Building a Gaming Computer

[Ethan_Kaizer]

I have been thinking about upgrading this Dell Dimension, but I realized that putting 300 bucks into it really wouldn't be worth it for me. I would rather save up 500 or 600 dollars for a nice gaming pc. I already have a nice monitor, and keyboard and all that, I just need the PC itself.

So here's what I chose:

Case:
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Sagitta ATX-921WBP Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450watt PRESCOTT/ SATA Ready Power Supply - Computer Cases

-Cheap, good reviews, 450w psu.


Motherboard:
Newegg.com - ASUS M3N72-D AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

-Great board, latest technologies.


CPU:
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual-Core Processor - Processors

-I'm an AMD fan.


RAM:
Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

-4 GB, good timing, high performance for under 85 bucks.


Graphics Card:
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

-An 8600 GT is a good enough card for me, I don't need to be running Crysis full spec just yet.


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

-Good brand, 250gb. Motherboard uses SATA.


Drive:
Newegg.com - ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

-Just need a DVD burner/player.


The total of this computer comes to $540 (Before getting slapped by 90 bucks of tax and shipping). Any other suggestions of parts, or comments?

Thanks,
Ethan

 

[Luke]

looks like it would be a great budget build. Although, i would get a 450vx to power it instead of that xion one. It will up the cost $59 after MIR but the psu is the back bone of the system, the ones that come with cases are usually of poor quality and specs, if you do not want to spend that much on the 450vx, do some research into that case to se what the specs are of that psu.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Power Supplies

 

[veg1992]

I have been thinking about upgrading this Dell Dimension, but I realized that putting 300 bucks into it really wouldn't be worth it for me. I would rather save up 500 or 600 dollars for a nice gaming pc. I already have a nice monitor, and keyboard and all that, I just need the PC itself.

So here's what I chose:

Case:
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Sagitta ATX-921WBP Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450watt PRESCOTT/ SATA Ready Power Supply - Computer Cases

-Cheap, good reviews, 450w psu.


Motherboard:
Newegg.com - ASUS M3N72-D AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

-Great board, latest technologies.


CPU:
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual-Core Processor - Processors

-I'm an AMD fan.


RAM:
Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

-4 GB, good timing, high performance for under 85 bucks.


Graphics Card:
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

-An 8600 GT is a good enough card for me, I don't need to be running Crysis full spec just yet.


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

-Good brand, 250gb. Motherboard uses SATA.


Drive:
Newegg.com - ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

-Just need a DVD burner/player.


The total of this computer comes to $540 (Before getting slapped by 90 bucks of tax and shipping). Any other suggestions of parts, or comments?

Thanks,
Ethan

Ok you're set on AMD... good they need the money right now anyways (just letting you know that you can get an Intel build which is faster, before anybody accuses me of not recommending the best parts for the money)

Get the 450vx like Luke said

Newegg.com - DIAMOND Viper 3850PE3512O Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
That HD 3850, its a **** lot better, or you can get the 8600gts (its still slower than an HD 3850, but faster than the 8600gt, I know you're not much of a gamer, but its always worth considering)
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N761-AR GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Case- Up to you and thats fine.. (read recommendation about PSU above, Raidmax isn't a good brand for PSU's)

Mobo is fine, if you make the switch for an AMD Video Card (like the HD 3850 suggested above you can get this 790x instead)
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX Ultra Durable II AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
or since 8600gts/8600gt SLI is a waste anyways, you can always get one with a single PCI-e slot

CPU- Thats a Windsor 90nm CPU, its good, but if you want a cheaper alternative, check out the Brisbane 5000+ or even the Black edition

 

[Fat.Clown]

hop on that antec earhwatts 380 or 430 if you take chances on rebate
you can get 320gb version of same drive for 5 bucks more

 

[veg1992]

Idk how the fudge I missed that:

Newegg.com - Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC - Power Supplies

 

[Fat.Clown]

"how the fudge"
LOL

I know single rail is darn sexy
so the antec gets over looked sometimes

but if rican can run 2 8800gt(s) on the 380w
thats good enough 4 me.

 

[veg1992]

If I use duck-with-an-F I'd have to give myself an infraction, and mods getting infractions... is extremely unsightly

 

[Ethan_Kaizer]

Thank you for the suggestions, but I think I'll stick with these choices for the time being. First reason is I really like the mobo I picked. It's got a lot of room for expansion, with 4 pci express 2.0 x 16 slots.

90 percent of the time I lean towards Nvidia over ATi, it's just a preference. I might choose this 8600gts you recommended, because if I do the mail in rebate (It's almost half off!) then it comes out cheaper.

Also, I always take AMD over Intel. I feel like AMD are so much cheaper for a better buy.

 

[Redmo0n]

Get this card instead: Newegg.com - EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[homeslicezero]

Get this card instead: Newegg.com - EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Might as well get the 8800 gt for 30 bux more, and much better performance
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards