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08-25-2004, 06:42 AM
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#1 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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$900 Gaming Build- Please Help, again...
Hey guys, thanks for coming to the thread.
I have posted a couple times but this will be the last time I will post about this. My maximum, no more whatsoever is $900 and I need to build a GAMING pc from the ground up. I need everything, I have absolutely no computer parts for this pc. This game will be used for 99.99% Gaming. I have a laptop, so I will use it for everything BUT gaming, this pc is ONLY for gaming. I plan to buy Rome: Total War, Halo 2, and maybe even Doom 3, and no doubt I will get Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. So that should give you an idea of what I need. I am also leaning towards a Pentium build. This needs to be HIGHLY, HIGHLY UPGRADEABLE. I also plan to learn how to overclock. I plan to buy the parts within the next two weeks. Please help me pick the parts, even the monitor and everything I will need. Thanks! |
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08-25-2004, 08:54 AM
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#2 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 772
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Well since you're on a tight budget here, I was planning on giving you an Athlon XP build, but since AMD is moving on to socket 939, it won't be upgradeable, and S939 CPU + Mobo is not within price range. I wonder if it's possible to make a build with that budget that has everything you want ...
I think you'll have to be less picky with a tight budget like that, to be honest  Regards - Moose
Last edited by Moose on the Loose; 08-25-2004 at 09:00 AM. |
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08-25-2004, 10:15 AM
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#3 |
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Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
Posts: 346
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have no fear... so long as you do not plan on upgrading the cpu all by itself in like 2 years, we can work this...
cpu: AMD Athlon 64 2800+ Sckt 754 Retail $145 mobo: MSI K8N Neo Platinum $126 vid card: Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro $183 hdd: 80 G WD Caviar SATA 8MB buffer $69 ram: 512 mb Corsair Value Select PC3200 CAS 2.5 $77 optical: NuTech 8x DVD+-RW $62 PSU: Enlight 420 Watt $40 moniter: Samsung 793DF $106 case: you choose something cheap, budget $50 keyboard, mouse: find something cheap, budget $40 TOTAL: $898... it's close, really close, but it's a very very nice system for the money, imo. if you don't need all the fancy doodads like built in firewall, gigabit lan, etc, then get a cheaper mobo like the Chaintech VNF3-250 which is $75... takes $50 off of the final total... you can also pick up a cheap cd-rom for $30 or so and save about $30 on the optical. do both of those, and your total becomes about $820... Last edited by timbit; 08-25-2004 at 10:24 AM. |
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08-25-2004, 01:27 PM
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#4 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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What about speaker system... and 9800 sounds sweet... if I can get what I want then AMD will suit me... but I dont want to be stuck in a big hole in 2 years. I want this pc to last me for a while, even 4 years+ with upgrades along the way like video cards, a better cpu and all that.
Might I add I hate a bad sounding game, thats a reason games suck on my laptop... 
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08-25-2004, 01:31 PM
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#5 |
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Member (3 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7
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Nice build above. I'd recommend an antec case or similar, they are about $100 and have a quality powersupply included.
And to stay within budget, he'd have to get a cheaper optical or mobo, since that build is missing keyboard, mouse, I've seen cheap cases without cables, so that could be a possibility, ect. -Jeff |
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08-25-2004, 01:33 PM
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#6 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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Well, the problem is that with upgradability status, the Socket 754 won't get you too far. Socket 939 is what you should look at for future upgrades...that more than outside the loop on a 900 USD budget (around 250+ USD). Same on the Intel side - what you want to look for there is the Intel LGA775 CPUs with i915P chipset and PCI-E Graphics. I tried looking for a good MOBO here, but they're pretty expensive, especially for something non-Intel which means OC'ing friendly. The Intel P4 LGA775 (Socket T) at 2.8Ghz 800FSB is 170ish USD - same circumstance.
Hope that helps, kram
__________________
"For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue!"
