Fight to the Death!

[Viridis25]

Hi folks. I am going to game, make music, watch videos, multi-task, etc. on a new computer that I want to build. My budget is $1000 MAX (maybe a couple dollars over won't kill me). Since I'm trying to read a million threads and posts with people asking about their rigs, everything just mixes and blends after a while. Now, I'm just confused as to what part I should get for any component of my future rig. So I have an idea for this special thread. Can everyone talk about one component of a desktop and why they like it and why it is the best choice for a budget gamer like me? I mean, full, detailed rigs are fine, too, lol. And you guys can argue, too, because that helps me the most out of anything - both sides of the argument. I really would like it if you all didn't just talk about one component. Case, PSU, Mobo, CPU, HDD, RAM, Pri Optical, Sec Optical, S. card, V. card, Keyboard, Mouse, LAN, (I have a monitor), Speakers, OS, and possible accessories. I call out the best of the best to fight in this thread! I hope you folks take this as a really creative approach rather than a really lazy, rat bastard, arrogant bitch approach. Thanks a lot for everything.

*Edit*

Please, if you can, talk about all the compatibility stuff, too, cuz I want my system to work, haha. Like which part would go with which part really well. And, please, everything above has to add up to $1000 (ish) - that ish being a really small ish.

[cantputt04]

Umm.... I guess I'll start

For a budget gaming build, there is no better video card that the Radeon HD 4850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102747

For now $160 USD (after rebate), you can get graphical performance that either matches or out-performs anything you'd get from NVidia that costs less than double what you'd pay for one of these, I.E. GTX 260. NVidia dropped the price of the 9800 GTX and is releasing the new 9800 GTX+ in order to combat this animal of a card, but ATI keeps dropping the price of the 4850 as well. The 9800 GTX+ will be 230, which is 70 more than the HD 4850 is performs just about the same, if just a smidgen better. But is $70 worth 2 frames per second? Never.

This is your card.

[Viridis25]

Wow thanks a lot, haha. That's exactly EXACTLY the type of information I am totally open to. It's like the exemplary post to my special thread. And yeah, I'm definitely going to use that one because that's one of the things that's not disputed about very often in these threads. THANKS!

*Edit*

So, I'm guessing that the brand should be Sapphire, nothing else? I mean, Gigabyte has the same type and same price - which brand is better?

[vtfanmv5]

Your best brand bet is going to be ASUS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121253). They were out of stock but now there are some available (no telling how long that will last).

[cantputt04]

Yeah, they have a combo deal going with the P5Q-Pro but that ends tomorrow

I'm not sure what difference the brand makes... if any at all really. I see Sapphire as being the EVGA of the ATI world. Plus I like the name, and I read it's of the top ATI retailers.

[Viridis25]

Oh alright. I guess I'll just go with the Sapphire because ASUS is out of stock right now. I mean, I'm not ordering the parts, yet, but I'd rather go with something that's $5 cheaper, lol. Thanks both for the information. I guess I can safely say that I know which video card I'm buying. So, no more posts regarding video cards! Thanks.

[vtfanmv5]

As for other recommendations - I'll go with Case and CPU.

Case - Antec 900, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Probably the most used case you'll find here. Great airflow - two front intake fans, one rear exhaust fan, one huge 200mm top exhaust fan. Sleek look but not over the top. Blue LEDs on front intake fans and back exhaust fans. Only con I have is that you have to take off both sides (not tool-less) of the case to work with the drive bays. But this just makes for a sturdy, well-built, quality case.

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
OR Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

The two most commonly used Intel CPUs in builds here. The E8400 is the better gaming performer, but if you do any multitasking the Q6600 might be for you (it games great also). They both overclock very well (I run my Q6600 at 3.4GHz).

[Viridis25]

I really like the sound of a quad-core processor, especially because I think it's more future proof than the dual core. I like the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, but what about any of the AMD stuff? Any of them good? I mean, the prices are relatively similar.

[vtfanmv5]

I'll defer to someone else on AMD processors, since I haven't worked with any in several years.

[Viridis25]

Well, whatever. Never mind about the processor. I think I'll just get the Q6600. How about the other parts?? PSU, Mobo, HDD, optical, etc.

[Cricket]

Motherboard: ASUS P5K EPU

For RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

DVD Burner: LITE-ON Black SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe

Cricket

[cantputt04]

Originally Posted by Cricket Motherboard: ASUS P5K EPU For RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Power supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive DVD Burner: LITE-ON Black SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe Cricket

I don't see how any of those parts can be disputed.

[Viridis25]

THanks to all that replied. It was a great help! Now I'm going to make another thread with the general outline of my new gaming rig.