[DreamingReality]

Well, I plan on building my own gaming pc instead of paying out $2000 - $4000 for one. The problem is that I don't know what stuff to get. Well, I know I need a graphics card, a multi-core processor, plenty of RAM, a large hard drive since the 139GB one I have just isn't enough space, a good psu that won't die on me fast, a new case to store everything in and a new mobo since the cpu socket on this one is for am2 processors only.

So any suggestions you guys?

Note: please keep in mind that i'm on a $600 - $700 budget. So, I can't spend $300 on a graphics card.

 

[Princess Garnet]

Okay, answer us a few questions. $600-$700 is definitely possible, but some routes will be easier than others, and it will take some smarts.

Do you prefer Intel, AMD, or either?

Do you care if it's dual core or quad core?

Do you want to overclock? Need an aftermarket heatsink or is stock fine (if not overclocking, stock will be fine)?

When you say "alot of RAM", does that mean as much as you can get, or just a good amount that won't be too little a year from now? The standard right now, at least if you were buying right now, would be to get at least 4GB. With DDR2 prices going back up slowly, it may be a good idea to grab 8GB now if you really do mean you want alot, but this will cost ~$100 on it's own, cutting into other parts cost. Getting 4GB certainly won't be too little. I just want to gauge what you mean by "plenty".

Do you care if the GPU is ATi or nVidia?

Do you have a preference for motherboard brand or no?

Will you want to reuse any of your existing parts? I assume you'll just be needing the PC itself, and that the monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and OS are all accounted for. I am referring to any PC parts you already have.

Lastly, and most importantly, what is the use of this PC? How often will you use it for what, and how long will you want it to last before you need standard upgrades/before you can put more into it, if ever?

 

[Hatorijr]

i know what others will say but i will give you the answer i give my friends who claim to want to build a gaming pc for a cheap price, not possible.

building a gaming pc implys you plan to put a decent amount of money into it, 600-700 is very little for a gaming pc, even a half decent system, for the parts you'd need, its just not enough and still be able to classify it as a "gaming" system.

when it comes to pc parts, you really do get what you paid for, you pay a little and thats just what you get, pay a lot and you will not be sorry. buy a cheap part and do not be surprised if it does not perform well or dies quickly, especially if you overclock that part(in regards to say the cpu).

 

[Princess Garnet]

It's called a budget level PC, but it can be a gaming PC. The idea is that you sacrifice a bit (like a top end PSU for future upgrades, maybe less and/or slower RAM, less and/or smaller hard drives, a lesser GPU that be upgraded easily, etc.), but you can still put something together for that kind of money that will game and do it well. It just won't win any awards, but who cares.

 

[bkwegoharder]

600-700 can easily get you a very good pc that can play every game out now on very high settings.

Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

Hell, I've even seen 400 dollar builds that can play all games out on high settings with great resolutions.

 

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

Are you sure about the 4870 fitting into that tiny case on the first option?

 

[masta.g.86]

The Cooler Master case in the first option is similar to mine. There's tons of room for a 4870.

 

[LoneWolf]

that case can fit even a GTX295.

 

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

I find it hard to believe that a mini-tower can fit the big GTXs when looking at the GTX260 sitting in my mid-tower, the ATi cards perhaps as they are shorter than the GTXs, but not the GTXs.

 

[gamefreak94]

This case by Cooler Master is good, also keeping in mind that it fits your budget:
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=2908

Can house up to 7x 120mm fans, is SLI capable (not that most people need that), and has 31cm of clearance between the back-end and the drive-bays: should suffice well.

building a gaming pc implys you plan to put a decent amount of money into it, 600-700 is very little for a gaming pc, even a half decent system, for the parts you'd need, its just not enough and still be able to classify it as a "gaming" system.

How come? He can easily pick up an AthlonII X2 + HD4870/GTX260 for that much, and that's enough to fly through even most modern games at high settings.

 

[jembut]

if its for pc gaming i believe quad core better
just wait athlon II X4 n get the best GPU out there + best PSU (for GPU power requirement)

 

[Hatorijr]

from the sound of the original post he seems to be planning on building a whole new pc, and with what everyone is suggesting, i do not see it happening with 600-700, not with all he would need for a good gaming system.

 

[jembut]

no its can if he decide building regular PC, not "super cooling sub zero overclocking" PC

 

[Fadingz]

Save some money on PSU if I were you, then expand from you if you are limited on bidget.
Yo don't the PSU to fail on you.
Spend around $90 on the PSU.

 

[LoneWolf]

A corsair 450VX is the best PSU you can get for that budget. can handle an overclock quad and a HD 4890.

 

[gamefreak94]

Or Antec. Their PSUs care pretty good too. Though basically any PSU with 35-40A on the +12V rail will be pretty overkill and sufficiently future-proof provided you don't have something monstrous in store for it.

 

[Cid Highwind]

Antec's PSUs are dodgy, it's a bit of a lottery with them. Most would advise Corsair because there's less risk involved. Anyway, I think Zedeck asked the right questions first, also we need to know what stuff he already has:
- Keyboard/mouse?
- DVD burner?
- Wireless card?
- Powersupply perhaps?

 

[bkwegoharder]

Antecs psus are dodgy? Really? From what I heard they are really stable. Even though Corsairs seem better, PC power and cooling seems like one of the top makers, and Corsairs power supplies are usually around the same price so it would be better to get a pc power and cooling one since those are better.

 

[Cid Highwind]

It might be something of the past, I don't know exactly, Squall probably knows more about it. I was quite surprised by it as well as it always seemed a reputable brand to me. While they certainly aren't bad, when you're in that price class there's plenty of better alternatives, so no need to go for the risk.

 

[bkwegoharder]

I hear people say that Antec psus are really really top of the line, I'm real surprised to hear this. The only bad thing is that they have lots of 12v rails instead of a single rail.