Light PC for gaming, programing and as a media server

[VinylxScratches]

I want to build a very light PC. It will be used for gaming, programming, and as a media server to my Xbox 360.

Here's what I already have:
What I already have is a Antec NSK Case, a Antec 380 Watt PSU, Windows XP Pro 32bit, 22 Inch Acer Monitor, mouse, keyboard and a IDE DVD Burner.

Would like it to be under $350 dollars for the parts. Without the rebate I'm over $355 bucks. I know XP Pro can only take in 3GBs of ram. Will I come into trouble using 4GBs?

I plan on building this PC now and I live in the US.

OS: XP Pro SP3 32-bit
CPU: E5200
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-G31M
RAM: Kingston 4GB (2x2)
Video Card:ZOTAC GeForce 9800GT
Hard Drive:Western Digital Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM SATA

Would this PC let me play games at a respective level? I can bare gaming at 1280x800 at minimum.

 

[ibex333]

I am building a very similar PC to yours right now, because my mobo died. I got a more expensive motherboard, and I intend to keep my video card in sig if it will still work, but I got the same exact CPU. I am planning to OC it as far as it will go and it should be more than enough for mid-range gaming, and web design.

I don't see how this system will not be enough for what you want to do, so looks like a solid build. Only thing is, you might want to get a slightly better mobo, cause this one only has the very bare essentials - but you should be fine even with this one.

PS: you might also want to get faster ram.. Maybe 1066 so you can have more OC headroom. This faster ram should cost about the same, so you wont have to spend a lot more money.

 

[zerogear]

Define 'light' gaming. In terms of I only play a couple of minutes a day of Hardcore games (ie, Crysis/STALKER) or I only play casual games the The Sims or Popcap games?

 

[VinylxScratches]

Thanks ibex, I will look into better ram.

zerogear. Light gaming as in playing oldies like Baldur's Gate. Future ones including Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Would getting this Phenom be a better option. It's a little more...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.161493

 

[imported_wired247]

faster RAM with 800MHz FSB? TOTALLY unnecessary. DDR2-667 is MORE than fast enough for 800FSB.

I'd highly recommend looking into 1333FSB CPU's or at the very least 1066FSB. In either of these scenarios, DDR2-800 is still MORE THAN FAST ENOUGH.




(DDR2-800 is equivalent to FSB 1600. The E5200 CPU is FSB 800. Therefore DDR2-800 is already 2x as fast as it needs to be for that CPU)

 

[imported_wired247]

just an example what you could do (I'm not necessarily saying you should buy these exact parts)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820148111

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813135063

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115206

Total $200.97 - $10 MIR

then spend the rest of your budget on HD/Video card...


Edit: oops meant to add this to the above post, please forgive the double post.


Edit2: Or if you are really a rebate hound:

here's a 2x2GB DDR2-800 for very cheap after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220269

 

[VinylxScratches]

Thanks wired247. This looks a lot better. I appreciate it!

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: wired247
faster RAM with 800MHz FSB? TOTALLY unnecessary. DDR2-667 is MORE than fast enough for 800FSB.

I'd highly recommend looking into 1333FSB CPU's or at the very least 1066FSB. In either of these scenarios, DDR2-800 is still MORE THAN FAST ENOUGH.




(DDR2-800 is equivalent to FSB 1600. The E5200 CPU is FSB 800. Therefore DDR2-800 is already 2x as fast as it needs to be for that CPU)

You are absolutely right... I missed the 800fsb part.. but the 1066 ram costs only $5 more or exactly the same... So given that, why not go for faster ram? (aside from the fact that it's not necessary)

The ECS G31T looks like a nice mobo, but has limited overclocking features according to some reviewers.... Then again, maybe the extra features are not necessary.

 

[imported_wired247]

Originally posted by: ibex333

Originally posted by: wired247
faster RAM with 800MHz FSB? TOTALLY unnecessary. DDR2-667 is MORE than fast enough for 800FSB.

I'd highly recommend looking into 1333FSB CPU's or at the very least 1066FSB. In either of these scenarios, DDR2-800 is still MORE THAN FAST ENOUGH.




(DDR2-800 is equivalent to FSB 1600. The E5200 CPU is FSB 800. Therefore DDR2-800 is already 2x as fast as it needs to be for that CPU)

You are absolutely right... I missed the 800fsb part.. but the 1066 ram costs only $5 more or exactly the same... So given that, why not go for faster ram? (aside from the fact that it's not necessary)

The ECS G31T looks like a nice mobo, but has limited overclocking features according to some reviewers.... Then again, maybe the extra features are not necessary.

the reason is the OP seems to have set a very tight budget, and appears to be trying to stick to that budget as well as possible. so every dollar saved goes towards a better video card or hdd

 

[WildW]

I recently did an almost identical upgrade - Gigabyte G31 board, E5200, 2x2GB memory. I went with a 9800GTX+ since the price was good at the time, but the 9800GT won't be far behind.

The E5200 overclocks SO well, have had mine stable at 3.6 but backed off a bit to 3.5 to bring the temps down below 60C. At that speed I'm gaming at 1680x1050 and getting really nice framerates - solid 60 in Unreal Tournament 3, usually 60 and never below 45 in pointlessly-maxed-settings Oblivion. I'm sure it won't be too bad if and when I move up to 1920x1200. 3DMark06 is about 14000. I don't think the 9800GT will be too far behind.