If you were to build a <$700 machine right now...

What would it be?


I put together a system on newegg.com so I can game and have everything new... and it came out to too much trying to use an AMD 64 3200+ and a gig of RAM, with a nice vid card and a 200GB drive...

Can you guys help me put together a cheap gaming machine so I can at least play Doom 3? It doesn't have to be 1600X1200 with a x800...

find a 9800 pro 128, get a smaller HD, try a 2500+ mobile + nf7-s, 512-768mb of ram.

How bout this.

A64 Socket 939 3000+ $179
512 mb PQI 2 3 2 6 ddr (2 sticks) $107
ATI 9600XT all in wonder $189
Seagate 200 gb Sata hard drive $117
Gigabyte K8NS Nforce 3 ultra. $113

This will allow for future upgrades with socket 939. I would wait for Nforce 4 personally so you could have the upgrade ability of pci express. You can get an express card for about $210. If you need other stuff then what is listed, you would have to go with a 754 socket to get the cheaper processors.

2800+ retail is 141
Chaintech 6600GT video card 209
2x 512 PC3200 150
WD 200GB HDD 106
Epox EP-8kdA3J 75

comes to 683

The 6600GT is better than a 9800p from the benches I've seen and they're almost the same price...you could checkout refurbs and try to get a 6800...
But yeah I'd say this setup would rock.

thanks everyone

I'll post up again when I come up with some new stuff. keep the ideas coming if you still have some suggestions!