Current Best Value Gaming Systems [Updated 15-04-2010]

[Jam0864]

Best Value Gaming Systems, updated 15/4/10.

Notes:
- Ram prices are high at the moment so I've recommended 1333MHz RAM. This is not a big deal, you don't need >2000MHz z0mG-epic RAM. 1600MHz could boost performance but not in proportion to the current cost. I will of course update this when the circumstances change.
- You don't need to spend a lot of money on a build, the $1200 build is a personal favourite and will run everything silky smooth. The $2200 build is an absolute rip off, I just had to fill the price bracket with a decent build so people would stop asking.
- I recommend adding a Noctua U12P-SE2 or similar cpu cooler to the builds and attempting some overclocking if you're fairly technically knowledgable - it will increase performance quite significantly.
- I haven't included DVD burners in the prices this time around - a lot of people no longer use them. If you want one add $30 to each of the prices.
- If you're making a PC Config for someone else and find it's very hard to display and read in MSN/Steam with prices etc, use this. Create PC Config It outputs something like this. Lucas Build






<$400 Build: (Should do CSS/web browsing/office apps fine, anything else is a stretch)

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 2.8GHz (~$65)
MOBO: GA-MA74GM-S2 (~60)
GPU: Nvidia 9800gt 512MB (~$80)
RAM: 2GB cheapest you can find DDR3 (~$45)
Hard Drive: 500GB HDD (~$50)
Case: Thermaltake V3 w/ 450w (TT Litepower) PSU (~$75)

~$370



~$600 Build: (Should run anything you throw at it, albeit at lower settings)

CPU: Intel i3 530 2.93GHz (~$125)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H (~$100)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5770 (~$175)
RAM: 4GB cheapest you can find DDR3 (~$90)
Hard Drive: 500GB HDD (~$50)
Case: Thermaltake V3 w/ PSU (~$75)

~$615



~$800 Build: (compromise of the $900 build, made by steamboat)

CPU: Intel i5 750 2.66GHz - $235
MOBO: Gigabyte P55-UD3 - $125
GPU: HIS ATI Radeon HD 5770 - $169
RAM: 4GB Kingston 1333MHz - $122
Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB HDD -$55
Case: Thermaltake V3 with PSU - $75

$781



~$900 Build: (Will run almost anything on high without antialiasing)

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz (~$220)
MOBO: Gigabyte P55-UD3 (~$130)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5770 (~$175)
PSU: Decent 500W PSU (~$80)
RAM: DDR3 4gb 1333MHz (~$100)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$915



~$1200 Build: (Will run almost anything on high with antialiasing)

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz (~$220)
MOBO: Gigabyte P55-UD4P (~$200)
GPU: Dual ATI Radeon HD5770's (~$350)
PSU: Good 650W PSU (~$110)
RAM: DDR3 4gb 1333MHz (~$100)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$1220



~$1450 Build ($1200 build but with i7 instead of i5 - more cpu power and ram.)

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 (~$335)
MOBO: Asus P6T (~$250)
GPU: Dual ATI Radeon HD5770's (~$350)
PSU: Good 650W PSU (~$110)
RAM: 6GB 1333MHz DDR3 (~$170)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$1430



~$1550 Build (Same as $1450 build but for people who don't like crossfire. Slightly faster/slower depending on situation)

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 (~$335)
MOBO: Asus P6T (~$250)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870 ($~470)
PSU: Good 650W PSU (~$110)
RAM: 6GB 1333MHz DDR3 (~$170)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$1550



~$1700 Build (Same as $1550 build but with 12gb ram for video editing or other ram-intensive tasks)

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 (~$335)
MOBO: Asus P6T (~$250)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870 ($~470)
PSU: Good 650W PSU (~$110)
RAM: 12GB 1333MHz DDR3 (~$340)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$1720



~$2200 Build (Same as $1700 build but with e-peen factor hd5970 and bigger psu)

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 (~$335)
MOBO: Asus P6T (~$250)
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5970 ($~890)
PSU: Good 850W PSU ($185)
RAM: 12GB 1333MHz DDR3 (~$340)
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD (~$85)
Case: NZXT Tempest (~$130)

~$2215

[mookz]

All looks good but you should change the c2ds to phenomII 720's

[SubNoize]

ima buy a $2500+ computer soon XD cheers for this helps me start with a base =]

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by EUPHOBiA

All looks good but you should change the c2ds to phenomII 720's

Not for gaming. I'm a fan of phenom II's, but dual cores are better for gaming still.

