Building a gaming PC, budget $500. Help needed

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donkeybat64

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Budget: $500

Bought:

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16811129036

Considering:


Foxconn ELA LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186153

Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB - $99


Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 3MB L2 Cache - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206&Tpk=E7400

I already have ram, i am medium tech knowledge so if i can get some input from you guys about the motherboard that i am pick up. (maybe asus pq5 45)? and the HDD 1 TB, i can get cheaper but it would be either 16 mb or it would run at 5400 rpm.

So please, any tips and advice i would gladly take. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks a bunch.
 
Very good post! Possibly the best i've seen all month.

Foxconn ELA LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186153
Very good choice, but its actually $100, you can go for a gigabyte P43 for about $85 if your pressed for money. Asus P5Q and P5Q SE are very good boards, with a minor $2 price difference the last time i checked.

Everything looks good except I think it would be wiser to go for 4770, though that 4850 is ridiculously cheep. Are you in factoring mail in rebates? The 4770 is maybe the better deal.

Take a set of OCZ Vista Upgrade 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8002GK - Retail for $21,
or PNY Optima 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model MD4096KD2-667 - Retail at $37,
and for the power supply, an Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $70,
or a CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail at $75.

Do you know what OS you are using? This of couse, does not include a mouse, monitor, keyboard, speaker(s), or cd/dvd drive, and I haven't the time to add up all the prices.

I already have ram, i am medium tech knowledge so if i can get some input from you guys about the motherboard that i am pick up. (maybe asus pq5 45)? and the HDD 1 TB, i can get cheaper but it would be either 16 mb or it would run at 5400 rpm.
You should probably get the 7200rpm drive if possible, unless your power conscious.

EDIT: Found the time to link this $80 p43 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380 and this $96 p45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347.
 
might try this man
MB-ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 $96.99
cpu-Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $167.99
ram-PNY 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 $39.99
psu-Antec earthwatts 500W $69.99
HDD-Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB $74.99
DvD burner-SAMSUNG Black 22X $26.99

most of this will have free shipping which is a plus and it rounds out to be like $476 total. also i would have gone with the antec 300 case over the Antec Sonata and its cheaper. this should make a pretty nice gaming rig might want to stay with a 22" monitor to get good frame rates.
 
Thanks alot for your input guys, i did get a tb drive w/ 7200 rpm and 32 mb cache. heres the link.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB - $83
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007194

There is a 2% microsoft cash back if you are interested.

I think i mentioned before the case is already here and the 500 watt powersupply is included.
Thanks a lot guys ill post some pictures!

if you have any more input please tell. im almost there! ill be posting some stats about my computer in a week or so.
 
Budget: $500

Bought:


SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16811129036

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB - $82
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007194
AMD triple core 720 – combo ($219 CPU + MOBO)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=720%20amd
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard – combo ($219 CPU + MOBO)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

stupid shipping - $8

Total: $500 give or take 1 dollar...

Leftover: $0

This is 90% final, only thing i havent bought yet is the CPU and the MOBO, the cpu has 3 cores, but the fourth can be unlocked. If you have any suggestions before i pull the trigger, please do tell. Thanks guys!!!
 
I think i mentioned before the case is already here and the 500 watt powersupply is included.
Dunno if i would trust that power supply.

This is 90% final, only thing i havent bought yet is the CPU and the MOBO, the cpu has 3 cores, but the fourth can be unlocked. If you have any suggestions before i pull the trigger, please do tell. Thanks guys!!!
Yes, don't have any irreplaceable data on.
 
good call

Dunno if i would trust that power supply.


Yes, don't have any irreplaceable data on.

Yeah definitely, this is a gaming computer so everything i will either do on my laptop or my other family desktop computer. I have a 250 gig hdd external i backup everything on. Thanks.
 
The PSU is of superb quality, so no worries there hellokitty[hk]. It is actually an EA500, which is among the best PSUs in its price range, delivering fantastic efficiency and clean power without any major hiccups whatsoever.

