By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SnesTea on 12 May 2011
Edit Thread
vlad321 said:
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...

Their use comes about only when you spend about $200 on a pair of headphones. Otherwise none, assuming your onboard sound can output 7.1 in the first place. If not then you need a card for that. 
 Hell, one of my headphones is worth $180 and I still didn't bother with a sound card.

It supports 7.1 but I don't have anything that can take advantage of it. My surround sound setup hooked up to my Wii/Dreamcast/GameCube is only 5.1 Dolby Pro Logic II and my headphones are just some generic skullcandy headphones...and a Logitech clear chat headset.