As you will see, this is a LOW-budget pc that should hopefully play some of the new(er) games without too many issues (certainly not at max or anything, just wanna play them). IF YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING CHEAPER THAN I HAVE LISTED, YET ALSO DECENT QUALITY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! The Mobo, Proc ($109), case ($60 after M-i-R), and PSU were all his recommendations.
I heard this motherboard with integrated vid card with crossfire capabilities (it only shares memory, it's its own graphics processor, so its not like other integrated cards, so i hear), and i've heard it's is actually decent (and easy to upgrade if need be), but i wanted to know what you guys think. If you think its still crap, please recommend a good cheap motherboard (and vid card if you perfer) and i'll find a good vid card for me =).
Also, what power supply is neccessary? My friend said a 500W one, but i dont know how necc. that is. Here's the parts...feel free to recommend and such =)
As far as case: Which one might have better airflow/cooling? Are the big fancy cases really that much better for cooling?
Lastly, Which processor should i get (best for the money/quality), i have 2 listed here, and is it easy to assemble with the MoBo?
I have to look into wether my RAM i previously purchased will be compatible (2 x 1 GB) with this new build. So dont worry, i didnt forget it =)
go with intel, they are much better for gaming. the cpu can be overclocked from 1.8 to 3.0 and will be great for games. you need to get a video card. the integrated gpu on the 780g boards are not meant for gaming and you will be disappointed with it. the video card is a 9600gt and is close to the speed of an 8800gt but it is cheaper. it also beats out the 3870. i wouldn't get either of those cases, just save your money and get a decent looking one. the mouse is cheap and wont be great for gaming but if you are on a budget it will be fine.
The rest of your components are fine EXCEPT for the Power supply, which is crap. This one is quieter, much better made, and despite the numbers, more powerful: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 We could find out if your old RAM is compatible, but only if you tell us what it is you've got!
thanks for your replies everyone, i really appreciate it!!
Nice case suggestion =)
Ok, so i have 4 questions relating to your responses...sorry i'm on such a tight budget =(, just keep in mind i'm not looking for a very hardcore machine, so i dont mind if its even a few mid-grade parts
1. How easy is it to overclock, and, wont that wear out the processor faster? Plus, I dont want to have to get extra cooling =/
2. Is there a decent video card thats under...say...80 bucks?
3. What are some other cheaper motherboard options?
4. Lastly, i realize a power supply is not something to skimp on...but what will be my appropriate wattage need to add to the possibility of a lower price?
I'll post my RAM once this is all resolved...thank you guys!
the cpu is very easy to overclock. you will be able to get around 3ghz wthout extra cooling but anymore and a new heatsink is needed. the lowest video cad you should go for if you want to play games is the 8800gs. after rebate it is $100.
The lowest card you should aim for if you want to play games well is the 8800GS. However, if you don't have a huge monitor and don't mind sacrificing some settings you can get yourself one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102703 The other motherboard and PSU are good units for the price too and will drop your total budget significantly.
Ok, so far, i like just about everything you all have suggested; the only issue i have now is:
I'm still a little apprehensive conserning the mobo/cpu. I was pleased that overall, its a bit cheaper budget-wise via the cpu/mobo combo you offered. Plus, it seems inevitable that i need to get a vid card, so the more money i can save in spots, the better, but, it seems overall, your getting much more via AMD mobo/cpu...more RAM slots and PCI-E 2.0(not sure if the one you offered had it, i couldn't tell via the specs). I guess maybe a couple questions would clear this all up.
1. Is the Intel CPU better for gaming simply because it can overclock to a faster speed? If that's the case, cant i just overclock the AMD CPU? It just seems a bit scary to overclock that processor that much...will it wear it out a lot faster?
2. Tying with the question above, is the Intel chip better for other reasons? It seems like the AMD cpu has more new features, but this is coming from someone who doesn't know much about cpu's, so be gentle =)
3. How important is it to have PCI-E 2.0? Because the AMD mobo had that, so i was wondering if its really necc, especially for future vid cards if i decide to upgrade.
Thanks again guys, i really appreciate such awesome help! =D
Oh, and concerning the RAM, im gonna keep it with my old comp and get some new RAM, so i'll be looking at that shortly as well...luckily thats very cheap for the most part.
1280x1024 is a resolution that midrange graphics cards should handle well. With the exception of Supreme Commander Forged Alliance, Crysis and Colin McRae DiRT, you can run any game at its maximum settings on even a relatively cheap card at that resolution, certainly if you don't use AA.
For the three questions you asked together, I'll put them together. if you want more RAM slots, shell out for a better board, that goes the same for AMD or Intel, we've just given you a cheaper but solid board to save money. On the whole Intel chips are always faster than AMDs for the same sort of money, and the ones we've outlined are no exception.
For RAM, go with Corsair PC2 6400 DDR2 stuff, it's cheap and it works.
ok sammorris thanks, that helps clear things up a lot!
What about the PCI-E 2.0?
And will the processor burn out a lot faster with overclocking?
I'm gonna take a look at the RAM...how do u feel about Patriot Memory? I found they are great for on a budget and i've had no issues with my current one,
1. Ignore it, by the time it matters you'll probably need a new board
2. Only if you up the voltage a lot, we can help you monitor that.
3. Fine, but I prefer Corsair.
So, concerning the mobo and extra PCI-E slots...is it worth the money to put forth for another slot (essentially, is crossfire worth it/make enough of a difference?)
I use crossfire, and to be quite honest, it's an absolute pain in the backside. Given you're on a low budget, avoid it at all cost. SLI may not be quite so bad, but it means using an nvidia chipset motherboard, which aren't as good as intel chipset ones.
As for the CPU upgrade, yes it is. In fact, go for the E2200 if you can stretch the extra $9 above that.
Essentially, Intel can never guarantee that the CPUs will run as fast as overclocking makes them run, and overclocking (or at least the voltage increase side of overclocking) shortens the life of a CPU. If you keep it subtle, the CPUs should still last more than a decade, but that's half of how long they should last if left stock. Realistically though, is that CPU going to be worth using in 10 years time?
Originally posted by sammorris: is that CPU going to be worth using in 10 years time?
With the rate technology moves, you could cut that down to 5 years.
Chip manufacturers realise that overclockability is a big selling point and they always give some headroom, though they dont gaurantee it.
As long as you aren't looking for extremes and getting carried away with the vcore increases, your chip will still be purring long after you upgrade again.
Ok, i think i have it all finalized; this is the last thing i saw that may be a good replacement to make up for the uppe'd CPU; i didnt wanna mess with the mobo pick due to im sure you picked it for a reason:
And yea, you both have a point =) I've just always been scared to overclock because of
1. the supposed difficulty in doing it and maintanece, plus extra cooling
2. THE 'PUTA IS GONNA 'SPLODE!
but thankfully i have you all to help me! =) I should be ordering here within the next day or two, just waiting for all final opinions (i'll compile my FINAL list [yes!] once the parts seem fine). Thanks again all!!!!!
Xion, Aspire/Apevia, Rosewill all those sort of companies make flashy looking cases from the pictures, but they're made of very tacky cheap plastic and just aren't built properly. Go with one of these at the very least: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146041
One thing I recommend you get for decent overclocking is this CPU cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134 You attach it in the exact same way you'd have to with the cooler that comes with your CPU, and it does a much better job.
The bigger hard disk is pretty good.
Hey again! My vacation is almost over, and so within the week i will be ordering all my parts! YAY! I'm glad i had to wait, because there are lots of new MiR's that'll save me lotsa bucks...
Because of this,
Would any of you help me take a second look at the Mobo and GPU to make sure i'm getting the most for my money? I would do it myself...but i have NO idea what to look for/at. Try and stay within the same price range, such as no more than $75 in total for GPU with or without a MiR (the MiR on my current pick was not there before, so i originally getting it for $75 anyway). Don't just fit to the budget if the extra money isn't worth upping from my current pick, i can put the money into something else (or just save it =D). Same thing with the Mobo.
I'll repost my list since i know many things have been messed with, just incase any of you felt like leaving other suggestions.
hey sammorris, did it look like i wasn't gonna find a better MOBO or GPU within the original price ranges i have already?
Thanks for the RAM suggestion; i lost the MiR on my other RAM so i had to find a new set...im glad you found a corsair one now with a MiR! And is QUITE cheap =) Thank you sir!
