I present to you the $500 gaming rig.

I've been looking for a wallet friendly solution for playing the recent PC games so I've devised this set up. It might not play Crysis on high or possibly not medium, but it isn't meant to. This is strctly a rig that is used while waiting for the next generation of CPUs, GPUs, RAM, etc. to be released. This rig can play probably just about anything, though, I am only making an assumption since I have not built it yet. I'm sure it will play fine stock but it is meant to over-clock. Let me know what you guys think.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811212033 Case - $24.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128034 Mobo - $74.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103774 Proc - $57.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820609026 DDR2 - $73.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814103049 GPU - $169.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817159066 PSU - $39.99

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148144 HDD - $64.99

Total price - $506

An optical drive was not included because I assume people have some lying around (I have few just sitting around my room that are perfectly good)

Also, before anyone rags on the PSU, just realize that it was selected becasue it is a strong budget PSU with some nice features. (I've used it in several builds for people with no problems reported yet)

The GPU was selected becasue it is a strong over clocker that can reach HD 3870 speeds, and my monitor is 17in" so 256MB is enough VRAM for 1280 x 1024.

The proc is a 65W Brisbane so it can get a decent OC even with stock cooling. A weeks down the line an Aftermarket cooler would be added.

There is cheaper ram like some of the Gskill but this rig had higher OCs in mind that Super Tallent can handle much better at a good price point.

Again, this rig is for those who dont have $1000 to spend on a rig while waiting for Nehalem, dual core RV6XX, and G100. What do you guys think? Y/N? No fanboy remarks either. I realise Intel and nVidia wear the performance crown, alternately, they also wear the gouged price crown and a solid OCing intel Mobo would cost more than $75.

try getting the MSI K9ag neo 2 digital motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130119&Tpk=msi%2bk9ag

change the ram to this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

If you're gonna cheap out on the PSU,then that PC fails,also what if someone doesn't have the OS?

I could build something better,not in performance maybe,but in reliability for one,and it'll actually be a complete tower if someone doesn't have said OS.

If you're gonna cheap out on the PSU,then that PC fails,also what if someone doesn't have the OS?

I could build something better,not in performance maybe,but in reliability for one,and it'll actually be a complete tower if someone doesn't have said OS.

Indestructible2

I have that exact PSU and it works great. Its a bit loud though.

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"]

If you're gonna cheap out on the PSU,then that PC fails,also what if someone doesn't have the OS?

I could build something better,not in performance maybe,but in reliability for one,and it'll actually be a complete tower if someone doesn't have said OS.

gatorteen

I have that exact PSU and it works great. Its a bit loud though.

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

if you're going to overclock going with the AMD probably isn't the greatest idea, they have very little headroom to work with compared with the intel dual coresbkrawk

Biostar TF560 A2+ agrees with me

try getting the MSI K9ag neo 2 digital motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130119&Tpk=msi%2bk9ag

sabbath2gamer

change the ram to this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

unrealplaya55

Ill look into those thanks for the suggestions.

wheres the operating system ? most people have a copy of windows that can only be used once mastershake575

That is of no concern to certain groups of people... Think about it for a little while.

For $500, that an excellent build. --Anna--

Thanks.

If you're gonna cheap out on the PSU,then that PC fails,also what if someone doesn't have the OS?

I could build something better,not in performance maybe,but in reliability for one,and it'll actually be a complete tower if someone doesn't have said OS.

Indestructible2

Like I said I've used it in a few builds and its been rock solid for my customers.

You can get DDR2-800 ram for $40 cheaper.Spartan8907

True, but not all of those sticks have the same reputation that Super Tallent has.

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

Indestructible2

Ill take the risk. I've taken it several times before with no issues lol.

what do u mean reliable ? what may happen if you choose a cheap psu with lets say 500w power supply than an antec 400w one ?wanted_police

They can burn up and short the equipment out, but its rare. The few times that I've heard of friends PSUs dying the computer just wouldn't turn on (they used extremely cheap $15-$20 PSUs from eBay.) Believe me, taking the risk is worth it since the risk is so small.

what do u mean reliable ? what may happen if you choose a cheap psu with lets say 500w power supply than an antec 400w one ?wanted_police

http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=134

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"]

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

tequilasunriser

Ill take the risk. I've taken it several times before with no issues lol.

[QUOTE="Spartan8907"]You can get DDR2-800 ram for $40 cheaper.tequilasunriser

True, but not all of those sticks have the same reputation that Super Tallent has.

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Indestructible2"]

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

Indestructible2

Ill take the risk. I've taken it several times before with no issues lol.

Believe me I won't. You can count on it. :P Thanks for the concern though, all input is much appreciated.

