The $3,000 budget Game

[Novercalis]

Alright, it seems I have 3k to spend on a new rig,
I would like to hear some input of your rig

THE RIG IS MEANT FOR IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:

Video editing - rendering
photoshop/maya 3d apps
ripping, encoding, decoding
gaming


This is the minimum that MUST BE included:

AMD 64 X2 4400
A 400 gigs of HDD (if possible a small dedicated HDD for OS and Apps/games <-- this isnt mandatory)
minimum of 2gigs of ram (if u can manage 4gigs of ram, that be sweet but not mandatory, only 2 gig is)

LCD Monitor with 1600x???? minimum reslution. I believe thats basically a 19inch or higher
unless there is some cheap dual 15 inch LCD monitor special combo deal.
---------------------

So:

Copy/Paste Format:

MONITOR:
Processor: AMD 64 X2 4400+
MotherBoard:
RAM: 2x1 gig of ....
Video Card:
Sound Card:
HDD:
Case:
HSF:
PSU:
Keyboard:
Mouse:
MISC: dvd burner, cdr, floppy, etc.

I dont believe im forgetting anything else.
enjoy

 

[Novercalis]

Alright, My Setup is so far:

MONITOR: Dell 2005
Processor: AMD 64 X2 4400+
MotherBoard: DFI
RAM: 2x1 gig of OCZ pc3200 DDR400
Video Card: 7800GTX
Sound Card: SoundBlaster
HDD: 400gig SeaSonic + 36gig Raptor
Case: Antec p180
HSF: Zalman
PSU: 600W
Keyboard: regular 10 buck keyboard
Mouse: Razer Diamondback
MISC: All in 1 DVD/CD-R/CDRW burner

im pretty sure thats under 3k.

 

[Cobalt]

What is this, the new way to get us to build your system? Research the parts PLEASE, only YOU know exactly what you need and what you need it for.

 

[n0cmonkey]

If I had $3000 to spend on a machine, I wouldn't be using it for those purposes.

 

[raildogg]

for $1,500 you could build a comparable computer.

donate the remaining $1,500 to needy people

 

[Novercalis]

cobalt, I did do my research and posted it, no point on flaming....
i would like to see what other woul change compared to mine.

 

[raildogg]

i've learned my lesson to now blow so much money on a computer a few years ago. i spent 3000 on that computer and it can barely play the latest games

computers are not like cars. they go down in performance, value each passing day

if gaming is not a priority to you, like you listed, then why buy a $500 graphics card? buy a mid range card instead, save $250. also, no need for that raptor

there are many other things you can change/tweak and come down considerably in price

get valueram, from geil, corsair, ocz, kingston, g.skill, patriot etc. try not spening more than $215 on 2gb of memory.

my ideal rig:

amd athlon 64 4200+ - around $470
corsair valueselect - around $215
radeon x800xl - around $250
epox 9npa ultra - around $105
logitech z-5500e - around $100
x-fi - around $130
antec p180- around $110
fortron 500W blue storm - $91
nec 3540a - around $40
lite on dvd - $20
dell 2005 ultra sharp - around $400

that adds up to around $1700 or so, if you look around for best prices

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Looks OK but here's a few observations/suggestions

You put Maya and rendering at the top of your list of priorities and gaming on the bottom, yet you've picked a top of the line "Gaming" video card? You might be better served getting a pro rendering card like a FireGL or Quaddro

You also picked an overclocker's mobo? If rendering and video editing is your primary usage you should probably rethink this, and look at workstation class boards and ECC ram.

And get a 74gb raptor instead of the 36gb, it's faster, quieter, and a better all around choice

 

[bob4432]

the 36GB raptors were not too good, get one of the 74GB raptors or get a 15krpm scsi system hdd. also, you don't need to spend all of the $3000, like other have stated. get one of the x800pro pci-e that ati has in their clearance section for $199.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: bob4432
the 36GB raptors were not too good, get one of the 74GB raptors or get a 15krpm scsi system hdd. also, you don't need to spend all of the $3000, like other have stated. get one of the x800pro pci-e that ati has in their clearance section for $199.

