PC Build Request $700

[PantzMaster]

I am looking for a gaming rig that can run Crisis and Empie:Total War on high graphics settings with no lag. The only periphrial I have is a monitor, so I need a mouse, keyboard, and speakers. Also sorry if this is the wrong section as I am new here.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

So you are going to build it and order online and are in the US?
If you have a cd/dvd drive, or one from a neighborhood store, go ahead, look for brands like pioneer, my favorite . I estimate $25 - 30, anymore and your probably being ripped off.

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $102

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $59
OR
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM or even higher, if you need. $64

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G10664GK - Retail $48

ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $78

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail $99

SAPPHIRE 100269OCSR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - OC edition - Retail $199

You can go and choose from a list of cases on newegg, I will recommend the Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window - Retail at $99.

There is a rough build, we can cut some corners for a few extra dollars on higher end phericals if you want. Do you have an OS ready?

EDIT: WORK IN PROGRESS, I AM SAVING THIS AS I GO.

 

[PantzMaster]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I am in the US and I want to order the PC from online. And why did you only link a CPU, hard drive, and RAM.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Edit: Work in progress, i am saving this as i go.
Done.

 

[PantzMaster]

Ok thanks. I am still open for other builds as I want a variety of opinions.

 

[PantzMaster]

Oh and you forgot vista wich will cost another $100.

And you forgot an optical drive.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

If you have a cd/dvd drive, or one from a neighborhood store, go ahead, look for brands like pioneer, my favorite . I estimate $25 - 30, anymore and your probably being ripped off.

Newegg is out of stock of pioneer drives, those are the only brand drives I know that are reliable at the moment, maybe someone smarter than myself can help.

Do you know which harddrive and case you will go with?

Oh and you forgot vista wich will cost another $100.

In that case, maybe consider:
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G8004GK - Retail $42

SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $99
OR
POWERCOLOR AX4870 512MD5 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $125
OR
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $150.

 

[dmill89]

The phenon II X2 isn't bad but I'd go for the Phenom II triple core. (most applications that can use multiple cores top off preformance wise at 3 cores so the forth core is somewhat unnecessary unless you do alot of multi tasking.
Penom II X3 720 $119
I would reccomend a full ATX board for more upgradeibility.
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P $109
or if you want DDR3
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P $130
Memory
OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 $49 (If you get the DDR2 board)
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $71 (if you get the DDR3 board
Video
HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB $190
HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB $70(If you need more space it won't add much to the price. I'd pick the black over the SE16 since the black has double the cache)
Optical:

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW $27 (With Lightscribe)
Case: (any case with good airflow that you like and fits your components will work Here's a reccomendation)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 $50
(if you want a window it is avalible with one for an extra $10)
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 with window $60
Powersupply:
PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W $110
or
Antec EA750 750W $110

Alittle over but close $724 for the DDR2 config and no window, $776 with DDR3 and a window you can save a little (about $75)by going with a 4870 instead of a 4890
POWERCOLOR AX4870 $125

A keyboard and mouse can be what ever you want and will range from $10 for a verry basic set and over $100 for top of the line gameing periferals generally a decent set will run $30-50 with wireless devices costing a little more.

 

[dmill89]

Oh and you forgot vista wich will cost another $100.

I wouldn't buy vista now; windows 7 is only a few months away so I would run RC1 untill the final release.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

The phenom II 720 black edition at $120 is my favorite processor. It does ask for socket AM3 though, makes it even sexier when your budget is somewhere near $800 ^^.

 

[PantzMaster]

The athlon II X2 isn't bad but I'd go for the Phenom II triple core.

He suggested the Phenom II X2......

In any case, I think I will stick with your build. I will post this on a few more forums asking for advice and I will pm you with a finalized version. Thanks for the help everyone.

P.S.: I think I will use the Windows 7 RC1.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Try this alternative build:

• Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AMD 770 AM2+ ATX Motherboard - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 Triple-Core Processor - Retail - $99.99 + free shipping
• OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB)DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit - Retail - $49.99 ($39.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping
• HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4890 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card - Retail - $184.99 ($164 after $20 rebate) + free shipping
• Western Digital WD6401AALS Caviar Black 640GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Cache Hard Drive - OEM - $69.99 + free shipping
• LG GH22NP20 IDE DVD Burner Black - OEM - $29.99 + free shipping
• Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $99.99 ($79.99 after $20 rebate) + free shipping
• NZXT Beta Series CS-NT-BETA-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $49.99 ($39.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping

Grand Total = $650 approximately, not counting rebates. I would recommend buying a few case fans from your local computer store for the case. Too much cooling is never a bad thing IMO.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AMD 770 AM2+ ATX Motherboard - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 Triple-Core Processor - Retail - $99.99 + free shipping

I think the 710 is AM3, and the motherboard isn't.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

AM3 CPUs are backwards compatible with AM2+ motherboards. Check the CPU Support list here for confirmation.

 

[dmill89]

He suggested the Phenom II X2......

Sorry typo


And

for Rage 3k's motherboard reccomendation it will work but I wouldn't go with it. first off it is an older board with a slower southbridge and it may limit future upgradeability, the motherboard/cpu is the last place you want to skimp since it tends to be dificult to upgrade later(especially once you get a full version of windows). As for 710 vs. 720 that's just a matter of how fast you want, how much you want to spend, and weather anyone has a good deal on either one. If your budget is tight the best place to cut costs is the video card (once you go much below the $100 range preformance declines quickly) since it as an easy upgrade in the future.