Is it possible to build a gaming rig on $400

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: mageslayer

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Originally posted by: mageslayer
Try Linux, with W.I.N.E(a windows emulator) you can play windows games

WINE is not an emulator!

srry edited

It was just a pun .

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: nerp
Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $79.99
Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler $79.98

$160?

Or, just get an E6550 at $170 at that price with retail HSF.

Edit: beaten!

 

[nerp]

Ha my bad. I have 2x selected... Cut that Tuniq price in half.

This intel box isn't designed to be a budget build. It's designed to be a cheap way to start an Intel platform making use of other stuff I have lying around before upgrading it a little bit more in a few months.

Price with the fixed tuniq is down to $481.94.

When Wolfdale prices are lower and when ATI/Nvidia's battles result in cheaper, faster cards, I'll spend $250 and be rockin, bigtime.

I feel like we should all STFU about my build and I'll make my own post about it.. don't want to hijack anyone's thread.

 

[Roguestar]

Well then that makes more sense. I'd probably still get the E4500 at $125 and overclock it on the stock cooler though.

 

[mageslayer]

he is doing it like a true overclocker

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Well then that makes more sense. I'd probably still get the E4500 at $125 and overclock it on the stock cooler though.

Hmmm. That DOES sound interesting. Lemme make a new thread about my plans and elaborate there.

Sorry to romp around in your thread, shotgun. My basic advice remains; you can built a really nice platform for around $400 if you have some extra parts at your disposal and a willingness to upgrade it a few months down the road.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: mageslayer
he is doing it like a true overclocker

What's that supposed to mean? Cheap CPU with expensive cooling? What is a "true" overclocker?

Originally posted by: nerp
if you have some extra parts at your disposal and a willingness to upgrade it a few months down the road.

If you upgrade down the road...

If you add another $100...

If you have spare parts...

If you wait two months for a price drop...

If you do this or that...

At what point does the madness end? When people finally say "no you can't build a gaming rig for $400?"

 

[JackMDS]

The problem is of a social nature. It seems that most people claim that they want an inexpensive functional computer, but cannot let go of the Cool Social aspect of the hardware involved..

I would start with the base of:

ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 - $89

Intel Pentium E2180 CPU - $80

2GB memory that is on sale for $30 (currently there is always decent memory on sale for this price).

500GB HD $110.

$30 DVD Burner.

There are plenty of decent cases with PSU for $60 that would carry well the above.

Subtotal $400.

The only thing that is missing is Video.

Video can go anywhere from $50 to few hundred and it is up to the user to honestly decide how much he need to spend in order to enjoy gaming.

Taking into consideration the cognitive skill of most people $100 card is all that is needed to enjoy the game (you need to pay more if your enjoyment comes from telling people what hardware you have).

A build like the above is very easy upgrade and should last for the next 3 years.

 

[trevor0323]

Its true, what I did for my friend with the Dell is something I probably would never do myself, although he does have a damn sleek system with a 19' monitor for $450. Instead I decided to go the other way with building my own. Since I pick up lots of random parts all the time it was way cheaper for me then what can actually be done right now. Here is a look at what I'm doing.

Abit IP35E $65 shipped (Newegg $30MIR)
E2180 $50 shipped (Tigerdirect $30MIR)
MSI 8800GT $205 shipped (Newegg)
4x1gb HP DDR2 $20 shipped (Huge MIR, ordered main more than 4)
WD 500gb Sata $90 Circuit B&M
Lite on DVDRW $30 shipped ZZF
Ultra Case $5 shipped (Radio Shack $40MIR)
Ultra 500w PSU $5 shipped (Radio Shack $50 MIR)

So for a little under $500 I got a pretty nice setup that OC's to high hell. Although it would be nice to get a free monitor with it. Thats why I say you cant beat the Vostros price.

 

[JackMDS]

Trevor0323 nice work.:thumbsup:

Though it is based on many Rebates, in these days if one search well there are always rebates on these components.

 

[Extelleron]

I think it can be done, as long as you do not expect anything amazing.

