Advice on building a gaming rig please.

madstanners

madstanners

madstanners

Associate
Joined
27 Jan 2009
Posts
7
Location
Huddersfield
Hello, I'm beginning a project of building a computer for gaming. My aim is to be able to run most of todays games (e.g Farcry 2 or Cally of Duty 5) smoothly with a reasonable frame rate. I'm not too bothered about detail, just about fun, immersion, mainly focusing on online multiplayer. Here is what I have in mind, I am trying to keep the cost down (e.g <£500). Can anybody please recommend any changes to my setup, an appropriate graphics card, power supply and a very cheap case (I am not bothered what it looks like, just as long as it is cheap), thanks for your time.

MOTHERBOARD -
Model: ASUS M2N68-VM (Socket AM2+)
Form: Micro ATX
Compatible Processors: Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon X2, Phenom X4, Phenom FX, Phenom X3 (64-Bit Support)
RAM: 4x 240pin DDR2-1066/800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, ECC/non-ECC, un-buffered, Upto 8GB
Storage Controller: ATA-133, Serial ATA-300, eSATA port
Storage Ports Configuration: 1 x ATA, 3 x SATA, 1 x eSATA
FSB: 1000MHz

PROCESSOR (CPU) - "http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-234-AM"
Model: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 7750+ Black Edition 2.70GHz. --Unsure here, please help.

Would like help here, unsure about this --> RAM (MEMORY) -
Get four of these!
Type: 1GB, 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 memory module
Module Size: 1GB
Package: 240-pin DIMM
Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 72 •

HARD DRIVE - "http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-011-FJ"
Model: Fujitsu 160GB 5400RPM SATA 8MB Cache - OEM (MHY2160BH)
Capacity: 160GB
Cache: 8MB
Interface: SATA
Spin Speed: 5400RPM
Seek Time: 12.0ms

GRAPHICS CARD - undecided

POWER SUPPLY - undecided

Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
First things first, remove those competitor links as they're not allowed :)

Here's what I'd go with....whole lot costs £500. I presume you have a monitor, keyboard, speakers etc. already?

The RAM you chose is very slow and poor value, so I specced you 4GB of Corsair 800mhz stuff. And the hard disk you chose is a rather slow laptop disk, with only a tiny capacity.

spec2-1.jpg


Reasoning behind those choices - motherboard is a good solid board with a wide user base. Intel CPUs tend to be faster than their AMD equivalents; are you considering overclocking? If so, we should add an aftermarket cooler to the basket. Case isn't cheap I know, but it's a good quality piece of kit with excellent cooling. I went for a Radeon 4830 which will capably run all modern games, at max settings depending on your screen.

There's elbow room in there if you want to save money so let me know what you think.
 
Last edited:
These what i would choose and will capable running the latest games :)

Asus ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail (90-C1CLC0-J0UAY00Z) Asus ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail (90-C1CLC0-J0UAY00Z) £104.99
(£120.74) £104.99
(£120.74)
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £96.99
(£111.54) £96.99
(£111.54)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 "LGA775 Core 2" 2.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 "LGA775 Core 2" 2.60GHz (800FSB) - Retail £60.99
(£70.14) £60.99
(£70.14)
Seasonic Silverpower 400W PSU Seasonic Silverpower 400W PSU £39.99
(£45.99) £39.99
(£45.99)
Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB) Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB) £36.99
(£42.54) £36.99
(£42.54)
Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 250GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 250GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM £29.99
(£34.49) £29.99
(£34.49)
Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU) Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU) £26.99
(£31.04) £26.99
(£31.04)
Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £13.99
(£16.09) £13.99
(£16.09)
Sub Total : £410.92
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DHL Select Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £14.99
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £63.89
Total : £489.80

If you can afford another £30 i would get E7400 instead of E5300 and the rest will be fine
 
Thanksfor the reply Reflux, I've removed those competitor links and yeah I already have a monitor and keyboard etc, I'm just looking to build the base unit. I like what you've put together here. I made the stupid choice of buying are netbook in November last year, and only recently got into PC gaming. I also wish I could still get a bit more money if I sold my 20GB Xbox 360, but I guess ever since they brought out the deals with a 60GB model and loads of free stuff chucked in for now <£200 I guess nobody's gonna spend much over £50 quid for a used 20GB model and some old scratched games.
I was a bit hazy about the RAM and I aimed at AMD because of their cheap processors, and tried to couple that with a cheap AM2+ motherboard to keep the costs low. I agree with what you said about the hard drive. Can you possible recommend something a little cheeaper? Thanks.
 
I've swapped the motherboard, case and hard drive for cheaper models, thus saving you about £80. What monitor resolution do you run? If it's quite low, we can save some money on the graphics card and get something cheaper than the 4830.

spec3.jpg
 
Thanks again Reflux, I operate at 1024*768 at the moment because my monitor is only a 15" TFT, but I also have a 22" Widescreen monitor that I could replace my monitor with that goes a bit higher resolution wise. I also have a 1080p HDTV, but I'm a bit hazy about using that because it would be difficult to hook up, as it is at the other side of my room. Also I have no real place to put a keyboard and mouse comfortably. So I would most likely replace my 15" with the 22", which I think can do to 1280*1024 (maybe greater). I aim at running between 800*600 and 1280*1024, as I'm not bothered about high resolutions, just playing the latest games without too much FPS lag. I want to be able to play new games like Fallout 3, Farcry 2 and some other games, but mainly first person shooters as you can probably tell. My monitors are VGA as well. I don't mind what resolution I operate at, I've always used 800*600 barely running Half-Life 2 Death Match on my old pc, but I could only play on the small maps such as the killbox maps.

Sorry for going on, in a nutshell, 1024*768 is a fine resolution for me, and a possible VGA graphics card would be great. If possible at little extra cost I would like to be able to go up to 1280*1024 however. Thanks again Reflux.
 
Drawn you up another spec; managed to save £20 or so. Specced some cheaper, but same speed RAM, and a cheaper graphics card. The 9600GT will max out all modern games at 1280x1024 (except maybe Crysis, but it should deal with that pretty well). It will also run games pretty well on your 22'', which should have a resolution of 1680x1050. I'd really advise you game on that if possible, as the experience will be much more enjoyable and you might even find it easier to play due to the bigger view. The 4830 would probably be worth getting if you're definitely going to switch screens, but it's up to you how much you want to spend. The picture is always far better if you're running a game at native resolution.

Most modern graphics cards don't feature a VGA output, but don't worry, they all come with DVI to VGA adaptors, that screw into the DVI port and give you a VGA connection. So don't worry about that :)

spec-3.jpg
 
Yeah, I thought you could get a DVI -> VGA adaptor, but I didn't think they came included. I'm really pleased with this setup, and it's all a very good price. I'm not that bothered about buying an OS, I've got a spare copy of XP kicking around somewhere. I don't usually play on two screens, I'm only going to need to switch between gaming and MSN, but I'm going to use my laptop for MSN etc anyway (still wish I'd never bought it). As soon as I've got enough money together I'll buy the parts and have my mate round to help me put them together. Thanks Reflux, if I have any more questions to ask I'll message you. Cheers.
 
Ok, no problem :)

Let me know if you have any other queries - you can reply to this thread direct or email me at the address in my trust. Always happy to help fellow PC enthusiasts :)
 
Hey Reflux, would this setup handle my online gaming well? Is wireless built in or would I need an extra card for that? I can connect it up through ethernet cables if I need to, just checking if wireless access was possible. I'd also make sure port forwarding was done on my router for the appropriate games, as I did with my 360.
 
madstanners said:
Hey Reflux, would this setup handle my online gaming well? Is wireless built in or would I need an extra card for that? I can connect it up through ethernet cables if I need to, just checking if wireless access was possible. I'd also make sure port forwarding was done on my router for the appropriate games, as I did with my 360.
Click to expand...

The motherboard has onboard LAN, so you will be able to plug in ethernet cables. If you want wireless, you'll have to buy a wireless PCI card or USB adaptor.
 
Ahh good. Come to think of it I haven't actually checked the motherboard spec yet. I'll check it in a bit I don't have time at the moment. Thanks. I'm not at home at the moment, but I'll check my monitor when I get back home. Damn snow, haven't left my girlfriend's all day, and she's had an operation, so no snowball fights or snowmen. Did you get a lot of snow?
 
Last edited:
That last spec looks good reflux. Amazing what you can get for 400 quid these days.
However, I would definitely change one thing and that's the PSU.

For £10 more you could get a modular 500W Coolermaster or a 450W Corsair
 
9600 for COD5 on a 22"? Sounds a bit ambitious for full settings.

A 22" is almost certainly 1680x1050; the 9600 is getting on a bit now.

Considering that system is now £100 under budget, I'd consider getting a 9800GT or 4830 at the very least.

Personally I'd go with the build that hit £420. It's only £20 more but you get a fair bit more bang for your buck with the 4850.

It all depends, are you going for the bare minimum system for your requirements, or the best system for your money? Stretch to £450 or so and you'd get an E7500 cpu and the 4850. Compared to £50 less for the 9600GT and E5200 it's a no brainer if you have the money.

It's also the best compromise I can see between the £400 build which won't last you into the next generation of games at all, and the £500 which is taking your whole budget for not a lot more performance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom