Newbie looking to build ~$800 Gaming Rig

[phanbuey]

Would this MB be better then? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135093) same components but for $35 cheaper. Also, this processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206) the E7400, which is about $50 cheaper for just a 0.2GHz drop. Thanks!

Edit: Sorry, didn't see your new post.

I would still go for the ASUS open-box, but yeah... if not OCing, then that board is good.

 

[Jayrod0428]

I would still go for the ASUS open-box, but yeah... if not OCing, then that board is good.

OK, because I'm not sure what you mean by 'open-box'. Does this mean certain parts are omitted, like the SATA cables? Remember, I'm a newbie and I have no tools on hand to assist myself in building this computer in any way.

Thanks a lot for your advice though. One thing: the 23" LCD you suggested has no free shipping. I'm not willing to pay much for shipping.

 

[phanbuey]

OK, because I'm not sure what you mean by 'open-box'. Does this mean certain parts are omitted, like the SATA cables? Remember, I'm a newbie and I have no tools on hand to assist myself in building this computer in any way.

Thanks a lot for your advice though. One thing: the 23" LCD you suggested has no free shipping. I'm not willing to pay much for shipping.

ahh i see...

Yeah basically open box means that someone sent it back, newegg tested it, and is now reselling it, because the board is fine. Open-box boards are great, of the 6 i've ordered, not one has failed to post (bc they basically make sure it posts and works before re-selling it)... although one asus did have a busted IDE port (not a biggie the other one worked)...

Sometimes it means that it comes with no cables, sometimes it means that someone F*cked up, and got the wrong socket, and its a new board with all the cables...

if you're worried about it, then get the new board. for sure..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157143 <<< that one is a nice one for $10 less no MIR...

 

[LittleLizard]

I would still go for the ASUS open-box, but yeah... if not OCing, then that board is good.

i would still go for a retail box as it includes the manual and the cables and as he is a newbie, he could actually put some use to them.

 

[phanbuey]

i would still go for a retail box as it includes the manual and the cables and as he is a newbie, he could actually put some use to them.

right... because the manual isnt a free download PDF and the SATA cables are not $3 a pop...

The only downside to open box is the chance that the backplate is missing. But yes, he should get BNIB if he;s not sure.

 

[Jayrod0428]

ahh i see...

Yeah basically open box means that someone sent it back, newegg tested it, and is now reselling it, because the board is fine. Open-box boards are great, of the 6 i've ordered, not one has failed to post (bc they basically make sure it posts and works before re-selling it)... although one asus did have a busted IDE port (not a biggie the other one worked)...

Sometimes it means that it comes with no cables, sometimes it means that someone F*cked up, and got the wrong socket, and its a new board with all the cables...

if you're worried about it, then get the new board. for sure..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157143 <<< that one is a nice one for $10 less no MIR...

I see.

That MB has pretty meh reviews. I don't usually like to hop the bandwagon but it makes me a little more wary, especially for just $10... I'm not that desperate to save some bucks. There's probably somewhere else in my build that I could clip instead of the MB at this point.

Edit: Thanks everybody! I'm off to bed now: I'll check back tomorrow at work.

 

[phanbuey]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=XF...339f54a76e5c4a4eff299927c70bb90b56c3b4f76cc86

 

[Darren]

Are you dumping the proc for a Phenom II?

No, I don't plan to... Why? That would require changing the entire build.

It would require one to change the processor and motherboard. You can still find a socket AM2+ motherboard that supports crossfire ready if you want.

As far as the processor goes, if it means changing the entire build I would definitely consider it because as it stands you are knowingly buying a slower dual core processor when there are alternative tri-core and quad core AMD alternatives which are cheaper and faster.


E8400 - more expensive and slower
Phenom II 720 BE, 810, 920 - cheaper and faster

its a no brainer.

 

[Rage_3k_Moiz]

I would also recommend an AMD build, specifically this one:

• AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 Triple-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail - $139.99 + free shipping
• Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+ AMD 770 Chipset Motherboard - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) CL5 Dual Channel Kit - Retail - $54.99 + free shipping
• BFG Tech GeForce GTX 275 OC 896MB GDDR3 648MHz 448-bit PCI-E 2.0 DirectX 10 Video Card - Retail - $244.49 + free shipping
• Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB WD7501AALS 7200RPM SATA HDD - OEM - $79.99 + free shipping
• LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Retail - $29.99 + free shipping
• Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM) - Retail - $189.99 + free shipping
• COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $89.99 ($79.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping

Grand Total = $970 approximately, not counting rebates.

Hope I helped.

 

[Jayrod0428]

It would require one to change the processor and motherboard. You can still find a socket AM2+ motherboard that supports crossfire ready if you want.

As far as the processor goes, if it means changing the entire build I would definitely consider it because as it stands you are knowingly buying a slower dual core processor when there are alternative tri-core and quad core AMD alternatives which are cheaper and faster.


E8400 - more expensive and slower
Phenom II 720 BE, 810, 920 - cheaper and faster

its a no brainer.

I'm interested in the E7400 though, which is $20 cheaper than the Phenom II 720.

I would also recommend an AMD build, specifically this one:

• AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 Triple-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail - $139.99 + free shipping
• Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+ AMD 770 Chipset Motherboard - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) CL5 Dual Channel Kit - Retail - $54.99 + free shipping
• BFG Tech GeForce GTX 275 OC 896MB GDDR3 648MHz 448-bit PCI-E 2.0 DirectX 10 Video Card - Retail - $244.49 + free shipping
• Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB WD7501AALS 7200RPM SATA HDD - OEM - $79.99 + free shipping
• LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Retail - $29.99 + free shipping
• Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM) - Retail - $189.99 + free shipping
• COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $89.99 ($79.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping

Grand Total = $970 approximately, not counting rebates.

Hope I helped.

wow that's a hell of a rig. Thanks! I'll definitely keep this alternate build in mind!

 

[kurosagi01]

for case i would reconmend a NZXT Beta over apollo.
bang for the buck design with good cooling
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146055

 

[Jayrod0428]

for case i would reconmend a NZXT Beta over apollo.
bang for the buck design with good cooling
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146055

That's definitely a higher quality and cheaper (free shipping yay!) case than Apollo, you're right. But I'm so attracted to the lights on the Apollo case, they're so sexy....

Would there be a design that cheap that would look that awesome? Without sacrificing cooling of course. Such a thing probably doesn't exist >_>

 

[Jayrod0428]

So for $30 more over the old system, you get HUGE perf gain 2x4870 1gb, and 2 more inches on the screen to 23"... totally worth it. It really will seem like a higher-end build, and for $30 more? You get more framebuffer, which means more AA and more fluid FPS.... /rant

I'm checking the size of the 4870 1GB, and it seems unlikely that one will be able to fit in my Mid-Tower, let alone two. A lot of the reviews also complain about heat. I might want to retreat back to dual 4830 because of this alone.

 

[Darren]

I'm interested in the E7400 though, which is $20 cheaper than the Phenom II 720.



wow that's a hell of a rig. Thanks! I'll definitely keep this alternate build in mind!

The Phenom II 720 BE is worth the extra $20, for games its not just a bit faster its quite substantially faster at times. You'd save more than $20 anyways moving from socket 775 to AM2+ anyways.

The E7400 is $119.99, the Phenom II X2 550 is $102.99, its a bit cheaper and yet faster.

I'm not trying to turn you into a AMD person but AMD has the budget range on lock right now.

 

[Jayrod0428]

I would also recommend an AMD build, specifically this one:

• AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 Triple-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail - $139.99 + free shipping
• Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+ AMD 770 Chipset Motherboard - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) CL5 Dual Channel Kit - Retail - $54.99 + free shipping
• BFG Tech GeForce GTX 275 OC 896MB GDDR3 648MHz 448-bit PCI-E 2.0 DirectX 10 Video Card - Retail - $244.49 + free shipping
• Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB WD7501AALS 7200RPM SATA HDD - OEM - $79.99 + free shipping
• LITE-ON Black 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Retail - $29.99 + free shipping
• Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 40000:1 (ACM) - Retail - $189.99 + free shipping
• COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $69.99 + free shipping
• Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PSU with Active PFC - Retail - $89.99 ($79.99 after $10 rebate) + free shipping

Grand Total = $970 approximately, not counting rebates.

Hope I helped.

One small note: The GTX 275 doesn't come with an HDMI adapter How else are you supposed to use the monitor to its full potential? Although I wouldn't mind using my current HDTV and holding out on the monitor until later.

The Phenom II 720 BE is worth the extra $20, for games its not just a bit faster its quite substantially faster at times. You'd save more than $20 anyways moving from socket 775 to AM2+ anyways.

The E7400 is $119.99, the Phenom II X2 550 is $102.99, its a bit cheaper and yet faster.

I'm not trying to turn you into a AMD person but AMD has the budget range on lock right now.

Hey, I'm all for budget, and I'm not an AMD or an Intel person. I'm a newb. That's what I am

Would it be more worth it to get the Phenom II 720 BE for $139.99 rather than the Phenom II X2 550 for $102.99?

 

[phanbuey]

If you can't fit the 4870 1gb, then you have a seriously small case, i think the difference between the 4830 and 4870 is .5" maximum... forget about the 275 as its a whole inch longer than the 4870.

but yes they are hot - all high-end cards are... if you go dual 4830's be sure to get 1GB versions, it will help alot at 1920x1080.

 

[js01]

The fans on those sapphire 4830 are very loud, I use to have one and even at 20% fan speed it was very loud with two of them I'd want to throw my pc out the window. That's if you're a person that's bothered by noise.

