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Build A Gaming Desktop PC For $700 or Less

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[sic]ofOrdinary

New Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Location
United States
Hey Overclockers,

Here's my dilema. :chair:
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Since this thread is nearing the size of Micheal Scott's nose I'll skip to the point. I need help picking out hardware that will be a great gaming pc and won't cost an arm and a leg. Thank you if you choose to help and if not...well...****...have a nice day.
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There was a time when I focused my life on computer gaming. To recall, I think I spent the greater amount of my teens devoted to the likes of Quake II, Diablo II, Counter-Strike (beta and before Steam), Serious Sam and many more. Those titles should tell you a little bit about my current system.

I'm currently running:

System: Dell Dimension 4100
OS: Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop gnome (WindowsXP got boring to me; i lost my old games)
CPU: Pentium III 733mhz
Video Adapater: nVidia Gefore2 Ultra 64mb
Ram: 512mb SDRAM PC133mhz
Audio: Creative Soundblaster Live! X-Gamer 5.1

I've spent over $2,700 on it since 1999. :rolleyes:

So this is why I come to you guys for support/tips/help/and even to be flamed for lack of the ability to use google to find my needs. Needless to say I've been out of the PC world for several years now and I want to get back on the bike and go for a ride. Preferably to max out Assassin's Creed 2, to be prepared for Diablo III is another main concern.

The following message contents will contain the list of components I am considering purchasing to build a fairly inexpensive gaming desktop pc. It would be greatly appreciated to see your recommendations as well. Please, feel free to give input on my choices and to help steer me in the right direction.


These are my hardware pics thus far:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail
MOBO: Asus M4A785TD-M Evo AMD 785G (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (Socket AM2/AM2+/AM3/775/1156/1366)
RAM: Patriot Sector 5 Viper II 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-10666 1333MHz Dual Channel (PVV34G1333LLK)
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD502HJ)
GPU: HIS ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
PSU: Corsair TX 650W ATX SLi Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXUK) More than you need now but a great PSU to build on
DVD: Samsung SH-S223B/RSMN 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black/Silver/Biege) - Retail
CASE: Coolermaster CM-690 Dominator Case - Black (No PSU)

Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy thread. I appreciate any comments and or further support on this topic. I also look forward to participating with the Overclockers.com forum. I'll even record me assembling the PC with the hardware that was helped picked out by forum members and post it on the web.
 
CPU: i5 750 lynnfield $219
MOBO: Gigabyte P55 UD3R $150
HSF: stock for now
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $100
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB $100
GPU: XFX HD-489X-ZSFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB $209
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V $109
DVD: Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R $28
CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Stee $119

$900ish over-budget build suggestion. Way faster CPU. Faster video card. Better hard drive.
 
The AMD build is not bad, Better hard drive though. I would go for a WD black 640GB or 750GB. For that price on the GPU (5770) you might as well go for the 4890.
 
Why a mATX board in a large case? I'd get a full ATX board without onboard video. Another vote for a WD 640GB black HD. Also I would get faster ram
 
Thanks for the input folks. I'm taking your suggestion


Trap05. I don't see the point in having onboard video. I mean, I know its a nice failsafe in case your vid card flames out. But I like to keep components to a minimum with my system.

Theocnoob: thanks man

Keep up the suggestions. I'm going to research for a few more days. I'm hoping to have the PC built by Jan 1. so I need to get on this soon.

Also, I'll be posting the built machine on Youtube and thanking users that helped me out. Not to try to get famous or anything like that but to show my appreciation. I'll elapse the film so it doesn't take an hour to watch too.
 
No I said get a full ATX board WITHOUT onboard video the one you selected is mATX and has video
 
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