No x800pro.....lol

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: bob4432
the 36GB raptors were not too good, get one of the 74GB raptors or get a 15krpm scsi system hdd. also, you don't need to spend all of the $3000, like other have stated. get one of the x800pro pci-e that ati has in their clearance section for $199.

No x800pro.....lol

?? here is a link...???

 

[Novercalis]

true on all the statement above with the video card but I also choosen the vid card for Maya/HD HT in the future/ and Gaming. I do want to play BF2 fully. Not a hardcore gamer but I love FPS games.

alright, I will be considering the 36 to 72 raptor.

I choosen 4400/DFI to Overclock to 4800 setting later on.
---------

back to Video Card, While Rendering - I can go play my Rakion, BF2, or other upcoming beta games w/o loss, if not, Id would choosen a pure workstation setting but I guess im trying to get the best of both world.

Now I might be thinking all wrong than, sorry if I am.

 

[theMan]

seasonic makes hard drives?? you must mean seagate. anyway, for your psu, you should get a seasonic s12-500. skip the raptor. you dont need a 7800gtx, either get a workstation card, like mentioned before, or get a 7800gt. dont get a raptor. its a waste, especially the 36gb ones. they have issues. either get a scsi, or a 74gb, or just skip it all together. get an nec 3540a burner, and wait for the creative x-fi sound cards to come out.

if you arent overclocking, dont get the hsf, and get an Epox 9npa+ ultra mobo. if you are, keep the dfi lanparty, and get a thermalright xp90.

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: theman
seasonic makes hard drives?? you must mean seagate. anyway, for your psu, you should get a seasonic s12-500. skip the raptor. you dont need a 7800gtx, either get a workstation card, like mentioned before, or get a 7800gt. dont get a raptor. its a waste, especially the 36gb ones. they have issues. either get a scsi, or a 74gb, or just skip it all together. get an nec 3540a burner, and wait for the creative x-fi sound cards to come out.

if you arent overclocking, dont get the hsf, and get an Epox 9npa+ ultra mobo. if you are, keep the dfi lanparty, and get a thermalright xp90.

wait, the epox is almost as overclockable as the dfi except for that the dfi can utilize the extreme memory such as the redline. did he say he was an extreme to the max overclocker?

most likely, this guy wants a smooth setup with little hassle and not too much tweaking. the dfi will most likely not be his perfect fit.

seasonic is good, but overpriced. since Novercalis is willing to overspend, getting a s12-500 might not be bad.

yes, skip the raptor

 

[Novercalis]

s12-500 <--- educate me please, first time reading this
alright, than what are my choices for a 400gig HDD? if im paying overpprice with seagate?

yeah seagate I meant and not seasonic.. im sorry...
unless you were actually referring to the 600w psu... okay I been up 23 hours.. need to get some rest.
I will eventually be overclocking so 600W is needed.
Yeah I jsut read another thread about raptor and im just gonna drop it entirely.
not going to heavy on sound card since i dont plan on getting a full set speaker, just 2 pathetic speaker I have currently with onboard and its suffice since im not doing much audio work

 

[raildogg]

seasonic s12-500. its a very good power supply, however, since your case is the antec p180, it might be the perfect match. the cables on the s12-500 are not the longest and people have complained that they don't reach long enough in the p180. i'd get a fortron 500w blue storm instead, just to be on the cautious side

you don't need 600w power supply. a fortron 500w will perform or outperform a 600w from other manufacturers. fortron does extreme testing and rates their power supplies much more accurately, if not very conservative, than other manufacturers. i trust them

here, skip the raptor altogether and this 500gb hard drive from hitachi

it is one of the fastest hard drives and has all the features, sata 2, ncq and even a larger than normal cache.

link

 

[Topweasel]

Here is the System I have been working on building for a while.

