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Ideas for a decent Gaming computer on a $500 dollar budget?

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  #1  
Old 03-31-2006
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Indiana
Member since: Mar 2006, 11 posts
Ideas for a decent Gaming computer on a $500 dollar budget?

I currently have a 2 year old upgraded HP. The power supply is only 250w and the mobo only has PCI slots. I know very well this will not work for gaming. I have saved up about 500 and I would like your imput on a Processor, Mobo, and Case.

I already have my RAM (1 gig pc3200) and HDD. (160 gig 7200RPM IDE 100).

I was thinking a 939 socket AMD processor, but I am not sure how fast I need it to be. And what kind of video card could I afford under such money restrictions?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Conor
  #2  
Old 03-31-2006
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Member since: Feb 2005, 17 posts
in wich currency are we using. if uts usd then i suggest getting a 6600 gt on a asus mobo- a8v or sumthin like that- pick up some case w/ a 400+ psu included- and u got urself a cheap pc. oh and i forgot cpu. 3200+ amd 939 soccet. 3000+ is cheaper but it kinda isnt as great as i'd hoped.


check out newegg for pricing

Last edited by XApemanX; 03-31-2006 at 01:14 AM..
  #3  
Old 03-31-2006
CrossFire851's Avatar
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Location: Cali
Member since: Oct 2005, 1,058 posts
Do you like overclocking because if you do you can make a very nice system thats overclocked for $$500.


Please reply I want to help!!


Best Of Luck
  #4  
Old 03-31-2006
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Indiana
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I haven't had much experience with oc'ing. But I would be mroe than happy to.

What are your ideas?
  #5  
Old 03-31-2006
Akifuddin's Avatar
TechSpot Enthusiast
 
Member since: Jan 2006, 150 posts
AMD 3200+ s939
6800GS PCi-e
Asus A8N-E

And other parts you choose.
  #6  
Old 03-31-2006
TechSpot Enthusiast
 
Member since: Aug 2005, 198 posts
well u can get cheap but good parts with that money, if i were u a 939 mobo wud work, amd 3200 of course a psu of 400 watts or more and if u have any left over get a video carrd in the price range
  #7  
Old 04-01-2006
twite's Avatar
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Location: Tucson, AZ
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i would get the 7600
  #8  
Old 04-01-2006
CrossFire851's Avatar
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Location: Cali
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You need a case.

go here to find a nice one http://www.newegg.com.com ( and the other parts suggested)


But like I said overclocking. The 3800 needs to be overclocked
*2.3ghz is good*

Last edited by CrossFire851; 04-01-2006 at 03:20 AM..
  #9  
Old 04-01-2006
sjps220's Avatar
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Location: Canada
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I'd wonder about the antec sonata II for the case. It's $94.99 on newegg and it comes with an antec 450W ps. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and it comes with a quality power supply.
  #10  
Old 04-01-2006
CrossFire851's Avatar
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For about $100 bucks it's a nice black case, but if you did want a want a case thats more eye appealing theres lots in the 100 dollar range.


Your choice of course.


Best of luck
  #11  
Old 04-01-2006
CrossFire851's Avatar
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132

From my experiance with a few dozen cases, this is the most noobafied, easy to use case.
  #12  
Old 04-01-2006
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Indiana
Member since: Mar 2006, 11 posts
The 3800 cost too much, so does that "noobafied" case.

But here's what I was thinking..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811145047 $45.
It's very cheap.

and putting in this mobo...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813187013 $80
It's got the NForce 4 Sli Chipset, Supports SLI, and 4 gigs of RAM

with this Processor...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539 $213
It's speedy and maybe in the future I could add a fan and Overclock

and a video card..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130283 $180
It's a 7600, and in the future I could buy another one and put them in SLI. Not to mention the 15 dollar rebate.
or..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130267 $185.
6800GS?
and as much as I despise ATI..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161165 $165
x800?