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman |
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08-25-2004, 01:42 PM
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#7 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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Might I add the past threads I asked for help, they are ordered from newest to oldest.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=107625 http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=107380 http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=103394 They can help find what I need aswell. I am very much leaning towards intel pentium, I know the most about it, I have always used Intel, never AMD... if possible and good, I will go with Intel all the way... but 9800 is very tempting... |
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08-25-2004, 01:44 PM
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#8 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 772
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You can't make a computer for 900 USD that that will let you upgrade CPU in a year or so. Socket 754 is going to be AMD's low-budget socket, and 939 isn't within price range so... If you want to upgrade later you'll have to buy a new mobo, new CPU and probably new RAM too
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08-25-2004, 01:46 PM
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#9 | |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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Quote:
Hope that helps, kram Last edited by kram 2.0; 08-25-2004 at 01:49 PM. |
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08-25-2004, 01:50 PM
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#10 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Belgium
Posts: 873
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Going the socket 939 route will not guarantee upgradeability anyway. I have a KR7A mb, it's socket A and it's a good one, BUT it's only a 266 Megahertz chipset. It's a folly to think you can upgrade the cpu in two years without upgrading the mb, no matter which route you go. I say go for the best you can do RIGHT now, and worry about upgrading when you need to. My vote also goes to a 754 socket for the best bang-for-buck in games.
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08-25-2004, 01:55 PM
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#11 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
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I was in the same situation - the computer below is only about 1 month old. I chose the socket 754. Considering it is still possible to buy pci graphics cards now I think it will still be possible to buy agp cards in 2 years from now, the same with the cpu. There may not be much choice but I think you'll still be able to get an upgrade.
edit: this is a midrange build for now except for the expensive monitor, Im hoping it lasts me 5 years! |
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08-25-2004, 01:57 PM
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#12 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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If upgradability might concern you here, you might consider waiting a few weeks for the new generation stuff to settle in and prices to drop - PCI-E was introduced not long ago and the new LGA sockets the same. Can be said the same for Athlon 64-bit CPU sockets and DDR2 memory technology. I'd say go with current technology and worry upgrading later - Socket 478 is the most prevelant on the Intel side, Socket 754/A is the most prevelant on the AMD side. On games, there is no "better" - it comes down mostly to the graphics card and memory mostly.
kram |
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08-25-2004, 02:01 PM
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#13 |
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Member (1 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1
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For starters, I'd down grade to the 9600XT and put the money you save toward another 512 of RAM...
Reason: The difference in the 9600XT (you can buy it in 128 or 256 MB form) and the 9800 will be negligible for a while yet and the extra RAM will serve you well once you decide the laptop no longer suits your desires for everything except games. Then when the video card begins to bog down, as higher-quality games are released, that'll be when you want to upgrade again. The SATA prospect is probably a good one, though it's not mandatory. I fully expect it to be the next big thing as far as HDDs go. Whatever you decide, if you want more space, it's better to go with two smaller ones than one large one due to the way space is lost (because of the way that a GB is figured) on larger drives. Also, most cases will come with a decent powersupply...just make sure it's at least 350, and would prolly do you well to step-up a level for it. Remember the key to upgrading your system is NOT to do it all at once, but piece by piece as it becomes obsolete. So in the future when you think about upgrading this (your core machine), don't wait until it's on its deathbed. |
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08-25-2004, 02:11 PM
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#14 | ||
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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Quote:
The Extra 128-bit buswidth makes pretty big difference IMO. I was amazed at the difference. The extra 128MB memory makes little difference concerning performance increases. As the Radeon 9800 Pro is around 200 USD, it's arguablythe biggest bang for the buck right now. Quote:
kram |
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08-25-2004, 03:35 PM
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#15 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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I am very serious about upgradeability. I want this pc to last without having to spend hundreds more in the future. Last year I bugged my parents for a laptop, and now I bug them for a pc and I have told them it will last me for a while, and I want it to be the truth.
