Gaming PC build

vampire2512

Posts: 18   +0
I'm, for the first time, building a decent gaming PC at a low budget. I'm going to buy these one at a time. I'm not really sure how to check compatibility and have them all add up while keeping my budget. Here's my huge list:

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ORIGINAL SPECS
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Total Computer Power Volts: 100-127 Volts
OS: Windows XP Home Edition SP2 2002
Processor: AMD Sempron
Memory/RAM: 512 MB
Monitor: HP Pavilion MX75 w/ Microphone Hub


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------------------------------------------
SPECS AS OF 7/20/12-7/27/12 ESTIMATED
------------------------------------------

[[This was just to get started.]]

OS: Windows XP Home Edition SP2 2002
Graphics CARD: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Graphics CARD Display Mode: 32 bit 60Hz
Graphics CARD Total Memory: 64 MB
Memory/RAM: 640 MB
Monitor: HP Pavilion MX75 w/ Microphone Hub


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NEW SPECS WANTED BELOW
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POWER SUPPLIES
------------------------------------------


Coolmax CTI-700B
http://www.amazon.com/Coolmax-Dual-Fan-Power-Supply-CTI-700B/dp/B001E01DDS
Dual-Fan
700 Watts (Whoa. ._.)
More than $40, BEST DEAL FOUND, Normal: $70


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HARD DRIVES
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Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL004
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ST1500DL004-R
Refurbished
1.5 Terabyte (1.5TB)
SATA/300
5400RPM
32MB Buffer
+5 To +12 Volts
$65, Best Deal Found

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OR
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Samsung EcoGreen HD103SI
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=HD103SI-NDW-R&cpc=RESX
Refurbished
1 Terabyte (1TB)
SATA/300
5200RPM
32MB Buffer
12 Volts
$64
16 GB per $1


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CD-ROM DRIVES
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NONE


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PROCESSORS
------------------------------------------


AMD Athlon II X2 255
http://www.outletpc.com/rn9499.html
3.1 GHz
Dual-Core
65 Watts
$50, Best Deal Found (Worth it) Normal: Over $75


------------------------------------------
OR
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Intel Celeron G540
Dual-Core
http://www.techbargains.com/catsearch.cfm/0_2_4
2.5GHz
LGA1155
Retail
$37.79, Normal: Over $45
[[EXPIRED]]


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VIDEO GRAPHICS CARDS

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ATI Radeon 2400 XT (Qty. 8! ._.)
www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-8-ATI-Radeon-2400XT-256MB-PCIe-DDR2-Video-Graphics-Card-B276-/160851893788?pt=PCC_Video-TV-Cards&hash=item2573851e1c#ht_3878wt_1037
256 MB
Used
PCIe (Use PCIe to 2 VGAs splitter! =) )
DDR2
$20, AUCTION
3.3 volts
[[EXPIRED]]


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OR
------------------------------------------


EVGA Brand NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
1GB
DDR3
VGA
PCIe
HDMI
New
$36, BEST DEAL FOUND
Fast and Free Shipping
71 watts


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RAM CARDS
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G.SKILL Sniper (Qty. 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
8 GB Total
Blah Blah Blah
$40 total
Free 2-day shipping
List Price $80!
BEST DEAL EVAR


------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


Corsair Vengeance (Qty. 2)
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_c
8 GB
Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD Platforms SDRAM CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 (Processor is AMD. c:)
$40 total
List Price $140
Supposedly faster than G.SKILL


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------------------------------------------
MOTHERBOARDS
------------------------------------------


[[Any that are compatible with this stuff that's the best under $70]]
[[Motherboard doesn't need onboard graphics chip or processor.]]
[[2-4 memory slots, etc]]


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CASES
------------------------------------------


Rosewill R363-M-BK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147099
Black
Ultra High Gloss Finished
MicroATX Computer Case
400W ATX 2.2 12V Power Supply
(Possibly replace power supply with 700w if it fits)

------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


[[Any case that's compatible that looks nice under $60]]


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
OTHER
------------------------------------------


TRIPP Lite VGA Splitter
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120612&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
1 ft.
PCIe to 2 x VGA
$16


Masscool 5T568S1H3 Socket AM3/AM2
Processor Fan / Heatsink
$6.87
3-pin connector
http://www.outletpc.com/c1930.html


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
 
I've been updating it. Here's the updated list.

------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL SPECS
------------------------------------------


Total Computer Power Volts: 100-127 Volts
OS: Windows XP Home Edition SP2 2002
Processor: AMD Sempron
Memory/RAM: 512 MB
Monitor: HP Pavilion MX75 w/ Microphone Hub


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
SPECS AS OF 7/20/12-7/27/12 ESTIMATED
------------------------------------------

[[This was just to get started.]]

