Gaming system for $680

S

safehaven

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
224
I would like to build a gaming system for no more than $680 in parts. (This leaves me $20 for shipping if I need it)

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1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Primarily gaming, web browsing, and word processing. I like it to be somewhat future proof in regards to gaming. Mostly FPS's.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$680 for parts.... no more. That leaves me $20 in reserve for shipping. Tax is not an issue form me :)

3) Where do you live?
Oregon... told you tax was not an issue :)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Case (full or mid), Mobo, PSU, CPU, GPU, RAM (4GB), CPU cooler, hard drive (500GB))

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Only peripherals, ie mouse keyboard etc

6) Will you be overclocking?
I would like the option of OCing, even if I don't do it immediately

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
32" Toshiba TV, 720P ------- Would like to get a good enough GPU to handle 1920X1200, should I decide to upgrade my display at some point.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Between now and Nov 24 (The release of Modern Warfare 2)

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Only overclocking abilities. Crossfire abilities might be nice for future upgrades, but not manditory. I like Gigabyte, but not dead set on it either.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Have a licensed copy of XP-32. Also might upgraded to Win7-64 via student discount.

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Intel, AMD...doesn't matter to me. I'm not loyal to either one. X2, X3, X4... whatever is the best suited for its intended use. I would like, however, to use ONLY an XFX brand GPU, possibly (but not limited to) an HD5770. I probably do not need a huge hard drive. Anything 500GB or bigger would be plenty, as it will not be storing any mp3's, photos, movies, etc. 4 GB of RAM is a must. I don't know if it is possible, but if it is, I'd like the option of adding possibly 4 GB more of RAM, should I decide to upgrade to Win7-64.

Thanks!
 
$235 - AMD Phenom II X4 945 CPU + Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UDP3 AMD 770 ATX Motherboard Combo
$71 - G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$160 - XFX HD5770 1GB Video Card (only get it once it reaches that $160 price. If not, go for the $145 XFX HD4870 1GB)
$55 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 7200RPm SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$140 - Antec 300 Illusion ATX Case + Antec Truepower New TP-650 650W PSU
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Total: $661 plus shipping
 
If you don't mind the Sonata, you can get that with the EA500 for $110 shipped. However, it may be a bit cramped, especially when you upgrade your display to 1920x1080 or higher along with a more powerful vidcard.

<rant> why are there no good psu/case combos? and why are the RC-690's bundled with frkn ocz PSUs?!?!? grrr :mad:</rant>
 
You know, I just wrote out this big long explanation on how if I down grade the PSU, I could save some money. It turned out that in the end I'd be only saving $10 and I would be going from that really nice 650W Truepower to a 500W Earthwatts. That seems like a justifiable $10 to me. Needless to say, I deleted my winded post.

Thanks for the build Danny Bui. I think it looks good! With the inflated price of the 5770, total cost is $675.85 + $14.45 s/h = $690.30

Enginurd, I will actually consider the Sonata. I am using a Sonata3 right now with an EA500W and it has served me well. This build is actually for my son in college. He is paying for it with his own money. That is why there is strict $700 limit, cause that's all he has. So, saving $34 might be the way to go. That 300 looks like a sweet case though.

I do have 2 more questions.

1. Should I at all consider the 500GB WD Cavair Black over the Seagate? I have had excellent luck with WD drives. I have never used a Seagate. Cost difference is $15 more for the WD.

2. If I intend to OC the CPU, do I need and aftermarket cooler? If so, what would be a good inexpensive choice? I am currently using an AC Freezer 7 Pro on my E6320 and it is working quite well. The mounting system is a little hokey, but it is fine once you get it on there.
 
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go with the 640gb black if not the seagate

Might want to look into a scythe mugen for the HS, other will chime in for other HS's
 
1. The WD Black 500GB is not worth considering at all considering that you can get the larger WD Blue 640GB for the same price or the WD Black 640GB for $5 more. So go with the Seagate or the WD 640GB

2. Yes you will need an aftermarket HSF if you plan to OC. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 line of HSF are good choices
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
FYI, the 'cuda.12 Danny listed is faster than the caviar 640's since it uses a single 500GB platter instead of two smaller sized platters (333GB x2 in the caviar 640's).

Another good cooler is the CM Hyper 212+, as it's bracket allows for mounting with the fan blowing towards the rear of the case.

Cases are subjective, so he should choose whichever case he likes.
 
The 95 watt is a chip that has been "binned" (can run at stated speed@95w) for lower power consumption. Both will work as advertised.
 
less energy = less heat
less heat tends to mean that a lower wattage version of a chip will have more overclocking headroom before heat becomes an issue.
 
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