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

[Fry]

Im not a big fan of CM or TT tbh....
usually go seasonic / enermax

[elmo]

Wait, 430w Thermaltake PSU's. The one's that aren't even rated for 330w?

Maybe a rethink in the PSU department.

Sorry, was in a rush when I updated it earlier today.

What I had wasn't a Thermaltake 430w listed anyway, I wouldn't go anywhere near those PSUs - I had the Coolermaster 430w extreme PCAR listed there, but just on the same line as the Thermaltake case (which I've since changed) which was causing the confusion.

[elmo]

Im not a big fan of CM or TT tbh....
usually go seasonic / enermax

The Coolermaster 430w extreme PCAR is a great budget PSU, and coincidently isn't manufactured by the same company that does the rest of their PSU range - it has been a proven performer for it's price - but yeah, generally I would agree with you with not being a big fan of Coolermasters PSUs. This is just an exception - I've had first hand experience with it and definitely would buy one again.

Thermaltake once again I would agree, but the Thermaltake ToughPower 750w is again an exception, it's reliable, well priced and lives up to its rated specs. At around $200 there is a couple Silverstone PSUs worth looking into, and Corsair have the TX-750, but it isn't modular (which personally I think is essential these days).

[pinto]

i has da CM eXtreme psu and it works like a beauty ;0 never had any issues

[f1tzy]

None - wait a couple days until the US release of the Nvidia 280 GTX and 260 GTX (June 16).

More Specs for NVIDIA's GTX 280 and GTX 260 - For your peace of mind - Softpedia

farkkk yes, going to be sweet as

[clownyoboN]

ima prob get 750, then build it up over time

nice write up

[freakdawg_]

Thats nice to know.

[Cloudstrike]

More Specs for NVIDIA's GTX 280 and GTX 260 - For your peace of mind - Softpedia

farkkk yes, going to be sweet as

I am a NV fanboy, but the new ATI's are going to smash it.

[ShiFTy]

I am a NV fanboy, but the new ATI's are going to smash it.

lol'd

[xr6_turbo]

Sorry to say Cloud, Nvidia will always have drivers that work

-Shawn

[Velicoma]

Sorry to say Cloud, Nvidia will always have drivers that work

-Shawn

Except for SLI and dual screens :P

[xr6_turbo]

SLI works, just not effective for the cost, actually blame board manufacturers for that issue

-Shawn

[Cloudstrike]

Sorry to say Cloud, Nvidia will always have drivers that work

-Shawn

These are based on benchmark results, and last time I checked it took years for NV to release mature drivers.

(I am a NV fanboy but..)

[fury]

better change those nvidia cards to ATi 4800 series

ATi ftw!

[f1tzy]

hey elmo those cards are out, lucky there only 1k each could probs revisit the machines though

[xRtizzle!]

NVIDIA > ATi IMO.

[rtm]

nice thread

[~kritikal]

So as of right now whats the best GFX card for 300~ ?

[HaZFkN*]

I got told OCING ATI cards is bad and can **** ur system up?
Confirm/Deny

[~kritikal]

Actually different question, is it worth getting a GTX 260 over a 9800GTX?

I can now squeeze the 260 into my budget if its worth it...

[shredzy]

Actually different question, is it worth getting a GTX 260 over a 9800GTX?

I can now squeeze the 260 into my budget if its worth it...

Its not worth getting a 9800GTX over a 8800GTX lol. 260GTX is a nice card.

[~kritikal]

Looks like i'll go with it then. May buy another one and SLI in 6 months or something.

I'm still divided on XP/Vista too sigh haha.

[xRtizzle!]

XP ftw.

[shredzy]

XP all the way, best performance for gaming atm.

[elmo]

Updated 20/7/2008.

[empske]

eLmo2g dropping prices like go-lo

[ot_]

either getting the $750 next week, or wait another week and get the $1400 build

would there be much difference in performance etc?

[empske]

for double the price you'd expect it to be.

[elmo]

either getting the $750 next week, or wait another week and get the $1400 build

would there be much difference in performance etc?

You mean between the $750 and the $1500?

If so, then short answer is yes; definitely.

Long answer is you will benefit most from spending that extra if you game at a resolution of ~1680x1050 and above.

Put simply, the 280GTX will outperform the 8800GT, it's just the card is designed at being able to handle gaming at higher resolutions, hence the 1gb of VRAM and 512 bit memory interface.

Eg. at 1280x1024 the difference between running a E8400 with a 8800GT and a E8400 with a 280GTX generally isn't going to be as big as the difference between the same setups at 1680x1050 and above. Although the 280GTX would likely be able to handle higher anti-aliasing levels.

[xentrik]

great post elmo, im interested in that 750 gaming pc, but wouldn't it be annoying getting the parts from mostly Victoria but some in WA and NSW?

[ShiFTy]

Couple of updates
9800GTs are now around $150
Samsung 500GB are $68 at It-Estate

[freakdawg_]

An update is needed, just thought you would like to know.

[mtw]

~$1000 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400 (~$199 @ MSY)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L (~99 @ MSY)
GPU: ATi HD4870 512mb (Any brand) (~$315 / $299 @ Online Computer NSW)
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500w (~$95 @ UMart Online)
RAM: 2GB Kingston PC-6400 800MHz DDR2 (~$52 @ Computer Wholesale [For PC2-6400])
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500gb SATAII (~$78 @ ComWiz Computers)
Samsung 22X SATA DVD Writer Dual Layer Black Face Nero 7.5 BLACK DVDRW (~$25 @ NetPlus)
Case: Coolermaster CM690 (~$95 @ PC Maniacs)

TOTAL: ~$958

Whats the difference between the PC2-6400 and PC-6400 Kingston RAM? Also if you are a member on OCAU it is probably cheaper to buy a bunch of stuff from NetPlus as you get free delivery then.

[~kritikal]

Bought my whole computer from netplus put together for me. Very impressed. In WA though.

[mtw]

Hmm well I don't think its possible for them to put it together and send it to sydney, well not free delivery atleast lol

[ShiFTy]

Hmm well I don't think its possible for them to put it together and send it to sydney, well not free delivery atleast lol

Well, they do.

[mtw]

Really? Maybe I'll get it all from them

[kornfan43]

~$1500 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 (~$209) Intel Xeon E3110 (Server CPU???)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P (~$152)
GPU:Radeon HD4870 1GB ($375.00)
PSU: Corsair HX-620 620W Power Supply($141)
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: ~$1178

FIXXED

[ShiFTy]

~$1500 Build:

CPU: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 (~$209) Intel Xeon E3110 (Server CPU???)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P (~$152)
GPU:Radeon HD4870 1GB ($375.00)
PSU: Corsair HX-620 620W Power Supply($141)
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: ~$1178

FIXXED

$1178 =/= $1500

[mtw]

$1178 =/= $1500

Pretty sure he was showing a system of equivalent power, for 300+ dollars cheaper.