Help me build a mini lan gamer rig

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JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
I've been out of the building game for a while, but I've got the itch to build another computer once again.

This time I want to go for a little gaming cube computer I'll be able to carry around to lan parties and what not.

Help me pick the parts! My budget is about $600 (a little flexible, but not much). I want to be able to play COD2, HL2, Fear, maybe Oblivion, fairly well.

I've heard a few things about the BTX form factor. Think that would be a good option? Are they even making any good boards in BTX?

More or less I need suggestions on...
Case - one of those small cubes
processor
mobo
ram
video card - best bang for the buck pls

Lastly if we could keep the computer noise as quiet as possible that would make things all the better.

thanks guys.
 
T

Trey22

Diamond Member
Oct 31, 2003
5,540
0
76
Do you have any parts that you're transfering from a current rig?

Any preferences? AMD vs Intel... ATI vs NV... WD vs Maxtor, etc.

I'd suggest a Shuttle-like SFF. Future proof yourself by choosing one with PCIE.
 
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imported_killuminati

Senior member
Jun 12, 2005
260
0
0
for the Case get the Aspire X-Qpack :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144161

for the CPU get AMD Athlon64 3000+ Venice :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

any Geforce 6100 or 6150 mobo :
BIOSTAR Overclockable mobo :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138264
or
MSI mobo with HDTV :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130529
or
Asus :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131570

get around 1gb or 512mb DDR400 value ram :
CORSAIR :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144310
for the card get the Geforce 7600GT :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

Peace & ciao !!!
 
J

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
wow thanks killuminati, I'll probably go with this setup along with a harddrive. I'll probably end up making a usb or firewire external HD enclosure. Any suggestions on this? I've got a bunch of seagate 200GB HDs I can use.

Which reminds me, since I've got a little money left, any suggestions on a quick, but reliable main HD?


Also while I think the case looks cool as hell, I'm not reallly into the whole, light up case with leds making it hard for me to sleep at night, can I disable the power supply's led?
 
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TriggerHappy101

Golden Member
Jan 13, 2005
1,006
0
0
I dont think you will be able to build a rig that plays thouse games fairly well for 600. You are looking more at like 1 grand without the monitor.
 
J

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
Originally posted by: TriggerHappy101
I dont think you will be able to build a rig that plays thouse games fairly well for 600. You are looking more at like 1 grand without the monitor.
Click to expand...

a 7600GT won't be able to get the job done? Any suggestions?
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
> 7600GT won't be able to get the job done?

Look at the AnandTech 7600/7900 review under Video.

And nice work killuminati, saved me from posting a very similar list :)
 
A

AliasX

Senior member
Jan 29, 2006
508
0
0
You are going to LAN parties, but you want to be able to sleep...

WHO SLEEPS AT LAN PARTIES???
 
B

Buck Naked

Senior member
Jun 29, 2005
706
0
0
Originally posted by: Remedy
In my opinion. You won't be playing any of the games mentioned on the 6100 series graphics. It's a slide show from my experience.
Click to expand...

I was pretty impressed with the on board 6100. I just set one up for a friend, and tested it with Rome Total war. It played very nice at 1024 by 768.

Originally posted by: Remedy
MSI mATX socket 939 SiS 761 series motherboard$56

AMD Athlon64 3500+ $160

PC3200 1GB STT (512x2)$70

X-Qpack mATX$74

x1800GTO$236
Click to expand...

If you wanted to OC you could get the Tforce 939 and a 144 opty for about the same price.
I have never heard of STT RAM, and for that price you could get a gig of Corsair VS

 
R

Remedy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
3,981
0
0
Originally posted by: Buck Naked
Originally posted by: Remedy
In my opinion. You won't be playing any of the games mentioned on the 6100 series graphics. It's a slide show from my experience.
Click to expand...

I was pretty impressed with the on board 6100. I just set one up for a friend, and tested it with Rome Total war. It played very nice at 1024 by 768.

Originally posted by: Remedy
MSI mATX socket 939 SiS 761 series motherboard$56

AMD Athlon64 3500+ $160

PC3200 1GB STT (512x2)$70

X-Qpack mATX$74

x1800GTO$236
Click to expand...

If you wanted to OC you could get the Tforce 939 and a 144 opty for about the same price.
I have never heard of STT RAM, and for that price you could get a gig of Corsair VS
Click to expand...


STT is Super Talent technologies. Pretty much all OEM's are familiar with them. MSI and Tyan highly recommend them. IIRC, one of the main Corsair Directors or upper level management is now working for Super Talent tech today. Just FYI.
 
J

JSFLY

Golden Member
Mar 24, 2006
1,068
0
0
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Originally posted by: JSFLY
Qpacks are terrible in quality

get this shuttle $244 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101470
Click to expand...
Qpack with a nice Fortron 450 watt PSU is $100 cheaper.

Reviewers and hundreds of Newegg customers disagree with your opinion on the Qpack.
Click to expand...

No they don't. Read the reviews first before posting something like that.
"Looks pretty, not built real solid"
"Plastic windows scratch easily"
"You should probably just go ahead and order another power supply while you are at it."
"Poor Quality. Bent, nearly impossible to open and close. Power supply basically DOA: survived 3 boots and then died."
"Bad Power Supply"
"quality is slightly more cheesy then you would think by looking at it"


I have 3 arguements supporting my opinion.

1) Anytime you buy a case + PSU for less than $90, your giving something up, and that something is usually quality

2) I've looked into buying a Q-pack, went to frys to check it out, felt cheap and didn't buy. Cheap screws, cheap aluminum that looked dirty when even brand new, plastic side panels easy to scratch, and overall the case felt flimsy.

3) Last but most importantly, a friend of a friend of mine ruined his PC because the handle on his Q-pack broke. $1200 worth of stuff gone just like that.


But of course this is all my opinion. In the end, If you want to save money, go ahead and cop it.
 
R

Remedy

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 1999
3,981
0
0
3) Last but most importantly, a friend of a friend of mine ruined his PC because the handle on his Q-pack broke. $1200 worth of stuff gone just like that.
Click to expand...

While I agree the quality of the handle are sub-par at best. If the chassis warranty doesn't cover the handle and transportation of the chassis, then it's not much that can be done about it.

On the other side of the coin, you're friend isn't very smart at all. He relied on a plastic handle to swing $1200 worth of equipment in transportation without actually securing it with another handle? :confused:

They do make a higher quality harnesses and straps. As seen here. I just can't see anyone using the plastic handle to tote $1200 worth components without a second thought of reliability.
 
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