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Help building a gaming upgrade ($300-)

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I'm kind of stuck. I made a post last time around with my ideas and saw the error in some of my suggestions. As a recap, I am building my girlfriend and I "upgraded" PC's re-using as much as we can to cut costs. We're both upgrading from P4 3.0's, 1GB of DDR400 RAM, AGP video cards (9800XT and an... 8600? I think), and ready to move on. Both have power supplies sub 400w.

So after the last thread I did some revision, kept researching, but of course have had a harder time finding deals. Here's what I have so far:

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W, $29.99 after rebate + combo code.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-17341010

CPU: AMD 64 X2 5200+ Brisbane 2.7 gHz (combo)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103210

+

Mobo: Biostar A770 (combo) = $115.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138106

+

One of the 4850's on sale, I am expecting $139.99-$149.99.

This alone tops me out at $300 without tax or shipping (shouldn't be an issue), but I'm still missing RAM. Really thought I'd see some cheap in a combo or rebate deal, but no avail yet. Any parts I can sub out for reasonable quality while maintaining the price? Any bad parts in my equation? And which 4850 manufacturer do you guys suggest or have experience with?

Keep in mind our main goal is just to get us functional again for gaming and not get stuck in the loop of having to replace 90% of our PC's innards in 1.5-2 years again. Thanks for your help as always!

Reply to ibhalf

Corsair 4gb DDR2 800mhz 4-4-4-12 timings for $43 after MIR good enough?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

I use the exact same model, it's working great for me.
Although I wish I had gotten it so cheap come to think of it.

Reply to icyicy

Looks good and I can't see getting any lower without sacrificing quality. The OCZ Stealthstream is a good power supply at a great price. I've always had good luck with Biostar motherboards. To save money maybe going with this 2x1 GB of DDR2 800 1.8v 5-5-5-15 OCZ memory at $17 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227124
you can always drop more in after a few months if you want to.
*EDIT* you could always go with a HD4830 graphic card. Lower performance, but still decent and budget friendly right now at $100 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131129

Message edited by dirtmountain on 11-09-2008 at 12:22:30 AM

Reply to dirtmountain

I would recommend:

Mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Chan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146692

And i would also recommend switching your GPU to
EVGA 512-P3-N860-TR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130360

These changes would bring your total to ~$310(including taxes and shipping charges) after Mail in Rebates

You are looking at ~$360 if you decide to stick with a 4850

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

Reply to Slomo4shO

I ordered the power supplies today, so I have that going for me.

I've looked at downgrading the video card, but the value between a 4850 and anything else dollar per dollar makes it seem kind of trivial, especially with the potential for crossfire in future upgrades. I'm still considering it though, holding out for a good 4850 combo or Black Friday deal.

I did have another question. I have been looking at CPU's and saw this ram/CPU combo

E2200 2.2gHz Allendale http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116063 +

OCZ Platinum Revision 2 GB (1GB X2) DDR2800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227139

after rebate for $77.98.

That would help solve the RAM dilemma, but then I'd be looking for a cheap/stable Intel mobo which seem more expensive than the AMD mobo's. Any suggestions here?

And I am not the MOST tech-savvy person on earth, I was trying to compare the AMD 5200+ to the E2200 2.2 and it seems that the Intel chip is benching higher while having a much lower clock speed... what gives?

Reply to ibhalf

For a cheap Intel motherboard that will overclock well with the E2200 this G31 one at $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128338
also accepts quads, core2 duos etc.

Reply to dirtmountain

+1 on the G31 Gigabyte board if you choose to go with a Intel CPU.

Reply to Slomo4shO

What about the clock speed compared to the benchmarks?

Reply to ibhalf

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Chan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184
$24.99 after a $30 mail in rebate. Free shipping too

Reply to Slomo4shO

Stick with your combo for 115

I would grab 2 gb ram for now. For video, I'd almost consider a 4670. Or as others have said, maybe a 4830. Could also pick up a 9600gt.

Reply to ohiou_grad_06

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