My prebuilt PC for gaming

[itzmepetey]

Hi, I am a new member here to this forum. A friend recommended my here because he and many others say this is the best place on the net for computer related discussion.

I decided to go to Cyberpowerpc.com to customize a PC for gaming needs. I have been using shitty computers for most of my life and never got to play the hot games. Now since im in college, I decided to spend some money to play some games I always liked. Now my principle is to get it as cheap as possible, my PC will not be an investment what so ever and Ill probably give it away or chuck it in 3-4 years if not sooner once I graduate college.

Below are my requirements
-strict 500 dollars limit
-needs to be able to play popular games that were already released, (FEAR,farcry,HL2)
-able to play some next generation games (on medium settings atleast)

So far I have this put togeather..

$494.00
(before all applicable rebates)
CASE: ATX MEDIUM TOWER CASE 350 WATT (SILVER COLOR)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core? 2 Duo E4400 CPU @ 2.00GHz 800FSB 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit
MOTHERBOARD: (Quad-Core FSB1333) MSI G31M-F Intel G31 Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Value Select or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA)
VIDEO CARD 2: NONE
LCD Monitor: NONE
HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (160GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Data Hard Drive: NONE
Optical Drive: COMBO DRIVE (16X DVD-ROM & 52x32x52 CD-RW) (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: NONE
SOUND: 3D WAVE ON-BOARD 5.1 SOUND CARD

I just want to know in this forum's experience and wisdom if this machine will allow me to play those games i mentioned on max settings and if there are any crappy combinations that jump out.

Also, please mention if there are any upgrade capabilities on my system that I can do down the line and if my mobo will allow it.

Thanks alot for helping out a noob.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: itzmepetey

I decided to go to Cyberpowerpc.com to customize a PC for gaming needs. I have been using shitty computers for most of my life and never got to play the hot games...

Now my principle is to get it as cheap as possible...

Sorry if this sounds rude, but...

How does "cheap as possible" now differ from "been using shitty computers for most of my life"?

 

[itzmepetey]

hmm good point (not rude at all 😀), well i think the two differ because I have only used computers with intergrated GFX cards and very low amount of memory (based on what manufactures are putting on their prebuilts that are on the retail market). Also, I mean cheap as in... does it matter if I use a core 2 duo 2.0 ghz processor instead of a 2.33 if i can save like 40-50bucks? If i can cut corners here and there the better. Im sure you can always get something better, but the small increases add up so quickly and before i know it, I am buying a 1000+ system.

 

[Zap]

Welcome to the forums, itzmepetey.

Originally posted by: itzmepetey
-needs to be able to play popular games that were already released, (FEAR,farcry,HL2)
...
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
...
want to know in this forum's experience and wisdom if this machine will allow me to play those games i mentioned on max settings

What resolution is your monitor? If you have a modern widescreen LCD, then I don't think that card will handle "max settings" on some of those games. The rest of the system seems fine. If you have to, sacrifice the CPU by going to a "Pentium Dual Core E2140" and use the money savings (around $70) to bump video up to an "Nvidia Geforce 8600GTS." You'll be... closer... to running at max settings.

 

[itzmepetey]

O ok, thnx zap. Unfortunately, I already selected the lowest end processor they allow. My monitor resolution is acutally 1400X900.

 

[itzmepetey]

Hey thnx, for the advice. I upgraded to a 8600 GT by evga since it seemed like the best value. The total price was 520 for the rig. Hope it turns out well..

 

[Skott]

Hmmm... I'm kinda late but I'll say it anyway. As much as I dislike the 8500 and 8600 video cards (because they are crap for gaming purposes IMO) I would have suggested keeping the 8500 and put the extra money into a better psu. Why? Because later on you are going to want to upgrade the video card anyway but your little 350w psu wont be able to handle it. Easier to replace a video card later on instead of a psu IMO. Now within a short time not only will you want to upgrade to a newer and better card (like a 8800 or something newer when they come out) but you'll need to upgrade your psu as well. You need to get yourself a 450w or 500w psu for better cards.

 

[dclive]

A 300W LiteOn PSU handles an 8800GTS/320, Q6600, 4x500GB, 4x1GB, dual TV tuner. His PSU should be fine.

I'd encourage him to get a simple CPU, a decent GPU to tide him over until he has $$, and then for him to get a (then-equiv to the) 8800GTS/320.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Skott
As much as I dislike the 8500 and 8600 video cards (because they are crap for gaming purposes IMO) I would have suggested keeping the 8500 and put the extra money into a better psu. Why? Because later on you are going to want to upgrade the video card anyway

Sure, you are entitled to your "IMO" but then again this guy sounds as if he just doesn't have the budget for something higher end. He said he's been using "crap" computers all his life and this would be a tremendous upgrade. Heck Skott, just looking at your nice little SFF system shows that you are a gamer of discriminating tastes and high budgets. That's nice and all, but don't look down on the little folk who have to cut corners or do without. If "crap for gaming purposes" means not being able to play at 1620x1050 resolution on an LG L226WTQ(BF) 22" LCD in the latest games with every setting cranked up as high as they'll go, then I think that most gamers I know can't afford to meet up to your exacting standards.

Steam hardware statistics
Note that the OP will be in good company with a midrange card. #1 on the list is a Geforce 6600 series, while #2 is a Geforce 7600 series. #3 is, OMG, Geforce FX 5200.

I'd also like to point out that the guy just wants a cheap $500 computer to use for a while and then get rid of it - specifically "my PC will not be an investment what so ever." [SIC]

Finally, I've noticed that most people building their own tend to be more likely to upgrade versus those who buy a pre-built.

 

[Skott]

Zap,
I was in no way looking down on him. I wasnt trying to dis him or anything either. I was just saying I'd go with the 8500 and a better psu instead and then explained why. Yeah I know he's on a budget. I was just making an alternative suggestion is all. He was asking for suggestions.


itzmepetey,
If you felt slighted by my post in anyway then I offer my apology. It was not my intention.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Zap

He said he's been using "crap" computers all his life and this would be a tremendous upgrade...

If "crap for gaming purposes" means not being able to play at 1620x1050 resolution on an LG L226WTQ(BF) 22" LCD in the latest games with every setting cranked up as high as they'll go, then I think that most gamers I know can't afford to meet up to your exacting standards.

Steam hardware statistics
Note that the OP will be in good company with a midrange card. #1 on the list is a Geforce 6600 series, while #2 is a Geforce 7600 series. #3 is, OMG, Geforce FX 5200.

LoL!

How ironic!!!

I run a GeForce 7600, and it's #2 -- get it? 😀

Bwahahahaha! Good one Zap!

 

[itzmepetey]

Originally posted by: Skott
Zap,
I was in no way looking down on him. I wasnt trying to dis him or anything either. I was just saying I'd go with the 8500 and a better psu instead and then explained why. Yeah I know he's on a budget. I was just making an alternative suggestion is all. He was asking for suggestions.


itzmepetey,
If you felt slighted by my post in anyway then I offer my apology. It was not my intention.

O no, no, your post was fine and informative. It made me look into power supplies and how different brands might differ. I think I may have gotten the "General Joe's" special with the default PSU that will come with the case.

On a side note, Im considering if I should have went with a SLI compatible mobo if I ever wanted to put in another 8600 gt when they get REALLY dirt cheap for added power. Does anyone have dual cards, and if so, how much of a power boost do you experience?