Gaming PC: Current best value systems for the price - UPDATED 20/7/2008

elmo · 10-01-2008, 12:30 AM

Okay, lately there has been a high influx of people posting threads asking for help and recommendations regarding parts for their new PC - so I figured I'd create a thread with my recommended systems at each of the major price points consisting of the best price/performance specifications possible at the given point in time.

The prices are a rough average estimate based on the first few results for each component from staticice.com.au - they don't include shipping.

If you have any questions, concerns or have spotted an error with what I have listed here, please drop me a PM.

I will try and keep this thread updated as often as possible as the technology and prices change.

Updated: 20/7/2008

~$750 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8200 (~$182)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L (~$107)
GPU: NVidia 8800GT 512mb (Any brand) (~$187)
RAM: 2GB Kingston PC-5300 667MHz DDR2 (~$48)
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500gb SATAII (~$90)
PSU: Coolermaster eXtreme 430w PCAR/PCAP (NOT PMSR) (~$55)
DVD Writer (~$27)
Case: Coolermaster Centurion 5 (~$65)

TOTAL: ~$761

~$1000 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$207)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L (~$107)
GPU: ATi HD4870 512mb (Any brand) (~$325)
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500w (~$97)
RAM: 2GB Kingston PC-6400 800MHz DDR2 (~$55)
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500gb SATAII (~$90)
DVD Writer (~$27)
Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95)

TOTAL: ~$1003

~$1250 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$209)
MOBO: Asus P5E (x38, NOT G35) (~$214)
GPU: ATi HD4850 512mb Crossfire (Any brand) (~$428) (based on each card being ~$214 each)
PSU: Corsair HX-620 620w Modular PSU (~$140)
RAM: 2GB Geil Ultra PC-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-12 DDR2 (~$80)
Hard Drive: Samsung 750gb SATAII (~$99)
DVD Writer (~$27)
Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95)

TOTAL: ~$1292

~$1500 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$209)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P (~$152)
GPU: Nvidia 280GTX 1gb (Any brand) (~$580)
PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750w (~$200)
RAM: 2GB Geil Ultra PC-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-12 DDR2 (~$80)
Hard Drive: Samsung 750gb SATAII (~$99)
DVD Writer (~$27)
Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95)

TOTAL: ~$1442

~$1750 Build:

None - stick with the $1500 system.

fUtz · 10-01-2008, 12:34 AM

Nice post

Now go back to my thread!

pinto · 10-01-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmo

~$750 Build:

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 (~$98)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L (~$120)
GPU: ATi x1950pro 256mb PCI-E (Any brand) (~$140)
PSU: 430W Coolermaster eXtreme (~$60)
RAM: 2gb Kingston 667mhz DDR2 (~$50)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 320gb SATAII (~$96)
Aftermarket CPU cooling: Thermalright Ultima 90 + 120mm Fan (~$75)
DVD Burner (~$35)
Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~95)

TOTAL: ~$769

Refer to my sig, alost the same pc, with a few exceptions

saba · 10-01-2008, 12:39 AM

great write up, hopefully everyone visiting this forum will read this first

Faded. · 10-01-2008, 01:29 AM

good thread elmo, hopefully this will help alot of people

xr6_turbo · 10-01-2008, 06:57 AM

Stickied for Reference for New Users wishing to build a Computer.

This should fix those "What PC for X amount of $ threads"

-Shawn

xRtizzle! · 10-01-2008, 11:45 AM

Nice thread elmo.

elmo · 10-01-2008, 12:51 PM

Cheers guys, hope it helps

jth · 10-01-2008, 01:41 PM

I don't mean to sound rude but why not just link to the ocau wiki article?

elmo · 10-01-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth

I don't mean to sound rude but why not just link to the ocau wiki article?

Because for the most part their systems are completely different, rarely updated and barely take into consideration overclocking - I just personally believe you can get better price/performance than what they have listed there.

shirasE_ · 10-01-2008, 03:05 PM

OCAU don't take into consideration overclocking?

elmo · 10-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirasE_

OCAU don't take into consideration overclocking?

zzzZZZzzz we could argue all day, if your that desperate though you can go and check out their wiki article and make comparisons with what I've come up with and you'll see what I mean.

Just a quick example, their $750/$1000 Intel systems don't even include an aftermarket cooler - my $750 recommendation was centered around getting the E2160 stable @ ~3ghz, including a very decent graphics card and still staying at the approx budget.

No need to be a smartass about it.

jth · 10-01-2008, 06:01 PM

You will find only a small percentage of users overclock though.

