$500 computer

[legacy-chimbaktu]

here's a challenge for you guys: build me a computer for $500. here are the rules: i already have the OS, monitor, and peripheals. But i need a case, mobo, CPU, GPU, hard drive, and memory. sound card is optional. and i would like this machine to be geared towards gaming. i've built my own computers before, so this is not a problem. i've been looking at parts and such and have an idea of what i want and would get, but i would like to see what you guys come up with. have fun, and hopefully this rig could get 60+fps with medium settings or higher in UT2k4 (tweaks not included).

[legacy-k|Tex]

Here's a challenge: do it yourself on newegg you lazy *******

[legacy-Knobby]

http://www.apple.com/macmini/
:up: :up:


EDIT-- JK LMAO! Mac mini :noob: Hey, its $500. Hold on, I'll see what I can do for real on newegg...

[legacy-ThePerfectCore]

Re: $500 computer

Originally posted by chimbaktu
here's a challenge for you guys: build me a computer for $500. here are the rules: i already have the OS, monitor, and peripheals. But i need a case, mobo, CPU, GPU, hard drive, and memory. sound card is optional. and i would like this machine to be geared towards gaming. i've built my own computers before, so this is not a problem. i've been looking at parts and such and have an idea of what i want and would get, but i would like to see what you guys come up with. have fun, and hopefully this rig could get 60+fps with medium settings or higher in UT2k4 (tweaks not included).

Save your money until you have enough to build something more future-resistant.

[legacy-chimbaktu]

Originally posted by k|Tex
Here's a challenge: do it yourself on newegg you lazy *******

hey, i am lazy. don't hate on lazy people. plus, i've already got my configuration from newegg that i think would be ideal for $500. but the whole point of this thread, is to see what other people can come up with and get the best deal for my money. it's always better to have more opinions. :up: :heart:

[legacy-chimbaktu]

future resistant? with these crazy 512mb GPUs, Cell processors, and other crazy junk, i'd never be able to buy something future-resistant since by the time it arrived at my house it would already be obsolete.

[legacy-ThePerfectCore]

I said future-resistant, not future-proof.

Copy/paste the list from Newegg to here and then we can review it without having to build systems ourselves.

[Spaz]

Originally posted by chimbaktu
future resistant?

But you can build a computer that is easy to upgrade later on. One that can handle a cheap CPU but later on hold a better one.

[legacy-Carinae]

Is future-resistant that necessary? We're ALL gonna have to buy new rigs to play UT2k6

[legacy-Knobby]

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-486&depa=1

Video card: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...130-226&depa=1

Hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...135-106&depa=1

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...180-056&depa=1

Memory: (2x if you want 1gb) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-889&depa=1

Sound card: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-171&depa=0

Case: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...119-057&DEPA=1

There you go. This should make a pretty good budget gaming system. You said the sound card was optional but I gave a link to the one I would reccomend anyway. (The motherboard has an onboard 5.1 sound card if you chose not to get it)

I added up the prices, its $588.74 without the sound card and $705.73 with it. The prices are with only 1 stick of ram, for 512mb. Both prices would be $99 more with 2 sicks for 1gb.

Sorry, but for only $500, you will not get anything even geared towards gaming. If I were you, I'd shell out the $804.73 and get both the sound card AND 2 sticks of ram. That will give you a pretty decent gaming rig.

[Crotale]

chimbaktu,

Knobby found some decent stuff, but I would nix the Audigy and get this case that includes a reliable PSU...

Coolermaster Centurion w/ 350W PSU

Coolermaster makes decent PSU's. The one in this case may not be top of the line but it will serve you well.

What about an optical drive?

EDIT:/ Here's a cheaper CPU. Hey, whaddya expect for $500?
Sempron 3000


Knobby, I'd steer clear of directing folks to buy Rosewill cases and PSU's. The case may be ok, but the PSU is low quality. The Coolermaster 350W is a better PSU.

[legacy-Knobby]

I would not reccomend the Sempron at all. It is only $40 cheaper, and they suck for gaming. The one I found is also 64-bit, were as that one is not.

[Crotale]

Originally posted by Knobby
And I would not reccomend the Sempron at all. It is only $40 cheaper, and they suck for gaming. The one I found is also 64-bit, were as that one is not.

True, but he is only spending $500. You can't expect 64-bit performance for that price...yet. I was merely trying to keep the costs below $500.

[legacy-element*381]

If you want your gaming to not be ****, I can recommend one must-have part for your list.

For only $7 more than the 6200, the ATI Radeon 9800SE will be VERY nice. The one pictured is full 256-bit in memory bus and if you're lucky you might be able to unlock full 9800 PRO functionality.

[legacy-Knobby]

NEVER get the SE cards. I made that mistake a long time ago. At the time, I thought it stood for "special edition". :noob: Unlocking them just causes graphical anomolies and overheating. I reccomended the 6200 because of it's support for Shader model 3.0. If you really need a better video card, the 6600GT or 6800GT would be best.