Gaming Rig For $3K

[akshayt]

Get Conroe PERIOD

No Amd X2/64 cpu you get will compare(even if it does compare it won't beat) to an intel counter part. Intel wins.

I think SLi isn't supported with Conroe, get Crossfire if it is supported.

In case you can't get any of the two, you will probably end up spending Amd FX 62 AM2 + 1900XT Crossfire

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: OSX
or wait till july 24, and get a better cpu for the same price.

July 24? Nothing's coming out on July 24.

 

[unclebud]

the armor IS a nice looking case

 

[skooma]

Not that the OP is reading this anymore, but if I was spending 3K on a gaming rig, it would include a 37" sceptre-naga, a 7950gx2, 2 gigs of ram, a decent PSU (read do your own research, plenty of good ones about) and either a conroe 6600 or an x2 3800/opty 165.

 

[araczynski]

I'd trim down on the speakers/sound card (to say the creative 7.1 speakers and audigy 2zs) and put that money to something more important/noticeable, like perhaps a bigger monitor or conroe2duo.

I don't remember what case you chose, but unless you plan on staring on it all day while you're gaming, get something cheap with a good power supply (seperate).

keep the case out of sight (hence no need to fancy crap on it) and it will also be quieter, so you can enjoy the sound of the games more, without blaring your speakers and making yourself deaf in the process just to be 'cool'.

 

[secretanchitman]

i agree. im waiting for core 2 duo cpus to come out in the next 2 weeks.

cpu - intel core 2 duo E6600 (2.4Ghz)
mobo - asus p5w dh deluxe or whatever mobo you want
memory - 2x1GB g skill ddr2-800 4-4-4-5 dual-channel memory kit
case - whatever you want
psu - some nice brand name 500W psu (antec, fortron, PC&P, etc)
video card - nvidia geforce 7950GX2
monitor - dell 2407FPW 24" LCD (1920x1200)
hd1 - western digital 150GB raptor SATA
hd2 - seagate/western digital (your choice) 300GB SATA - you can increase this if you want
optical drive 1 - nec 3550A dvd-rw
optical drive 2 - whatever you want

that would be a nice build for you. you dont have to go all out (money wise) for your parts.

 

[EROEIone2one]

Originally posted by: skooma
Not that the OP is reading this anymore

I'm still following this. Don't know what you're talking about.

The main problem I encountered while trying to spec a 24 widescreen or more was blowing the budget. Tax and shipping have to be accounted for too. A lot of interesting suggestions so far, but having it come up around 3.5 or more before it's even ordered is not going to happen.

A few have mention the P180, I've looked at it and I'll pass it along to the buyer. Thanks for the rec.

PS: As for the 500W PS recs, the BFG already has a minimum 450W consumption. My gaming friends and I both concurred that we'd like more than 50W remaining.

 

[EROEIone2one]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
i agree. im waiting for core 2 duo cpus to come out in the next 2 weeks.

cpu - intel core 2 duo E6600 (2.4Ghz)
mobo - asus p5w dh deluxe or whatever mobo you want
memory - 2x1GB g skill ddr2-800 4-4-4-5 dual-channel memory kit
case - whatever you want
psu - some nice brand name 500W psu (antec, fortron, PC&P, etc)
video card - nvidia geforce 7950GX2
monitor - dell 2407FPW 24" LCD (1920x1200)
hd1 - western digital 150GB raptor SATA
hd2 - seagate/western digital (your choice) 300GB SATA - you can increase this if you want
optical drive 1 - nec 3550A dvd-rw
optical drive 2 - whatever you want

that would be a nice build for you. you dont have to go all out (money wise) for your parts.

secretanchitman:

This is an interesting build, only concern I have with it is the costs of going with core 2 duo, will actual pricing have to wait until "the next 2 weeks" or do we know it now? If it's something we'd have to wait a month or more to get we'd rather not do that.

 

[Howard]

We know the bulk pricing. No idea on how much markup will be.

 

[EROEIone2one]

Originally posted by: Howard
We know the bulk pricing. No idea on how much markup will be.

Then it may be better to go with the prior suggestion to "wait till july 24, and get that cpu for 50% off". Are people fairly certain that's how AMD will respond?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one

Originally posted by: Howard
We know the bulk pricing. No idea on how much markup will be.

Then it may be better to go with the prior suggestion to "wait till july 24, and get that cpu for 50% off". Are people fairly certain that's how AMD will respond?

Yes, it's almost guaranteed there'll be a price cut.

Even in light of the uncertain pricing, I think the Core 2 Duo is a better deal.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one

Originally posted by: Howard
We know the bulk pricing. No idea on how much markup will be.

Then it may be better to go with the prior suggestion to "wait till july 24, and get that cpu for 50% off". Are people fairly certain that's how AMD will respond?

Yes. It's a 98.5% certainty. 1% For AMD changing it's mind, .5% for alien invasion.

The PSU requirements are very conservative. Secretanchitman's build can be run off a good 450W PSU whithout any worry. I'd go with his suggested build, perhaps a cheaper HD if you want/need to save any money. Perhaps two 7900GTXs if you've got some slack in the budget.

 

[skooma]

Last I checked, Tankguys sent me an email with pricing on the 6600 at ~320. I'm not saying thats your best buy, just saying.

Anyway, take it at 350, ok?

6600 350
2x 1 gig 200
mobo 150
7950gx2 700
psu 100
case 50
hdd 100
windows 100
sceptre 1500

3250 + 5% tax = 3412.50 and thats overpaying a bunch becuase I'm just ballparking. I know you can get 2 gigs ram for $50 less all week long, assumes you need an OS. etc.. You can get almost everything delivered at those prices.

But thats why I said maybe the x2 3800 or opty 165 as you can definitely ge those for less than $200 in another week or so.

the dell 2407 is overrated imo and lets face it....what are you looking at when gaming??? The monitor? 37" vs 27" ?

edit- I forgot you have software covered so that must include the OS. So spend $50 of that for a dvd burner, or get two for 100. same thing.

 

[Howard]

That's actually quite close to $316. I guess that means markup won't be too bad.

 

[skooma]

Originally posted by: Howard
That's actually quite close to $316. I guess that means markup won't be too bad.

Thats tankguys He don't fugg around, straight up he is.

 

[Polish3d]

I'm waiting to upgrade my monitor to a larger size until 1920x1280 is to GPUs what 1600x1200 is now. That way I don't have to worry about going dual gpu all the time.

I'm thinking I'll get a larger LCD either when R600/G80 offer that level of performance or perhaps in 2007 H1

 

[skooma]

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one
PS: As for the 500W PS recs, the BFG already has a minimum 450W consumption. My gaming friends and I both concurred that we'd like more than 50W remaining.

You're being silly if you think BFG is being accurate as far as "good qulity pus's" are concerned. Take for instance my DFI board who DFI won't even service if I tell them I'm powering it with a 400w PSU seasonic. "480W minimum" is what they'll say.

They all build some fudge factor in for the noobsters spending $75 on a Raidmax. Read up- some on the PSU inquistitor by jonnyguru and spcr for some real input. Although I'm still disappointed jonnyG hasn't done an antec tpII review :laugh:

 

[Gutcheck]

Originally posted by: skooma

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one
Q]"good qulity pus's"

Cough.

I'll shut up now.

 

[skooma]

Originally posted by: Gutcheck

Originally posted by: skooma

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one
Q]"good qulity pus's"

Cough.

I'll shut up now.

LMAO, i gotta call the girl apparently

 

[EROEIone2one]

Originally posted by: skooma
Last I checked, Tankguys sent me an email with pricing on the 6600 at ~320. I'm not saying thats your best buy, just saying.

Anyway, take it at 350, ok?

6600 350
2x 1 gig 200
mobo 150
7950gx2 700
psu 100
case 50
hdd 100
windows 100
sceptre 1500

3250 + 5% tax = 3412.50 and thats overpaying a bunch becuase I'm just ballparking. I know you can get 2 gigs ram for $50 less all week long, assumes you need an OS. etc.. You can get almost everything delivered at those prices.