ShiFTy · 10-01-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jth

You will find only a small percentage of users are computer illiterate

Fixed

xr6_turbo · 10-01-2008, 06:11 PM

A large percentage will overclock if it is simple for them

Which these days it usually is.

-Shawn

shirasE_ · 10-01-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmo

zzzZZZzzz we could argue all day, if your that desperate though you can go and check out their wiki article and make comparisons with what I've come up with and you'll see what I mean.

Just a quick example, their $750/$1000 Intel systems don't even include an aftermarket cooler - my $750 recommendation was centered around getting the E2160 stable @ ~3ghz, including a very decent graphics card and still staying at the approx budget.

No need to be a smartass about it.

Wow relax I just found it amusing because OCAU = Overclockers Australia, settle petal.

jth · 10-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studiosoundguy

A large percentage will overclock if it is simple for them

Which these days it usually is.

-Shawn

You're demographic must differ to mine then.

xr6_turbo · 10-01-2008, 09:54 PM

It does.

Its 2008 and people are more than ever getting into the overclocking sector

-Shawn

Intent_ · 12-01-2008, 05:10 AM

very nice, ill keep this in mind when i get new comp.

Liam · 13-01-2008, 08:37 PM

nice work elmo

THE_ENFORCER · 13-01-2008, 09:08 PM

Motherboard : intel S775 Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P V2.0 $159

cpu: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3GHz/45nm/1333FSB/6M) $239

ram : Corsair-Performance 2GB (2x1024) 800MHz $85

gfx card : Galaxy GF 8800GT PCI-E 2.0 512MB $336

HD : SATA-300 320GB 16MB $90

this is the gaming pc i am getting
Total cost $909

fatz_mp3s · 13-01-2008, 09:12 PM

yeh the 1.25k build is what i'm looking at
top job moderator man

Westy · 13-01-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL1TE

Motherboard : intel S775 Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P V2.0 $159

cpu: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3GHz/45nm/1333FSB/6M) $239

ram : Corsair-Performance 2GB (2x1024) 800MHz $85

gfx card : Galaxy GF 8800GT PCI-E 2.0 512MB $336

HD : SATA-300 320GB 16MB $90

this is the gaming pc i am getting
Total cost $909

psu?
case?

THE_ENFORCER · 13-01-2008, 09:17 PM

already got

antec 900 $162
psu : coolmaster extreme 650 watt $101

Liam · 13-01-2008, 09:23 PM

heaps of **** came out last cpl of weeks hey...

UnicoRN · 13-01-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'stEdy

yeh the 1.25k build is what i'm looking at
top job moderator man

Yeh looks like a decent deal

Liam · 13-01-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL1TE

already got
psu : coolmaster extreme 650 watt $101

good to see u listend to my advice on the psu...

BailCakes · 13-01-2008, 09:44 PM

hmm, really nice work elmo, some changes could be made imo, but im not here to start anything.

Liam · 13-01-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

hmm, really nice work elmo, some changes could be made imo, but im not here to start anything.

like what? only thing i can think of is 1 120x38mm fan instead of 2 most likely 120x25mm fans on a 120 ultra

xr6_turbo · 13-01-2008, 09:47 PM

Everything looks fairly decent though Ranger

Best current systems for the Money.

-Shawn

BailCakes · 13-01-2008, 10:07 PM

I beg to differ

Ill get back to you, just gimme some time

Liam · 13-01-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

I beg to differ

Ill get back to you, just gimme some time

time for what ?

Westy · 13-01-2008, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

hmm, really nice work elmo, some changes could be made imo, but im not here to start anything.

BailCakes · 13-01-2008, 11:05 PM

^Just cause I don't have the money for a good comp doesn't mean I don't know my stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam

time for what ?

Sleep

Westy · 13-01-2008, 11:09 PM

it means you were brainless enough to buy an 8800gt thinking it will work with a bad cpu. where you could just wait, and buy it together and by that time.. the 8800gt will be lowered in price by the sounds of your reply

l_w_88 · 13-01-2008, 11:15 PM

Looks like a bit of a cannibalised system imo.

Bits from old computers and he's buying new bits as he can afford them.

LukeHavoc · 14-01-2008, 02:36 AM

rep hunteR

BailCakes · 15-01-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westy

it means you were brainless enough to buy an 8800gt thinking it will work with a bad cpu. where you could just wait, and buy it together and by that time.. the 8800gt will be lowered in price by the sounds of your reply

No, acually. I just came back from a trip to malaysia to see all of my relatives over there, all of which gave me money. I decided to spend it there on computer parts seeing as it's cheaper over there and brinning back and converting it into australian dollars would decrease the value quite a bit.

Clue up before post.

xr6_turbo · 15-01-2008, 08:10 PM

Prices over there aren't much cheaper from when he listed them earlier

Saved $50 bucks or something which really for the comparison of our dollar is pretty low savings really.

-Shawn

elmo · 15-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studiosoundguy

Prices over there aren't much cheaper from when he listed them earlier

Saved $50 bucks or something which really for the comparison of our dollar is pretty low savings really.

-Shawn

...and considering all of the parts would lack a local warranty, the $50 saving really doesn't seem worth it.

10-01-2008, 12:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
elmo Honorary Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hobart Posts: 1,607 Rep Power: 6	Gaming PC: Current best value systems for the price - UPDATED 20/7/2008 Okay, lately there has been a high influx of people posting threads asking for help and recommendations regarding parts for their new PC - so I figured I'd create a thread with my recommended systems at each of the major price points consisting of the best price/performance specifications possible at the given point in time. The prices are a rough average estimate based on the first few results for each component from staticice.com.au - they don't include shipping. If you have any questions, concerns or have spotted an error with what I have listed here, please drop me a PM. I will try and keep this thread updated as often as possible as the technology and prices change. Updated: 20/7/2008 ~$750 Build: CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8200 (~$182) MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L (~$107) GPU: NVidia 8800GT 512mb (Any brand) (~$187) RAM: 2GB Kingston PC-5300 667MHz DDR2 (~$48) Hard Drive: Western Digital 500gb SATAII (~$90) PSU: Coolermaster eXtreme 430w PCAR/PCAP (NOT PMSR) (~$55) DVD Writer (~$27) Case: Coolermaster Centurion 5 (~$65) TOTAL: ~$761 ~$1000 Build: CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$207) MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L (~$107) GPU: ATi HD4870 512mb (Any brand) (~$325) PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500w (~$97) RAM: 2GB Kingston PC-6400 800MHz DDR2 (~$55) Hard Drive: Western Digital 500gb SATAII (~$90) DVD Writer (~$27) Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95) TOTAL: ~$1003 ~$1250 Build: CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$209) MOBO: Asus P5E (x38, NOT G35) (~$214) GPU: ATi HD4850 512mb Crossfire (Any brand) (~$428) (based on each card being ~$214 each) PSU: Corsair HX-620 620w Modular PSU (~$140) RAM: 2GB Geil Ultra PC-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-12 DDR2 (~$80) Hard Drive: Samsung 750gb SATAII (~$99) DVD Writer (~$27) Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95) TOTAL: ~$1292 ~$1500 Build: CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400/Intel Xeon E3110 (~$209) MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P (~$152) GPU: Nvidia 280GTX 1gb (Any brand) (~$580) PSU: Thermaltake ToughPower 750w (~$200) RAM: 2GB Geil Ultra PC-6400 800MHz 4-4-4-12 DDR2 (~$80) Hard Drive: Samsung 750gb SATAII (~$99) DVD Writer (~$27) Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95) TOTAL: ~$1442 ~$1750 Build: None - stick with the $1500 system. Last edited by elmo; 20-07-2008 at 05:52 PM..

10-01-2008, 12:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
fUtz Honorary Member Credits: / Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane, QLD Posts: 1,738 Rep Power: 0	Nice post Now go back to my thread! __________________ MYSPACE!

10-01-2008, 01:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Faded. Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 13,116 Rep Power: 49	good thread elmo, hopefully this will help alot of people __________________ I'LLSLAPYOUBITCH

10-01-2008, 06:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
xr6_turbo Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Age: 22 Posts: 22,817 Rep Power: 27	Stickied for Reference for New Users wishing to build a Computer. This should fix those "What PC for X amount of $ threads" -Shawn __________________ Last edited by shotty tomato; 10-01-2008 at 11:41 AM..

10-01-2008, 11:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
xRtizzle! Honorary Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: K-town Posts: 1,561 Rep Power: 5	Nice thread elmo. __________________ RENOWN

10-01-2008, 12:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
saba Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: [aR] Posts: 4,330 Rep Power: 9	great write up, hopefully everyone visiting this forum will read this first

10-01-2008, 12:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
elmo Honorary Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hobart Posts: 1,607 Rep Power: 6	Cheers guys, hope it helps

10-01-2008, 01:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
jth Senior Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 23 Posts: 762 Rep Power: 0	I don't mean to sound rude but why not just link to the ocau wiki article?

