$500 build possible?

[Millenniumtiger]

Ok. I was looking at buying a PS3 since I thought that building a semi-gaming PC for $500 is impossible...but i will leave it up to the experts here. I ONLY need it to get respectable framerates (like the 50's/60's) on COD4 at medium/low settings for now. Next month, I will have more money and look at upgrading the GPU/RAM/CPU with another $3-400...

I DO NOT need an OS, Monitor, Mouse/Keyboard...I would prefer an intel build since I will be upgrading the CPU next month hopefully...The point is, I am a college student and need something to game on lol. If it cannot be done, then i guess I will settle for the PS3, but I would still prefer the PC.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

This system should be able to max out COD4 with plenty of fps and costs $497 before mail in rebates.

Newegg.com - LG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - EVGA 384-P3-N965-TR GeForce 9600 GSO 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Newegg.com - OCZ ATI CrossFire 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Because the graphics card is from evga you can step up to a gtx 260 or another good card when you get the money to upgrade.

 

[philbar71]

good build. but i see no mobo. and why crossfire ram?

 

[SuxoR]

Man I'm seriously thinking about that antec 300 case

is there room for cross fire 4800 series cards?

 

[zedman3d]

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Same price card, can be used to crossfire later on and is much faster than the GSO. Faster than the GT too.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

That ram is also $27 after mail in rebate. And pretty much the same if not better.

And here is a great mobo for $79:
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

 

[Puddle Jumper]

^^ That's the motherboard I meant to include, I just forgot to copy the link.

 

[maroon1]

and is much faster than the GSO. Faster than the GT too.

How do you know that ?

It doesn't look faster to me

Overclock3D.Net :: Review :: XFX 9600GSO 384mb vs Sapphire HD4670 512mb :: Crysis & Bioshock

ATI Radeon HD 4670, Redefining The Mainstream - HotHardware

ATI Radeon 4670 Performance Preview

9600GSO performs as good as HD4670. However, the 9600GT is clearly better

EDIT: Here are the video cards that I recommend if he want nvidia video card

Newegg.com - ASUS EN9600GSO TOP/HTDP/384M GeForce 9600 GSO 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

or 9600GT for $74.99 after MIR
Newegg.com - KFA2 by Galaxy 96GFF6HUUEXV GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[Hussein19891]

Both cards are great. Also the 9600 GSO will gain more performance out of overclocking seeing how its 192 bit card compared to the 4670 which is still a 128 bit card.

Once again though, both are great for their pricing range.

 

[Millenniumtiger]

What about this video card? It's cheaper and looks like it may be able to do the job...

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100236L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[NightSurge]

Ha, off topic a bit, but why a PS3 and not a 360? If you really want something that will have reliable and good gaming for a few years to come without upgrades needed, get a console. If you are thinking of spending $800 after these upgrades and what not, just get both the 360 and the PS3, since PS3's only real benefit is Blu-Ray, and the 360 has the games, the online, Netflix streaming soon, and did I mention the games and online are far greater than the PS3's?