I will go with whichever system I can stay ontop with the games coming out whether it be upgrading the RAM, Video Card, Power Supply, whatever. I dont want to have to buy or spend hundreds more to keep my pc up to date with the games coming out. $700 is not alot, but its a starter, and I from here can slowly build up with the pc. So I will need a CPU that will last me and that would be upgradeable....Read my next post for the last build that was setup for me.. |
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08-25-2004, 03:36 PM
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#16 | |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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Quote:
EDIT: Might I add this build was posted on 07-11-2004 |
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08-26-2004, 02:49 AM
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#17 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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bump...
what do you guys think of the above build? |
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08-26-2004, 03:07 AM
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#18 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 52
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Personally....
If I came to upgrade it in 2 years time I'd be bored with the current bus speeds on this motherboard and I'd want something better as well as a new processor I'd already planned to get. Also, what are you doing about a monitor? |
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08-26-2004, 03:28 AM
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#19 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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I will buy it locally.
I would think that if getting a 9600Pro instead of a 9800pro would give me enough money for a better Pentium chip, like 2.8, I would go with 9600pro, sinse I can always upgrade the video card. And if not the video card, more ram. As said, it wouldn't be easy to upgrade the chip... |
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08-26-2004, 03:31 AM
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#20 | |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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The above build, the links didn;t work. Here is a good quote:
Quote:
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08-26-2004, 10:32 AM
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#21 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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May I add that a couple of the products here have dropped in price sinse it was posted, it may now be around $50 cheaper or so, meaning for an upgrade or a better monitor. If an upgrade it would probably be the video card... right?
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08-26-2004, 11:29 AM
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#22 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,956
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With a gaming computer,emphasis should be placed on video card,memory and sound.
The rest of the system is open to debate. If you choose AMD,look at the 64 cpus,these are affordable and will support future games rendered in 64 bit. The power of the cpu is secondary. Intel offers advantages with hyperthreading,look at Intel cpus that offer this. Speed of the hard drive(s) also plays a role in overall performance,you may want to consider a raid setup,using raid 0. Although you say you want a computer that will stay solid for 4 years,advancements in the field are always changing. PCI express is here,but expect no major gain from it yet,in 4 years that will change. Cpus will probably not increase in power that much,but will begin to have more built in them,such as the AMD 64's with their built in memory contoller,that one step is the reason for the AMD's 64 cpus having a certain advantage as far as speed. You can find many inexpensive good quality cases,but don't skimp on the power supply. Cheap power supplies may work fine,the problem lies in when they fail,it can take your system with it. As far as a monitor,you can save by getting a used top of the line crt monitor,consider a monitor has a life span of 7- 10 years,by looking at the date of manufacture,you can figure how much life is left in it. |
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08-26-2004, 01:08 PM
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#23 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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Speeddude's build looks good, but he used the Intel i865PE chipset for the LGA775...possible, but probably not the best of option when it comes to future upgrading. It might be better off using i910 chipset or something along those lines in order to utilize DDR2 memory, which in the future will be more upgradable.
The HDD is no longer on sale - I've actually bought one while it was  . Serial ATA is what you want to go with - it's the succesor of regular IDE. Go with something big...literally.Graphics Card? Use a motherboard with PCI-Express. You won't regret its upgradability. Getting an AGP motherboard now will mean you will need to dig out a AGP graphics card later...which means you will likely be limited in options. As for processors, now that I think of it, you might actually really want to wait a few months. I've been considering 64-bit processors for a while, but I think that the Intel P4 2.8F and 3.0F are coming soon - 64-bit versions of their "E" Processors (Prescott). The socket will be LGA775 pin socket. Hope that helps, kram |
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08-26-2004, 02:35 PM
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#24 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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Kram, a couple months ago you told me the same thing "Wait a few months for PCI Express". Well my deadline to get this pc done is September 23rd. No later.
Both of you have good suggestions, but can you provide links to your suggestions? I would realy appreciate it. And I think a cpu can last me a while, a couple years atleast if I keep updating the video card, memory and such, no? I am sure many games can play on a 1.8 P4 well sinse it has 512 and a 9800 Pro, am I right? Anyways, if not, pleasepost a build for me, I am lost when you guys say all these motherboards and such... |
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08-26-2004, 02:43 PM
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#25 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 17
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You can spend 900 bucks with a monitor or without?
Until you reply ill do a few searches. |
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08-26-2004, 03:09 PM
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#26 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 17
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Asus motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-478&depa=0 $86 dollars with shipping.
amd 2500 xp barton: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-379&depa=0 $90 dollars with shipping. SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK -OEM : http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...102-268&DEPA=0 $184 with shipping. Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-026&depa=0 with shipping 80 bucks. 2 512 sticks $160 bucks. Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800JB, OEM Drive Only: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-122&depa=0 $64.25 with shipping. Case with power supply: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...156-135&depa=0 $46 bucks, with shipping $62 bucks. That is only $646.25 AFTER shipping. That is insanely cheap. You can get a CRT monitor for 100 bucks. That still leaves you with 150 bucks to play with. Probably change the barton 2500 to 3200 that will cost you an extra 110 bucks. With the extra 40 bucks get a decent kickass case. This is the exact system I have but I have a barton 2800. Better memory but only 512 of it. A crappy gainward 256mb video card 5600fx. I can play UT2004 for 6 hours without any hesitation. Doom3 I havent tried but with more memory, faster processor and 5x better video card you will have no problems with this bang for the buck pc. Also there is no fears of overclocking this system a tad. Spend the extra money on better case/fans and you will not be let down! Monitor isn't important. If you want keyboard/mouse/speakers you can also get that for $50 bucks and good quality stuff too. DVD drive is out of the question for your budget even though they are cheap. For gaming I do not even recommend a CD-RW but they are aslo cheap. And floppy or cd drive will do. Do not dare buy locally. Most online stores have free shipping like newegg and are tax free. The tax alone saves you 60 + bucks depending where you live. Plus if you damage your stuff newegg will return it no question asked. Its hassle free and mega cheap prices. |
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08-26-2004, 04:39 PM
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#27 | ||
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 7,835
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Quote:
Quote:
kram |
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08-27-2004, 02:18 AM
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#28 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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Jon, you set is VERY VERY VERY tempting.... and its all cheap becuase of AMD.... but I dont know, I am in my head, AMD or Intel, AMD or Intel, AMD or Intel on and on and on and on.
I wish there was a site which tells the exact plus' and minus' of each one. Btw, the CPU u put only has an FSB of 333? Isn't that very low compared to the 800MHz FSB nowadays? |
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08-27-2004, 02:50 AM
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#29 | |
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Shiro Usagi
Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Kaneohe, Hawaii
Posts: 34,002
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Quote:
Don't get too caught up in numbers and such...both AMD and Intel make very good processors that do exactly what they're supposed to...compute. Whether you use AMD or Intel is completely up to you, just know that one is not really "better" than the other. And Windows doesn't know or care if you're using AMD or Intel in the computer...all Windows cares about is that there is a processor there to do the work. Don't over analyze your choices...you'll stress yourself needlessly. You're just building a computer, not a space shuttle. Cricket
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08-27-2004, 03:06 AM
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#30 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 142
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lol, thanks. I will probably go with AMD if I can get a more powerful system for my money...
I have a quick question, in the future, if I change the CPU and the Motherboard, will I be able to transfer it to a Pentium build? This is thinking in like a couple years when I have a couple hundred bucks. :P Thats a side question, other then that, tell me, simple yes or no question, can I build a more powerful system for my money going with AMD? Like Memory, Video Card and all that? |
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