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Budget Gaming Build!

C

Carl55

n00b
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
18
Been reading for 2 years now, finally I signed up...


WoW Gaming Rig

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
WoW + expansion later this year !, web browsing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
500-600$
3) Where do you live?
Bay Area – California (fry’s, microcenter, best buy)..I'm not a big fan of microcenter in santa clara..
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case, CPU, GPU, RAM, Motherboard, PSU, (HDD?)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Optical Drive, Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, (HDD?)
6) Will you be overclocking?
no
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22”
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
next few weeks/ august
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
***
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
Win7 Ultimate 64bit


I got 2X 320GB Western Digital HDD's from a Gateway FX7026 machine, can I use them in my new build ? IMG

CPU I'm considering so far: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808 PHENOM x4 955 - 159$

thanks.

Carl!
 
$270 - AMD Phenom II X4 945 CPU + ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$150 - Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 AMD 870 ATX Motherboard + G.skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$95 - Antec Neo Eco 620C 620W PSU + Antec VSK-2000 ATX Case
-------
Total: $515 plus tax and shipping

Do note that all of the above combo deals ends at the end of the month. Without those combo deals, the setup jumps to about $600 plus tax and shipping.

If you do happen to miss those combo deals, post back again and we'll try to setup another build for August. Oh and you can reuse those drives.
 
Thanks for your suggestion ! ;) awesome build

Should I go with this combo ?

$289 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition + ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5

the fan/heatsink on the ASUS 5770 looks kinda weird.
 
I wouldn't. The 200mhz isn't worth $20. You aren't overclocking so the BE doesn't change anything. And yeah it does have kind of a weird cooler.. haha
 
I would go with that 955. I agree that the extra 200 MHz ain't gonna make a difference but the unlocked multiplier will. I know you said you won't be overclocking but 6 months down the road you might get the bug. This way, if you do decide to try it, you've got a great proc to crank on. If not, you've still got a screaming fast quad core. So if you've got the $20 to spare, I say do it for the "just in case" factor.
 
Gym Rat said:
I would go with that 955. I agree that the extra 200 MHz ain't gonna make a difference but the unlocked multiplier will. I know you said you won't be overclocking but 6 months down the road you might get the bug. This way, if you do decide to try it, you've got a great proc to crank on. If not, you've still got a screaming fast quad core. So if you've got the $20 to spare, I say do it for the "just in case" factor.
Click to expand...

you sound as if you cant OC if the multi is locked.. Its still possible, just gets done differently is all.
 
Last edited:
Exactly, some would even agree that overclocking with the multi only is less efficient.
This IS a budget build, so any more money to save is good.
 
I really like Danny's build, except the case... :( any alternatives ?

thanks!
 
But of course! For $22 more than Danny build with free shipping. Dannys build is $515 + $12(shipping) makes it $527.

$549 build with $45 in MIR + $10 promo on PSU

ASUS EAH5770 1GB + AMD Phenom II 945 both for $269.98 ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432356

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 both for $149.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.443520

Antec Earthwatts EA650 for $79.99 ($15 MIR) + $10 off w/promo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Coolermaster Elite 335 for $49.99 ($10 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

Total: $549.94 w/shipping
 
bastage said:
you sound as if you cant OC if the multi is locked.. Its still possible, just gets done differently is all.
Click to expand...

Right, but it can be done easier and sometimes with less voltage with an unlocked multiplier cause it gives you more flexibility. Thats worth $20 IMO if he has it. If $20 it stretching his budget too far then I certainly agree that the 945 rig is a very stout rig.
 
Last edited:
Do NOT get that cooler master power supply. That antec 300 combo is decent but you could also just buy the rc690 II + corsair 400cx.
 
Is a corsair 400w PSU enough to run an asus 5770 + phenom 955 ? Sorry, this will be my first custom build.
 
Carl55 said:
Is a corsair 400w PSU enough to run an asus 5770 + phenom 955 ? Sorry, this will be my first custom build.
Click to expand...

That 400cx is an excellent PSU & should be enough for any CPU & any single GPU video card from ATI (wouldn't trust the nVidia 4x0 series with it other then the 460). The Neo 620 from danny's original post though although the case isn't that hot its an excellent buy & should leave you without any PSU concerns. And then if your really not that happy with the case later upgrade it when you are working off of a budget just for the case.
 
Last edited:
Carl55 said:
Is a corsair 400w PSU enough to run an asus 5770 + phenom 955 ? Sorry, this will be my first custom build.
Click to expand...

As bastage stated, it is sufficient. In fact, significantly more capable than that Cooler Master 500W that can barely handle 300W maximum under realistic conditions.
 
Thank you both &everyone else!

$289 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition + ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5
$150 - GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333
$95 - Antec Neo Eco 620C 620W PSU + Antec VSK-2000 ATX Case

Grand Total: $590.99

Last question: Should I stay with the asus 5770($289), or switch to a $294 SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 5770

Carl
 
Carl55 said:
Thank you both &everyone else!

$289 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition + ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5
$150 - GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333
$95 - Antec Neo Eco 620C 620W PSU + Antec VSK-2000 ATX Case

Grand Total: $590.99

Last question: Should I stay with the asus 5770($289), or switch to a $294 SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 5770

Carl
Click to expand...

Including the MIR the Vapor X is about 10 bucks more. Personally I would pay it. I am not a huge fan of asus video cards as in my experience they tend to be un-necessarily loud.
 
Doesnt list what the clocks are for the Vapor X. Gotta be careful you dont get one of those "energy saving" cards that just has slower clocks.

Looks like the only difference is what appears to be a better cooler on the Saphire. For $5, might be worth it.

**Edit

Actually looks like it is overclocked mildly at 860 MHz as opposed to 850 on the Asus. And it is a fancier cooler. So yeah, $5 is worth it. Id even pay $10.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10012332
 
I've had better luck Asus' customer support than with Sapphire's customer support.
 
Danny Bui said:
I've had better luck Asus' customer support than with Sapphire's customer support.
Click to expand...

I have never dealt with Sapphire's customer support, but I have had better luck getting Burger King to replace my Big Mac that I ordered with no onions then I did getting a straight answer out of Asus support about changing coolers & there warranty.
 
just a last note in support of Asus, I have 2 of them now, one nvidia and one ati flavour. Both cards are very well made, came with everything you would need. Their fan control and overclocking software is excellent. Give them a try you won't be disappointed.
 
the price for the vapor /955 combo went up from $294 to $305

guess I'll go with the asus then..
 
Wow!! its a beast..... thanks everyone!

But cable management is a nightmare.. :mad:

I'll post some pics tonight.
 
replace the white twisties with zipties, it's just too dangerous risking the exposed metal in those which could potentially connect with the motherboard and short something.

Congrats on the new system, it looks like a sweet rig.
 
The stock fan(CPU) goes up to 2500-3300rpm in idle. 4000-4800rpm while playing SC2... kinda noisy... :(
 
So after almost a year I still have the same build except I added a Vertex 2 60GB SSD as the main drive.

Now I think its time to upgrade my sapphire 5770 to a new card.

I don't need a highend GPU (like 6990,580...) but a mid-high end should be good enough for another year. Would a new GPU bottleneck my CPU ( 955 BE, stock )?

Current specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3
RAM: G.SKILL 2x2GB DDR3 1333
G.SKILL 2x4GB DDR3 1333 <-- found a great Black Friday Deal on SD, couldn't resist.
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1 GB DDR5 100283-3L
HDD: OCZ VERTEX2 60GB
Samsung F3 1TB
WD 320GB
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 620C 620W PSU
CASE: Antec VSK-2000 ATX Case

I plan on getting MW3, elders scrolls, diablo 3 when they are getting released.

1. Can anyone suggest a GPU below 200$ that fits in my case and is worth to upgrade ?
2. Is my CPU still good enough for upcoming games?
3. I am also looking for a new 24'' Monitor, but waiting for a good deal to come.

Thanks :)
 
1. Get the Asus HD 6870 (model EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5) from Amazon. (I'm not posting the link as Amazon links have been resulting in some crazy posts lately.)

2. The X4 955 BE should still be good enough for those upcoming games, but you can also overclock it. However, the DDR3 1333 RAM may limit how far you can push it.

3. Since you're looking for a "good deal," I can't help you on the monitor recommendation. When you find one that you like, let us know and we can generally tell you whether or not it's worth the money.
 
tiraides said:
1. Get the Asus HD 6870 (model EAH6870 DC/2DI2S/1GD5) from Amazon. (I'm not posting the link as Amazon links have been resulting in some crazy posts lately.)

2. The X4 955 BE should still be good enough for those upcoming games, but you can also overclock it. However, the DDR3 1333 RAM may limit how far you can push it.

3. Since you're looking for a "good deal," I can't help you on the monitor recommendation. When you find one that you like, let us know and we can generally tell you whether or not it's worth the money.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you know the size of the EAH6870 ? Can't find anything on the net. Curious if it would fit in my case.
 
1920x1080. For less than $200. Hdmi is a must have... but I have no idea what brand or model.

Carl
 
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