Let's Get This Down to $800USD?

[PersonCube]

Greetings!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any help you give me is greatly appreciated! Also, if this is not the proper forum for this sort of thread, please feel free to move it, or tell me how to move it - I apologize in advance for any mistakes.

I have always sort of lurked here, but now I've posted...because that day has finally come for me: That day where I want to build my own semi-gaming computer!

Here are my current specs:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156062

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131142

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115030

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130318

CD-ROM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827106073

Also, I am going to do my best to buy an operating system through my school which will hopefully be no more than $0USD. Maybe I will get lucky.

As you can see, I have no monitor nor keyboard - those things have to be taken into account as well. I quite literally have right around an $800-$850USD spending limit.

I really would like to not go higher, but if absolutely necessary, I could be for money from friends and family.

Thank you everyone for your help! It is appreciated times a thousand! Please feel free to respond here with any helpful advice or send me private chats - oh, and don't hesitate to cut corners. This machine is not suppose to be absolute-top-of-the-line; however I really want to press every last ounce of power out of every dime I put into it! :B

Thanks again, and take care.

EDIT: There is also http://boone.craigslist.org/sys/541470308.html near where I live. He wants $600 including monitor. He said I would have to give him $100 more if I wanted to buy the Vista CD from him, though. (The Vista on there now is in fact pirated...which really worries me.) Is this perhaps a better deal than building on my own? Thanks again!

ANOTHER EDIT: I felt this was going to be "redundant" to post, but just so there is absolute clarity with everyone:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming.

2. What YOUR budget is. $800-$850USD.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA, as long as it's cheaper.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. None - however I've read Intel ranks higher for the most part.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. None. Building from scratch - even monitor, keyboard, and speakers have to be thrown in.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Of course. That's how I know everything I know about computers! :B

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. No intentions to overclock unless convinced and it is an option without raising the price.

---

EDIT (From my last post of this thread):

Current specs:

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024
$119.95

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262
$69.99

Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009108
$189.99

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130318
$239.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
$74.00

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
$99.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037
$219.99

Subtotal: $1,013.90

Shipping: $20.43

Grand Total: $1,034.33

I already have a CD/DVD burner/drive, so that doesn't need to be taken into account.

Thanks again!

 

[MarcVenice]

Mobo, you want a p35 chipset, like a gigabyte ds3l, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059 20$ saved, and it's better as well. You should overclock, why ? Well, you could buy this cpu, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819116036 for 80$, saving an easy 80-90$, then you overclock it to 2.6-3ghz, on the STOCK cooler, and you won't have to worry about your CPU for quite some time. The ram you picked will work just fine. GPU, if you need to save more money, you could opt for a HD3870 512mb card instead, slightly slower, but still plenty fast, and slightly cheaper. That case, hmmm, yeah it might look cheap, coz it comes with a PSU, but that PSU is going to be a crappy PSU, that might break down on you the first day, or in several months. Here's a good PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007 and now you need a case to go with it. Fairly cheap could be a Centurion 5, for 45$. Some rosewill cases are pretty good too, and if you shop around you might be able to find a good deal on a Centurion 5, Coolermaster 690, or perhaps even a p180 rev 1.1 for 50$. But the one you picked, don't do it.

And, I would build it myself, the 600$ you mentioned, meh ... I wouldn't do it.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Okay....get rid of that 650i mobo.
Intel P35 chipset for the win. DS3L (Gigabyte board with P35 chipset) is $95
You can get 8800GT cheaper than 250
Go cheaper on case. I'm thinking $25+ship

You don't have PSU, pick one of Antec Earthwatts that are quite cheap after rebate.

Monitor, pick a nice 19" WS Hanns-G from newegg for $160-170

keyboard - any kb will do, less than $10
mouse - get a quality gaming mouse, such as mx518 - $40

that PC on craigslist sucks.

you can go chaper on CPU, go 4500 or even 2xxx and overclock the heck outta it.

edit: Marc beat me, dammit. But he has ALL valid points.

 

[PersonCube]

Thank you so much everyone. I have to go grab lunch, but I just wanted to tell you I am active, and reading this, and will reply soon with new updates. Thanks a lot!

EDIT: I am not sure if I want to overclock, as I am relatively new to the computer scene; is it really an option I should pursue?

 

[PersonCube]

Okay guys, here is my fully updated list:


Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115030
$169.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
$74.00

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262
$69.99

Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824254005
$169.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
$99.99

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130085
$94.99

Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182030
$64.99

COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119129
$69.99

Grand Total: $813.93

As you can see we are right at the limit of how much I want to spend. Oh, and also, tack on $25 for shipping. So we are really pushing it.

Any suggestions?

Also...I might be able to pull a monitor out of thin air somewhere. If I can, what changes/upgrades could be made?

Thanks so much everyone!

P.S. I am getting a CD/DVD drive...so that doesn't need to be taken into account.

 

[MarcVenice]

The 8600gt is NOT a gaming videocard. The GPU is about two to three times more important then the CPU, and you can NOT justify spending twice as much on the CPU then on the GPU when building even a semi-gaming rig. At your resolution you MIGHT be able to get away with a HD3850 256mb, although I'd rather get a HD3850 512mb, especially for upcoming games. The PSU is not a good buy, here's a better, yet cheaper PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007 that might be even cheaper, check out this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...keyword1=cooler+master Then there's the CPU, if you spend 35$ more, you get a CPU that's almost 150% as fast, look here: http://www.tankguys.biz/produc...o.php?products_id=1788 and I've seen people buy them for 183$, so SHOP AROUND !!! You want best bang for buck, be prepared to work for it. If the mystique does it for you, fine by me, check out this one too though, it's a highly regarded case, with good airflow in it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...811119137&Tpk=cm%2b690 once again, shop around and better deals might be had. Here's another relatively affordable yet good videocard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102717 I'd rather have this though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103051

 

[MegaVovaN]

Cut back on CPU (get 2xxx or 45xx) and upgrade GPU to 3850 512mb. Or 8800GT 512 - microcenter has it for $230 shipped.

 

[PersonCube]

Complete change of thought!

APEVIA X-Navigator ATXA8NW-AL/500 Silver/Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811144089
$169.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262
$69.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
$74.00

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
$99.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037
$219.99

Total, after shipping: $655.79

A friend of mine has a monitor I can use for a bit, and another friend of mine just upgraded his computer's graphics card so now he'll let me use that... So now I need to save money and get, eventually, both a monitor and graphics card!

Easy enough, right?

Recommendations? Changes?

Please, remember, I am trying to tighten this as much as possible so I can save as much money so that I can get a monitor and graphics card, eventually.

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[MegaVovaN]

$170 case with *meh* PSU? bleh. Get inexpensive, non-flashy case and quality PSU separately.

$74 for 2GB RAM? You can get 4 gb for that much.

cpu and mobo okay, look around and get CPU cheaper.


Is your friend's gfx card AGP or PCI-E? Cuz if it's AGP your plan fails.

 

[aigomorla]

+1 ^

Get a cheaper case, with a quality PSU.

Antec P180 -> great for silence
CM 690 -> great air cooling case cheap if you can find them on rebate or sales.
CM Staker 830 -> i believe you can find one for fairly cheap now


PSU:
Antec Earthwatt 430W should handle that system fine as long as your not into super overclocking.

 

[PersonCube]

@MegaVovaN: For a required DDR2 1066? ...I couldn't find anything cheaper than that. :/ If you know of 4gigs of RAM I could get cheaper than the 2gigs I have listed, please, do tell.

His card is PCI-E.

@aigomorla: My friend has this case, and he really recommends it. :/ He says it's never served him wrong. Plus, I looked up those you recommended, and they were all more expensive than this I've picked out.

Thanks guys for your responses! They're appreciated! Any other advice, or responses or complaints are appreciated! Thanks tons.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: PersonCube
@MegaVovaN: For a required DDR2 1066?

??? huh what wha??

Where did you hear about 1066 required? DDR2-800 is more than you need.

 

[PersonCube]

Oh, right. [sagenod.] I was sort of saying "required" as that...I needed it. More...power. >

 

[MegaVovaN]

More power? How exactly? Have you already bought stripe stickers for the case? I hear they add +500 mhz! EACH!
I don't have numbers but I imagine to make use of that 1066 you need such insane overclocks you'd want uber lucky chip and water cooling...I repeat: with stock cooling and mild OC ddr2-800 is more than enough!

As for hot deal on 4 gigs of dd2, it's your job to hunt them out

 

[chuckm]

Get this power supply;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

Mega, the price of that memory is before the rebate of $40.
Here's 4 gig, $79 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820145184

 

[PersonCube]

@MegaVovaN: I don't really intend on overlocking...at all.

However I've got my racing stripes! Professionally made by a Hell's Angel himself! 8D

I intend on using stock cooling, because extra cooling is more money, which I regretfully do not have. So yeah, DDR2-800 will be plenty. :B

@chuckm: Oooh wow, that's a cheap power supply - and lots of power to boot. But what's so wrong with the case and power supply I have? Is it just not worth the value? The fans in it/power supply is about equal to or cheaper than a separate case and fan, no?

Thank you for your responses! As always - much appreciation!

 

[Zap]

PersonCube, welcome to the forums.

Originally posted by: PersonCube
don't hesitate to cut corners. This machine is not suppose to be absolute-top-of-the-line; however I really want to press every last ounce of power out of every dime I put into it!

Translation: You want good bang for the buck.

Hey, banging for a buck is my middle name! Er, wait, no I didn't mean that. What I meant was that I love getting great value for my computer part purchases. I've made it a specialty of mine.

Motherboard... Gigabyte P35 $100... that's fine. CPU... E8400... that's fine. HDD... 250GB Seagate... that's fine.

RAM, $74 for DDR2-800 is a waste of money. Oh, there's a rebate. Okay, as long as you're religious about mailing those things in. If you're not good with rebates, find a cheaper set for less money without rebates.

