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Sub $300 Gaming Rig

T

tempradno

Junior Member
All prices newegg.

CPU = Athlon II X2 2.8GHz 45nm with Heatsink = $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103688

MB = MSI AM3 Micro ATX = $52
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130243

VGA = MSI GeForce GT 220 1GB 40nm = $60 [after $10 mail in rebate]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127455

RAM = 2 x 1GB Kingston DDR3 1333 = $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134657

Case = Rosewill MicroATX Tower with 350W PSU = $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147143

HD = Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200rpm = $42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148451

Total = $297

The 45nm cpu and 40nm gpu should overclock well. It's been a few years since I built a computer so I thought I would post my selections for review.
 
How long of a video card will that case fit?

Maybe a lightly used HD4670 would be a better buy?

48 cores (for that video card) is not bad, but I am sure 128 bit bus with GDDR2 is going to limit that power quite a bit.

IN contrast, 9600 GT is 64 cores but 256 bit/GDDR3
 
Looks good, but you are much, much better off getting the HD4670. It's more powerful, and you're not going to overclock that GT 200 enough to even get it on par with the HD4670.
 
I would say if you can spare the extra $25, keep an eye out toward newegg for a 4850. I bought one a bit ago for around $85 after MIR with free shipping.

The same goes for the ram. If you watch, you can get a 4GB kit of 2x2 for about $10 more on specials.


Basically, you can take your $297 system up quite a notch in performance for about $35 more dollars which unless you are absolutely constrained to $300 you will find more satisfying.
 
brybir said:
I would say if you can spare the extra $25, keep an eye out toward newegg for a 4850. I bought one a bit ago for around $85 after MIR with free shipping.

The same goes for the ram. If you watch, you can get a 4GB kit of 2x2 for about $10 more on specials.


Basically, you can take your $297 system up quite a notch in performance for about $35 more dollars which unless you are absolutely constrained to $300 you will find more satisfying.
Click to expand...

I agree 4850 is probably the sweet spot of value right now (it only costs slightly more money than 4670...but is twice as powerful) . I just wonder if his PSU and case can handle that card.
 
I only need this computer to last me 6 months until I can save up to build a proper gaming machine. Right now I only have a 1.6GHz netbook. I would like something more for the interim. The following configuration is probably more bang for the buck:

CPU = Athlon II X4 2.6GHz AM3 with Heatsink = $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103706

MB = BIOSTAR A785GE AM2+/AM3 AMD 785G Micro ATX = $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138156

VGA = ASUS HD 4670 1GB = $60 [after $20 mail in rebate]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-328-_-Product

RAM = GSKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333= $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

Case = LOGISYS Black Steel ATX Mid Tower SOHO Case 480 Watt = $32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148044

HD = SAMSUNG Spinpoint 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB = $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148451

Total = $372 or $442 if I go with the 4850 with 1GB. I'm envisioning this as more of a disposable PC. I don't plan to upgrade it.
 
Last edited:
tempradno said:
I only need this computer to last me 6 months until I can save up to build a proper gaming machine. Right now I only have a 1.6GHz netbook. I would like something more for the interim. The following configuration is probably more bang for the buck:

CPU = Athlon II X4 2.6GHz AM3 with Heatsink = $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103706

MB = BIOSTAR A785GE AM2+/AM3 AMD 785G Micro ATX = $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138156

VGA = ASUS HD 4670 1GB = $60 [after $20 mail in rebate]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-328-_-Product

RAM = GSKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333= $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

Case = LOGISYS Black Steel ATX Mid Tower SOHO Case 480 Watt = $32
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148044

HD = SAMSUNG Spinpoint 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB = $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148451

Total = $372 or $442 if I go with the 4850 with 1GB. I'm envisioning this as more of a disposable PC. I don't plan to upgrade it.
Click to expand...

what games do you play? what resolutions?
 
Look, ok. You can't skimp on the power supply like that. BOOM goes the rest of your computer. Also, reviews for the case show it arrives damaged a lot. Is your budget THAT constrained that you cant get quality parts that are the most important in your computer?
 
WaitingForNehalem said:
Your motherboard has PCI-E 1.0 and a really outdated chipset. You only have 2gb of ram. Your PSU is terrible. Let me fix it up.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103688
http://www.frys.com/product/5611731?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.275049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

TOTAL-$300

Your video card is an integrated 4200. Later on you can get a better video card.
Click to expand...

I like your idea of getting better components and having the OP save money for a better discrete Video card later.

P.S. How good are integrated 4200 graphics anyway? Would something like this be equivalent to a X800 pro or X600 video card?
 
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It'd would be in between those two although it supports DX10.1/SM4.1, HDCP, HD video decoding, and many more features. Once you overclock it though, it becomes much faster.
 
What about this:

CPU = Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz AM3 with heatsink= $90
I will unlock it to 4 cores.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103694

MB = GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H HD4200 HDMI Micro ATX= $80
I confirmed this motherboard can unlock the Phenom II X2 545. Also the onboard HD4200 will do just fine for now.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128394

RAM = GSKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333= $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

Case = Linkworld Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower with 430W PSU = $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164118
I think 430 watts should be enough because I skipped the video card.

HD = SAMSUNG Spinpoint 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB = $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181

Total = $328
 
Disposable PC? What a TERRIBLE idea.

If you wouldn't be such a cheapskate you could get a decent quad core gaming rig for $375. Anything below and you are not getting your money's worth.
 
Scholzpdx said:
Disposable PC? What a TERRIBLE idea.
Click to expand...

Indeed every build he has posted so far might as well be a Dispoable because he's gonna end up having to throw it out after each one of those PSU's that come included with those cases explode taking everything with it...

At least add another $50 and get a decent PSU that won't explode...
 
Quiksilver said:
Indeed every build he has posted so far might as well be a Dispoable because he's gonna end up having to throw it out after each one of those PSU's that come included with those cases explode taking everything with it...

At least add another $50 and get a decent PSU that won't explode...
Click to expand...

You make it sound like the thing will go up on a mushroom cloud the instant he pushes the power button 🙄

They're power supplies, not grenades. They aren't going to explode unless they've been severely damaged.
 
OP, do yourself a favor and save $400-450 as this will give you a much larger selection. Do something once, do it right.
 
I disagree about power supplies i have used shit ones for years but, lately, last few years, running decent ones. OCZ or whatever hot deal i found.

Heres one for 32 http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1645756

But again i never had issues with shitty one.

Also wait for hot deals, on video cards im pretty sure i saw a 4870 for less than 100 a few times now.

You dont already have a case you can use?
 
Last edited:
theevilsharpie said:
You make it sound like the thing will go up on a mushroom cloud the instant he pushes the power button 🙄

They're power supplies, not grenades. They aren't going to explode unless they've been severely damaged.
Click to expand...

Tell that to my system when the Antec True Power 380 that come with the Sonta case decided to pop a cap and take everything with it. Only the case and the rear fan where the only survivors. System gone, took the Viewsonic LCD and Motorola Surfbaord with it also.
 
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