Gaming PC Build

[Whirlwind]

What would you guys suggest for the cheapest rig that would play the newer games at medium settings on a 17 inch crt.

He has no patience...so NO OVER CLOCKING!


The best bang for the buck is what I am interested in.

I would also need an operating system and XP would be fine for that.

This is for a friend that wants to start pc gaming, so he wants it too last awhile, but playing every thing max is not necessary...like 1024 X 768 on a 17 inch crt will do him great.

Thanks for any help guys.

 

[b1gapl]

E2180
Abit IP35-E
2GB of G. Skill NQs (Red)
8800GT (256MB...I haven't seen it out yet, but it should be out soon.)
Corsair 550VX

 

[Invisible]

shouldn't he go AMD since he doesn't want to overclock?
(which tbh isn't my style)

 

[Whirlwind]

Would this be a good build

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Processor - Retail

Newegg.com - ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail


Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Buy.com - Corsair 520W SLI Certified Modular ATX Power Supply - CMPSU-520HX


Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


Newegg.com - Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition OEM Version at TigerDirect.com




This comes out to $710.50 which includes XP Home

So would this be a good gaming build including the operating system.

If there is anything as good and can be had cheaper, or anything that would make it better for around the same price....please let me know....thanks

 

[b1gapl]

PSU is overkill for that system. I'd suggest:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

The X1950PRO is a better buy for the money, than the 8600GTS.
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
(I'm selling my X1950PRO, brand new, for $115 if you are or he's interested.)

 

[Invisible]

get this for a psu, its modular
ClubIT Product - CORSAIR HX CMPSU-520HX 520W Active PFC NVIDIA SLI Certified Modular ATX Power Supply Retail

 

[Whirlwind]

OK....i have changed the video card in the build above, also changed the link....is that card ok....and better than the 8600GTS ???


OK...I have switched to the modular power supply and saved $27 more dollars....thanks.

How is it looking now....anything else ???

I have updated the links above and the total price!

 

[Invisible]

yes but the gamexsteam series are known to have semi-dangerous ripples in their power output
get a corsair...it will last

 

[b1gapl]

The Corsair power supplies suggested, can easily handle future upgrades, as much as OCZ.

 

[Whirlwind]

Ok....changes have been made above...it is saving money too...I like that.....how does it look now.....anything else???

Also...will this do a decent job at games at medium settings on just a 17 inch crt?