OS: Windows XP Home Edition SP2 2002
Graphics CARD: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
Graphics CARD Display Mode: 32 bit 60Hz
Graphics CARD Total Memory: 64 MB
Memory/RAM: 640 MB
Monitor: HP Pavilion MX75 w/ Microphone Hub


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
NEW SPECS WANTED BELOW
------------------------------------------
POWER SUPPLIES
------------------------------------------


Coolmax CTI-700B
http://www.amazon.com/Coolmax-Dual-Fan-Power-Supply-CTI-700B/dp/B001E01DDS
Dual-Fan
700 Watts (Whoa. ._.)
More than $40, BEST DEAL FOUND, Normal: $70


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
HARD DRIVES
------------------------------------------


Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL004
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ST1500DL004-R
Refurbished
1.5 Terabyte (1.5TB)
SATA/300
5400RPM
32MB Buffer
+5 To +12 Volts
$65, Best Deal Found

-------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


Samsung EcoGreen HD103SI
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=HD103SI-NDW-R&cpc=RESX
Refurbished
1 Terabyte (1TB)
SATA/300
5200RPM
32MB Buffer
12 Volts
$64
16 GB per $1


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
CD-ROM DRIVES
------------------------------------------


NONE


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
PROCESSORS
------------------------------------------


AMD Athlon II X2 255
http://www.outletpc.com/rn9499.html
3.1 GHz
Dual-Core
65 Watts
$50, Best Deal Found (Worth it) Normal: Over $75


------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


Intel Celeron G540
Dual-Core
http://www.techbargains.com/catsearch.cfm/0_2_4
2.5GHz
LGA1155
Retail
$37.79, Normal: Over $45
[[EXPIRED]]


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
VIDEO GRAPHICS CARDS

------------------------------------------


[FONT=arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=arial]ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=7120468000G-CO&cat=VCD[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]DUAL-GPU![/FONT]
[FONT=arial]1GB[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]DDR3[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]PCIe[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]Dual DVI[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]TV-Out & HDCP Support[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]$60[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]Supposedly faster than NVIDIA![/FONT]
[FONT=arial]New[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]Needs 550 watt or greater power supply
Up to 110 watts[/FONT]




------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


EVGA Brand NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
1GB
DDR3
VGA
PCIe
HDMI
New
$36, BEST DEAL FOUND
Fast and Free Shipping
71 watts


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
RAM CARDS
------------------------------------------


G.SKILL Sniper (Qty. 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
8 GB Total
Blah Blah Blah
$40 total
Free 2-day shipping
List Price $80!
BEST DEAL EVAR


------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


Corsair Vengeance (Qty. 2)
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Venge...3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_c
8 GB
Compatible with Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and AMD Platforms SDRAM CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 (Processor is AMD. c:)
$40 total
List Price $140
Supposedly faster than G.SKILL


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
MOTHERBOARDS
------------------------------------------


[[Any that are compatible with this stuff that's the best under $70]]
[[Motherboard doesn't need onboard graphics chip or processor.]]
[[2-4 memory slots, etc]]


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
CASES
------------------------------------------


Rosewill R363-M-BK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147099
Black
Ultra High Gloss Finished
MicroATX Computer Case
400W ATX 2.2 12V Power Supply
(Possibly replace power supply with 700w if it fits)

------------------------------------------
OR
------------------------------------------


[[Any case that's compatible that looks nice under $70]]


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
OTHER
------------------------------------------


TRIPP Lite VGA Splitter
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120612&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
1 ft.
PCIe to 2 x VGA
$16


Masscool 5T568S1H3 Socket AM3/AM2
Processor Fan / Heatsink
$6.87
3-pin connector
http://www.outletpc.com/c1930.html


------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
 
I'm not sure why you would be using the "TRIPP Lite VGA Splitter". It would only duplicate the screen on two monitors. If you are looking to span your desktop across two monitors, you would be better off getting a GPU that supports two monitors.

The CPU and GPU selection is far from what many people classify as a gaming rig. The GPU's alone are old school and use more electricity than they are good for. Not only was the 8400 considered a low-end gaming card for its day, it is currently not considered a gaming card at all for todays game titles. You should at least pick out a graphics card from the last few generations. The Radeon HD 5000/6000/7000, and Geforce 400/500/600 series.

Can you post the game titles and the resolutions you wish to play?
 
