AnimeSuki Forums

demon2004 · 2009-06-07, 04:30

ok i need some help building a new computer for my friend he wants to start gameing but dosen't want to spend much

money,his buget for the computer is $340us he already has a video card an evga 9800gtx+ superclocked some help would be nice

chikorita157 · 2009-06-07, 08:15

It's very difficult to buy the necessary parts for that budget since you won't have enough money to buy A decent CPU, motherboard, hard drive, PSU, ram and a case. Note that lowerend cpu will bottleneck the gpu and in turn reduce gaming performance. Unless you are using existing parts on the old computer, it will be enough just for the CPU and motherboard but not a new build.

I suggest saving more money so you can have better components

demon2004 · 2009-06-07, 10:45

i said he wanted to start gameing not an hardcore gamer you guys go out and pay$300-400 just for a cpu thats crazy i am sure there's cheap cpus that will let you game, hell i use to have an x2 4800+ and had no probls gameing at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103265
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9103300:upset:

Neat Hedgehog · 2009-06-07, 11:38

Ok, I snooped around on Newegg, and here's what I came up with:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813157151R
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156226 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203
Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004
DVD/CD Drive/Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173

Grand total after mail-in-rebates (I know, I hate those too, but if he wants at least a DECENT rig, you might need to put up with a few) comes to $342.

There are some openbox deals in there, but I've never had a problem with Newegg's openboxes.

Now that's the Intel-based system. I'm gonna take another look at what your AMD-based alternatives are.

Hmm... well, unfortunately, most of the AMD CPU's in your budget range are from when AMD was getting completely thrashed by Intel. You could always go with something like this combo deal

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381

There's a combo deal on those right now. $20 off. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.200020

After a $10 MiR, it comes to $322, leaving you about $20 for various things you might need.

Honestly, I wouldn't expect to see a huge performance difference either way. These are both "old" rigs, and you're not going to get much of a "gaming" PC for $340. What you're going to get is a plain PC (by today's standards) that happens to be capable of running games.

Claies · 2009-06-07, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neat Hedgehog

Ok, I snooped around on Newegg, and here's what I came up with:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813157151R
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156226
Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004
DVD/CD Drive/Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173

Grand total after mail-in-rebates (I know, I hate those too, but if he wants at least a DECENT rig, you might need to put up with a few) comes to $342.

There are some openbox deals in there, but I've never had a problem with Newegg's openboxes.

Now that's the Intel-based system. I'm gonna take another look at what your AMD-based alternatives are.

Be careful with your motherboard choice. Reviews say that its specifications are misleading.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157151

Same with the case. Reviews speak of it being an absolute pain to work with, sharp corners, screws that don't match, the works.

Quote:

i said he wanted to start gameing not an hardcore gamer you guys go out and pay$300-400 just for a cpu thats crazy i am sure there's cheap cpus that will let you game, hell i use to have an x2 4800+ and had no probls gameing at all.

FYI, we don't spend $300 on a CPU. I find that disgusting.

Just because you can squeeze a PC out of $350 doesn't mean you should. Building computers is one of the best places to say you get what you pay for. You of all people should know from all your Compaq questions on this board. Not paying attention in the short run asks for problems later that you'll regret.

Neat Hedgehog · 2009-06-07, 12:17

I didn't really think the "misleading specs" on the motherboard mattered too much, since this was going to be a basic system.

As far as the case, I've never really had a problem with them. Then again, maybe I'm just able to put with more messing around than other people when it comes to their cases. But if the reviews are too off-putting for the OP, he could always replace it with this one from Cooler Master: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203

chikorita157 · 2009-06-07, 13:13

Remember, gaming computers are expensive investments and you should atleast use good quality computer parts since it will be more relalible. Also, lower end CPU will perform poorly in very CPU intensive games like Crysis which require imense graphics and CPU power. If you playing something like Sims, sure the cheaper CPU will perform fine, but not the latest games.

You should save a few hundred dollars more so you can get a Core i7 CPU and a decent motherboard so it will still be able to play the newest game without needing to get a new CPU. Remember, you get what you paid for, so don't expect that a cheap computer to run as a higher end PC. This is the main reason I don't buy dell computers and bought an Apple laptop (which I also run Windows on, but I wouldn't recommend for hardcore gaming) because cheap computers don't last long.

