500$ gaming pc

[Blarg]

Reading the explodie thread had this link Build a Kick-Ass $500 Gaming PC, Play Crysis at 40FPS! | Maximum PC

Since I have an old computer and my vid card has died this is the kind of thing I need as I really don't know much about components to make a new computer.

Small problem being canadian is that these things are more expensive and I need to use 3 sites to get all those items. Newegg.ca - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! Buy Computer Parts, Computer Hardware, PC Parts at Best Online Computer Shop - DirectCanada NCIX.com - Canada's Premier Computer Store - Great Technology, Service and Selection.

I am ignoring the dvd burner as I already have one. Including mail in rebates the items come in at just about 500$ even.

NCIX.com - Buy Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 770MHZ 512MB GDDR5 2XDVI PCI-E Video Card - AX4870 512MD5 In Canada.
NCIX.com - Buy Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 Dual Core Processor LGA775 2.5GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail Box - BX80571E5200 In Canada.
NCIX.com - Buy Crucial Rendition 2GB 1X2GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 200PIN SODIMM Memory - RM25664AC667 In Canada.
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.9MS Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty - DirectCanada
Newegg.ca - Rosewill TU-155 II 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Computer Cases
Newegg.ca - MSI P43 Neo3-F LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Also in the explodie thread someone mentioned that he would make some adjustments to this. Does anyone have recommendations to what I should change (bonus points for upgrades that make it cheaper) small price increases for a big improvement are fine. I'm more of a console gamer and use the PC for wow/CS/TF2 kind of games not really super graphic intensive so I don't need top line vid card or something.


Last thing, are there any sites that deal directly with this kind of thing so I can see what their suggestions are.

[fishstix]

Did a quick google of the PSU that comes with that case, and I'm not reading good things lol. I didn't realize the power supply is a big deal until reading some of the threads here.

[Blarg]

I can't even see what the name of the PSU is to search for reviews of it. Can you link me the reviews?

[scrockstar]

I just built my father a sub $500 system to run x2 24" LCDs and used the E5200. The E5200 Wolfdale is hands down the best CPU for your money right now so I agree that you should build your system around that.

Looking at the new egg .ca site I should recommend getting this memory:
Newegg.ca - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Desktop Memory

You'll see a big difference between this memory and the $25 one. In my mind the upgrade is well worth the extra $25 and I am a big fan of G skill.

[guartz]

Blarg,

I can't think of any game that won't play very well at high settings with a regular resolution on that pc.

[Blarg]

Blarg,

I can't think of any game that won't play very well at high settings with a regular resolution on that pc.

Do you know if that cpu is actually bad?

[Cheerios]

4th of July sales hhhhhhhnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg

[Blarg]

I don't think canadian sites will have 4th of july sales

[guartz]

Do you know if that cpu is actually bad?

like the above guy said, best cpu for the money,

mainly because its so easy to overlock it



edit: most MSI mobos have this kickass bios where overlocking is a breeze, and even if you don't want to mess with the technical stuff, the bios will have an option to automatically overlock it by 10%.

the only thing I'd change on that setup is probably get more ram.

[Blarg]

like the above guy said, best cpu for the money,

mainly because its so easy to overlock it

Whoops, I meant the power supply. PSU and CPU are too similar for me

[guartz]

PSU seems like it can handle the video card.


edit: Just remember to disable dual display option in catalyst when you install the video drivers, since I heard that effect performance if left on.

[scrockstar]

Do you know if that cpu is actually bad?

The thing to watch out for with cheap PSUs is that they tend to age much faster than well built ones. When PSUs age they provide less power and this can cause problems when the PSU is not able to provide enough power to run everything.

Looking over your setup I'd be surprised if your system will use more than 300W. Since you are getting a cheap 500W PSU you'll be just fine since you'll have 150-200W to spare. Now if you were using more a power hungry CPU / Cooling system / GPU (or a crossfire setup) you might need 450W. In which case it would be a very bad idea to get a cheap 500W PSU since you'll run into problems very quickly. But for a $500 setup you'll be fine.

[Blarg]

It seems like shipping is much cheaper through NCIX. It's 30$ just for the case+psu on newegg. I can't find the same case in NCIX so what other case+cpu should i get from them

[Blarg]

NCIX.com - Buy Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio - THREE HUNDRED In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Coolermaster Extreme Power 550W ATX 12V V2.01 Silent Power Supply 20/24PIN 120MM Fan - RP-550-PCAR In Canada.

Are these things compatible? I can't find a case + PSU combo here but if I order everything with ncix they can do the building for me.

[Blarg]

One last thing. I took out the HD as I didn't really need it. Can they/are they able to test for compatability without there being a HD in there? The building they do isn't refundable so I don't want to order it and then get told I need a HD for them to test it and then end up wasting money.

[guartz]

I don't know that Blarg, wouldn't it be wise to ask them though?

[Blarg]

It would be but I have to wait till monday for a reply, already sent the question.

[fishstix]

Sorry for the late responce, but on the specs page:
Power Supply 500W(Model: DR-8500BTX)

and the reviews I found
generic PSU : DR-8500BTX - jonnyGURU Forums
New PSU results in stable CPU - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
Will my power supply work with this card? - Virtual Dr Forums-Computer Tech Support

Apparently the brand, Deer is known for being really bad at making PSUs. People say it's equivalent to a 300w lol

[scrockstar]

NCIX.com - Buy Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio - THREE HUNDRED In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Coolermaster Extreme Power 550W ATX 12V V2.01 Silent Power Supply 20/24PIN 120MM Fan - RP-550-PCAR In Canada.

Are these things compatible? I can't find a case + PSU combo here but if I order everything with ncix they can do the building for me.

Both of those work together. The PSU is both 20 and 24 pin so it will work with any modren Mobo. While Coolermaster is not one of the best brand names it's a step above the generic one posted before. Since your build is not very power demanding you don't need a top of the line PSU so I think this 550W one will last you a long time.

[Blarg]

I found this fan which I think is better quality for just a bit more, lose 50W but the quality should make up for it.

NCIX.com - Buy Thermaltake Purepower 500W ATX12V V2.0 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan - W0100R In Canada.

I think it may be cheaper with a price match too