Welcome to PCForumz.com!
FAQFAQ      ProfileProfile    Private MessagesPrivate Messages   Log inLog in

How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget?

  
   Hardware Problem Solving Community! (Home) -> Overclocking RSS
Next:  Asus K8V Deluxe  
Author Message
iissmm

External


Since: Nov 22, 2004
Posts: 1



(Msg. 1) Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 6:17 am
Post subject: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget?
Archived from groups: alt>comp>hardware>overclocking (more info?)
My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
components

Motherboard: Abit AN7
CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4

Anyone with experience please share. Am I on the right track? Please
suggest alternatives.

Thanks

 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
I of the Storm

External


Since: May 04, 2004
Posts: 11



(Msg. 2) Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:32 am
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
"Ivan" <iissmm.DeleteThis@yahoo.com.sg> wrote in message
news:6a8a466f.0411220617.3c766159@posting.google.com...
 > My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
 > smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
 > overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
 > components
 >
 > Motherboard: Abit AN7
 > CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
 > GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
 > RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4
 >
 > Anyone with experience please share. Am I on the right track? Please
 > suggest alternatives.
 >
 > Thanks

SharkyExtreme.com was very helpful when I was building my system. Here's a
URL for the "value gaming" system building guide: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tinyurl.com/5zobc" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/5zobc</a>
(copy and paste). You can adjust their suggestions to suit your price range.

I think the biggest bottleneck for your system will be the video card. It
may be worth waiting for the 6600 or X700 series to come out in AGP form.
While the processor and memory are important, I suggest diverting every
extra dollar to the video card. I have a 9600Pro@500/330, P4 2.4B.DeleteThis@2.66, and
512MB of Corsair 2.5@2 3 3 6 (iirc). FarCry played smoothly on my system,
but at lower resolution and without all the bells and whistles. I haven't
tried running Doom III, but I suspect the same would be true.

It looks like you're in Singapore. I don't know what technology prices are
like there, but online retailers are probably way cheaper. Don't forget to
buy an OEM copy of XP, if you need it.

Good luck!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->

 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Steve Wolfe2

External


Since: Sep 20, 2004
Posts: 7



(Msg. 3) Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 11:18 am
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
 > My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
 > smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
 > overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
 > components
 >
 > Motherboard: Abit AN7
 > CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
 > GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
 > RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4
 >
 > Anyone with experience please share. Am I on the right track? Please
 > suggest alternatives.

I use an NF7-M with a mobile Athlon 2500+ running at 2.3 GHz (210x11), and
it plays Doom3 and FarCry just fine - with a 6800GT. If you want to play
D3 and Far Cry with lots of options turned on, you're going to need a good
video card, plain and simple. A Radeon 9800 or a GF 6600 at the least.

Also, running either of those games with 512 megs works - but it does
introduce some stuttering/lag when loading items. A gig of RAM would be
better, but they're still very playable with 512.

steve<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Thomas2

External


Since: Jul 20, 2004
Posts: 167



(Msg. 4) Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 3:28 pm
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Ivan wrote:
 > My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
 > smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
 > overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
 > components
 >
 > Motherboard: Abit AN7
 > CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
 > GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
 > RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4

My main problem is with the vidcard... Is there no way you can make it a
9800? The 9600 is really a bit slow... I have the old 9700, which still is a
fair bit faster...
(especially O/C'd to 375 Razz)

By the way, that memory, isnt that DDR2 ? For DDR1, the CL3/CL4 is really
incredible... Even my old PC3000 mem can do PC3200 at CL 2.5...

Thomas<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Cuzman

External


Since: Jan 05, 2004
Posts: 301



(Msg. 5) Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:25 pm
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
"Ivan" <iissmm.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com.sg> wrote in message
news:6a8a466f.0411220617.3c766159@posting.google.com...

" I am eyeing on the following components... "


At Newegg, the total cost of your list comes to $446.27:

- Abit AN7 Nforce2 Ultra 400 http://snipurl.com/6bh3 $95.00
- AMD Athlon XP 2800+ http://snipurl.com/atdy $139.00
- Corsair VS512MB400C3 http://snipurl.com/ate5 $74.27
- Sapphire Radeon 9600XT 128MB http://snipurl.com/atei $138.00


How about this for $507.50 instead?

- Soltek K8AN2E-GR Nforce3 250GB http://snipurl.com/8x4s $89.00
- AMD Athlon64 2800+ http://snipurl.com/6bf9 $127.00
- Kingmax 512MB PC3200 CL2.5 http://snipurl.com/8xm5 $66.50
- XFX GeForce 6600GT 128MB http://snipurl.com/atdg $225.00
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
rms

External


Since: Jul 02, 2004
Posts: 263



(Msg. 6) Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:35 pm
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
 > How about this for $507.50 instead?
 >
 > - Soltek K8AN2E-GR Nforce3 250GB <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://snipurl.com/8x4s" target="_blank">http://snipurl.com/8x4s</a> $89.00
 > - AMD Athlon64 2800+ <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://snipurl.com/6bf9" target="_blank">http://snipurl.com/6bf9</a> $127.00
 > - Kingmax 512MB PC3200 CL2.5 <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://snipurl.com/8xm5" target="_blank">http://snipurl.com/8xm5</a> $66.50
 > - XFX GeForce 6600GT 128MB <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://snipurl.com/atdg" target="_blank">http://snipurl.com/atdg</a> $225.00

I'll second this one, tho I'd want to see more overclocking results on
the soltek.

rms<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
spungo

External


Since: Nov 26, 2004
Posts: 20



(Msg. 7) Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:17 am
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Damn, what kind of heatsink and fan do you have? Any tips for me. I've
overclocked a 2600 barton to 2.083 GHz (2800 barton) and my idle is 52 and
full load is 60.

"Steve Wolfe" <unt.DeleteThis@see-signature.com> wrote in message
news:30eovlF2tmem8U1@uni-berlin.de...
  >> My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
  >> smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
  >> overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
  >> components
  >>
  >> Motherboard: Abit AN7
  >> CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
  >> GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
  >> RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4
  >>
  >> Anyone with experience please share. Am I on the right track? Please
  >> suggest alternatives.
 >
 > I use an NF7-M with a mobile Athlon 2500+ running at 2.3 GHz (210x11),
 > and
 > it plays Doom3 and FarCry just fine - with a 6800GT. If you want to play
 > D3 and Far Cry with lots of options turned on, you're going to need a good
 > video card, plain and simple. A Radeon 9800 or a GF 6600 at the least.
 >
 > Also, running either of those games with 512 megs works - but it does
 > introduce some stuttering/lag when loading items. A gig of RAM would be
 > better, but they're still very playable with 512.
 >
 > steve
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Steve Wolfe

External


Since: Aug 21, 2004
Posts: 40



(Msg. 8) Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:26 pm
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
 > Damn, what kind of heatsink and fan do you have? Any tips for me. I've
 > overclocked a 2600 barton to 2.083 GHz (2800 barton) and my idle is 52 and
 > full load is 60.

I'm using a Vantex Aeroflow. I keep meaning to either get a better HSF,
or do water cooling, but I can never quite bring myself around to doing it.

steve<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Dave29

External


Since: Feb 06, 2004
Posts: 120



(Msg. 9) Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 10:35 am
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
"Steve Wolfe" <unt.DeleteThis@codon.com> wrote in message
news:30shhkF348mh7U1@uni-berlin.de...
  >> Damn, what kind of heatsink and fan do you have? Any tips for me. I've
  >> overclocked a 2600 barton to 2.083 GHz (2800 barton) and my idle is 52
  >> and
  >> full load is 60.
 >
 > I'm using a Vantex Aeroflow. I keep meaning to either get a better HSF,
 > or do water cooling, but I can never quite bring myself around to doing
 > it.
 >
 > steve

For the OP:-

Check your case ventilation for a start. Take the side off and watch the
temps. If they drop a lot then the case ventilation is bad. If they go up
then it is very good.

The rear mounted fans should be exhaust - they blow out the back of the
case. Side and front fans are intakes - they suck air into the case.

Check the case fan grills. If they are punched out of the case metal then
they are usually very restrictive. Cut them out with a set of tin-snips and
use cheap chrome wire grills or other open types - you can get some fancy
plastic ones with LEDs.

Check your air intake on the bottom of the computer front panel. On cheap
cases the intake slot can be as small as 1cm x 5cm. Use an exacto/stanley
knife to open it up as large as possible. I managed to get my intake slot
to 2.5cm x 16cm and I am considering making a bit wider. Be careful if the
front panel has USB/audio connector boards blocking the intake slot, it may
be easier to remove the front bezel and remove the board before enlarging
the air intake.

I have an ABit NF7-s v2.0, XP2000+ Tbred B (133.33 x 12.5=1666MHz, 1.6V)
running at 10.5 x 200=2100MHz, 1.8V. The cooler is an TR2-M1. For light
use, the CPU runs at roomtemp + 10-11C. During Prime95 torture test it can
be about roomtemp + 29C. At the moment my case has 1 x 90mm exhaust and 2 x
80mm front intakes. The front intakes don't add much to the cooling, even
when the comp is stressed, and I am considering removing them to cut the
noise. I do have a fan with LEDs mounted in the side panel but that is not
connected, I only connect that at a LAN otherwise the noise is too loud and
it does not add to the cooling.