Neat Hedgehog · 2009-06-07, 13:35

Either of those CPU's could handle Crysis decently. Mine is roughly on par with them (E6600 OCed to 3.2ghz), and it works fine. Actually, either of the systems that I put together would run most of today's games pretty well with his graphics card. But that's just it, they aren't going to run tomorrow's games at anything more than low settings.

So there's a choice; either buy a cheap system now that will perform decently for maybe a year before it's totally ancient history, or wait for more money / the price on the i7's equipment to drop. Obviously waiting to buy a better system is the better choice, imo, but if he waits to buy the i7 rig, then his current graphics card will be even more outdated than it already is and he'll probably never use it, so it would go to waste. He could always sell it off if he decides to wait, but he's probably not going to get a lot for it these days.

Basically, if your friend decides to go ahead and buy a cheap system now, just make sure he understands that it's only going to be half-assed today, and if he wants to upgrade later on down the road he'll have to buy a whole new computer (probably i7 based), since the old C2D and C2Q lines are dead ends these days.

demon2004 · 2009-06-07, 13:44

i only used my compaq for 4 weeks then i just built myself a new computer like every one else was saying, and i gave my card 9800gtx to my friend, i am useing a quad core cpu now and crossfire 4850's, so would he beable to play games at good fps with the setup you listed

demon2004 · 2009-06-07, 13:48

i can't see mysrelf spending hundred dollars for a dam cpu thats just stupid and only for it to be outdated a few months later i have seen that happen in other fourums, it's not like i don't have the money i just rather spend it xbox 360 games then on a cpu

PurpleLightning · 2009-06-08, 13:48

this question could better be answered with newegg and its checkout page... which magically tells you total and shipping... ta-da. or you can do the research for yourself using pricewatch... good hunting, my 4th or 5th build pc, i forget, costs under 800 and i have 2 Tbytes of HD space a 3 ghz dual core and a mid-end, at the time, gpu but my PS did cost about 120us and one place you cant skimp on is power... trust me.

sa547 · 2009-06-09, 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by demon2004

...it's not like i don't have the money i just rather spend it xbox 360 games then on a cpu

Then for average people, that is a smarter investment.

Building and upgrading PCs for gaming purposes -- whether casual or total hard-core -- demands the same kind of commitment and caution that is reserved for racing car drivers and custom garage tuners: think thrice, make comparisons, see if that piece of equipment works for your specific purposes and budget limitations, look for solid information, then make the judgment to buy or not.

Buying unnecessary computer parts on a mere whim is a recipe for budgetary disaster.

2009-06-07, 04:30	Link #1
demon2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2006	building a new buget gameing computer ok i need some help building a new computer for my friend he wants to start gameing but dosen't want to spend much money,his buget for the computer is $340us he already has a video card an evga 9800gtx+ superclocked some help would be nice

2009-06-07, 08:15	Link #2
chikorita157 ひきこもりアイドル IT Support Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pennsylvania , United States Age: 34	It's very difficult to buy the necessary parts for that budget since you won't have enough money to buy A decent CPU, motherboard, hard drive, PSU, ram and a case. Note that lowerend cpu will bottleneck the gpu and in turn reduce gaming performance. Unless you are using existing parts on the old computer, it will be enough just for the CPU and motherboard but not a new build. I suggest saving more money so you can have better components __________________ Chikorita157's Anime Blog \| Atelier Shiori (Personal Sideblog) \| Tumblr \| Twitter

2009-06-07, 10:45	Link #3
demon2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2006	really i said he wanted to start gameing not an hardcore gamer you guys go out and pay$300-400 just for a cpu thats crazy i am sure there's cheap cpus that will let you game, hell i use to have an x2 4800+ and had no probls gameing at all. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103289 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103265 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9103300:upset:

2009-06-07, 11:38	Link #4
Neat Hedgehog Hack of all trades Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Age: 36	Ok, I snooped around on Newegg, and here's what I came up with: Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813157151R CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115206 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241 Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156226 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203 Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 DVD/CD Drive/Burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173 Grand total after mail-in-rebates (I know, I hate those too, but if he wants at least a DECENT rig, you might need to put up with a few) comes to $342. There are some openbox deals in there, but I've never had a problem with Newegg's openboxes. Now that's the Intel-based system. I'm gonna take another look at what your AMD-based alternatives are. Hmm... well, unfortunately, most of the AMD CPU's in your budget range are from when AMD was getting completely thrashed by Intel. You could always go with something like this combo deal CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680 Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131381 There's a combo deal on those right now. $20 off. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.200020 After a $10 MiR, it comes to $322, leaving you about $20 for various things you might need. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to see a huge performance difference either way. These are both "old" rigs, and you're not going to get much of a "gaming" PC for $340. What you're going to get is a plain PC (by today's standards) that happens to be capable of running games. Last edited by Neat Hedgehog; 2009-06-07 at 13:07. Reason: Added AMD system info

2009-06-07, 13:13	Link #7
chikorita157 ひきこもりアイドル IT Support Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pennsylvania , United States Age: 34	Remember, gaming computers are expensive investments and you should atleast use good quality computer parts since it will be more relalible. Also, lower end CPU will perform poorly in very CPU intensive games like Crysis which require imense graphics and CPU power. If you playing something like Sims, sure the cheaper CPU will perform fine, but not the latest games. You should save a few hundred dollars more so you can get a Core i7 CPU and a decent motherboard so it will still be able to play the newest game without needing to get a new CPU. Remember, you get what you paid for, so don't expect that a cheap computer to run as a higher end PC. This is the main reason I don't buy dell computers and bought an Apple laptop (which I also run Windows on, but I wouldn't recommend for hardcore gaming) because cheap computers don't last long. __________________ Chikorita157's Anime Blog \| Atelier Shiori (Personal Sideblog) \| Tumblr \| Twitter

2009-06-07, 12:17	Link #6
Neat Hedgehog Hack of all trades Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Age: 36	I didn't really think the "misleading specs" on the motherboard mattered too much, since this was going to be a basic system. As far as the case, I've never really had a problem with them. Then again, maybe I'm just able to put with more messing around than other people when it comes to their cases. But if the reviews are too off-putting for the OP, he could always replace it with this one from Cooler Master: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203

2009-06-07, 13:35	Link #8
Neat Hedgehog Hack of all trades Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Age: 36	Either of those CPU's could handle Crysis decently. Mine is roughly on par with them (E6600 OCed to 3.2ghz), and it works fine. Actually, either of the systems that I put together would run most of today's games pretty well with his graphics card. But that's just it, they aren't going to run tomorrow's games at anything more than low settings. So there's a choice; either buy a cheap system now that will perform decently for maybe a year before it's totally ancient history, or wait for more money / the price on the i7's equipment to drop. Obviously waiting to buy a better system is the better choice, imo, but if he waits to buy the i7 rig, then his current graphics card will be even more outdated than it already is and he'll probably never use it, so it would go to waste. He could always sell it off if he decides to wait, but he's probably not going to get a lot for it these days. Basically, if your friend decides to go ahead and buy a cheap system now, just make sure he understands that it's only going to be half-assed today, and if he wants to upgrade later on down the road he'll have to buy a whole new computer (probably i7 based), since the old C2D and C2Q lines are dead ends these days. Last edited by Neat Hedgehog; 2009-06-07 at 13:36. Reason: a basic spelling error my English teacher would shoot me for

2009-06-07, 13:44	Link #9
demon2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2006	true i only used my compaq for 4 weeks then i just built myself a new computer like every one else was saying, and i gave my card 9800gtx to my friend, i am useing a quad core cpu now and crossfire 4850's, so would he beable to play games at good fps with the setup you listed

2009-06-07, 13:48	Link #10
demon2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2006	i can't see mysrelf spending hundred dollars for a dam cpu thats just stupid and only for it to be outdated a few months later i have seen that happen in other fourums, it's not like i don't have the money i just rather spend it xbox 360 games then on a cpu

2009-06-08, 13:48	Link #11
PurpleLightning Member Join Date: Jul 2004	this question could better be answered with newegg and its checkout page... which magically tells you total and shipping... ta-da. or you can do the research for yourself using pricewatch... good hunting, my 4th or 5th build pc, i forget, costs under 800 and i have 2 Tbytes of HD space a 3 ghz dual core and a mid-end, at the time, gpu but my PS did cost about 120us and one place you cant skimp on is power... trust me.