Apevia case/power for $170? I'm going to have to revoke your "value membership card." :| Case might look all fancy and stuff, but two problems with it. #1 too high price #2 PSU not good quality enough. That Raidmax case/PSU should be avoided as well. Here's a $40 case that's decent (ignore the expired rebate unless a new one comes up) and pair that with any decent PSU. The one chuckm linked to is really great for the price. Antec EarthWatts PSUs are also good if you find them on sale or with rebates - don't buy them at regular price or I'll have to get all funky on you. Take a peek at the hot deals board here to see if anything pops up.

 

[drebo]

Better yet, get an Antec Sonata III case. $120 shipped and it includes an $80 Seasonic-built power supply. Doesn't get any better than that.

 

[PersonCube]

@Zap: Lmao. xD I'm not really...good with rebates, no. I should probably find better RAM. :B

Not in a membership. Ha. It seems everyone and their uncle is recommending Cooler Master cases...

I just need a case that will keep my machine as cold as my ex-girlfriend's heart and a power supply unit that won't give up on any games I play like my ex-girlfriend gave up on me...

...Man, I really miss my ex...

drebo: That Antec Sonata is lovely, I promise; however it only has one 120mm fan... That doesn't exactly have the frigid cold I need, right?

So how about this case/PSU combo? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119142

Thanks again guys! You are too awesome.

P.S., once I get my case/PSU decided on, I am going to put an updated list up, with more-or-less everything...and we'll give the final go on this beast! :B

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: PersonCube
drebo: That Antec Sonata is lovely, I promise; however it only has one 120mm fan... That doesn't exactly have the frigid cold I need, right?

Umm, think you can mount your own fan in front :light:

 

[drebo]

You can mount a fan on the inside plane of the hard drive cage.

I've used this case (and it's parent Sonata II) in about 30 builds so far and never had a problem with heat. As long as you're not putting it in a cabinet, you shouldn't have a problem either.

I've used it with as diverse components as FireXL V7300 cards, Quadro FX1500 cards, and even built an 8800GT single-slot cooler into one earlier this month and it ran 3DMark06 on loop all night without issue. It may only have one fan, but the cooling is not that bad. If you do decide to, you CAN mount an intake fan up front. Although, the fact that the system has a filter helps cooling more than anything (dust is a great insulator).

That coolermaster case is still $50 more than the Sonata III, and it's got an inferior power supply.

I wouldn't recommend this case if I didn't think that it would be appropriate for your build. I've built hundreds of PCs over the last couple of years, and the Sonata III is easily my favorite case. I would not hesitate to use it. I'm currently using an Antec SOLO case right now which isn't too much different in terms of cooling than the Sonata III.

 

[PersonCube]

@drebo: That was convincing. xD

So convincing that I think you won. Not sure if this was a battle, but it was, and you won.

Do not worry, though - I shall rally my troupes and come back again. You've won the battle, but not the war.

OK, so this wasn't a battle. Anyway, I like the Sonata III. It's pretty, and seems to have plenty of space. It doesn't have any snazzy looks to it, which is disappointing, but not exactly what I'm looking for in a case, you know?

Thanks, drebo. I will update my list very soon with that case listed. Once we can all agree that my build is pretty darn good, I'm ordering!

Oh hey BTW, should I get another fan or a CPU cooler now - since I am going to use the Sonata III?

 

[PersonCube]

Updated List:

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024
$119.95

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822148262
$69.99

Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009108
$189.99

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130318
$239.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
$74.00

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059
$99.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037
$219.99

Subtotal: $1,013.90

Shipping: $20.43

Grand Total: $1,034.33

So, what do you guys think? Where can we cut corners, etc.? Also, I threw in the monitor and graphics card I am intending on getting once I get the money; however I have "back-ups" that I will use.

I am trying to sell my laptop for about $300; if I can do that I will have enough money for this entire list.

So, any other Mr. Banging For the Bucks out there that see places I can get more for my money?

Thanks a lot, everyone! Have a good day!

 

[cruzin08]

Here's a good one. A 20' Samsung Lcd for $79.99, only problem is that it's got a $470.00 mail in rebate.
http://www.3gplaza.com/estore/...ls?id=70788&srccode=PW

 

[MegaVovaN]

http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0279319

8800GT for around $230 shipped, 224 pick up at Microcenter.

You should count that RAM as 74-40MIR = 34.
(OR are you getting yourself ready to never receive that rebate? )

methinks Microcenter ought to have that 8400 for cheaper. Like $190.

$70 for a 250 gig is pretty bad deal when with $100 (promotion/special deal) you can buy 500 gig

Originally posted by: cruzin08
Here's a good one. A 20' Samsung Lcd for $79.99, only problem is that it's got a $470.00 mail in rebate.
http://www.3gplaza.com/estore/...ls?id=70788&srccode=PW

I won't do it :Q


edit: It's YOUR job to find components for cheaper! Ever heard of term "HOT deal"?