Multiple games. I'm not exactly sure. Plus, It's not supposed to be a gaming rig in other's views. It's supposed to support my personal uses. And yes, I don't need the VGA Splitter anymore. I posted that on there centuries ago. I did realize that the NVIDIA card wasn't very powerful, and yes I am aware of power consumption. Also, power consumption won't matter much due to the ps capabilities. The Radeon I have on the updated list has a dual GPU that supports two monitors. I will look further for more updated cards. Let me know if you have suggestions for a present day card under $80. Please let me know with compatibility (motherboard, etc) suggestions.
 
The video card looks like a great deal, and should be your first purchase; I doubt stocks will last.

As for the other parts, you could do better. Try this list for starters (I think it'd be within your total budget):
screenshot20121006at229.png
 
Thanks a lot. That processor was the one I was looking for. I saw on a review that I should get that one. I might need a more powerful power supply, such as 500/600 watts and fitting into the case. I love this case though. It's cheap, but nice.

By the way, that was very helpful. I can take pieces and fit them into a puzzle, as I would refer it.
 
Power supplies are standard sizes, so as long as you buy an ATX power supply, it will fit any ATX case.

As for higher wattage, you wouldn't really need it. The typical power draw you'll be seeing will probably be around 200W at peak, with averages of about 100-150W.

Lastly, the Coolmax power supplies are very low-end; not a good investment. Buying a good power supply is always a sound investment, since they're the heart of any system.
 
Thanks a lot. I actually never really knew what ATX means until now. That really helped. Thanks for the other suggestions. Can I get a motherboard without an onboard graphics chip so I can get a card instead?
 
That motherboard has a PCI Express slot, so you can still use a standalone graphics card in it. As soon as the motherboard detects a video card in the slot, it'll disable the onboard graphics automatically.
 
Awesome. Thanks. Then that means that the card (has 2 PCIe slots) and the motherboard (1) can work together aka 3 PCI Monitors? o.e

By the way, I saw AMD Phenom quad core 3.4GHz for about $80; not much more for another core, so I decided to go with this one.

I added up all of my categories with the greatest deals on my latest list, and it equaled to an impressive $346! My original addition added up to $517! I'm saving largely on a pretty good performance PC.

One more question. (spam, much? haha) Does the motherboard have an HDMI plugin or do I have to look for another card? :c
 
First off, edit your original post; a lot of posts just makes it a little harder to read. :)

The quad-core is purely your decision; go for it, but make sure it's compatible with the motherboard.

No, the graphics card has a PCI Express interface; the motherboard has a PCI Express slot. And no, the onboard graphics on the motherboard (NVIDIA GeForce 7025) will get disabled as soon as it detects that you've plugged in a graphics card into the PCI Express slot. So you cannot use them together.

And I've just rechecked specs on the 3870x2; it looks pretty power hungry, so that 400W PSU will not be a good idea after all. This one would be a better buy.

And yes, the card does support HDMI output with a cable like this one.
 
I looked on the product specs and it says it doesn't have an HDMI. Oh well, I have another TV thingamajig. Aha.
It says it has audio, but is it like speakers in the motherboard or plugin speakers?

What's the difference between a slot and an interface?
 
The black slot below is a PCI Express slot:
828.jpg


The connector at the bottom of this card below is the interface, which plugs into the slot:
gecube3.jpg
 
The reviews on the ps look good. So I should buy the case and just replace it with that? What am I supposed to do with the 400w one? Can I have the case sent without the ps? It doesn't say ATX either, so I don't think it's compatible.

Oh, I thought it was just called the video card plugin or something. I see what you mean now.

I just realized that the ATI Radeon 3870 X2 is a bit tall. Does it take up 2 slots or something?
 
The Rosewill PSU is an ATX one; check the Details tab on Newegg.

I don't quite know which 400W PSU you're referring to; the Thermaltake case doesn't come with one.

The 3870X2 fits into one slot, but it occupies the place of two slots on the motherboard. Referring to the picture of the PCI-Express slot, when you fit the 3870X2 there, although the connector would fit only into one slot, the cooler would occupy the space above the white slot closest to the black one, essentially blocking it.

And again, please edit your previous post if you need to add anything; this thread is getting cluttered.
 
Really? I thought the case came with a power supply. ._. And sorry about posting another. I'll edit this one. I just noticed, I do need the 630w ps. At the average most power consumption of the 3870X2 is 300w. o.e So when I fit the 3870X2 in the motherboard, is it going to fit or fit badly?
 
It will not fit badly in any way; it'll just take up a little more space. Most powerful graphics cards these days are similar in size.

To give you an idea of what it'd look like when installed, here's an example:
618-thermaltake-soprano-dx-review-19-20.jpg
 
Thanks for the picture. And thanks for the DVI to HDMI cord post. That was helpful as well. If you have any other suggestions, I'm still listening.
 
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