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

**elmo** · 09-01-2008 11:30 PM

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** · 09-01-2008 11:34 PM

Nice post

Now go back to my thread!

**pinto** · 09-01-2008 11:39 PM

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** · 09-01-2008 11:39 PM

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

**Faded.** · 10-01-2008 12:29 AM

good thread elmo, hopefully this will help alot of people

**xr6_turbo** · 10-01-2008 05:57 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 10:45 AM

Nice thread elmo.

**elmo** · 10-01-2008 11:51 AM

Cheers guys, hope it helps

**jth** · 10-01-2008 12:41 PM

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

**elmo** · 10-01-2008 01:00 PM

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 02:05 PM

OCAU don't take into consideration overclocking?

**elmo** · 10-01-2008 03:08 PM

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 05:01 PM

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

***ShiFTy*** · 10-01-2008 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by jth

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

Fixed

**xr6_turbo** · 10-01-2008 05:11 PM

A large percentage will overclock if it is simple for them

Which these days it usually is.

-Shawn

**shirasE_** · 10-01-2008 05:14 PM

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 06:46 PM

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 08:54 PM

It does.

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

-Shawn

**Intent_** · 12-01-2008 04:10 AM

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

**Liam** · 13-01-2008 07:37 PM

nice work elmo

**ELiTEE** · 13-01-2008 08:08 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 08:12 PM

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

**Westy** · 13-01-2008 08:16 PM

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?

**ELiTEE** · 13-01-2008 08:17 PM

already got

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

**Liam** · 13-01-2008 08:23 PM

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

**UnicoRN** · 13-01-2008 08:34 PM

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 08:35 PM

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 08:44 PM

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

**Liam** · 13-01-2008 08:47 PM

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 08:47 PM

Everything looks fairly decent though Ranger

Best current systems for the Money.

-Shawn

**BailCakes** · 13-01-2008 09:07 PM

I beg to differ

Ill get back to you, just gimme some time

**Liam** · 13-01-2008 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ranger

I beg to differ

Ill get back to you, just gimme some time

time for what ?

**Westy** · 13-01-2008 09:19 PM

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 10:05 PM

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

Originally Posted by Liam

time for what ?

Sleep

**Westy** · 13-01-2008 10:09 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 10:15 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.

**Havoc1** · 14-01-2008 01:36 AM

rep hunteR

**BailCakes** · 15-01-2008 06:57 PM

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.