Recommend an $800 build please

G

ghart999

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Jul 30, 2004
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Hi all. I posted about a $500 build the other day, but I just got $300 bonus at work.

So $800 total for shipping, etc.

I have a 24" LCD at 1920x1200. It has 1:1 pixel mapping so I should be able to play games at more like 1280x1024 or maybe a tad higher.

I basically need everything (except case) as I will be selling my existing setup.

So I need:

1) Mobo - must have PCI-E 2.0 on it
2) CPU - Prefer Intel core2duo, something that can overclock very easy without much work
or cooling needed. However will consider AMD if more bang for buck and can still OC.
3) Memory - is 2GB enough or go 4?
4) HD - only need like 300-400GB here.
5) Power Supply - enough watts to power this rig plus a HD4850 vid card (just one, won't
do crossfire)
6) Vid Card - already plan on getting the Visiontek HD4850 from best buy.
7) DVD Drive - plan on getting Samsung SATA local
8) Sound Card - Do I need an X-FI or is on board sound good enough? I have 5.1 logitech
speakers set
9) Case - Don't need one. Using existing case.
10) any heatsinks or extra fans I might need for CPU or GPU

Thanks all.
 
Easily do'able.

I'm using ballpark AUS dollars here so you'll find that this stuff is cheaper in the US.


Mainboard: Asus P5Q Pro
CPU: Intel E7200 C2D
RAM: 2 Gigs OCZ Platinum 800 or 1066 (grab the 4 Gig kit if you're going to run a 64 bit OS)
HDD: Samsung or Western Digital SATA - 400 GB
GPU: HIS HD 4850
Optical: LG 20x SATA DVD Burner
Case and PSU: Cooler Master CAC-T05 (Centurion) includes Cooler Master Real Power 460 Watt Power Supply.
Soundcard: Honestly the onboard sound will be better than fine.

$830ish AU.

Surely considerably less than that in the US.

If you have money left over grab a sexy heatsink but know that even the stock Intel HSF will be feasible for a decent overclock (e7200 @ 3.0 ghz)
 
Where were you planning on purchasing everything from?

Which specific case are you reusing?
 
Zybortrix: Is that PSU that comes with the CM case good? I haven't read up on it yet. Got any review links? /me lazy. Thanks.


OP: From your old thread...
HardwareGuru said:
CptFalcon AMD build is pretty good. Here's another option. This is an Intel build. It is slightly above your budget but, the video card is faster than the 8800GT and will give you a boost over the 8800GT video card. Also, the E2200 is overall faster than an X2 5000+ cpu at stock speeds. O/C that cpu and the X2 5000+ is left behind.

CPU - Intel E2200 for $80
Mobo - MSI P43 Neo 3 for $84 with $10 MIR
RAM - Kingstons 2x1gig DDR2 800 for $37
Graphics - Visiontek HD4850 for $180 at Best Buy
HDD - WD Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB for $65
PSU - Corsair VX450 for $75 with $15 MIR

Note: $20 more will get you the WD6400AAKS 640GB which is double the capacity of that 320gig. I think it's worth it as Games occupy alot of space. I filled up 200gigs already on my 500gig HDD.

Total $521 w/o shipping and before rebates.
Click to expand...

If you want the best gaming performance, use the extra money on a 4870X2. If you can live with medium details and such, on your 24" monitor, then upgrade the CPU to an E7200, go with 4GB DDR2-800 G.Skill, an HD4870, the WD6400AAKS, and the 550W Corsair PSU.

Please answer tiraides' questions. ;)
 
Thanks all.

Was planning on buying from where ever I need to. I have a local microcenter, so that helps for some stuff.

On the case, maybe I should just get a new one and sell my system with my existing case. Pain in the butt to swap everything out I suppose.

Also on OS, is 64-bit really worth it now? Am I better off going with Vista 64-bit? I guess I need Vista for DX10 games right?
 
yes, u need vista for dx10 games. yes, vista 64 bit is worth it if you need to utilize more than 3GB of RAM, and you don't have any legacy hardware/software requirements (make sure everything you have has drives for vista 64). btw, microcenter has the E7200 for $100, and Vista Home Premium OEM 64 for $80.
 
Yeah I just saw the E7200 there for $100. WIll pick that up and the OEM-64.

enginurd - can you confirm that I should be able to play games, properly scaled, at whatever resolution I want with a 24" LCD that does 1:1 pixel matching? I'd rather just play games at 1280x1024 with my 24" monitor and get by with the 4850 since I now need to buy Vista too.
 
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to (not sure if your monitor will do the pixel mapping properly). Wait for other comments on that, though. :p
 
Monitor is Dell WFP2407 Rev. A04 if it matters. I know it is supposed to the 1:1 mapping correctly.

Just didn't if this concept only applies to plugging in console systems that play at 720p for example of if this would work with PC games too.

Also regarding Vista-64 and drivers, can I assume that a newer mobo (and all its parts), SATA DVD drive and GPU are going to have drivers?
 
ghart999 said:
Also regarding Vista-64 and drivers, can I assume that a newer mobo (and all its parts), SATA DVD drive and GPU are going to have drivers?
Click to expand...

Yes. Pretty much any hardware introduced within the last year or so should have drivers or support for Vista 64bit.
 
It should have 1:1 pixel mapping.

Go into the OSD -> Display Settings -> Zoom -> 1:1

Whoops, nevermind. You do know where it is. Hehe


ghart999 said:
Monitor is Dell WFP2407 Rev. A04 if it matters. I know it is supposed to the 1:1 mapping correctly.

Just didn't if this concept only applies to plugging in console systems that play at 720p for example of if this would work with PC games too.

Also regarding Vista-64 and drivers, can I assume that a newer mobo (and all its parts), SATA DVD drive and GPU are going to have drivers?
Click to expand...
 
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