[xr6_turbo]

Phenom II is garbage from what I have been reading....

In terms of base performance....overclocking they do ok at...however for a gaming setup a Core 2 Duo is a much better option...considering you can get a full on core2duo setup for $1400-1500

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by studiosoundguy

Phenom II is garbage from what I have been reading....

In terms of base performance....overclocking they do ok at...however for a gaming setup a Core 2 Duo is a much better option...considering you can get a full on core2duo setup for $1400-1500

*cough

~$1500 Build:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 (~$250)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (~$194)
GPU: DUAL ATI Radeon HD 4890 1GB Crossfire (~$540)
PSU: Silverstone ST75EF (~$180)
RAM: Team Dark 4GB 1066MHz CL5 (~$90)
Hard Drive: Western Digital 640GB Caviar Blk (~$95)
DVD Writer (~$40)
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Scout (~$135)

~$1524

[Pbx_Jnr]

Pretty sure shawn was posting in regard to Euphobia's post, not yours jam :P

[xr6_turbo]

Yes...and those prices vary...I get wholesaler pricing

So imagine Phenom II to me

I wouldn't sell em though!

Both PBX

<3

[Pbx_Jnr]

I'm waiting for the day your Intel systems catch you in bed with a Phenom Shawn :P

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by studiosoundguy

Yes...and those prices vary...I get wholesaler pricing

So imagine Phenom II to me

I wouldn't sell em though!

Both PBX

<3

Shawn you fuck. NEEB MOAR DISCOUNT!

[xr6_turbo]

I won't ever be caught in a Bed with Phenom

Maybe Jam

JOKES

HAHAHAHA

Intel for LIFE!

[Vijay]

Mind me asking why you chose xfired 4890s in your 2k build?

[chopper~]

Nice work.

[xr6_turbo]

LOL Because 4890s are hot

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by Vijay #FG

Mind me asking why you chose xfired 4890s in your 2k build?

HAWT SHIT!

4890's because I wasn't about to recommend an nvidia chipset to SLI.

[xr6_turbo]

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

And By Hot, Look Good, Run...Well Nvidia FTW!

No Crap....

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by studiosoundguy

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

And By Hot, Look Good, Run...Well Nvidia FTW!

No Crap....

>.>

I don't have anything against the nvidia graphics cards, just hate their chipsets. Unlike SLI, Crossfire doesn't require a specific chipset. Selling point for me.

[xr6_turbo]

Nvidia do make shit chipsets yes...

[Vijay]

Yeah but.. Idk maybe its just me but why would you bother xfire or sli when a lot of game don't a. support it, and b. don't require it?

But then again maybe you don't have that much money to move around at $2k

[azitiz91]

4870x2 =D

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by Vijay #FG

Yeah but.. Idk maybe its just me but why would you bother xfire or sli when a lot of game don't a. support it, and b. don't require it?

Anything that requires more than one graphics card's worth of OOMPH supports it fine.

Once you're getting into that territory you have nothing else to spend the money on anyway. :P

[Vijay]

Originally Posted by Jam0864

Anything that requires more than one graphics card's worth of OOMPH supports it fine.

Once you're getting into that territory you have nothing else to spend the money on anyway. :P

I'm sure you could find ways to blow unnecessary money.

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by Vijay #FG

I'm sure you could find ways to blow unnecessary money.

well you could get raptors, or faster ram, or a better case... but really a second graphics card will do much more to your gaming performance.

[Vijay]

Havnen't raptors been recently outdated by WD's new range? Or am I imagining things?

[roflcopter]

Does the CG|Shawn agree with these systems?

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by Vijay #FG

Havnen't raptors been recently outdated by WD's new range? Or am I imagining things?

I've used caviar blacks, but raptors are faster. Cost a ridiculous amount though.