MONITOR: I Don't know yet (probably 6-8 months before I pick a new one up)
Processor: AMD 64 X2 4400+ (only part I don't have yet and hope to change that in the future)
MotherBoard: A8N-SLI Deluxe (I would get the Premium now but tis to late)
RAM: 2x1 gig of .... Corsair 3200 XMS (I wasn't and am not planning on overclocking)
Video Card: BFG 7800GTX OC (Got it installed looks beutiful just waiting for the CPU)
Sound Card: Integrated (Though the X-FI looks interesting may pick it up if one hits $150 not because I wouldn't be able spend that much just I don't think it would be worth it)
HDD: 72 GB Raptor (O/S) 36 Gig Raptor (Pagefile/scratch/temp drive) 7k400 Hitachi For storage (was originally going o raid to 36 GB for fun then my brother built his system and i sold him a 36 and got the 72 as a replacement)
Case: ANTEC P160 (Probably would get the P180 if i was buying it now but it still has features the P180 doesn't that keeps me from chucking it.)
HSF: XP90 with a ThermalTake Silent CAT 90mm (will get it when i get the CPU)
PSU: ThermalTake (Pure power?) 560W (First Purchase and only regret it wasn't bad for when i got it but its the only part showing its age and I haven't used it but its cable management is second to non. I would get a OCZ Power stream now)
Keyboard: Wireless Logitech (I have a couple set when finished i might pick up another)
Mouse: Wireless Logitech
MISC: dvd burner, cdr, floppy, etc. PX-716SA and if your willing to use a IDE cable (I wasn't willing to) a PX-Premium would be a nice Partner drive.

 

[Topweasel]

edit: First double post don't know how I managed that.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Originally posted by: cobalt
What is this, the new way to get us to build your system? Research the parts PLEASE, only YOU know exactly what you need and what you need it for.

 

[Pabster]

You are dropping $3K on a desktop rig? Then don't skimp on the most important part of your entire build: the power supply. Forget Fortron or Seasonic and go straight for the very best money can buy. PC Power & Cooling 510W-SLI.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Novercalis
s12-500 <--- educate me please, first time reading this
alright, than what are my choices for a 400gig HDD? if im paying overpprice with seagate?

yeah seagate I meant and not seasonic.. im sorry...
unless you were actually referring to the 600w psu... okay I been up 23 hours.. need to get some rest.
I will eventually be overclocking so 600W is needed.
Yeah I jsut read another thread about raptor and im just gonna drop it entirely.
not going to heavy on sound card since i dont plan on getting a full set speaker, just 2 pathetic speaker I have currently with onboard and its suffice since im not doing much audio work

remember, that the quality of the psu is more important than it advertised outputs. take my rig in sig for instance, most people would recommend a 450W for it, but since antec makes good psus, the 350W is working fine and i can o/c if i want. i do agree you need some serious power, but just make sure to spend the $$$ on a good quality psu, like pc&p, enermax, seasonic

 

[xTYBALTx]

Here is the problem with your budget: the first $2000 will get you absolutely blistering performance - the best money can buy. The last $1000 (to make a $3000 total) will just add icing to the cake. So, from a cost/benefit perspective, it makes more sense to save that $1000 and upgrade your video card, RAM, and/or processor in six months time.

This perspective is enhanced further if you are comfortable with selling your used components once you upgrade. For example, you can get a 4800+ CPU for $1000 now, sell it in eight to ten months for $600, and purchase another $1000 top of the line CPU - with by then may have as many as four cores. Ditto for the video card.

Being experienced computer geeks, we are always going for the most efficient use of money. So, you say you have $3,000 to spend, we say spend $2000 or even $2300 now (with kickass monitor), and hold the rest back for future upgrades. That way, you'll get the most out of your money.

That said, here's my recommendation if you want to spend $3k:

Monitor: Dell 2005 $400
Mobo: MSI K8N Neo-4 Platinum $120
RAM: 2x1GB OCZ or Corsair Value $210
CPU: 4800+ $1000
Video: 7800GT $400
HDD1: 250GB Seagate 7200.8 $150
HDD2: 250GB Seagate 7200.8 $150
HDD3: 250GB Seagate 7200.8 $150
HDD4: 72GB Raptor $130 *Optional, I wouldn't get it myself, but you seemed to want it*
Sound Card: Creative X-Fi $120
Power Supply: PCP&C 510W SLI $200

For a cheaper solution, get a 4400+ chip, ditch either the Raptor or one of the Seagate HDDs, and bump down from a Creative X-Fi to a Chaintech sound card. You could also save $50 by going from the PCP&C to a Seasonic. These changes will save you $650. That's $650 that will not so much as add one iota of performance to your system.