CPU- AMD Athlon X2 4000+ 2.1GHz - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103199
Mobo- Biostar TF560 A2+ Motherboard - $69.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...813138081&Tpk=Tf%2b560
Corsair XMS2 2GB (1GBx2) DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 - $34.00 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
GPU- Sapphire HD 2600XT 256MB GDDR4 - $72.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102708
HDD- Seagate 250GB 7200RPM SATA - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262
Optical- Samsung DVD Burner - $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151153

TOTAL: $336.95

The only thing you would need to add is a case w/ PSU, assuming you don't need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse as well. If you need those things, then you can't build ANY computer for $400, much less a gaming machine.

 

[mageslayer]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: mageslayer
he is doing it like a true overclocker

What's that supposed to mean? Cheap CPU with expensive cooling? What is a "true" overclocker?

Remember this Thread?

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: nerp
if you have some extra parts at your disposal and a willingness to upgrade it a few months down the road.

If you upgrade down the road...

If you add another $100...

If you have spare parts...

If you wait two months for a price drop...

If you do this or that...

At what point does the madness end? When people finally say "no you can't build a gaming rig for $400?"

QFT

You can't build a gaming rig for $400

PS:
Cheap Dell >My configuration > All other configurations > Nerp

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
I think it can be done, as long as you do not expect anything amazing.

CPU- AMD Athlon X2 4000+ 2.1GHz - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103199
Mobo- Biostar TF560 A2+ Motherboard - $69.99 AR
.

I have a x2 4000, and a E2180, both on Abits Mobos.

As is the E2180 is providing 30% more computing power than the x2 4000.

Overclocked with just raisng FSB to 3GHz, it is Running circles around the x4000.

The IP-35 and E2180 combo is about $40.

Motherboard is the one component that you do not want to upgrade if you can avoid it, so it is better to start with a little margin upward.

 

[hans007]

if you shop right sure.

frys combo deal for like e2200 + board = $89+ tax.

2gb ram is like $35

some hard drive for $50

cheap case for $45 after a rebate or sale, youc an probably get an antec with 380 watt earthwatts

a dvdrw for $30 at newegg

leaves you about $150 for video card and OS and keyboard + mouse. if you look on ebay a 8600gts is about $85-90 shipped

 

[Skott]

Thats why I said it was a yes and no answer. Define 'gaming rig' Everyone has their own definition of that. For 2007/2008 games I'd say no at $400. Also people are saying yeah, if you use this old spare part or that old spare part... Well, when a question is put forth like in the OP I must assume the guy has no spare parts. We're talking from 'scratch' here I'm thinking. I think its fair to not include the monitor if you are just trying to build the 'box' as it were but you cant leave out the O/S as part of that 'box'. To me its a part of it.

Zap makes a pretty good point in his post there at the bottom of it IMO.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Skott Define 'gaming rig' Everyone has their own definition of that.

It is true without an accurate definition it all up to the individual imagination.

However if you are looking for one mutual trend as defined by the reality of the user it can be defined by one word, Ostentatious.

What some of us were doing in this treat is to find the least expensive computer that can be used by regular Human being to play Games.

Otherwise you get the impression that unless you are rich or willing to Bankrupt your parents you can afford to play Computer Games.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: trevor0323
So for a little under $500 I got a pretty nice setup that OC's to high hell. Although it would be nice to get a free monitor with it. Thats why I say you cant beat the Vostros price.

Monitor, plus OS. Yes, the OS is worth money and is an integral part.

The Dell 20" 207WFP that I got with my Vostro was a pretty nice monitor. I'm actually now regretting that I sold it off.

Originally posted by: mageslayer
Remember this Thread?

Yeah, that was a really fun thread!

 

[trevor0323]

Most people still dont realize that the Vostro is the best option for those on the $400 budget. Once they see that they can build the same machine for $400 but are not getting a $150 monitor they will figure out the problem.

OP watch for the sale on the Vostro soon.

Im praying for a E4500 w/ monitor for $379