But thats why I said maybe the x2 3800 or opty 165 as you can definitely ge those for less than $200 in another week or so.

the dell 2407 is overrated imo and lets face it....what are you looking at when gaming??? The monitor? 37" vs 27" ?

edit- I forgot you have software covered so that must include the OS. So spend $50 of that for a dvd burner, or get two for 100. same thing.

Lol, even ballparking that's over by almost 15%. Hope those figures are very conservative.

How about something like this for monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001222

ADDED: I just realized that your build has no provisions for a sound card/sound system. Software is not a factor, hardware is. Every piece of hardware is new, not carried over. Still have to crunch the numbers some more...

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Try this AM2 build. Posted a screenshot from an Excel sheet.

All prices are from Newegg (checked it 5 mins ago) and BEFORE shipping and BEFORE Mail-In Rebates. Shipping all this would prob add about $120), bringing the whole amount to ~$2750. If you look around on ZZF or other sites, might reduce a few dollars.

This setup SHOULD help you attain a decent overclock.

For $200 more, you can upgrade to a 7950GX2. However, that X1900XT should be good enough for the 1680x1050 monitor I recommended.

This is what I would suggest today. But if you got a little time, I would suggest getting an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 for the same price as the CPU I recommended (X2 4000+), and spring an extra $100 for a premium-quality motherboard (like the upcoming Gigabyte 6-Quad or the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe).

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Nouman

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one

Originally posted by: skooma
Last I checked, Tankguys sent me an email with pricing on the 6600 at ~320. I'm not saying thats your best buy, just saying.

Anyway, take it at 350, ok?

6600 350
2x 1 gig 200
mobo 150
7950gx2 700
psu 100
case 50
hdd 100
windows 100
sceptre 1500

3250 + 5% tax = 3412.50 and thats overpaying a bunch becuase I'm just ballparking. I know you can get 2 gigs ram for $50 less all week long, assumes you need an OS. etc.. You can get almost everything delivered at those prices.

But thats why I said maybe the x2 3800 or opty 165 as you can definitely ge those for less than $200 in another week or so.

the dell 2407 is overrated imo and lets face it....what are you looking at when gaming??? The monitor? 37" vs 27" ?

edit- I forgot you have software covered so that must include the OS. So spend $50 of that for a dvd burner, or get two for 100. same thing.

Lol, even ballparking that's over by almost 15%. Hope those figures are very conservative.

How about something like this for monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001222

ADDED: I just realized that your build has no provisions for a sound card/sound system. Software is not a factor, hardware is. Every piece of hardware is new, not carried over. Still have to crunch the numbers some more...

Basically all the motherboards you should choose from have on-board audio of some sort.

I'm a miser, so I have a hard time believing that spending so much money on a display is worth it. Certainly, larger displays are more enjoyable to use, and more useful, but are the benefits worth the extra $1000+? IMO, no. He'd definitely be happy with a 20" widescreen, that's for sure, since he's coming from a laptop. Save the money for something like a Fleshlight. Or a lot of them. Fun for the whole family. :Q

I can't believe I just said that.

 

[Howard]

Intel C2D E6600 - ~$350
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 - $150
Corsair VS 2x1GB DDR2-667 - $150
XFX 7950GX2 - $580
CL X-Fi XtremeMusic - $115
WD WD5000KS - $215
Pioneer DVR-111D or NEC ND-3550A - $40
Seasonic S12-500 - $115
Viewsonic VX2025WM - $340
Case - tbd (I prefer simple, cheap, effective cases - the Armor is overkill)
Logitech G15 - $70
Logitech G5 - $50
Logitech X-530 - $60

So far, including shipping - ~$2235

 

[EROEIone2one]

Thanks guys! These builds sound do-able. I'll go over them with him when he's off from work.

Originally posted by: Howard
He'd definitely be happy with a 20" widescreen, that's for sure, since he's coming from a laptop.

True, but if a lot of people here feel that going for 24" or more is best considering the total amount spent, I'll be sure to bring that up too.

 

[skooma]

Originally posted by: EROEIone2one
Lol, even ballparking that's over by almost 15%. Hope those figures are very conservative.

Fair enough but its not hard to get that down to 3k. Good luck with your build :beer: