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$600 Gaming PC?

86 5.0L

86 5.0L

Supreme [H]ardness
2FA
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
7,116
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, photo editing, lots of multi-tasking, coding
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
600-650 Max after taxes and shipping
3) Where do you live?
zipcode 92231
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
everything connected to the PSU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Antec P180 case, keyboard, mouse, and monitor
6) Will you be overclocking?
maybe, if its worth it
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I have a 17" which is fine for now but would like to upgrade to a 37" sometime for Xmas
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
next week
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
good stabability, good OCer, built-in wireless would be nice
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Vista Home Premium, will be going to 7 when it debuts


not sure what my options are, I dont have a problem with used/ebay, I was thinking something with an e8400 but not sure if its feasible nowadays

EDIT: maybe I can squeeze in i7 920 looking thru the FS section?
 
Last edited:
You could build an E8400 rig for ~$650 with your Antec P180.
i7? I don't think so... that's quite a steep budget, y'know.

However, you have to consider the future of the socket and LGA 775 is going no-where.
Dead. No more dual core LGA 775 processors. No more quad core. Kiss your socket goodbye!

Deneb (Phenom II X4, X3...) and its siblings are on par with E8400\Q8200 in the gaming department. Check [h]ard's very own benches on it. It's no i7, but hell, the option to upgrade is there.

If you had a LGA 775 motherboard already I'd suggest you drop one of the Q8xxx in there, I did something similar but dual core to smaller process dual core... but alas.

I'm sure some of our boys will chime in with recommended builds and parts.

Edit: Oh yeah, if you're going to get a 37" and plan to play media\games at that display's native resolution, prepare to pony up for a powerful GPU.
 
I see what your saying an love the idea of being able to upgrade, I wonder what a $600 AMD build would look like...

I had this sitting in my cart for now....

Core 2 Duo E8400 - $167.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Motherboard - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

G.Skill 4GB kit - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Asus HD4850 - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

Seasonic M12 700w - $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151031

Grand Total: $673.05
 
86 5.0L said:
I wonder what a $600 AMD build would look like...
Click to expand...

with a bit more room to upgrade in the future


AMD Phenom II X4 810 - $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 790GX HDMI - $139.99(This comes with onboard video, so I can skip the card for now and upgrade when I get the 37")
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 -1333 - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190

Seasonic M12 700w - $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151031

Grand Total: $575.56

EDIT: is the 940 worth the extra $20?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
 
Last edited:
 
^ yes, you are correct, oh and its a 17" LCD :p

I have doubts about that PSU and i7, the one review using an i7 said it burned after upgrading to i7

your build comes out to 699 after tax and shipping
 
Yossarian22 said:
Edit: Oh yeah, if you're going to get a 37" and plan to play media\games at that display's native resolution, prepare to pony up for a powerful GPU.
Click to expand...

37" probably means a 1080p television, in which case the popular recommendation for the last few months has been a gtx260 or 4890 1gig. But, probably no point in getting the video card until you get the monitor - just use whatever you have been using or get a super cheap hold-me-over.
 
im thinking getting a used PSU and a used 9400GT or 3650 till sept :cool: when I get another bonus check :D
 
Personally, I'll go with an AM3 build for that price...just for the upgradability
 
86 5.0L said:
with a bit more room to upgrade in the future


AMD Phenom II X4 810 - $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 790GX HDMI - $139.99(This comes with onboard video, so I can skip the card for now and upgrade when I get the 37")
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 -1333 - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190

Seasonic M12 700w - $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151031

Grand Total: $575.56

EDIT: is the 940 worth the extra $20?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
Click to expand...

i'd say this sounds the best, the quality PSU, and you still have $100 room for adding a video card of your choice.
 
That is seriously over priced powersupply for what he is buying. 400-500 watt powersupply would be more than enough.
 