@donkeybat64, your other parts look fantastic to me. Great job! :grinthumb
 
[quote='hellokitty[hk]
You should probably get the 7200rpm drive if possible, unless your power conscious.[/quote]

Are you sure he's not talking about a WD "Caviar Green", which is actually variable speed? I have no idea where or why you would even get a 5400RPM SATA 2 HDD.

We're not talking laptop here are we?

I must have missed something. Did we build 2 computers, and one with 2 motherboards in it.
 
Budget: $500

Bought:


AMD triple core 720 – combo ($219 CPU + MOBO)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=720%20amd

I recommend not going for this processor just because it is triple/quad core. Very very few applications actually use all four cores effectively. It's cheaper to get $120 processor and $70-$100 mobo in my opinion.

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I personally like the E7xxx series and the p45/p43 motherboard, but the triple core is suitable too, and AM2 or AM3 will provide better upgrade options in the far future, p45, socket 775 is already a generation ago, Intel should be throwing in another socket with the p55 and corei5's.
 
Intel pisses me off cause they do that all the time make a new socket so you have to buy new stuff man its aggravating. i have the e7400 in my wifes computer and it is setting at a nice sound 3.6ghz which i think is nice on a crappy air cooler.
 
Intel pisses me off cause they do that all the time make a new socket so you have to buy new stuff man its aggravating. i have the e7400 in my wifes computer and it is setting at a nice sound 3.6ghz which i think is nice on a crappy air cooler.

I don't think they make a new socket for profit. I mean they ARE changing their technology from FSB to QPI. With new technologies, you have to accept hardware changes. Plus, its not like they're FORCING you to upgrade. good choice with e7400, though.
 
vanguardfox said:
I recommend not going for this processor just because it is triple/quad core. Very very few applications actually use all four cores effectively. It's cheaper to get $120 processor and $70-$100 mobo in my opinion.
True, but it is possible to easily unlock the one disabled core on the CPU to effectively have a Phenom II X4 920. Also, being a Phenom II, it is on par with Intel's Core 2 line, and this particular CPU being a Black Edition means OCing will be a piece of cake with the unlocked multiplier, should the OP wish to OC at all.
 
I recommend not going for this processor just because it is triple/quad core. Very very few applications actually use all four cores effectively. It's cheaper to get $120 processor and $70-$100 mobo in my opinion.
i compared the amd phenom 720 tricore vs the core two duo e8400 and these two processors are very close performance wise. Price wise, the tri cored phenom 720 is a lot cheaper. and the unlockable* (YMMV) 4th core comes in handy in the future.

Here is a chart, its in german, but we all speak numbers.
http://plaza.fi/s/f/editor/images...678056.png

Another reason i picked the 720 instead of the 8400 is the overclockability, the 720 has an unlocked multiplyer and an unlockable 4th core* (YMMV).

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchips...i=3512&p=9

Here is a link for gaming performance.
There is a common misconception of the quad cores vs core two duos. Performance is the same if not better than the core two duos. Seen alot of charts.

Overall my main reason was the price, efficiency, and future.
 
I don't think they make a new socket for profit. I mean they ARE changing their technology from FSB to QPI. With new technologies, you have to accept hardware changes. Plus, its not like they're FORCING you to upgrade. good choice with e7400, though.
Yes it is necessary for the QPI, but having the $200 - $300+ 1336 for corei7 and a separate 1116 (sorry i forgot the numbers) for core i5 isn't.

Yes the 720 and E7400 are very close, it doesn't matter too much which one you end up choosing.
 
just to let you know the e8400 will clock way higher than the 720 you have picked from 3ghz to 4ghz on air cooling
 
just to let you know the e8400 will clock way higher than the 720 you have picked from 3ghz to 4ghz on air cooling

There is no better way to put this, the e8400 platform is dying, in a few years a e8400 user will have to invest in a new motherboard.

socket 775 vs am3:
socket 775 is on its way out.
am3 has just been released.

