Upper-Mid-range Gaming Rig Guide

[crimson117]

Many people come here for rig-building advice, and Anandtech hasn't done a sub-$1000 gaming guide for a while.

So here's a nice recommended setup for around $870 AR. This should be a great overclocker and great gaming performer. Enjoy!

Summary:
Intel E3110/E8400, 4x1GB Ballistix DDR2-800, 750GB hard drive, MSI 8800GT (improved heatsink/fan), 20x DVD burner, Antec Sonata III Case w/500W Earthwatts PSU, ABIT IP35-E,

EDIT 3/31:
Removed Freezer 7 Pro CPU heatsink/fan - doesn't fit.
Added (might buy) something else...

Newegg Wish List

==============
The Body:

• Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
  $129.95 (shipped from newegg, then $30 MIR)
  or $105 at buy.com

==============
The Brawn:

• LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM
  $23.99 (note: I use IDE because I like keeping my SATA drive ports free for additional hard drives.)
  
• SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
  $139.99
  
• MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
  $219.99 ($189.99 after $30.00 Mail-in Rebate)

==============
The Brains:

• Intel Xeon E3110 (or Core 2 Duo E8400) 3.00GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache LGA775
  $200-$220 from Moogr.com or newegg or wherever you can find one in stock.
  
• ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
  $101 shipped (was $59.99 after $30.00 Mail-in Rebate, expired 3/31)
  
• Heatsink/fan... ??? ~$30
  
• 2x Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail
  $127.98 ($63.99 each, minus $25 each = $38.99 each = $77.98 AR)

==============

Total up front: ~$975 shipped
Total after rebates: ~$835 AR - note: some rebates expire 3/31/2008

Optional (if you don't have one to reuse):

• Windows OS license: Vista or XP ~$100.
• Ubuntu License: Free, but gaming on Linux can be lacking.

 

[crimson117]

I decided to actually buy this setup (got the E3110 from the Moorg.com hot deal for about $215 rush shipped

I'll post back with updates on how the build goes, perhaps with pix if I can slow down enough to take the time to photo-document the build

 

[richwenzel]

would go with the microcenter coolermaster 750 for $60 AR and get a different case.. can get a lot of nice cases for $60 or so...

would probably spend the $10 for a zerotherm, or only $5 more if you get the btf 90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835887012

would also say that if someone was looking for witcher or cyrsis, they could get a 8800gts on newegg for 220ish with a free game that would basically make it the same price as the 8800gt if you include the fact they would have to buy the game....

this one is $215 AR but comes with free witcher, for $5 more can get an OC from MSI with witcher, for $230 you can get an evga OC with crysis...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127323


for $10 more on the ram you can get 2x2gb mushkin 5-4-4-12....i think its better to go 2x2gb instead of using 4 slots...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

actually here is some geil for $69 with 5-4-4-12 that is 2x2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820144216

in fact there is a lot of name brand ram with good specs in sub $80 that is 2x2gb....

 

[secretanchitman]

nice system OP...you can also find deals on E8400s to get it like 10-20 bucks cheaper...and if you wanted to save more money, you could get 2GB instead of 4GB. i could go on and on, but really OP, AWESOME system!

*thumbs up*

 

[crimson117]

Thanks, richwenzel, some good alternatives there... let's hope the Ballistix works out (I'm seeing mixed reviews now after I placed the order, but *fingers crossed*). DDR2 is cheap enough to buy a different if I need to.

secretanchitmanm *high-five*! I'm psyched.... My most recent PC build is in my sig, and I paid something like $540 for the 4400+ back when they first came out, and ~$350 for the 6800GT!

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: crimson117
Thanks, richwenzel, some good alternatives there... let's hope the Ballistix works out (I'm seeing mixed reviews now after I placed the order, but *fingers crossed*). DDR2 is cheap enough to buy a different if I need to.

secretanchitmanm *high-five*! I'm psyched.... My most recent PC build is in my sig, and I paid something like $540 for the 4400+ back when they first came out, and ~$350 for the 6800GT!

hahaha i hear ya...now we can get 8800s and quad cores for less than $200 and memory? WTFHOLYBBQ for under $30 you can 2x1GB DDR2-800!

i love when new tech can be had for cheap.

