Gaming PC for 1900$

[ruffilb]

Balance of Performance and Upgradability a plus. OC-ability not necessary...

Please post links to vendors!

Thanks,
Ruff_ilb

 

[mcjimbo]

Excellent overview of current configurations and technology on this post:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1520618&enterthread=y

Heres a similar post to yours, not to old with a bunch of recommendations:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1544117&enterthread=y

Also, i think these sites are mentioned in the top post, but just in case use http://www.resellerratings.com and http://www.pricewatch.com, even http://www.froogle.com to look for cheapest prices on items.

Also http://www.tomshardware.com and http://www.sharkyextreme.com are other good technical resource sites.

 

[Cares]

Even with such a high budget, I wouldn't recommend AMD FX chips. Stick with a high end AMD 64 like a 4000+ or something. Get 2x1GB sticks of RAM PC328952374823749823 (as high as you can go). SLI motherboard with dual 6800GTs. There you go. WD 74 Raptors too while you're at it. Damn I wish I had your budget.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AlphaQ
Even with such a high budget, I wouldn't recommend AMD FX chips. Stick with a high end AMD 64 like a 4000+ or something. Get 2x1GB sticks of RAM PC328952374823749823 (as high as you can go). SLI motherboard with dual 6800GTs. There you go. WD 74 Raptors too while you're at it. Damn I wish I had your budget.

I agree with this. The FX chips are much to expensive for what they provide.

A couple gigs of fast memory to allow for a nice overclock on a high end non-FX AMD chip...

SLI with 6800gts (or a X850XT PE if you like ATI)

really strong powersupply (500 to 600 watts of a quality brand)

EDIT:

do you need a monitor, speakers, keyboard/mouse too?

 

[ribbon13]

$146 Seasonic S12-500

$190 AMD ADA3200BIBOX
$147 DFI Ultra-D
2x$190 Patriot PEP1G3200LL
$455 Sapphire X850 XT

$179 Western Digital WD740GD
$145 Seagate ST3250823AS

$1642

 

[iamskew]

why 2 gigs of ram...i recall a thread that said 2 gigs might even lower system performance

 

[Cares]

No, as long as you have only 2 sticks of RAM. Having more will make it go from 1T to 2T which is bad. I don't really like ribbon's configuration. Spending way too much on a videocard when you can get 2 for your SLI board for just as much. Also going with PC3200 ram? Bad choice in my opinion.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AlphaQ
No, as long as you have only 2 sticks of RAM. Having more will make it go from 1T to 2T which is bad. I don't really like ribbon's configuration. Spending way too much on a videocard when you can get 2 for your SLI board for just as much. Also going with PC3200 ram? Bad choice in my opinion.

Any money you'd have to spend on getting ram faster than 3200 is better spent on a faster videocard.

 

[ribbon13]

Validate those comments with >DDR400 1024MB Modules within a reasonable price? You realize those will be able to clock even higher while maintaining CAS2.5 right? And where can you get 6800GTs for $227? In the majority of games SLI sucks dollar for dollar compared to ATi's highend.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: ruffilb
OC-ability not necessary...

 

[Snakexor]

i agree w/ ribbon

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: AlphaQ
No, as long as you have only 2 sticks of RAM. Having more will make it go from 1T to 2T which is bad. I don't really like ribbon's configuration. Spending way too much on a videocard when you can get 2 for your SLI board for just as much. Also going with PC3200 ram? Bad choice in my opinion.

Don't compare 2 6600GT's with a X850XT.
6600GT<2X6600GT SLI<6800GT<X850XT

 

[Ike0069]

I'm curious. What all is needed in this $1900?
Case?
OS?
KB/mouse/speakers?
Sound card?
Monitor?

 

[Wadded Beef]

Originally posted by: ruffilb
Balance of Performance and Upgradability a plus. OC-ability not necessary...

Please post links to vendors!

Thanks,
Ruff_ilb

wow, i never thought i'd see $1,900, budget, and pc in the same phrase lol

 

[shoRunner]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
$146 Seasonic S12-500

$190 AMD ADA3200BIBOX
$147 DFI Ultra-D
2x$190 Patriot PEP1G3200LL
$455 Sapphire X850 XT

$179 Western Digital WD740GD
$145 Seagate ST3250823AS

$1642

well since he's not over clocking i'd go with value memory
and a faster processor

 

[ribbon13]

I'd disagree on the faster CPU given his 'Gaming' specification... and I wouldn't reccomend RAM I haven't tried either. Maybe PQI or Corsair if he thinks that is too much or needs to cut cost.

 

[shoRunner]

well since he'll already have the best gfx card i think the faster cpu would help squeeze out more fps than better memory.

 

[ruffilb]

OK guys, MB i need to clarify...

This is for gaming. Not mouse, keyboard, monitor, or anything. Only the computer, but that includes the case... leave around 100$ for the case, I can pick the case for him (My friend). Overclocking is probably not going to happen, so value ram is ok.

I know this is asking a little much for a forum online, but please try to come to some kind of a consensus =D

Also, the games will be CPU intensive. Source engine games especially, although some high quality MMO's as well (Read: WoW)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The consensus you're going to get is buy an A64.

Beyond that, all bets are off.

I'd probably get (prices are @ newegg)
3500+ retail = $267
MSI SLI mb = $176
Seasoninc psu 500w = $139
2 x Geforce 6800gt = $748
2 x 1 gig PDP systems = $258
Lian Li PC-60 = $95
Nec DVD burner = $61
200 gig seagate sata = $125

comes to $1869 before shipping

doesn't include some extra fans or a floppy drive though

 

[tfinch2]

Don't go SLI, get an x850xt.

 

[SynthDude2001]

I must be on crack. I read the title as "Gaming PC for the 1990s" and I was about to suggest a P133 or something.

Feel free to ignore me...

 

[etherealgrifter]

seems like more votes for x850. do x8 series cards work on SLI mobos?

Related:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1550683

 

[larry89]

Originally posted by: etherealgrifter
seems like more votes for x850. do x8 series cards work on SLI mobos?

Related:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1550683

-.- no

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well, they'll work on an SLI motherboard, but not in SLI mode, right?

(basically it would work I think, but it would be a really stupid idea because you couldn't use SLI and the motherboards that have it cost a lot).

 

[etherealgrifter]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Well, they'll work on an SLI motherboard, but not in SLI mode, right?

(basically it would work I think, but it would be a really stupid idea because you couldn't use SLI and the motherboards that have it cost a lot).

good point