[xr6_turbo]

Raptors are not outdated....they got changed to the Raptor X 150gb...76gb and 36gb are still selling

I have 6 raptors in my system and fuck going to any other drive.

They rock.

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by xr6_turbo

Raptors are not outdated....they got changed to the Raptor X 150gb...76gb and 36gb are still selling

I have 6 raptors in my system and fuck going to any other drive.

They rock.

Fuck raptors, I'd rather get SSD's considering the cost isn't all that different.

[aenima]

Needs more elmo and me.

[f1tzy]

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (~$224)
MOBO: Asus p5q pro (~$165)
GPU: Got 8800GTs 640mb (?)
PSU: Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 500W (~$80)
RAM: Got 4GB of 667Mhz stuff (?)
Hard Drive: Already have of 2.5TB of HDDs (?)
DVD Writer (~$40)
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Scout (~$135)

thoughts i was really into knowing all my parts like 12months ago, however sort of lost interest since, wondering if this looks semi decent. ( tightass uni student saving for a car, not much dosh to spend )

[mookz]

Originally Posted by f1tzy

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (~$224)
MOBO: Asus p5q pro (~$165)
GPU: Got 8800GTs 640mb (?)
PSU: Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 500W (~$80)
RAM: Got 4GB of 667Mhz stuff (?)
Hard Drive: Already have of 2.5TB of HDDs (?)
DVD Writer (~$40)
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Scout (~$135)

thoughts i was really into knowing all my parts like 12months ago, however sort of lost interest since, wondering if this looks semi decent. ( tightass uni student saving for a car, not much dosh to spend )

go with phenom2s.. cheaper and similar performance for less with potential to unlock the 4thcore

CPU: AMD PhenomII 550BE ($138)
MOBO: G-B MA770-US3 (~$102)
GPU: Got 8800GTs 640mb (?)
PSU: Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 500W (~$80)
RAM: 4GB Kit(2x2G)DDR2 1066 TEAM-XtreemDark ($79)
Hard Drive: Already have of 2.5TB of HDDs (?)
DVD Writer Pioneer/samsung (~$49)
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Scout (~$135)

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by f1tzy

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (~$224)
MOBO: Asus p5q pro (~$165)
GPU: Got 8800GTs 640mb (?)
PSU: Cooler Master Extreme Power+ 500W (~$80)
RAM: Got 4GB of 667Mhz stuff (?)
Hard Drive: Already have of 2.5TB of HDDs (?)
DVD Writer (~$40)
Case: CoolerMaster Storm Scout (~$135)

thoughts i was really into knowing all my parts like 12months ago, however sort of lost interest since, wondering if this looks semi decent. ( tightass uni student saving for a car, not much dosh to spend )

Looks good. Get the AMD system above if you want to save money, however this is better.

I'd probably get at least 800MHz RAM though.

[xr6_turbo]

EP45-UD3L board > Asus P5Q for overclocking but thats just my experience overall with them, the EP45 is slightly cheaper too these days.

DDR 800 or 1066mhz Ram, do not use 667.

Looks good.

AMD is a strong contender, however Dual > Quad for Gaming at this point in time.

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by xr6_turbo

AMD is a strong contender, however Dual > Quad for Gaming at this point in time.

The AMD PhenomII 550BE is a dual core. :P

[l_w_88]

still, my stock e2220 is worth more to a REAL enthusiast - it doesn't have an AMD sticker on the box.

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by l_w_88

still, my stock e2220 is worth more to a REAL enthusiast - it doesn't have an AMD sticker on the box.

stock? Why would you buy that processor and not overclock it...?

Don't you remember the days where AMD were superior to Intel, and all the c00l k1ds had one?

[xr6_turbo]

Originally Posted by Jam0864

The AMD PhenomII 550BE is a dual core. :P

No Shit Sherlock

[freakdawg_]

DVD writers are all 50, fucking bs, why did they go up from like 25?

[Jam0864]

Originally Posted by freakdawg_

DVD writers are all 50, fucking bs, why did they go up from like 25?

From what I've gathered at overclockers.au, the companies that make them predicted sales to go down significantly in the recession so they understocked.

[xr6_turbo]

IDE freak...

$30

Sata

$50

Costs more to make