Budget Gaming PC Build

[moodyblues100]

I have been asked to build a budget gaming PC and after reviewing several posts on the forums have come up with the following components. I came in pretty close to the $1000.00 budget allotted, but was curious what changes might be suggested if the budget was raised or possibly reduced. Thanks in advance, Jack
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core

ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55

3 - CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (6GB)

ASUS EAH5570/DI/1GD3(LP) Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16

Other components include:
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb
Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Elite NV-334-KWN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower
LOGISYS FP521 All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader

[glc]

That's a dual channel motherboard. Buy a single 2x2gb dual channel ram kit for 4gb. I'd up the video card to a 5670. I'd also go with a better brand PSU - Antec, Corsair, or Seasonic.

[triquee]

If you drop that stick of ram you don't need, you might be able to squeeze in a 5770 (GDDR5) if you had $15 to work with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-363-_-Product - $160

Also, this RAM looks pretty cool - low voltage and excellent timings. I almost wish I had used it for my rig now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-318-_-Product - $115

Actually, what you would save if you used this power supply instead would cover the extra $15 and the additional $5 on the RAM - so you'd come out roughly the same:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371007 - $70

[glc]

No need to spend extra for the Eco memory - standard Corsair, G.skill, Kingston, or Crucial is fine.

[moodyblues100]

Thanks for all the suggestions. After reading the advice and suggestions posted here, I have proposed the following:

ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) IceQ 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express Video Card

Antec 500W Continuous Power ATX12V

GIGABYTE GZ-X7BMDX-400 Black Mid Tower Computer Case

LOGISYS FP521 All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA

LG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

With a more generic case it comes in at about the same budget as the previous specs.

[mjkovis]

Drop the Seagate HD and go with a 500GB WD Black HD. No need for the Ripjaws, you can get away with the standard G.SKILL RAM as long as it is on the motherboards QVL. You also, don't really need to go with DDR3 1600 speed. You can get away with 1066 or 1333 just fine.

[glc]

1066 speed ram will hold the CPU back. The exact match speed is 1333. For the price, the standard 1.5 volt Ripjaws is a good bet.

[rwest]

take a look at this vid card:
powercolor 4850 105.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131163

[glc]

We're recommending 5000 series cards for gaming builds now for DX11 compatibility.

[rwest]

Understandable. But wouldn't the 4850 still perform better? If the op is looking for a budget gaming pc, the latest version of Direct X may not be top priorty.

[triquee]

If it were me, and future proofing didn't put me too far off my budget mark, I'd do it.

[moodyblues100]

I proposed the last build specs that I listed and was informed I could up the budget. I am proposing upping the RAM to 8GB. When researching the CPU I originally proposed the I-5 at $199.00. With the increased budget I could go with th I-7 Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail. What is the difference between the 2? I see the operating frequency is 2.8 compared to 2.66. Is it worth the $80.00?
Thanks again for all the feedback.

[glc]

The only difference other than the clock speed is the i7 cores are hyperthreaded. There is no advantage in that for gaming, the $80 is better spent on a better video card. I'd also suggest that 4gb ram is enough for gaming, you can always add another pair later. If you are going to go with a real strong video card, you may want to up that PSU to a 650.

[moodyblues100]

Originally Posted by glc the $80 is better spent on a better video card.

Any suggestions for a video card? Nvidia? Radeon? What specs should I look for?

[glc]

How much can you budget for just the video card - considering you MAY want to upgrade the powersupply?

[moodyblues100]

If I don't go for the I-7 that gives me $80.00 to spend on the PS and graphics. If I don't go with 8GB ram thats another $105. (although I think this guy likes the bragging rights that go with 8 GB) The Antec I chose is $70. Graphics card $100.

[orbrit]

you can always add another 4Gb later. Get the right video card/psu now.

[rwest]

$80 +
$70 for replacing the 500watt Antec
and $99 spent for the 5670
Gives apx. $250.00 for psu and video
The Antec 650 Earthwatts is on sale for $80 ten less if you use the promo
That leaves apx $170 for a graphics card.

In a 5000 series:
Saphire 5770 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102873
or this:
Powercolor 5770 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131328

of course if it was me, I'd choose one of these 4870's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161292

an additional $105 for video Gives apx 260.00 bucks.
Now your in some serious eyecandy!

[glc]

With a 5770 or even a 4870 you don't have to replace the Antec, it's strong enough.

[moodyblues100]

Thanks for all the advice provided. Ended up keeping the 8 GB Ram,
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ,
& Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified. Kept the I-5 CPU.
All the other specs stayed the same.

[moodyblues100]

I ordered the parts from Newegg Thursday evening and all parts except and extra case fan arrived today, Monday. (ya gotta love Newegg) I immediately jumped right in and got it put together. Except for having to remove a cap over the 8 pin power connector and plugging it in with 8 pins instead of only 4, it went flawlessly. Windows 7 Ultimate is installed and I am currently getting the current drivers for the HD5770 Video card.

Upon initial start up I used the default settings for the motherboard. I was wondering if there are any settings that should be tweaked for optimal gaming performance. I generally do not overclock since I think in most cases the manufacturers suggestions are safer to use, but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

[orbrit]

I did a similar thing last week - i5 750, Ripjaws DDR3 1600(I only did 4Gb), Sapphire HD 5770.
I'd run the GPU-Z and CPU-Z, to make sure your frequencies are running what they should (I've heard of PCI-e cards running at x2 instead of x16 before). Make sure your memory is running at the correct frequency too. (Mine is now at 829.3 MHz with 2:10 FSB : DRAM = 1660 MHz) The only change I made on my BIOS was to turn the base CPU clock to 166 MHZ from 133 to give me 3317 MHz (instead of the stock 2.66GHz)
Even with the stock cooler my temps don't go above 70C.
I have the Coolermaster 212 on the way even though I don't plan on any other overclocking.

As far as memory usage goes - maxed out with all the details at 1920x1200 on MW2, I'm at about 2.4Gb RAM usage and under 25% CPU most of the time on all cores

[rwest]

Instead of default bios option look for an optimal or something of that sort. Default is the safest setting for setup, once up and running take advantage of the factory preset for performance.

Also look at boot order. If you don't have a floppy, remove the option to look for it. Ideally the first drive should be the one with the OS on it, be sure it is. No reason to have the system search anymore than neccessary to boot.

If smart is not enabled, I reccomend enableing it. It's not always enabled ny default.