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Spartan8907"]You can get DDR2-800 ram for $40 cheaper.Spartan8907

True, but not all of those sticks have the same reputation that Super Tallent has.

Yeah ya know I've heard mixed reviews with OCZ ram over the years. On some borads a certain set of sticks will work wonders but on another board they might not. While both those same boards fitted with some sticks of identical ram with Micron D9 ICs will perform without a hitch. I'm not sure if OCZ is using Micron these days but I'm willing to bet their $40 sticks do not. The Super Tallents I selected had Micron D9s at one time but switch to equally impressive ICs (the name escapes me at the moment.) So thats why I didn't mind having ram that is $30 more expensive than other DDR2 sticks.

i would agree more if the mobo was pci 2.0 capable.blazethe1

Its really not necessary at this time for PCIe 2.0. PCIe 16X will be sufficient well into the next year and possibly beyond. Hell, even AGP 8X still has room to grow but the industry would lead you to believe otherwise.

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Indestructible2"]

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

tequilasunriser

Ill take the risk. I've taken it several times before with no issues lol.

Believe me I won't. You can count on it. :P Thanks for the concern though, all input is much appreciated.

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Spartan8907"]You can get DDR2-800 ram for $40 cheaper.Spartan8907

True, but not all of those sticks have the same reputation that Super Tallent has.

Yeah ya know I've heard mixed reviews with OCZ ram over the years. On some borads a certain set of sticks will work wonders but on another board they might not. While both those same boards fitted with some sticks of identical ram with Micron D9 ICs will perform without a hitch. I'm not sure if OCZ is using Micron these days but I'm willing to bet their $40 sticks do not. The Super Tallents I selected had Micron D9s at one time but switch to equally impressive ICs (the name escapes me at the moment.) So thats why I didn't mind having ram that is $30 more expensive than other DDR2 sticks.

geez people ... for christs sake.. !!!! all the guy wanted to do was build a rig and rather than appreciating it you guys are critisizing it !!! well a lil comment here and there dont hrt but just scroll above and look at this topic what is going on and where this all isleading to...

anyways, dude you have done a good job, and fighting over psu's isnt wat i would call a very good argument..

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Indestructible2"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Indestructible2"]

X2 4000+
Gigabyte GA-M61P-S3
2GB Kingston DDR2 667
Sapphire HD 2600XT
Antec Earthwatts 430W
160GB HD
Sony DVD Drive
XP Home SP2 OEM

Low-mid end card with high quality PSU >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> High-end card with dudu PSU,unless you like huge risks :D

wanted_police

Ill take the risk. I've taken it several times before with no issues lol.

Believe me I won't. You can count on it. :P Thanks for the concern though, all input is much appreciated.

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"][QUOTE="Spartan8907"]You can get DDR2-800 ram for $40 cheaper.Spartan8907

True, but not all of those sticks have the same reputation that Super Tallent has.

Yeah ya know I've heard mixed reviews with OCZ ram over the years. On some borads a certain set of sticks will work wonders but on another board they might not. While both those same boards fitted with some sticks of identical ram with Micron D9 ICs will perform without a hitch. I'm not sure if OCZ is using Micron these days but I'm willing to bet their $40 sticks do not. The Super Tallents I selected had Micron D9s at one time but switch to equally impressive ICs (the name escapes me at the moment.) So thats why I didn't mind having ram that is $30 more expensive than other DDR2 sticks.

geez people ... for christs sake.. !!!! all the guy wanted to do was build a rig and rather than appreciating it you guys are critisizing it !!! well a lil comment here and there dont hrt but just scroll above and look at this topic what is going on and where this all isleading to...

anyways, dude you have done a good job, and fighting over psu's isnt wat i would call a very good argument..

I have to admit though,apart from the problem with the PSU,that rig is pretty good for the price.Indestructible2

finally someone admitted it.... ty everyone

Usually a PSU's failure does not lead to the death of a rig. It usually leads to just the death of a PSU. PSU horror stories have become very exaggerated. If funding permitted I would step it up a few notches to a Corsair PSU, but I'm trying to keep the cost low, and that Coolmax has done a great job the times that I've used it.

I'm not saying the danger isn't there but that its an arbitrary argument becasue its not often that a PSU compromises the entire computer. It kinda like saying that any time you're offered candy that the person offering it is going to throw you in a van and rape you. It happens, but not as often as people would leadyou to believe.

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"]I have to admit though,apart from the problem with the PSU,that rig is pretty good for the price.wanted_police

finally someone admitted it.... ty everyone

As for the arguement that OCZ isnt that good: Unless you really want to get down to specifics, $40 OCZ ram is perfectly fine.

Usually a PSU's failure does not lead to the death of a rig. It usually leads to just the death of a PSU. PSU horror stories have become very exaggerated. If funding permitted I would step it up a few notches to a Corsair PSU, but I'm trying to keep the cost low, and that Coolmax has done a great job the times that I've used it.