Go with a system based on the AMD Phenom II, as you could get more for your money. But go with the following:

$240 - AMD Phenom II X4 940 & G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1066 combo deal (free shipping on both)
$110 - Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (free shipping)
$40 - Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB HDD (free shipping)
$80 - MSI 9600GT (free shipping & $10 mail-in rebate)
$80 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W PSU (free shipping)
=====
$625 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

The above setup would allow you to overclock right off the bat. It doesn't come with an onboard wireless adapter -- though you can find a wireless G card for under/around $20 -- but they're often more trouble than they're worth. Though the Xigmatek CPU cooler is optional, it cools better and runs quieter than the stock HSF, especially while overclocking.

The current batch of Phenom II processors don't gain any performance benefit from using DDR3 RAM. To save some money, I went with a board based off the AMD 790X chipset, which natively supports Phenom II processors, and DDR2 memory. The board and chipset have been recently released, so it's doubtful (though, admittedly, still possible) that you would be unable to upgrade the processor within the next 12-18 months. I also included the WD6401AALS, which is one of the best bang-for-your-buck HDDs around.

I went with a cheaper PSU that is on sale. If the need for modular cables isn't a must, I recommend you stick with the Antec EA650. It has more than enough power for any single-GPU video card. (Plus, I'm sure that you can find a way to "hide" the extra cables.)
 
Last edited:
This build by tiraides is the best and I would go with this for the price you are looking at. Really nice build actually.

tiraides said:
Go with a system based on the AMD Phenom II, as you could get more for your money. But go with the following:

$240 - AMD Phenom II X4 940 & G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1066 combo deal (free shipping on both)
$110 - Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P (free shipping)
$40 - Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB HDD (free shipping)
$80 - MSI 9600GT (free shipping & $10 mail-in rebate)
$80 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W PSU (free shipping)
=====
$625 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)
Click to expand...
 
HardwareGuru said:
This build by tiraides is the best and I would go with this for the price you are looking at. Really nice build actually.
Click to expand...

What? no combos to supplement tiraides good build?!? :p

I agree, tiraides' build is good.

lt_shiro's build isn't bad either, if you want an i7. It cuts a few corners, but what did you expect for such a low budget? The 500W Earthwatts is a good quality unit that won't melt with an i7. :rolleyes: 500W is all you'll need with the parts listed in his build, and thats with room to spare.
 
My Suggestions:
$260 (FS) (Coupon CPUOMG20) - Intel Core i7 920 Processor
$206 (FS) ($15MIR) - ASUS P6T SE X58 Motherboard
$51 (FS) ($15MIR) - OCZ 2X2GB DDR3-1600 RAM
$128 (FS) (Coupon SIZZLE15) - XFX ATI Radeon HD4870 1GB Video Card
$55 (FS) - Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Power Supply
---------------------------------------------
TOTAL: $700 - $30MIR = $670
---------------------------------------------
 
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As Marcus Fenix from GOW would say: "Let's do this!"

CPU/MOBO - AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE 3.2ghz Deneb + Asus M4A78 Plus AM3/AM2+/AM2 770 both for $310 ($10 MIR on mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198670

VIDEO/RAM - MSI Radeon HD 4830 + OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 both for $126 ($10 MIR on video card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197220

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31.49 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

PSU - Antec EA500 for $56 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

Total: $622.49 before shipping & taxes



enginurd said:
What? no combos to supplement tiraides good build?!? :p
Click to expand...
 
Good catch, HG. I'd forgotten that the optical drive was also needed.

86 5.0L: As for a wireless card, you can find one for under/around $20 provided that you have no desire for a "name brand" like Linksys or D-Link. For example, Zonet has the following available:

$13 - 802.11g PCI wireless adapter
$15 - 802.11g PCI wireless adapter with extended antenna
$23 - 802.11n PCI wireless adapter

However, YMMV with these "generic brand" adapters.