 

[geokilla]

Nice guide crimson. I think I can make small improvements to that guide, but overall it's excellent.

Hope you can posts some reviews on how your new system will perform in new games and applications. But before you do that, please push your CPU to past 4Ghz.

hahaha i hear ya...now we can get 8800s and quad cores for less than $200 and memory? WTFHOLYBBQ for under $30 you can 2x1GB DDR2-800!

I still remember when I got my system, it had only 512MB RAM. I got another 512MB for around $60 CAD and then afterwards I got my 2GB Patriot set for $80. Couple weeks later, it dropped to $40. I hate it when the price of technology can change so much within just a few weeks.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Nice guide crimson. I think I can make small improvements to that guide, but overall it's excellent.

Like what? I'm open to suggestions!

Hope you can posts some reviews on how your new system will perform in new games and applications. But before you do that, please push your CPU to past 4Ghz.

I'll do my best... I do plan to OC this but I haven't overclocked anything since my mobile barton 2500+! I'll do my best to document everything.

I'll benchmark whatever I can. I could run 3Dmark etc but I don't really have many actual games (unless free demos work as benchmarks?). Last game I bought was The Orange Box.

 

[jdoggg12]

I got the mobo/cpu in that list recently- i got the chip up to 3.9Ghz without too much hassle, but i'm using stock cooling and i didnt like the temps i was seeing. So now i'm running it at 3.5Ghz. Core temp shows the max temps around 62C while running blended tests in Orthos.

 

[sutahz]

I wouldn't call this a mid-range rig, i'd call this pretty upper epsilon.
E8400, 4GB, 8800GT (which is easily arguably the best price to performance video card by a good length). What's mid-range about those 3 choices?

It's probably been asked before, but can you get 2 rebates on that RAM?

indeed, i mistyped

Yes, you'll need to fill out the form 2x and send in 1 original UPC from each package of 2x1 RAM (of course seperate envelopes as well).

I think I know where you're comming from calling $850 mid-range though. Not too long ago [like 5 or 6 yrs] you had to spend that much. In the US right now (and Canada too by and large?) you can build a good rig on the cheap.
2160($70) or 4500($120) (2MB is better for gaming, but if price is an issue).
8800GS ($110) (most ppl game at 1280x1024, and this video card is over sufficient for that. Not bad at 1680x1050 either I'm guessing. Havent scrutenized benchmarks as I'm not in the market for a video card).
4GB ($68 or $74, 2x2GB) if you want to spend a bit more, 2GB ($40, 2x1GB) if you're on a budget.

I used newegg prices only. Perhaps better deals can be found.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: sutahz
I wouldn't call this a mid-range rig, i'd call this pretty upper epsilon.
E8400, 4GB, 8800GT (which is easily arguably the best price to performance video card by a good length). What's mid-range about those 3 choices?

Well, I guess I considered ~$850 to be a mid-range price. But now that I think about it it's not so mid-range, especially since I didn't include a monitor or OS or mouse/keyboard in the price, which would bring it closer to $1100.

Perhaps beyond price, I called it mid-range gaming because it doesn't skimp on anything feature-wise, but it doesn't go overboard (no SLI, no 9800 GX2), and it certainly doesn't overspend (I hope!). Great discount on a P35 mobo, great deal on RAM (I hope), cheap but extremely powerful and quiet third party heatsink, OC'd and improved heatsink on a 512mb 8800GT for less money than most stock speed/stock heatsink 8800GT's, sweet deal on a case/psu (my original plan included a $100+ case and a $140 PSU)

Also I think you meant echelon and not epsilon

It's probably been asked before, but can you get 2 rebates on that RAM?

