[jdawg183]

Hello everyone! I have been poking around and this seem like an awesome site so I thought I would consult you guys for help!
I am going to be building my first computer and would like to build a fairly nice gaming rig. I already have a mouse, keyboard, speakers and monitor, but the rest I am kind of at a loss at the moment. I would like something that has some serious speed to it. I will not be playing way intensive games like crysis, but enjoy playing MMOFPS such as Combat Arms, Call Of Duty etc. I have some ideas but would like some input. I am looking at the options below and would like to stay around $500 (like I said, I already have the items mentioned above as well as the OS). Also, if a motherboard comes with an integrated video card, can you still add a dedicated one?
Any Suggestions?
$70 PSI Zodiac Case - Black w/400 watt power supply and one additional fan- http://www.xoxide.co...case-black.html

Cant decide which would be the most beneficial for the CPU, the extra core or the L3 cache?
$100- AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor or AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103648
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103706

$80- MSI 770-C45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813130228

$120- G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231223

$45-SPARKLE SFPX95GT1024U2H GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814187034

$13- ENCORE ENLWI-G(2) IEEE 802.11b/g TPCI Standard Universal Add-in card Compliant with PCI 2.0 Wireless Adapter Up to 54Mbps (that way I can move it out to hook up to my TV:)) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16833180030
$48- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136098

Total: $476
Any suggestions would be fantastic! This seems like it would be a decent rig to play games on, but I am new to the building world. Thanks a bunch!

Edited by jdawg183, 27 October 2009 - 03:29 AM.

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Hi and welcome, first up we're really going to need to adjust that PSU option. What do you anticipate to spend on the case/PSU?

[Troy]

Hi and welcome, first up we're really going to need to adjust that PSU option. What do you anticipate to spend on the case/PSU?

[jdawg183]

Well, I was hoping to stay under $500, and am able to do that if I add a different PSU to the match directly from the site If I were to upgrade to a Sunbeam Black Steel 580 Watt would that be sufficient?

[jdawg183]

By the way Troy, I see you are running the signature edition of Win 7, how was your Windows 7 Party?

[Troy]

Yeah, it was a great party. We had a good look at the OS and some of the "fancy features", then we had a quick LAN of TrackMania car racing, it was heaps of fun.

I have to admit that Sunbeam 580W is not what I would class as an "upgrade".

What OS do you have - Windows 7 as well? Do you specifically prefer AMD or wouldn't mind an Intel build? I'd be happy to throw up a suggestion build for you once I know this.

Cheers

[jdawg183]

I will be running Windows 7 Pro X64 (I can get it free with the MSDNAA program). I was going to go with AMD simply because I could get a faster processor for a lower price (from my understanding. I may be mistaken though). If you have any suggestions that would handle games better than the Phenom X3, I am open to suggestions. My biggest concern is staying under or around $500 though. What would a good PSU be? What about this one? LOGISYS Computer PS550X2 550W ATX12V Power Supply Dual Fan w/ Radiation Filter- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817170025

[rshaffer61]

I'm one of the AMD fans but I'm not here cause the ninja will hurt me with his sticks.

[Troy]

You have a good knack for choosing poor quality power supplies.

Seeing as the dead man above me thinks he's not here, I challenge him to a showdown. He can suggest an AMD build, I'll suggest an Intel build, and then we'll debate the cons and pros of each system.

I honestly am not solely committed to one side or the other, I just like getting the best bang for your buck.

What say you Ron?

[rshaffer61]

Ok for 500 dollars or less?
Hmmm ok I'm working on it.

[rshaffer61]

Barebones amd system

CPU Fan

Hard Drive 500 gig Sata

No monitor , kb or mouse as it looks like you already have that.
Total price: $325.00 plus shipping.
Optional 500Watt Corsair PSU for 95.00 after mail in rebate.
Total Price then 410.00 plus shipping at about 40.00 totals $450.00

[jdawg183]

Very nice, I always saw the "Barebones systems" and didnt even look at them because I figured they would be 1.6 Ghz processors with 1 GB of Ram etc. I only have 2 concerns, will that 2MB L3 cache be enough and will I be able to put a dedicated video card on that motherboard where as it has an integrated video card, or will it not recognize the second one? Thank you very much for your help! You guys ROCK!

[rshaffer61]

Yes you can put a different video card in as it has the new PCI Express slots.
When you install a new card the onboard will be disabled.
AMD Phenom X4 9750 Quad Core Processor 512 L2 and 2 mb L3
4 gigs off ddr2 800 mhz memory. Don't think you should have any problem.
The one you chose was a triple core and this is a quad core.

[jdawg183]

That system is looking very nice! I am thinking unless Troy comes up with something astounding, that might be the route to go! Looking forward to hearing from you Troy

[jdawg183]

If I were to go with that build and add a video card, which card would you reccomend?

[rshaffer61]

Go HERE and any of these four cards will work.
The crossfire technology will allow at any time in the future for you to add a second video card and to be able to join them together,
This will create even better gaming and video watching.