By the way, all my prices include shipping. And the total is around$508-528 US, how does this sound?

Conor.
  #13  
Old 04-02-2006
CrossFire851's Avatar
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Go with the 7600. I think you will have fun!! Athough many people say that the stock PSUs are horrible.
  #14  
Old 04-02-2006
DonNagual's Avatar
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Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjps220
I'd wonder about the antec sonata II for the case. It's $94.99 on newegg and it comes with an antec 450W ps. It's nothing fancy, but it's cheap and it comes with a quality power supply.
I disagree that it is nothing fancy.

It isn't a pimp-case like I see so many people choosing but it is a VERY good looking case. The pics on newegg don't do it justice. It is a high gloss black finish, and it's extremely elegant.

I guess it's a matter of taste. For me, a case that looks like a pinball machine doesn't do anything for me. puke:

I don't think there is a better value case on the net these days. Not only its good looks but a quality 450w psu included at around $100. Sweet deal.
  #15  
Old 04-02-2006
DonNagual's Avatar
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Location: Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by astoriaandme
But here's what I was thinking..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811145047 $45.
It's very cheap.
The psu in your case is (arguably) the most important part. It is what will be pumping the blood through all your expensive parts listed above. Why pump your nice new parts with crappy juice, and put them at HIGH risk of being fried (or best case, simply not running well)?

Do yourself a favor and get a decent PSU. It's important. Heck, $50 for a PSU that will protect your other parts ain't a bad investment at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954
  #16  
Old 04-02-2006
sjps220's Avatar
TechSpot Member
 
Location: Canada
Member since: Jan 2006, 129 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonNagual
I disagree that it is nothing fancy.
It isn't a pimp-case like I see so many people choosing but it is a VERY good looking case. The pics on newegg don't do it justice. It is a high gloss black finish, and it's extremely elegant.

I guess it's a matter of taste. For me, a case that looks like a pinball machine doesn't do anything for me.

I don't think there is a better value case on the net these days. Not only its good looks but a quality 450w psu included at around $100. Sweet deal.
No I feel the same way, don't get me wrong. I just feel like most people out there are looking for something flashier when they build a new comp. I got an enermax case and powersupply seperately when I built my computer and then I put together a computer for someone else and they got this case and I was so jealous of it. It has a great powersupply, is built very well, and it cost them a lot less than my case and ps. It also looks quite nice.

My only complaint was that there didn't seem to be anything supporting the front panel audio jacks etc.

I definitely agree on the value side of things. It's hard to find a better deal than this.
  #17  
Old 04-02-2006
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Location: Indiana
Member since: Mar 2006, 11 posts
I would love to be able to afford that case. It's is nice, but sadly I don't have the money for it. I did find another one that looks decent.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144042

What do you guys think?
  #18  
Old 04-02-2006
DonNagual's Avatar
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Location: Canada
Member since: Apr 2004, 3,495 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by astoriaandme
I would love to be able to afford that case. It's is nice, but sadly I don't have the money for it. I did find another one that looks decent.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144042

What do you guys think?
The problem is not the cases you are choosing, the problem is the PSUs that are included with the cases. There are a very few exceptions, but in general PSUs that come with cases are very low quality. That aspire PSU is better than the first one you were looking at however.

Still, Aspire is a company that is known to make questionable PSUs. They seem to be a great case maker (since many people choose them).

If you like the case, buy it, take the PSU out and put a quality one in for an extra $50. That's what I'd do, even if it meant cutting back on some other parts.
  #19  
Old 04-02-2006
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Indiana
Member since: Mar 2006, 11 posts
Hmmm, ok. I'm sure what to do about this one. Can someone help me find a good case/psu that supports SLI then?
  #20  
Old 04-04-2006
Ural_'s Avatar
TechSpot Member
 
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Member since: Jan 2006, 109 posts
System specs
Ive heard many bad things about Sli, think it out a bit more
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