Ideas for a cheap good gaming rig

[explodinglam]

Right now, im playing pr on modded ultra-low settings
my comps specs are as follows:
Intel celeron 2.8 Ghz (single core)
1Gb DDR RAM
Nvidia FX5200 gfx card
generic soundcard
um... 17" crt monitor...
need anything else?
anyways
i need ideas for a good cheap gaming rig
i was aiming for under $800

[strickt]

ya 800 is plenty however the socket 775 (intel dual and quad core) is pretty much a dead socket, there wont be any more 775 socket cpu's made so my sugjestion is to go amd

here is a good start

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=10650291

add a hard drive and optical drive for under 100$ and you have a killer gaming rig.

[DesmoLocke]

Are you fine buying components and putting them together? Or do you want a pre-built system? You didn't specify...

NewEgg has 13 systems right now for under $750.

Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops,Desktop PCs,Desktop PCs,Gaming,$500 - $750

Of course you can save some money by building it yourself.

[explodinglam]

thank ye
i was planning to build it myself so strikt's model looks promising with me
im going to wait until newegg has a huge sale and buy that config if it still around

[LT Harrison=ORA=]

I just put this one together on Newegg for $807.50 which includes shipping... Not to mention it will play any game out right now with ease.

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. Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price
. .
Update11-119-047 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:CAC-T05-UB
Item #:N82E16811119047
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$54.98 -$10.00 Instant $44.98
. .
Update13-188-033 EVGA 122-YW-E173-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:122-YW-E173-TR
Item #:N82E16813188033
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate13-188-033

$129.99 -$10.00 Instant $119.99
. .
Update14-130-475 EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:896-P3-1170-AR
Item #:N82E16814130475
Return Policy:VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate14-130-475

$249.99 -$20.00 Instant $229.99
. .
Update17-159-082 COOLMAX NW-650B 650W ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail
Model #:NW-650B
Item #:N82E16817159082
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate17-159-082

$69.99 -$10.00 Instant $59.99
. .
Update19-115-017 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #:BX80562Q6600
Item #:N82E16819115017
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock
$199.99 $199.99
. .
Update20-227-377 OCZ NVIDIA SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N800SRC44GK - Retail
Model # :O CZ2N800SRC44GK
Item #:N82E16820227377
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card20-227-377

$51.99 $51.99
. .
Update22-136-320 Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD5001AALS
Item #:N82E16822136320
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
$69.99 $69.99
Subtotal: $776.92

Select All - Select None
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My rig is close to this with a few upgrades, and while mine will score higher in most tests, it will play anything that that one in the list will at the same settings.

My build:
Case=Coolermaster 832 -w- 7 120mm fans
CPU=Q6600 overclocked to 3.2Ghz
Mobo=EVGA 780i SLI
GPU=2x EVGA 295's
PSU=CoolerMaster 1000watt
RAM=16gb OCZ 800mhz
HDD=300gb Velociraptor
HDD=750gb WD Black
HDD=500gb WD Black
SC=SB X-Fi Fatal1ty
OS=Vista Ultimate 64bit

Key points to keep in mind:
1. CPU's can be overclocked slightly with no ill effect. So don't go all out unless you haz da monies!
2. Heat is the enemy, spend money on a nice case if you game, especially with the new GPU's out today. Point the side fan out near the GPU exaust.
3. You can build a computer 1/2 to 3/4 the cost of retail boxes. Its not hard, plenty of vids to help on youtube if ya need.
4. With motherboards and GPU's buy EVGA, they are covered under warranty even if you overclock them and blow em up, which is rare. Just remember to register them.
5. Do not buy Dell or Alienware, you will get ripped off for the money you spend. I can build a $3000 Alienware for less than $1900.

Theres a lot more I could say but this already is a wall of text...

[MonkeySoldier]

That PSU is overkill, 500/550 W of a good brand should be enough.
I also don't really understand why'd you choosed for 'SLI ready' RAM. This one will do the job just as well, and you save some money. I would also replace the Q6600 with a better CPU, for a lower price tag, the Phenom II 940 BE. And I'd take the WD blue instead of the black, since it's a lot less noisy. IIRC black is meant for RAID, but don't quote me on it.