I really hope so... from the rebate form:

To receive your rebate check by mail follow these 4 conditions of acceptance:
1) Purchase the Qualifying Product(s) during the Promotion Date range listed in the top left corner.
2) Remove the Original UPC Barcode from the Qualifying Product packaging. Copies of the UPC do not qualify.
3) Complete all information requested on this form accurately and legibly. Limit (2) two rebates per product per address, except where prohibited by law.
4) Mail the Original UPC, a copy of your receipt with purchase circled and this completed offer form to the address below.

I'm trying to figure out exactly how to do this - I think I need to send in the form twice, once for each physical UPC cut from each RAM's packaging, and each with a copy of the receipt.

I'm almost hoping the RAM doesn't post so I can return it and get a single 2x2GB kit for a similar price. But worst case, I'm only out $25 from getting just 1 of the 2 rebates.

 

[chinaman1472]

2x2GB is a better choice isn't it?

Overall, this is either a upper mid range or a lower high end PC. Solid build.

 

[razor2025]

Here's my recent mid-range gaming PC:

Antec 900 - $60 AR
E2160 @ 3.2gzh (9x333) - $60
Stock Intel Copper Cooler leftover when I had E6420 - Free
4x1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 - $70 AR
ABIT IP35-E - $60AR
XFX 9600GT - $130AR
Left over DL Burner - $30 if new
Left over 250GB Seagate SATA - $60 if new
Antec NeoHE 550 - $60 on sale a year ago

Total without rebates would be - $690
After rebate - $530

So for about $500, I have a pretty good gaming rig that can handle Crysis at 1920x1200 in medium setting without too much trouble. E8400 is nice (I had it, and sold it at cost), but in order to take advantage of a E8400 @ 4ghz, you'd have to pair it with 9800X2 to wring out the performance gain. I usually go for best-bang-for-buck.

Rule of thumb for mid-range gaming PC is:

- Cheap CPU that can OC easily. More cache is better, but it gaming likes mhz more.
- GPU under $200. There's really no need to blow more than $200 on GPU for mid-range.
- Buy a good case and PSU. A good case & PSU combo will have immense residual value, since it will support your future upgrade down the road. You don't have to splurge on a $100 PSU, unless your future upgrades will be high-end stuff. A decent 400 watt PSU from 2-3 years ago is more than capable of supporting my mid-range setup.

Oh and, get as much DDR2 as you can. This is the cheapest it'll get. Once DDR3 makes it mainstream, DDR2 will follow the same fate as DDR, and pricing will shoot up.

 

[razor2025]

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
2x2GB is a better choice isn't it?

Overall, this is either a upper mid range or a lower high end PC. Solid build.

2x2GB doesn't really make sense to me. If you want to max out your RAM, even if it's for future, you should go 4x2GB instead. DDR2 is only going to be more expensive in the future. If you just want 4GB and move to DDR3 1-2 years down the road, just do 4x1. It's cheaper to get 1GB sticks and they allow for tighter timings.

 

[crimson117]

Good choices to cut down the budget, although you do sacrifice a bit - namely processor max OC, graphics performance (but really not much worse), and hard drive space, which is easy enough to add more next paycheck

 

[geokilla]

Since I live in Canada, I'd go with something like this:

Intel Xeon E3110 Dual Core Processor LGA775 3.0GHZ Wolfdale 1333FSB 6MB Retail - $219.98

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard - $89.99

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 EPP Dual Channel Memory Kit - $73.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive - $95.99

XFX GeForce 8800GT XT 512MB 640MHZ 1.9GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out DIRECTX10 Video Card - $179.99

Samsung SH-S203B Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 18X/12X INT DVD Writer OEM W/ Vista SW - $27.99

Coolermaster Centurion 590 ATX Tower Case Black 9X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT - $65.98

Scythe Katana 2 CPU Cooler Heatpipe Heatsink LGA775 AM2 S478 S754 S939 S940 W/ 100MM 1500RPM Fan - $21.99

Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - $89.99

Total is $865.89. There is no shipping fee if you choose ground shipping.

The parts are all from NCIX. The price will fluctuate a bit since some items are sold at that specific price for only a limited amount of time. Eg. XFX 8800GT. Only 100 will be sold at $179.99.

