$500 gaming pc

[dbunks]

I'm looking to build my first PC.
Not having much expieriance i was happy to happen upon this site.

Budget Gaming PC | Hardware Revolution

I am planning on building the tier 1 system(the one hilighted in green).
while perhaps upgrading to the quad core.

I was wondering what you guys thought about this build or if you have any other suggestions in this price range.

I already have a good asus monitor and am planning on using windows 7.

Thanks.

[David M]

Have a look around at some of the recent gamers in the $500 range. You will start to see what this forum considers the best bang for the buck reliable gaming computers.

http://www.pcmech.com/forum/build-your-own-pc/

Put together a parts list and we will help you refine it.

[birddog_61]

I don't like the Asrock board, I don't like the gskill ram, and I don't like the samsung HDD. The other choices would for sure not be my first choice for a bang for buck pc build but they aren't terrible.

[glc]

We recommend Asus motherboards, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, or A-Data ram, and Western Digital Black hard drives. Recommended video card brands are Asus, EVGA, Diamond, and HIS. Recommended power supplies are Seasonic, Corsair (but not the CX series), and selected Antecs.

[jdeb]

I don't think that guy actually puts them together, he just specs them out. Most of the recommendations you get on here will be from people that have used the combo's before or built them for others. ASRock boards are to be avoided from my experience. Geil memory is taking a chance as well, tried it new a few times and never passed memtests so I avoid them completely.

[dbunks]

alright thanks i guess i will work on a parts list from some of the recommended brands.

[dbunks]

Ok so i have attempted to put a parts list together. Keep in mind i am a complete beginner. I think these parts will work together but what i am most worried about is the power supply since i know that can mess up the whole system.

Newegg.com - ASUS 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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard

Newegg.com - ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9/4G

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX435WFGMBOX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

I hear video card beats pcu when it comes to gaming.
I am also thinking i may need more ram.
Any recommendations on makng it cheeper would be awsome cause this is pushing my budget.

[Mdorty]

Originally Posted by dbunks Ok so i have attempted to put a parts list together. Keep in mind i am a complete beginner. I think these parts will work together but what i am most worried about is the power supply since i know that can mess up the whole system. Newegg.com - ASUS 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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Newegg.com - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard Newegg.com - ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply Newegg.com - Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9/4G Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX435WFGMBOX I hear video card beats pcu when it comes to gaming. I am also thinking i may need more ram.

That power supply is over kill for that system. I'd go with something like this: Newegg.com - Recertified: PC Power and Cooling S61EPS-B 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7
You'd save quite a bit of money, which you could spend on more RAM, better cpu, or gpu.

Edit: And if you were getting that power supply for a future crossfire, it might be good enough, I'm not sure, but I'd imagine it'd be right on the edge of the amount of power you'd need to crossfire.

[glc]

I wouldn't buy a recertified power supply. You can always add more ram later if you need it. Very well chosen components. If you were going to spend any more money, I'd get a stronger video card.

This is all you need for a PSU:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

[orbrit]

Your budget increased quite a bit!

Good that you're allowing for future expansions and upgrades.
With that board you can eventually add a second 5770 in Crossfire.
The HIS 5770 is $99.99 after MIR right now
Newegg.com - HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

Ditto on powersupply being overkill at 850W. I Crossfire on a Corsair 550W and my Kill-A-Watt never goes above 290W at the outlet
I'd look at this one instead.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

The Athlon II X3 450 Rana @ 3.2 Ghz is definitely worth the extra $8
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX

[dbunks]

Ok that enthusiast power supply will do better so i will swith those out however im confused on video cards. When it says 2.0x 16 or 2.1 which do i want or is there slots for both on that motherboard?

thanks for the help.

[glc]

2.0 and 2.1 are cross compatible. Any x16 card will work in any x16 slot.

[dbunks]

ok thanks so would this video card be better?
Newegg.com - ASUS EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5/V2 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

and 1 more question if i have old ram from an old computer can i mix that with the new ram even if they don't run at the same speeds?

[orbrit]

Yes the HD 6850 is somewhere between a 5830 and 5850 in performance, so yes, better than the 5770.

As far as memory goes, how old are you talking?
Mixing speeds is not a good idea. To get true dual channel optimization you need the same speed. RAM is so cheap, why skimp there?
If you're thinking about going to 8 Gb, then I wouldn't bother with that for gaming.

The most memory intensive games still only use about 1.5 Gb so you're not even close to maxing out at 4 Gb.

[dbunks]

ok sounds like i shouldn't worry about ram.
thanks for all the help guys.

[glc]

I doubt your old ram is DDR3, so it won't even work in the new board.

[dbunks]

So these are about the same price. Which video card do you think will outperform?

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH6850 DC/2DIS/1GD5/V2 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Newegg.com - HIS H685F1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Or are these like the same thing?

[orbrit]

They are essentially the same, but looking at specs, the Asus shows 790 MHz core clock vs. 775 MHz for the HIS.

Also the ASUS has a 3 yr warranty vs. 2 for the HIS.

[dbunks]

So when it comes to CD readers...
Newegg.com - ASUS 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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners
Is that going to read high def movies. And i don't need blue ray.

Also the static wristband stuff seems kinda ridiculous is that necissary?

[orbrit]

Originally Posted by dbunks So when it comes to CD readers... Newegg.com - ASUS 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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 1.5MB Cache SATA 24X Burner LightScribe Support - CD / DVD Burners Is that going to read high def movies. And i don't need blue ray. Also the static wristband stuff seems kinda ridiculous is that necissary?

That drive will play regular DVDs. It won't play HD DVD or Blu Ray.

Do you actually have HD DVD movies to play? The standard never really took off and was superceded by Sony Blu Ray.

I've never in my life used an antistatic wrist band.

[dbunks]

Does the video card play a role in how much power is needed.
So like if i buy a 5850 card will that need a heftier psu?

[glc]

The Corsair 650 has enough power for any single video card made.