Anyway, this is what I've made out of it:

[Drunkenup]

If you're looking for a hardcore gaming system, I suggest you go with the Intel Core i7, the 920 exactly, anyother is overkill since the 920 is good for 4Ghz+, Buy any various 1366 Mobo, Just make sure its good, (I personally would go for a EVGA X58 SLI, but thats up to you). If you're not so hardcore, I suggest you keep your motherboard, buy a good LGA 775 CPU, Core 2 Duo, C2Q, or if you be state of the art, wait til this fall and buy the upcoming Intel i5, or the not so known i3 (re-engineered C2D series for 2009 Q4) and matching mobo. Graphics wise, you can't go far with a integrated, I had one, BF2 wouldn't even start, It all depends on what you need, If you have the cash, I suggest you go with a GTX 260, or a equivalent ATI, 4870, 4890 (ATI's are usually cheaper), if you're a bit short, a Cheaper ATI, or 9 Series Nvidia will do the job.
Its all up to you, do your research, and DON'T FORGET THE SECONDARIES, You will need a new PSU, preferably something about 550 Watts, and Good cooling, (If you're going with a Intel CPU, I suggest the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, Rev 2 , Revision 2 Supports all modern LGA 775 and 1366 minus Celeron, and P4).

[smart_boy00]

For that price tag you could get a kick @$$ system going. Just don’t skip out on the most important parts. When looking at a pc build make sure to get the best motherboard and power supply you ca. Everything else is easy to change out and up grade but these two are the biggest pain and the most important. For a PS I would recommend one with at least two rails of 12V power. I have quad 12V rails on mine and it can handle anything. Look around the 800Watt range and you will be covered for a long time. For motherboards look at Gigabyte. I have had several builds with them and they all out performs anything else I have used. Stay away from MSI, and DFI boards. in one word.....****. for the epic battle of Intel Vs AMD...... well, I would base that off of your video card. ATI or gForce. I myself m an ATI fan but I wont tell you what to get. I will tell you I have run several ATI builds with both Intel and AMD and I fine that Intel will let you push the chip faster and harder AMD seems to be integrating the video card and CPU more and more. (AMD owns ATI now BTW) Don’t go all out on the CPU yet but make sure on your motherboard you allow yourself the most expandability. On AMD I would say Phenom X4 series and for Intel don’t get anything less than the i7. Just the lowest i7 will last long a long time right now. For your case make sure to keep in mind the hard drive space. Plenty of fans and space to work in. if you need any more help feel free to email me and I will answer questions or help in any way I can.

[strickt]

If you're looking for a hardcore gaming system, I suggest you go with the Intel Core i7, the 920 exactly, anyother is overkill since the 920 is good for 4Ghz+, Buy any various 1366 Mobo, Just make sure its good, (I personally would go for a EVGA X58 SLI, but thats up to you). If you're not so hardcore, I suggest you keep your motherboard, buy a good LGA 775 CPU, Core 2 Duo, C2Q, or if you be state of the art, wait til this fall and buy the upcoming Intel i5, or the not so known i3 (re-engineered C2D series for 2009 Q4) and matching mobo. Graphics wise, you can't go far with a integrated, I had one, BF2 wouldn't even start, It all depends on what you need, If you have the cash, I suggest you go with a GTX 260, or a equivalent ATI, 4870, 4890 (ATI's are usually cheaper), if you're a bit short, a Cheaper ATI, or 9 Series Nvidia will do the job.
Its all up to you, do your research, and DON'T FORGET THE SECONDARIES, You will need a new PSU, preferably something about 550 Watts, and Good cooling, (If you're going with a Intel CPU, I suggest the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, Rev 2 , Revision 2 Supports all modern LGA 775 and 1366 minus Celeron, and P4).

Unfortunetly his budget is only around 800 so an i7 machine isnt going to wok..... stick with the am3 computer I showed you at the top unless someone makes something that looks better to you

[MonkeySoldier]

Unfortunetly his budget is only around 800 so an i7 machine isnt going to wok..... stick with the am3 computer I showed you at the top unless someone makes something that looks better to you

I'd change the mobo to this one. No difference in pricing, but the chipset is better. And I strongly recommend adding an aftermarket cooler, because stock AMD fans, especially in combination with 125W CPU's, are really noisy, and don't cool as well as most other aftermarket CPU coolers.
I combined our suggestions :

You have to imagine the Phenom II 955, because it's out of stock (till 17th of august) so I couldn't add it to the shopping cart. I also changed the HD 4870 to a 512 version, since 1G is overkill for a 17" monitor.

[Drunkenup]

Unfortunetly his budget is only around 800 so an i7 machine isnt going to wok..... stick with the am3 computer I showed you at the top unless someone makes something that looks better to you

I see. I personally like Intel better, but your setup looks good.

[LT Harrison=ORA=]

I see. I personally like Intel better, but your setup looks good.

I have to agree about Intel. The problem is there are soooo many great components out right now, tough to chose, and everyone has opinions and favorites. Personally, EVGA mobos and GPUs are my favorites because of quality, stability, and warranty. Hell, you can overclock the **** out of it, burn it up, and they will still replace it. Not many companies will do that. Not to mention the programs, control panels, and tools they have make overclocking easy. But thats just my opinion... and experiance.