[GSXR2010]

Hi, So I want to build a good machine and my budget is around $500-$550. What I have right now is a Dell Optiplex GX280, CPU: P4 2.8Ghz 1M 800. RAM: 4GB. Hard Drive: 2TB WD Caviar Green. Video Card: ATI Radeon 256MB (Don't know the model number YET will update as soon as possible). I use my 37" LCD TV as my monitor. So really my question is should or can I upgrade the Dell or should I just build my own machine with the budget I have. If I build my own machine for gaming, how should I go about it. Suggestions please. *Also my Dell has a problem, my CPU fan is on like hyper-drive. It sounds way to loud. I have received some suggestions but I want to see what else I can do to fix this problem. I called Dell and they said I need to update the BIOS online at there web-site and if that does not work to replace the heat-sink and fan which would cost 32.99. So any suggestions on that as well. Thanks everyone.
-Ryan

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So I want to build a good machine and my budget is around $500-$550. ... If I build my own machine for gaming, ...

I hate to be the bearer of possibly depressing news but, IMHO, you cannot build a "good gaming machine" from scratch for "$500-$550".

Fortunately, you already have a few components that you hopefully will be able to use. So, assuming you can use your current: Desktop Case, Hard Drive, Video Card, CD/DVD drive, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers and Operating System:

ASRock X58 Extreme motherboard - $170
Intel Core i7-920 2.66 GHz CPU - $280
Patroit Viper 6GB (3x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3-1333 SDRAM - $159
Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W PSU - $90

Total - $699

Whoops, looks like I'm way over budget. ... I'll bow out now and let someone else try.

[SpywareDr]

So I want to build a good machine and my budget is around $500-$550. ... If I build my own machine for gaming, ...

I hate to be the bearer of possibly depressing news but, IMHO, you cannot build a "good gaming machine" from scratch for "$500-$550".

Fortunately, you already have a few components that you hopefully will be able to use. So, assuming you can use your current: Desktop Case, Hard Drive, Video Card, CD/DVD drive, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers and Operating System:

ASRock X58 Extreme motherboard - $170
Intel Core i7-920 2.66 GHz CPU - $280
Patroit Viper 6GB (3x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3-1333 SDRAM - $159
Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W PSU - $90

Total - $699

Whoops, looks like I'm way over budget. ... I'll bow out now and let someone else try.

[tiya267]

you can build a great gaming pc in that budget...

for gaming it does not mean that you every thing best.
i recently build one pc for myself.

got i3-530
ati 5750
ddr3 4gb


it works awesome

got samsung LCD 22" which was also cheap.


i suggest build your own pc t will cost you vey less.

[SpywareDr]

Hmmm... "Great" for $500?

The tax alone on what I would consider a "Great" gaming PC would be close to double that.

Guess it all depends on what you mean by "Great" eh?

[tiya267]

just name a game that cant be played by this config...

[SpywareDr]

I dunno, maybe FarCry 2 (set at Very High Quality, 4x AA, no AF) running on a 30" monitor (2560x1600) at say a 60 FPS average?

I'd be surprised if a 5750 could even pull a 30 on an i5-750, much less an i3-530.

Note: I say "a 60 FPS average" simply because if it ever drops below 40, I have this tendency to get a bit upset. After throwing away thousands worth of cheap, smashed stuff I swore I'd never buy another 'Yugo', (if you get my drift). If it won't go from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds and then hit 250 MPH in less than 60 seconds, it must be junk.

[GSXR2010]

Great stuff guys thanks a lot, but honestly ill stick to the xbox 360 if I want action with Far Cry 2 (for example). I guess when I say I want a good gaming machine, I will be playing MMO's like Diablo 3 if it ever comes out and WOW online. Stuff like that, im not very big on FPS on my CPU. But I should have emphasized that. I saw on Maximum PC MAG an article about building a kick-a$$ gaming machine for $500. Here check this out: http://www.maximumpc...ay_crysis_40fps

[SpywareDr]

Note 1: That's $500 for just the basic box. You'll still need a Monitor ($115), Keyboard & Mouse ($25), Speakers ($10) and an Operating System ($110) before you'll be able to fire up any games on it. $500 + $260 = $760, (plus S&H).

Note 2: "Kick-A$$"? It is hardly what I would define as a "strikingly or overwhelmingly tough, aggressive, powerful, or effective" Gaming PC.

Edited by SpywareDr, 18 April 2010 - 08:49 AM.

[gibsonsg2121]

Well, if you wanted to stay away from Intel and its high prices...

You could go with a Phenom II 555 which has 3.2 ghz speed, easily overclocked to about 4.0, and possible 4 cores (guaranteed 2). A 785g Mobo would be an affordable addition. Put on 4gb of 1600 RAM and a decent hdd, and you're in business.

(in $US)
CPU- $100
Mobo-$85
RAM- $110
HDD- $80
case-$30
DVDR-$25
PSU- $40

Now, so far we're at $470. Your mobo likely has a GPU already in it. If you wanted to go higher for gaming, you can get a reasonable GPU for $50. So, $520. Add on a OS- $670. For budgetary reasons, use your old mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

This is NOT a high-level gaming system. But as far as value and capability, it's hard to beat.

I'm not Intel bashing- they really do make the best processors; but for your money, AMD offers more computing power per dollar.