I have run the CPU at 11 x 200, 1.93-1.95V and during Prime95 torture test
the CPU runs at about roomtemp + 31-32C.

It is spring, going into summer and the room temps are usually over 27C at
the moment so I have to watch the system temps.

Good luck in sorting it out.

Dave<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Leon Smith1

External


Since: Mar 16, 2004
Posts: 26



(Msg. 10) Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:35 am
Post subject: Re: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
But is it stable? If it is, don't sweat it.

I'm running an Athlon XP 2500 @ 3200 and it regularly reaches 60°c under
heavy load, but the machine is rock solid so i don't let it bother me. 60°c
is way below manufacturers temp guidelines.

You can easily become overly obsessed with temperatures in an NG like this
Wink

"Jack Spungo" <Spungo.TakeThisOut@Spungo.com> wrote in message
news:Uu2dnfJpm7vf_zXcRVn-ow@rogers.com...
 > Damn, what kind of heatsink and fan do you have? Any tips for me. I've
 > overclocked a 2600 barton to 2.083 GHz (2800 barton) and my idle is 52 and
 > full load is 60.
 >
 > "Steve Wolfe" <unt.TakeThisOut@see-signature.com> wrote in message
 > news:30eovlF2tmem8U1@uni-berlin.de...
   >>> My first attempt to build a gaming PC. The game I want to play
   >>> smoothly include the demanding "Far Cry" and "Doom III". I will
   >>> overclock the system to maximise. I am eyeing on the following
   >>> components
   >>>
   >>> Motherboard: Abit AN7
   >>> CPU : ATHLON XP 2800+
   >>> GRAPHIC BOARD: ATI RADEON 9600XT
   >>> RAM: CORSAIR OR SAMSUNG 512MB CL3 OR CL4
   >>>
   >>> Anyone with experience please share. Am I on the right track? Please
   >>> suggest alternatives.
  >>
  >> I use an NF7-M with a mobile Athlon 2500+ running at 2.3 GHz (210x11),
  >> and
  >> it plays Doom3 and FarCry just fine - with a 6800GT. If you want to
  >> play
  >> D3 and Far Cry with lots of options turned on, you're going to need a
  >> good
  >> video card, plain and simple. A Radeon 9800 or a GF 6600 at the least.
  >>
  >> Also, running either of those games with 512 megs works - but it does
  >> introduce some stuttering/lag when loading items. A gig of RAM would be
  >> better, but they're still very playable with 512.
  >>
  >> steve
  >>
  >>
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to build a gaming machine with a tight budget? 
Back to top
Login to vote
Display posts from previous:   
Related Topics:
How tight - How toght do I tighten the nuts on a Thermaltake Silent Tower fitted to an LGA775 motherboard (Abit AA8-Duramax). My first attempt created a CPU Voltage check error in POST so I slackened the nuts off a bit, the HSF can be moved slightly with slippery..

Choosing between PIII, P4, Celeron 478 on a $100 Budget- P.. - I am considering building a computer. I have hard drives, case, etc. already, the only new part would be the cpu. Ignore the price of motherboards, etc, assume I can gather everything except the CPU. I am on a very limited budget. I have a poor..

Dual Duron vs. P4 on the cheapo budget - Hi, I was thinking about getting a dual Athlon mobo and a pair of Durons, but then a thought occurred: I could get a new 865 board and overclock the hell out of an old Northwood 2.0,,, or could I ? And is it worth it, especially on a ?server? on a 3-node...

old K6 for emu machine - I am trying to overclock my old K6 (NOT K6-2, as in no 3D-NOW) as much as possible to use it for an emu machine and to record TV shows w/ the TV tuner card. The stock speed is 300 MHz and it's one of the new (well, relatively) .25 micron K6 chips. ..

new system build AMD 64 - I want to build a new system I would like your opine on this system some parts I am going to use some stuff belong to my old system your opine on all of these parts. Or alternative parts cheaper ones please. New parts 1 x AMD Athlon 3200 64bit..
   Hardware Problem Solving Community! (Home) -> Overclocking All times are: Pacific Time (US & Canada) (change)
Page 1 of 1

 
 You can post new topics in this forum
You can reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



[ Contact us | Terms of Service/Privacy Policy ]