I'm not saying the danger isn't there but that its an arbitrary argument becasue its not often that a PSU compromises the entire computer. It kinda like saying that any time you're offered candy that the person offering it is going to throw you in a van and rape you. It happens, but not as often as people would leadyou to believe.

tequilasunriser

P.S. You gonna use this $500 PC to own some console fanboys in System Wars? PM me if you do so i can back you up :wink:

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]

Usually a PSU's failure does not lead to the death of a rig. It usually leads to just the death of a PSU. PSU horror stories have become very exaggerated. If funding permitted I would step it up a few notches to a Corsair PSU, but I'm trying to keep the cost low, and that Coolmax has done a great job the times that I've used it.

I'm not saying the danger isn't there but that its an arbitrary argument becasue its not often that a PSU compromises the entire computer. It kinda like saying that any time you're offered candy that the person offering it is going to throw you in a van and rape you. It happens, but not as often as people would leadyou to believe.

Indestructible2

P.S. You gonna use this $500 PC to own some console fanboys in System Wars? PM me if you do so i can back you up :wink:

Raging console fanboys? Only a handful of posts and you know me so well. :P

Edit: I'd PM you but you're set to private. Friend me.

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]

Usually a PSU's failure does not lead to the death of a rig. It usually leads to just the death of a PSU. PSU horror stories have become very exaggerated. If funding permitted I would step it up a few notches to a Corsair PSU, but I'm trying to keep the cost low, and that Coolmax has done a great job the times that I've used it.

I'm not saying the danger isn't there but that its an arbitrary argument becasue its not often that a PSU compromises the entire computer. It kinda like saying that any time you're offered candy that the person offering it is going to throw you in a van and rape you. It happens, but not as often as people would leadyou to believe.

Indestructible2

P.S. You gonna use this $500 PC to own some console fanboys in System Wars? PM me if you do so i can back you up :wink:

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]

Usually a PSU's failure does not lead to the death of a rig. It usually leads to just the death of a PSU. PSU horror stories have become very exaggerated. If funding permitted I would step it up a few notches to a Corsair PSU, but I'm trying to keep the cost low, and that Coolmax has done a great job the times that I've used it.

I'm not saying the danger isn't there but that its an arbitrary argument becasue its not often that a PSU compromises the entire computer. It kinda like saying that any time you're offered candy that the person offering it is going to throw you in a van and rape you. It happens, but not as often as people would leadyou to believe.

mastershake575

P.S. You gonna use this $500 PC to own some console fanboys in System Wars? PM me if you do so i can back you up :wink:

One minute tequilasunriser,i'll track you,DIK why my profile is set to private tho...

Primarily for helping those on a budget who appreciate PC games, yes. Though, enlightening some console kids would be fun too. I honestly think that if more people knew they could build a gaming rig for nearly the same price as a PS2 they'd jump on the PC gaming bandwagon.tequilasunriser

[QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]Primarily for helping those on a budget who appreciate PC games, yes. Though, enlightening some console kids would be fun too. I honestly think that if more people knew they could build a gaming rig for nearly the same price as a PS2 they'd jump on the PC gaming bandwagon.Indestructible2

Edited to make more sense. :P

You can't have friends come to your house to play crysis unless they bring their rig.

Thus the name "Hermit".
Gamespoot_LOL

The internet does a decent job of connecting people IMO. I'm sure others would agree.

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]Primarily for helping those on a budget who appreciate PC games, yes. Though, enlightening some console kids would be fun too. I honestly think that if more people knew they could build a gaming rig for nearly the same price as a PS2 they'd jump on the PC gaming bandwagon.tequilasunriser

Edited to make more sense. :P

[QUOTE="wanted_police"]

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"]I have to admit though,apart from the problem with the PSU,that rig is pretty good for the price.Spartan8907

finally someone admitted it.... ty everyone

As for the arguement that OCZ isnt that good: Unless you really want to get down to specifics, $40 OCZ ram is perfectly fine.

Hey sorry I missed your post. Which OCZs whould you be refering to? I'd like to check them out, for all I know they might turn out to be some strong sticks of ram.

[QUOTE="Spartan8907"][QUOTE="wanted_police"]

[QUOTE="Indestructible2"]I have to admit though,apart from the problem with the PSU,that rig is pretty good for the price.tequilasunriser

finally someone admitted it.... ty everyone

As for the arguement that OCZ isnt that good: Unless you really want to get down to specifics, $40 OCZ ram is perfectly fine.

Hey sorry I missed your post. Which OCZs whould you be refering to? I'd like to check them out, for all I know they might turn out to be some strong sticks of ram.