10-01-2008, 03:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
shirasE_ Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia. Age: 20 Posts: 3,518 Rep Power: 7	OCAU don't take into consideration overclocking? __________________ AMD 5000+BE@3.21GHZ//2GB OCZREAPER//ATI HD3870@850/1301 ANTEC 900//RAZER TARANTULA//TT TAI-CHI M2//SS 5HV2 XFI #GotGames #MelbCSS #s2.au #Reality.Gaming

10-01-2008, 06:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
jth Senior Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 23 Posts: 762 Rep Power: 0	You will find only a small percentage of users overclock though.

10-01-2008, 06:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
xr6_turbo Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Age: 22 Posts: 22,817 Rep Power: 27	A large percentage will overclock if it is simple for them Which these days it usually is. -Shawn __________________

10-01-2008, 09:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
xr6_turbo Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Age: 22 Posts: 22,817 Rep Power: 27	It does. Its 2008 and people are more than ever getting into the overclocking sector -Shawn __________________

12-01-2008, 05:10 AM	#19 (permalink)
Intent_ Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 3,065 Rep Power: 7	very nice, ill keep this in mind when i get new comp.

13-01-2008, 08:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
Liam Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: croydon cunt Posts: 3,764 Rep Power: 10	nice work elmo __________________

13-01-2008, 09:08 PM	#21 (permalink)
THE_ENFORCER Pro Member Credits: / Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: HQ~ Posts: 5,269 Rep Power: 8	Motherboard : intel S775 Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P V2.0 $159 cpu: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3GHz/45nm/1333FSB/6M) $239 ram : Corsair-Performance 2GB (2x1024) 800MHz $85 gfx card : Galaxy GF 8800GT PCI-E 2.0 512MB $336 HD : SATA-300 320GB 16MB $90 this is the gaming pc i am getting Total cost $909 __________________ MY RISE IS YOUR DEMISE

13-01-2008, 09:12 PM	#22 (permalink)
fatz_mp3s Godlike Member Credits: / Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: netstation Posts: 8,184 Rep Power: 35	yeh the 1.25k build is what i'm looking at top job moderator man __________________ since 04'

13-01-2008, 09:17 PM	#24 (permalink)
THE_ENFORCER Pro Member Credits: / Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: HQ~ Posts: 5,269 Rep Power: 8	already got antec 900 $162 psu : coolmaster extreme 650 watt $101 __________________ MY RISE IS YOUR DEMISE

13-01-2008, 09:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
Liam Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: croydon cunt Posts: 3,764 Rep Power: 10	heaps of **** came out last cpl of weeks hey... __________________

13-01-2008, 09:44 PM	#28 (permalink)
BailCakes Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne ! Posts: 4,285 Rep Power: 12	hmm, really nice work elmo, some changes could be made imo, but im not here to start anything.

13-01-2008, 09:47 PM	#30 (permalink)
xr6_turbo Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Age: 22 Posts: 22,817 Rep Power: 27	Everything looks fairly decent though Ranger Best current systems for the Money. -Shawn __________________

13-01-2008, 10:07 PM	#31 (permalink)
BailCakes Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne ! Posts: 4,285 Rep Power: 12	I beg to differ Ill get back to you, just gimme some time

13-01-2008, 11:09 PM	#35 (permalink)
Westy Pro Member Credits: / Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6,299 Rep Power: 17	it means you were brainless enough to buy an 8800gt thinking it will work with a bad cpu. where you could just wait, and buy it together and by that time.. the 8800gt will be lowered in price by the sounds of your reply __________________ http://www.gotgames.com.au/forums/mu...-2010-a-85247/ http://www.gotgames.com.au/forums/mu...tripple-86342/

13-01-2008, 11:15 PM	#36 (permalink)
l_w_88 Honorary Member Credits: / Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newcastle!!!!!!!!!!! Age: 21 Posts: 1,781 Rep Power: 5	Looks like a bit of a cannibalised system imo. Bits from old computers and he's buying new bits as he can afford them.

14-01-2008, 02:36 AM	#37 (permalink)
LukeHavoc Monster Member Credits: / Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney Age: 20 Posts: 3,440 Rep Power: 10	rep hunteR __________________

15-01-2008, 08:10 PM	#39 (permalink)
xr6_turbo Forum God Credits: / Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Age: 22 Posts: 22,817 Rep Power: 27	Prices over there aren't much cheaper from when he listed them earlier Saved $50 bucks or something which really for the comparison of our dollar is pretty low savings really. -Shawn __________________

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