Gaming Build Help!

[dem0x7]

Hello guys,

I am in the process of getting a bunch of parts picked out for a nice gaming build. I don't have a huge budget, I want to keep it down as much as possible, but I also want some sweet performance. I will mainly be using it for World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike, games like that.

Right now, I lag pretty bad in WoW, especially when I go do instances. I want to run smooth and fast. In the background of my gaming, I will have music playing, and website browsing with many different tabs open. I'll be running Photoshop and stuff but that will be by itself, not with my games.

I'm new at this, this is my first build, so I'm not sure if the parts that I picked out are going to work. Let me know if something won't work with the parts that I picked, or if it won't fit.

Processor: $189
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops


Motherboard: $99
BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards


RAM: $45
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory


Internal Hardrive: $75
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives


CD/DVD Burner: $30
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners


Computer Case: $80
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases


I'm still in need of a PSU and a Graphics Card. I need your guys help on that.
What do you think so far of my choices?

Any advice you can give me will be great!

 

[chesirecat1701]

you did a good job, a lil iffy on the mobo but it might just be me, for GFX I'd say the 4850 512mb would be the icing on the cake for a fast gaming rig Newegg.com - MSI R4850-512M OC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

, for a more $ wise rig the 9800 GT goes for around $130

Newegg.com - MSI N9800GT 512OC GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[veg1992]

Excellent work..

For the GPU I recommend the HD 4830/ HD 4850
Pay the extra cash for this:
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives ....With the extra cache..

Drop the Ballistix, they used to be high quality however they started using Single Sided sticks which run hot and are crappy OC'ers.. check out another 4gb Kit if you plan to OC

EDIT: save $30 and drop the e8500 for an e8400 and OC it 160mhz (which is pretty easy OC) increase the FSB In the BIOS from 300 to 316 and you matched a e8500 (but that has a higher multiplier, but speed wise its the same)

 

[dem0x7]

Thanks for the quick reply guys.

@RollingThunder: Which one would be better, the GeForce 9800 or the HD 4850?

@Vernong: Thanks for the new Internal Hard Drive, I updated my list with the one you chose with more cache. I read that the ballistix were great for OC'ing, but I guess I'll have to start looking at some more. Do you recommend any?

 

[veg1992]

Check my Edit I did a little while back.. I added something:

EDIT: save $30 and drop the e8500 for an e8400 and OC it 160mhz (which is pretty easy OC) increase the FSB In the BIOS from 300 to 316 and you matched a e8500 (but that has a higher multiplier, but speed wise its the same)

The 9800GT's direct competitor is the HD 4830, and its still slower than an HD 4830.. so HD 4850 is faster..

Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

For the RAM

 

[dem0x7]

I'm not too sure about downgrading to e8400. I'll have to look on that a little more before I make the change.

Right now, here is what I have. I am still trying to get a new motherboard, I've had a few comments that I can improve on that. I'm already in the $800+ range right now, so I can't push it too much.

Processor: $189
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops


Motherboard: $99
BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards


RAM: $50
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900(PC2 7200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory


Internal Hardrive: $80
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives


Graphics: $175
MSI R4850-512M OC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Newegg.com - MSI R4850-512M OC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


PSU: $100
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies


CD/DVD Burner: $30
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners


Computer Case: $80
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases