Trying to build an affordable gaming rig

[thinbalion]

Hi all,

I'm very new here and trying to build my first computer, so this may well be the first in a long line of posts.

I'm basically trying to build a fairly inexpensive gaming pc that can run anything from Mass Effect 2 to Starcraft 2 without much problem. Also this is something I would like to be able to upgrade in the future based on availability of funds. So looking at something that can run well currently, but can also be upgraded for higher performance. This is part of what led me to choose a full tower over a mid-tower (I could be mistaken in doing so, but that's why I'm posting here).

I've been tinkering with this a few days now, and this is what I've been able to come up with. Prices have been taken off of Newegg.com:


GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard LINK

@ $64.99

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX LINK
@ $100.99

Patriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PVT36G1600ELK LINK
@ $169.99

XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card LINK
@ $159.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive LINK
@ $89.99

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support LINK
@ $25.99

Creative 70SB073A00000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer LINK
@ $64.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
@ $99.99

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case LINK
@ $129.98

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 LINK
@ $89.99

COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler LINK
@ $59.99

TOTAL: $1,056.88

This is not factoring any rebates, or additional deals on Newegg. So it may even run lower than that. Also i'm not entirely certain that the CPU cooler is entirely necessary, so that would drop the price further.

In any event, please let me know what you think. Your opinions are very much appreciated.

 

[VINMAN46]

get a cheaper case and a 460 and get rid of Heatsink and get a AMD 955 Quad core

 

[pokher]

ok ill make you a system based on your needs.hope this helps.

Case/PSU-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.473829)
CPU/Motherboard-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430446)
Memory/OS-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.455119
CPU Cooler-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057)
HDD-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185)
CD/DVD Burner-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335)
Video Card-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127501)
Thermal Paste-(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007) never use factory paste if you tend to OC.

$1,081.89 (without shipping) and - the sound card (which by the way most onboard sound is just as good as sound cards)

this is a nice setup for less than $1,100 GL

 

[shozzking]

AmD made a nice build, except that I'd skip on the thermal paste (theres a decent one included with the cooler)

 

[thinbalion]

Alright, taking all of that into account I've tinkered some more and come up with the following:

CPU/Mother Board/Video Card: HERE --> $413.97

Memory/OS: HERE --> $180.98

HDD: HERE --> $74.99

CD/DVD Burner: HERE --> $25.99

Case: HERE --> $99.99

PSU: HERE --> $89.99

Cooler: HERE --> $29.99

TOTAL: $915.90

Eventually the idea will be to add a second SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5770 1GB video card and take advantage of crossfire, but that can wait for the time being. That will most likely require the cooler, and for the additional cost it can't hurt for the time being, or so I figure (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, after all I'm very new at this).

Thank you for the suggestions (especially AMD, you set me on the right path with the combo deals).

Let me know what you think of this.

 

[shozzking]

5770 crossfire isnt worth it. I used to have it, a single card is always better and if you really want dual cards then go with nvidia (pretty much everyone can agree with that)

 

[pokher]

5770 crossfire isnt worth it. I used to have it, a single card is always better and if you really want dual cards then go with nvidia (pretty much everyone can agree with that)

Agree.

 

[Remeniz]

If you can find a deal with a 1GB GTX 460 then go with it. It's a bit more than the HD 5770 but it's a much better card.

 

[thinbalion]

Yeah, finding a good deal for 1GB GTX 460 has been proving difficult. I'm at $923.75 with shipping at the moment on Newegg, which is right where I would like to be. So I'm going to stick with the 5770 for now. I know it's not as good as it can be, but it should get me by for now.

Also, in all fairness, I can always upgrade the GPU at a later point, perhaps a year or so down the road.

I'm hoping to make a pretty solid rig that i'll be able to have and upgrade for a good period of time.

This is what I got, and I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on this. Any words of caution, before I "sell my soul"?

CPU/Mother Board/Video Card: HERE --> $413.97

Case/OS: HERE --> $184.98

HDD/PSU: HERE --> $144.98

CD/DVD Burner: HERE --> $25.99

Cooler: HERE --> $29.99

Memory: HERE --> $99.99

Thermal Paste: HERE --> $9.99

Also, I went with one stick of memory at 4gb, the idea would be that I can get the other three at some point, and max out the board if I want to/can afford it.

That about does it, please let me know if I'm making a terminal error... Otherwise, thank you for all the help!

 

[Remeniz]

Go for 2 X 2GB RAM for 4GB's and make use of that dual channel bandwidth.