Im investing in the future.

most sites say overclocking 720 be to ~3.8 stable, good enough for me
 
donkeybat64 said:
There is no better way to put this, the e8400 platform is dying, in a few years a e8400 user will have to invest in a new motherboard.
Not at all. Memory access speeds are unable to keep up with the advances in microprocessor technology. That coupled with the fact that not everyone can afford shelling out $500-600 for a CPU, motherboard and RAM alone, makes Socket 775 much more viable for Intel.

But still, the 720BE should be as great an OCer as the Intel chip, owing to the fact that both are 45nm chips.
 
But still, the 720BE should be as great an OCer as the Intel chip, owing to the fact that both are 45nm chips.

yeah... hopefully i get the batch that allows the fourth core to be unlocked successfully.

This is my motherboard, according the the gigabyte site, it says there is a bios that allows the acc to be turned off and thus unlocking the forth core.

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=3038#anchor_os
link to bios

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218811&page=1
Link to the 4th core

http://bayimg.com/FaNAPAabM
Prime 95 test

if i can unlock the 720's 4th core, this cpu will be a very worthy investment indeed.
 
Ok, great news. i just finished building my computer after five hours of painstaking work. i nearly pissed my pants and cried when i saw the motherboard didnt fit, luckaly i managed to squeeze that atx board into my midtower case, phew.

Then i had another scare when i could not figure out how to put the dvd burner in, i finally figured out how, it was soo easy, i put the gliders on backwards. :( But in the process of doing that i scratched my arm and my hand (bleeding)

Finally, i put everything together, turned it on, and saw nothing but black, then i realized that it was because i did not put the 4 pin power supply into the 8 pin cpu power ( silly me). i was so scared when the screen was black.

But i plugged the 4 pin in, and there it was, the bios. great success.

thx all.

ill see if i can get some benchmarks and some pictures next week.
 
Yea, it would be great to see some data. What games do you play. If you happen to play WoW, could you post what FPS you are running while you play? Also, It would be great if you could make a comprehensive list of all the componets.

Reason being, I am also looking into building my own custom gaming rig, and after looking though the forums, your post seems to be the most up-to-date and you seem to have had a lot of success.

Thanks, and congrats on your rig
 
update, specs, games, performance

Here are my index scores for my new computer:

Processor-6.7 AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE Black Edition AM3 CPU :)

RAM-5.5 OZC 2gig ddr800 :( need ddr2 1066!

Graphics-6.5 4850 Sapphire w/ hdmi :)

Gaming graphics-6.5 4850 Sapphire w/ hdmi

Primary hard disk-5.9 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive :( dono why, no raid maybe?

All scores max 7.9, which is insane... but this is pretty ****ing good for $500



I just finished building my computer two days ago and i have installed five games.
I have not ran benchmarks yet, how ever i have played each other them extensively. here's what i think about them performance wise.

Assasin's creed - max settings x2 antialiasing smooth, only hickups when lots of civilians in the streets. looks amazing 1920 1080

Rainbow Six Vegas 2- max everything, simply no lag what so ever, runs so fast there is verticle tearing, vsync.

World In Conflict-max, runs well. Runs well most of the game, some slowdowns during heavy fighting or a nuke blows up :)

Empire Total War-this game is hella demanding. runs land battles fine on max or high settings, lags on naval battles on max, runs ok on high, probably should play on medium - high on naval battles. looks ****ing great, hell of a game, looks like a ****ing movie.

Crysis-here's the big test...i installed the latest 1.2 patch for crysis its suppose to make it more playable, i didnt notice a big difference, textures are looking nicer tho. I can run this game on very high on everything on dx10 and it would be playable, but you should run it on medium - high for a smooth gameplay. Everything looks ****ing amazing... thats all i can say.

If i get some more time i might do some cpu and gpu benchmarks.

edit: as far as wow goes, you will be able to run WoW on the maximum possible setting with no lag, wow is a cartoonish game, it is not demanding at all..
 
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