Tell me what you think---cheap gaming budget build

[2slow]

Im working on a budget gaming build that will give me the most bang for the buck. Obviously overclocking will be involved. I only need the motherboard, cpu, memory and video card. If I skimp on any part it will be the vid card I can always upgrade it later.
This is what Im thinking.

MOBO: ABIT AX78
Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz Socket AM2 65W
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

The target price range is $300.

[francis511]

Intel mobo/cpu is better atm. The new Ati 4850 is great if you can afford one. Memory looks o.k.

[zithe]

Originally Posted by francis511

Intel mobo/cpu is better atm. The new Ati 4850 is great if you can afford one. Memory looks o.k.

Note the title: "cheap gaming budget build"

I'd rather have an AMD and save money rather than getting an Intel that I won't benefit much more from, and I'm sure that's what 2slow is going for. CPU bottleneck is not that big, and he wouldn't see a noticeable improvement with the intel cpu.

Your rig is fine. Have you chosen a PSU or do you already have a good one?

If not, here's a good one for your rig: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3207&CatId=106
20A on the 12v rail, modular, and a good price. It's a good brand too.

[WarEagleAU]

erocker is selling his hd3870 for $115 shipped. That will help you even more. Nice for a budget build, but you could probably get one of the atx 780G boards to help even more.

[2slow]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

erocker is selling his hd3870 for $115 shipped. That will help you even more. Nice for a budget build, but you could probably get one of the atx 780G boards to help even more.

Ill look into that thanks,

[2slow]

Originally Posted by zithe

Note the title: "cheap gaming budget build"

I'd rather have an AMD and save money rather than getting an Intel that I won't benefit much more from, and I'm sure that's what 2slow is going for. CPU bottleneck is not that big, and he wouldn't see a noticeable improvement with the intel cpu.

Your rig is fine. Have you chosen a PSU or do you already have a good one?

If not, here's a good one for your rig: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3207&CatId=106
20A on the 12v rail, modular, and a good price. It's a good brand too.

Thanks, Ive got a Rosewill 550 Im reusing.


Anyone have experience with Abits new stuff, I used to love them but the last build I did I had to RMA 3 time and on the fourth I just cut my loses and bought another brand. The MOBO I replaced is still running in my sisters machine its an Abit from '01.

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

erocker is selling his hd3870 for $115 shipped. That will help you even more. Nice for a budget build, but you could probably get one of the atx 780G boards to help even more.

And it's a nice HD3870 at that as well. I like the build, you really are doing well with the budget. I know most people may hate me for this, save your money if you already have a psu. Use it for your ram or an aftermarket CPU cooler.

[flyin15sec]

I am not an Intel fanboy, as I have 2 AMD Systems running right now myself. This is just an alternate option if you haven't already made your purchase:

EVGA 650i Ultra(single PCIe) + E2200 = $139 ($109 /w rebate)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...866&CatId=1599

About the same price point as the AMD processor and board. Equal processor at stock speed, and very favorable reviews on the EVGA 650i Ultra as a budget board. You count in the -$30 rebate, and it is a very budget minded Intel build.

***EDIT*** looks like it is no longer available.

[JrRacinFan]

Nice find, flyin. Since you had found that combo, go with it if you don't mind tweaking and overclocking.

[hat]

Originally Posted by 2slow

Im working on a budget gaming build that will give me the most bang for the buck. Obviously overclocking will be involved. I only need the motherboard, cpu, memory and video card. If I skimp on any part it will be the vid card I can always upgrade it later.
This is what Im thinking.

MOBO: ABIT AX78
Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz Socket AM2 65W
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

The target price range is $300.

I like it

[2slow]

Originally Posted by flyin15sec

I am not an Intel fanboy, as I have 2 AMD Systems running right now myself. This is just an alternate option if you haven't already made your purchase:

EVGA 650i Ultra(single PCIe) + E2200 = $139 ($109 /w rebate)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...866&CatId=1599

About the same price point as the AMD processor and board. Equal processor at stock speed, and very favorable reviews on the EVGA 650i Ultra as a budget board. You count in the -$30 rebate, and it is a very budget minded Intel build.

Hmmmm... good find I was looking at both options I would think the Abit would be a slightly better gaming base with pci-e 2.0 x 2, faster memory support, front side bus is huge but it has one less pci slot and the reviews arent as good. The serial ATA seem to be positioned better on the evga and something tells me the chipset is better than abits, that is a great price also.

The last time I dealt with Abit I vowed never to buy from them again after recieving 4rmas (754 chipset board) and non of them worked I hacked it up to experience and bought an ASUS...fast forward 2 years and the ASUS crapped out on me after a bios update and wont even post (didnt bother looking into it just said this gives me a good excuse to say goodby to AGP setups).


Im going to do some research. Is anyone running newer Abit boards?

[flyin15sec]

I do have the EVGA 650i ultra in a guinea pig system with an E2180. OC to 3Ghz is easy enough. One glaring deficiet on the EVGA board is, there is no SB cooler, and the NB Heatsink is very hot, if not actively cooled. Keep that in mind when you are considering it.

[zithe]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

And it's a nice HD3870 at that as well. I like the build, you really are doing well with the budget. I know most people may hate me for this, save your money if you already have a psu. Use it for your ram or an aftermarket CPU cooler.

No one hates you for saying it.

I didn't know about that Intel CPU/mobo. Looks like a very good choice.