As for used parts, the easiest things for you to find used are video cards, memory, hard drives, and power supplies. The wireless card and optical drive can also be found used, but you'll have to do some searching. Considering how "new" the Phenom II series is, you may not be able to find a used processor. While you can find a used Core i7 920 and X58 motherboard, with all of the parts that you have to acquire, you may not be able to keep everything within your $650 limit. I suggest that, at the very least, you get the processor, motherboard, and power supply new. While I did mention that you could find a used PSU pretty easily, the majority of the used PSUs that I've found were either (over two years) old or unacceptable for my "standards" (basically, if it isn't positively reviewed by the [H], JonnyGURU, Anandtech, or Silent PC Review, I wouldn't recommend it).
 
Last edited:
tiraides build I think is still better. I like the mobo as well as the higher powered PSU in his build. When you get your 37" lcdtv, you would upgrade to a higher end video card later. The Antec EA500 psu will do for now. But, it will be cutting it close when you add in a higher end video card as well as o/c the cpu if you plan to.
 
The problem that I see is keeping everything under $650, and I don't know what the final shipping costs/taxes would add up to. In my build, I tried to minimize the number of parts that would have to be replaced in a potential upgrade, but if you add in the costs of a PCI wireless card and an optical drive, you would still have to cut a few corners.

The cost-reducing ideas that I can see -- again, adding the costs of HG's optical drive and the $13 wireless G card to my build -- would be to simply omit the CPU cooler and swap out the EA650 for the EA500. However, you'd then have to buy the Xigmatek and a stronger PSU around the same time that you buy the new monitor and video card.
 
Let's go with this

CPU/MOBO - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0ghz + ASUS M4A78-AM3/AM2+/AM2 both for $265
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198648

VIDEO/RAM - MSI radeon HD 4830 512MB + OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 both for $126 ($10 MIR on video card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197220

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31.49 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU - Antec EA500 for $56 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

WIRELESS CARD - Zonet 802.11g PCI wireless adapter for $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833130055

Total: $590.49 before shipping & taxes. He has about $60 to play with for the taxes & shipping cost
 
Another variation, same price as my previous build.

RAM/CPU - OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 + AMD Phenom II 920 2.8ghz both for $196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199948

VIDEO CARD/MOBO - Gigabyte Geforce 9800GT 512MB + Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P both for $195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.200091

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31.49 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU - Antec EA500 for $56 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

WIRELESS CARD - Zonet 802.11g PCI wireless adapter for $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833130055

Total: $590.49 before shipping & taxes. He has about $60 to play with for the taxes & shipping cost
 
This should make his $650 max budget with tax & shipping included

CPU/MOBO - AMD Phenom II 920 2.8ghz + BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX both for $245 ($10 MIR on mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.200063

VIDEO/RAM - MSI radeon HD 4830 512MB + OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 both for $126 ($10 MIR on video card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197220

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31.49 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU - Antec EA500 for $56 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

WIRELESS CARD - Zonet 802.11g PCI wireless adapter for $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833130055

Total: $570.49 before tax & shipping

I think you can afford to swap the Antec EA500 PSU for the Antec EA650 for $80. $24 more should bring your total to $594.49
 
Last edited:
Hehe... choices choices choices... the last one is good. I'd do the PSU swap, too, if possible (if within budget).
 
WOW! lots of combos listed here, I should mention I dont really need an optical drive, I have no use for one apart from installing vista and I can swap a dvd-rom drive from another pc, so again you guys are freaking awesome, now I cant choose :p
 
I like this build. I like the Gigabyte UD4P mobo over the BIOSTAR T-Force mobo because it already has the heatsink on the mosfets for cooling. Also, Biostars main PCI-E slot is the lower one which is strange. If you install your wireless pci card you're left with no PCI slots as most video cards nowdays take 2 slots. So, just remove the Samsung 22X DVD Burner and swap the Antec EA500 psu for the Antec EA650 for $80. The 9800GT despite it having older technology vs the Radeon HD4830, it trade blows in games and will do fine for his 17" lcd. Eventually you will upgrade your video card anyways.

Note: The build with the BIOSTAR T-Force mobo would come out $20 cheaper though at $570.49

HardwareGuru said:
Another variation, same price as my previous build.

RAM/CPU - OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 + AMD Phenom II 920 2.8ghz both for $196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199948

VIDEO CARD/MOBO - Gigabyte Geforce 9800GT 512MB + Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P both for $195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.200091

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31.49 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU - Antec EA650 for $80 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

WIRELESS CARD - Zonet 802.11g PCI wireless adapter for $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833130055

Total: $590.49 before shipping & taxes. He has about $60 to play with for the taxes & shipping cost
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
whats the future of 1366 look like? is it worth it? I can wait a few more weeks and gather abit more cash(100-200) for i7, I really want i7, am i crazy?
 
If you really want Core i7, I suggest saving up at least $300 more. You don't necessarily have to spend all of that money, but it would be a decent base to start from.

But if you really want to get a new computer right now, you have a few good ideas in this thread to work from.
 
tiraides said:
If you really want Core i7, I suggest saving up at least $300 more. You don't necessarily have to spend all of that money, but it would be a decent base to start from.

But if you really want to get a new computer right now, you have a few good ideas in this thread to work from.
Click to expand...

I need a new pc like now, but should I really go for i7? if I can get the basics, like a mobo and i7 920, and quality psu, I can live with 1-2GB of DDR3 and a low-end card and a spare hard drive until I can get the rest of the goods(12+GB of ram, 4890+, SSD, etc)
 
You could go piecemeal on a Core i7 build, but you don't really need over 12GB of RAM, a multi-card CF/SLI setup, or SSDs in order for your computer to do what you need it to do. If you don't focus on the benchmarks too much -- FYI, the Core i7 outperforms the Phenom II by 10% to 35%, depending on the benchmarks used -- you may find that the Phenom II would be more than enough of an improvement over whatever you were using before.

Since you need a computer, like, right now, I suggest that you focus on the now. With the Core i7, you'll be cutting quite a few corners to make things work, but with the Phenom II, you get a full system that you won't have to upgrade for a while. Keep that in consideration.
 
well guys, I bit the bullet and went for i7

i7 920 + 1GB DDR3-1333 from Amazon - $279.04
Flaming blade non-GTI from F/S section - $175
9600GSO from F/S section - $45
Antec 650w from newegg - $70.35

Grand Total : $569.39

not too shabby, in sept I'll upgrade the ram and video card
 
Again, you don't need 12GB of RAM, a multi-card CF/SLI setup, or an SSD to make this system any better than it already is. (Well, you do need more than 1GB of RAM, but you can find a decent 3x2GB kit for under $100.) Since you have all the time in the world (now that you've bought the major components), spend some more time at the FS forum looking for some deals.
 
tiraides said:
Again, you don't need 12GB of RAM, a multi-card CF/SLI setup, or an SSD to make this system any better than it already is. (Well, you do need more than 1GB of RAM, but you can find a decent 3x2GB kit for under $100.) Since you have all the time in the world (now that you've bought the major components), spend some more time at the FS forum looking for some deals.
Click to expand...

I dont NEED those things but it wouldnt be very [H] now would it? :p
 
My laptop is more [H] than you.

There's no point in spending all of that money if the parts don't offer much of a benefit (aside from e-peen, which also isn't [H]).
 
tiraides said:
My laptop is more [H] than you.

There's no point in spending all of that money if the parts don't offer much of a benefit (aside from e-peen, which also isn't [H]).
Click to expand...

then what is [H]?

hell I remember when a 1000Mhz CPU a GB of ram and a hard drive over 100GB was thought to be more then we'll ever need.

even further back 640kb was thought to be more then we would need

:D

BTW I was kidding on going all out, i was thinking of a nice 3x2 ram kit, 4890(or whatever in that price range by sept) and a 1TB HDD
 
86 5.0L said:
BTW I was kidding on going all out, i was thinking of a nice 3x2 ram kit, 4890(or whatever in that price range by sept) and a 1TB HDD
Click to expand...

Better. ;)

The point that I was trying to make was that you don't need the latest and greatest to have a good machine. But that's all that I'm going to say on the matter.

Revisit this thread when you're about to make your upgrades.
 
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