have solid and stable power to your system you can run into problems, including damaging more than 1 component. It's up to you, but that is what I'd consider.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ist=Combo.19573350.98
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...oductCode=1000882370-$10 rebate
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...roductCode=1001001760
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...oductCode=1001056954-$15 rebate
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HD-0A3801670

Total-$318.98

Total AR-$279.98

AMD P2 940 w/ BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail 210-20 rebate
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Active Power Supply Retail 90-30 rebate
CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-8500C5C 4GB PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066) Dual Channel Memory Retail54-15 rebate
Hitachi 1TB70
Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE SpeedPlus 22X SATA DVD+/-RW Internal Drive (Black), Bulk 18.87
Rosewill R222-P-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 20


Total AR-$397.87

 

[brblx]

antec 300, 380w psu (far exceeding a 450w rosewill)- 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.195804
e5300, ecs mobo- 115 - 10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.197970
hp 22x burner- 25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827140040
wd 320gb- 50
http://detonator.dynamitedata....Item%3dN82E16822136098
4gb ocz- 45 - 10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227267
MSI 4670- 73 - 15MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127415

might even have enough left over for a mouse and keyboard, if you need it.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: brblx
antec 300, 380w psu (far exceeding a 450w rosewill)- 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.195804
e5300, ecs mobo- 115 - 10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.197970
hp 22x burner- 25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827140040
wd 320gb- 50
http://detonator.dynamitedata....Item%3dN82E16822136098
4gb ocz- 45 - 10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227267
MSI 4670- 73 - 15MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127415

might even have enough left over for a mouse and keyboard, if you need it.

Thats a pretty interesting build there. It's $400 - $35 MIR's = $365!! Only thing I'd be a bit concerned with is whether the mobo can adjust the voltage up to 2.1v for that RAM. Don't know that it can or not, but overall that is about as budget as you can get without sacrificing too much. My build had more room for upgrades and a larger HD, but that was about it. The CPU was also a newer one, but the Intel should OC well too. I don't believe the mobo you selected had voltage adjustments for the CPU, but that shouldn't be too much of a big deal in this price range!!

 

[brblx]

yeah, i just went through and priced out the parts and ended up with most of the same stuff as you, it's just a bit cheaper. did not think about the ram voltage, but you may be right. i think there's some 1.8v ram for about the same price, though.

i would definately say he should favor going with an e5200/5300 or a similar AMD and getting a discrete gpu. alternatively, he could also look for something a bit cheaper than the prebuilt in the OP and add a 4670, though i like getting a nice case and psu for 80 bucks with the custom route. otherwise the components aren't going to be much different.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: brblx
yeah, i just went through and priced out the parts and ended up with most of the same stuff as you, it's just a bit cheaper. did not think about the ram voltage, but you may be right. i think there's some 1.8v ram for about the same price, though.

i would definately say he should favor going with an e5200/5300 or a similar AMD and getting a discrete gpu. alternatively, he could also look for something a bit cheaper than the prebuilt in the OP and add a 4670, though i like getting a nice case and psu for 80 bucks with the custom route. otherwise the components aren't going to be much different.

I totally agree with you on all fronts. The custom case/PSU is probably the most important upgrade that our builds have to offer over the pre-built one. I don't trust pre-built PSU's, because they are usually cheaply made. I'm not saying that Dell/HP PSU's are bad, but generally they aren't built like Antec/Corsair/PCP&C/Seasonic PSU's.