You might be able to find cheaper prices at Tiger Direct and Canada Computers, but I'm sticking with NCIX just to make this simpler.

P.S. Some items have rebates.

 

[chinaman1472]

Originally posted by: razor2025

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
2x2GB is a better choice isn't it?

Overall, this is either a upper mid range or a lower high end PC. Solid build.

2x2GB doesn't really make sense to me. If you want to max out your RAM, even if it's for future, you should go 4x2GB instead. DDR2 is only going to be more expensive in the future. If you just want 4GB and move to DDR3 1-2 years down the road, just do 4x1. It's cheaper to get 1GB sticks and they allow for tighter timings.

I thought 4x1GB draws a bit more power and gives off a bit more heat doesn't it? Tighter timings seem to be more of a peace of mind or benchmarking thing (or price). I can't imagine the difference of 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 to be actually noticeable in real life application...

But yes, 4x1GB is cheaper.

 

[letired]

Personally, I felt with RAM so freaking cheap, why not just get 8gb. Of course, you have to run Vista x64 to take advantage of it, but I honestly couldn't be happier with my current just-built rig. (Well, maybe I could overclock some more...I just didn't have time to get it stable at 3.0ghz with only stock cooling...)

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
I can't imagine the difference of 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 to be actually noticeable in real life application...

Lowering the tRD memory latency when using an X48 mobo shows large performance gains in EVEREST benchmarks.

(edited for clarity based on replies)

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: letired
Personally, I felt with RAM so freaking cheap, why not just get 8gb.

I'd have to see how 8GB vs 4GB of ram affects overclocking (if at all). But otherwise yeah, ram is nice and cheap these days if you need it.

 

[chinaman1472]

Originally posted by: crimson117

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
I can't imagine the difference of 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 to be actually noticeable in real life application...

Actually, memory timings can make a big performance difference.

I must be blind, I can't find the page where it tests real world applications.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: chinaman1472

Originally posted by: crimson117

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
I can't imagine the difference of 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 to be actually noticeable in real life application...

Actually, memory timings can make a big performance difference.

I must be blind, I can't find the page where it tests real world applications.

Here are some EVEREST benchmarks. You can decide whether that's real-world enough or not - I agree that application benchmarks would be more telling for specific uses.

A user in the comments section asked the same question you're asking, and Gary replied:

Very enlightening article. The only thing missing are real world application tests showing the benefits in office applications, games (most important ), and encoding.

We will have full application benchmarks in the X48 roundup that Kris and Raja are working on. -Gary Key

That was 60+ days ago, and there's no X48 roundup in sight

 

[sutahz]

Originally posted by: crimson117

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
I can't imagine the difference of 4-4-4-12 vs 5-5-5-15 to be actually noticeable in real life application...

Actually, memory timings can make a big performance difference.

Useless, i went to page 7, Real-World Results: What Does a Lower tRD Really Provide?
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3208&p=7
and they show only synthetic benchmarks.... Thats like saying "yes your tires have 32psi and not 35psi, so you'll win this race for sure" or something else stupid. Bah, this has been discussed elsewhere and is not a discussion for this thread.

Oh wow, i should have gone to page 2 of this thread before posting. the original comment has alraedy been disected, even by the OP which I applaud.

 

[chinaman1472]

Yes, I saw the Everest benchmarks. They're as close as you can get to real world performance, without it being a real representation.

A 20% increase is a lot, but what does that mean exactly in real world performance? A 20% gain in some areas are negligible, while in other areas is a huge difference. Encoding a video 20% faster is something different than a 20% increase in FPS. How does the difference of reading 7.5MB/s and 9.2MB/s make a difference for any user? That my friend, is what I want to know.

The difference of 25 ns? Good luck convincing anyone 0.000000025 second faster is significant. I guess after a million or so of those, you've saved yourself a whopping second.

Benchmarks can only take you so far.

 

[axia55]

As an update to your original list, I bought the Antec Sonata III for $105.99 with free shipping from buy.com just last night. That will save another $25!