 

[Darren]

One small note: The GTX 275 doesn't come with an HDMI adapter How else are you supposed to use the monitor to its full potential? Although I wouldn't mind using my current HDTV and holding out on the monitor until later.

HDMI is a digital cable just like any other, you wouldn't get any visible benefit from using it opposed to DVI. To get the full potential of ones monitor make sure it can natively display HD resolutions of 1920x1080 for 1080p or 1280x720 for 720p - if your monitor can display that its irrelevant whether is via HDMI or a DVI cable.

Hey, I'm all for budget, and I'm not an AMD or an Intel person. I'm a newb. That's what I am


Would it be more worth it to get the Phenom II 720 BE for $139.99 rather than the Phenom II X2 550 for $102.99?

It depends on ones circumstances, I'd only advise the X2 550 if one is on a strict budget and can not stretch the cash any further. If the X3 720 BE is within budget it would be the CPU I’d be gunning for (presuming that the X4s are out of your budget)

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Don't get the green edition of the 640 drive, it's noticeably slower than the regular edition which is only $2 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

For just $7 more than the green you could even get the Black edition http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

 

[boomstik360]

Don't get the green edition of the 640 drive, it's noticeably slower than the regular edition which is only $2 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

For just $7 more than the green you could even get the Black edition http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Yes definitely get the black they are very nice drives

 

[Jayrod0428]

If you can't fit the 4870 1gb, then you have a seriously small case, i think the difference between the 4830 and 4870 is .5" maximum... forget about the 275 as its a whole inch longer than the 4870.

but yes they are hot - all high-end cards are... if you go dual 4830's be sure to get 1GB versions, it will help alot at 1920x1080.

Would I be able to have one 4870 1gb or two 4830s 1gb fit comfortably in a mid-tower case with nothing else but the necessary components? (no extra drives)

The fans on those sapphire 4830 are very loud, I use to have one and even at 20% fan speed it was very loud with two of them I'd want to throw my pc out the window. That's if you're a person that's bothered by noise.

I'd be getting the HIS Hightech if I get the 4830, and I've been told that the fan is softer on those. It better be, I'll be using my computer for recording

 

[lilkiduno]

here is my suggestion (since newgee link dosn't work)
Screen
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005124
HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152112
Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148212
Keyboard && Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041
Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014
Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384
Videocard && Game
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.194179
Case && CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199764
PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182185

 

[Jayrod0428]

I have edited my original post to include my new build.

 

[boomstik360]

Note: Please disregard a majority of the commentary in this topic as it will make no sense since I've edited 75% of my original post.

Hello techPowerUp! community!

I've been wanting to upgrade from my god-awful notebook computer for three years now and I finally have the money to do so. I've decided to build rather than buy pre-built for the obvious savings and exact part specifications. However, I'm still a newbie, but I've done a lot of research over the past week.

I would be building this rig sometime this summer, probably near the end of July. I would like to keep this rig under $1000, so I've set $800 as a cap, and will only raise it if something is just unstoppably bad-ass (as in high priceerformance ratio, not all-out raw power) and worth the price increase. I'd vastly appreciate any tech-savvy individuals keeping a wizened eye over my build as I plan it.

Edited 6/23:

Part: Motherboard $79.99 $7.93 shipping
Item: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

Part: Graphics Card $114.99 $10.00 rebate
Item: HIS Hightech H485FN1GP Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 CrossFire
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161275

Part: Processor/CPU $119.99
Item: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Part: Memory $64.99 $2.91 shipping
Item: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

Part: Power Supply $64.99 $25.00 rebate
Item: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Part: Hard Drive $67.99
Item: Western Digital Caviar Green 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136298

Part: Optical Drive $29.99
Item: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106291

Part: Cooling Fan $39.99
Item: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Part: Computer Case $49.99
Item: NZXT Beta Series CS-NT-BETA-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146055

Part: LCD Monitor $189.99
Item: Acer X233Hbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
URL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163

Part: Operating System $-
Item: Windows 7 RC

Total = $798.74

So what do you guys think of this build?

This is the best possible build I can get under $800, including the monitor. I like having the Phenom II X3 720 for additional computing power over similarly priced Intel duo processors. Also, I think the 4850 is a good choice. If the 4870 1 GB gets marked down before the end of July I'll swap it in.

It took me a while to get out of CrossFire mode, after hearing how it tended to make rigs unstable. I'll be happy with one good card. Do you think this rig will be able to run Spore, and any of the upcoming games by Blizzard (Diablo III, Starcraft 2)?

Everything looks good other than your ram I would personally go with something like this :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

 

[Rage_3k_Moiz]

I would recommend this PSU instead of the OCZ one. You should also get this HDD instead.

And IMO, you should go for an HD 4870 by getting a DDR2 board and RAM. The GPU is far more important gaming-wise than the CPU.

The rest looks great to me.