My Epic Budget PC Build

[Hephaestos]

Snesboy said:

ssj12 said:

naznatips said:

So I set out to build a budget gaming PC that would absolutely trounce my PS360 in capabilities and play almost any game on max with a steady framerate over 40fps. The budget was $550, and all the parts have been ordered, and will arrive late this week or early next week. Here's what I'll be running:

Phenom II X4 3.2 GHz Quad Core
GeForce GTX 550 Ti 
8GB DDR3
Windows 7 64 Bit
1TB HDD (I had an extra lying around, but I'll probably tack on a second internal 1TB HDD later for extra storage)
650w Power Supply (overkill I know, but it should work well regardless)

Parts:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103921&cm_re=Phenom_II-_-19-103-921-_-Product $100 after coupon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138283 $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095&cm_re=8GB_DDR3-_-20-226-095-_-Product $62 after coupon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625 $142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023 $35 during sale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&cm_re=Windows_7_64_OEM-_-32-116-986-_-Product $90 after coupon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159082&cm_re=650_watt_power_supply-_-17-159-082-_-Product $48 after coupon

Total cost: $532. 
Total Hardware Cost (Cost without Windows): $442.

Edit: I also took a DVD burner out of an old computer.

good build. you will have to upgrade the GPU in a few years but really who cares, your going mid-grade GPUs so your fine.

Call me insane, but I'd suggest paying attention to NewEgg's sales and eventually getting a BR drive for cheap. Just two months ago an LG BR burner was $40. Since you, I think, told me you use an HDTV for your monitor it would benefit you greatly. You can make a cheap 7.1 speaker system from walmart for under $100 and PC always has the best sound cards so you would enjoy blu-ray on the system.

This is going to sound mean no matter how I say it...but what's the point in having a dedicated sound card? Onboard sound works fine for me...

it's the same difference as plugging your Ipod to  speakers or having a full hifi system... there's some tweaking that can be done only with the latter.

Now for the average user that only cares about what he gets in his headphones.... no need indeed.

It all depends on the quality of your integrated soundcard though....