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Forums > Hardware Forum

Is this a good gaming PC for only $670? (28 comments)

( Forum: HW)

Posted by bigNDpants @ 01:56 CDT, 20 August 2008 - iMsg

I dont know much about computers, but somone suggested this to me. Should I buy this?

Case ( Standard ATX Mid-Tower Case w/350W Power Supply [no side window] Black/Silver 2-Tone )
Case Lighting ( None )
Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
Processor ( Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8400 (2x 3.0GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )
Motherboard ( Asus P5KPL-CM Intel G31 Chipset w/6-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA 3Gb/s, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB )
Memory ( 2 GB [1 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )
Video Card ( ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-Express x16 )
Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA )
Hard Drive ( 160 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 8M Cache] == Double Your Hard Drive to 320GB For Free )
2nd Hard Drive ( None )
External Hard Drives [USB 2.0/eSATA] ( None )
CD/DVD Drive ( None )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( [** Special !!! ***] 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD?R/?RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black )
Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )
Network Card ( Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100) )
Floppy Drive ( None )
Monitor ( 17" TFT LCD Monitor [Black] )
2nd Monitor ( None )
Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )
Mouse ( Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 )
USB 2.0 Accessories ( Built-in USB 2.0 Ports )
Meter Display ( None )
Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Black )
Operation System ( None- Pre-formatted Hard Drive Only )
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner ( None )
USB Flash Drive ( None )
MP3 Player ( None )
TV Tuner ( None )
Video Camera ( None )
Headset ( None )
Power Protection ( None )
Warranty ( Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support )
Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) No Rush, Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )

Total Price: $670

11271 Hits

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<< Comment #1 @ 02:07 CDT, 20 August 2008 >>

By

Depends how good of gaming you want, that video card will not run the new games at high details worth a damn, and that powersupply is crap too!

<< Comment #2 @ 02:57 CDT, 20 August 2008 >>

By

loveless

get a better video card and a better powersupply
i think it's alright

<< Comment #3 @ 16:40 CDT, 22 August 2008 >>

By

Burn the Priest

Is this going to be a prebuilt or are you building it yourself?

And yeah - get a better PSU (PSU's that come with cases tend to suck, plus I'd personally go w/ a 450W PSU just incase) and video card.

Edited by Vicarious at 16:42 CDT, 22 August 2008

<< Comment #4 @ 17:42 CDT, 22 August 2008 >>

By

cumrag - Reply to #3

looks prebuilt.

<< Comment #5 @ 18:03 CDT, 22 August 2008 >>

By

Jamerio :

That won't do at all. its already out of date TBH.

make sure you get a quadcore Q6600.

Makesure you get a ATI HD4850.

The rest of the pieces, you can't really go wrong with and will not make a huge difference.

I'm running crysis on Ultra high on a q6600 (2.4 ghz) and ATI 4850 all stock, more than playable, the q6600 can be overclocked to3 ghz on air alone, 3.4-3.6 ghz with a better cooller ans fan (i.E. tuniq). q6600 is fine for current games and is more future proof, plus it multi tasks better. you cna literally have photoshop, crysis, web pages, video editing all at same time.

The HD4850 is simply the best value card atm, it's beating Nvidia's more expensive alternatieves.

Plus, you can always sell the HD4850 and go for the HD4870 when you got some more spare money.
Just increase the fan speed cos they run hot at default Fine othewise.

Mines even running on a 300 watt OEM PSU, stock one should be fine but go for at least 400 watt to be safe.
ram hard drive etc, whatever, go for spinpoint f1 if you can even if it only 160 gig.

And a decent make mobo, just google q6600 motherboards and see for yourself.

Edited by Jamerio at 18:08 CDT, 22 August 2008

<< Comment #6 @ 15:01 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

im a tree - Reply to #5

asus p5k isn't a particularly "bad" motherboard...

i still don't see the point of gamers wasting money on quad cores, your argument is that you COULD be encoding, running photoshop and gaming at the same time... but who the fuck does that seriously

it's not like any game at the moment is going to utilize 4 cores, and it just doesn't seem worth it, id rather spend the same and get a more powerful c2d than a less powerful c2q

<< Comment #7 @ 19:07 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Erk - Reply to #6

Afaik UE3 takes advantage of more than 2 cores, Cry-engine 2 does as well. Engines released in the next few years will most likely use more than 2 cores as well. Q9550 seems to be the sweet spot for quad cores atm, 2.83ghz with 12mb cache. People who aren't on a very tight budget would be wise to go with Q9550 since they will be stuck on socket 775 for quite some time and there won't be much faster quad cores released on that platform due to Nehalem (i7) release. However if one can't afford the Q9550 then E8500 is the best choice since games that only use 2 cores need quite high clock speeds (preferably 2.6ghz or better) to run really well and the E8500 is a much better CPU in those cases than low clocked quad cores. The quad cores that pass 2.6ghz usually moves you close to Q9550 prices and cost much more than E8500 and aren't worth it IMO since the 6MB cache (8MB on some older CPU's) will hurt the performance with 4 cores.

Edited by Erk at 19:12 CDT, 31 August 2008

<< Comment #10 @ 19:36 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Jamerio : - Reply to #7

you do know the q6600 will OC to 4+ ghz per core? (particually G0 stepping) ?

I know people who are running them at 3.6 ghz per core on a air coolling with a tuniq tower. I don't care if the 8 whatever runs a bit faster, if you have a quad core CPU running at that speed, you're not going to be complaining about it lacking grunt for the current crop of games. Mine is stock speed and I'm not complaining.

As for the 9950, it's over 100 pounds more, personally I would stick with the q6600, overclock that and Simply put the 100 quid towards a better GPU

There is no reason NOT to OC a q6600 if you have it. thereby shooting down your argument for high clock speeds.
If the q6600 was stuck at 2.4ghz we would not be having this conversation.

<< Comment #20 @ 06:22 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

im a tree - Reply to #10

I was looking at http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127427 for air cooling, think that could get a q6600 to 3.6ghz, if not could you suggest something?

I was set on an E8200 and OCing, but if you can convince me otherwise then go for it.

My issue is q3 engine games which only use a single core, I'm just paranoid about the Q6600 for that reason.

Edited by meez at 06:26 CDT, 1 September 2008

<< Comment #25 @ 11:16 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

Ignignokt - Reply to #20

Thermalright Ultra Extreme. Best air cooling you can get. Bit expensive though.

<< Comment #26 @ 15:22 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

im a tree - Reply to #25

Yeah I was suggested this as a 'budget' option... I'm not looking for the "best air cooling you can get" but just want a decent, reliable, branded cooler.

<< Comment #9 @ 19:24 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Jamerio : - Reply to #6

I don't get why you're disputing its better to have 2 cores clocked approx 3.4 Ghz, compared to having 4 core clocked to 3.4 ghz for the same price?

So you can have a CPU which produces a safe 13.6 ghz (and it will go more) of power, or one that produces around half of that?

What I'm saying is IF<< you have a quad core CPU, you're not going to be struggling to run the current batch of games anyway.
Plus you get all the benefits of the Quadcore and omfort that if an app supports you're going to be laughing.

So the question is, why not go for a Quadcore?
And wasting money? you can buy them for 110 pounds in the UK.
It's the biggest bargain in computing ever.

Edited by Jamerio at 19:26 CDT, 31 August 2008

<< Comment #11 @ 19:46 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

wocK_ - Reply to #9

yeah

quad core is probably the best thing i've ever bought pc wise

oh and my 8800 GTX :D

oh and crysis of course

shame it flopped

warhead looks good XDD

Edited by wocK_ at 19:46 CDT, 31 August 2008

<< Comment #12 @ 20:45 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Ignignokt - Reply to #9

Again the cores don't add up you moron.

<< Comment #13 @ 22:29 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Jamerio : - Reply to #12

What are you babbling about?

I do 3D rendering, I am telling you a quadcore processor is aroundTWICE as quick as the e8500 in multithread apps as it's total output is almost twice of the dual cores. I'm well aware its not true qud core architecture, but what do you think are producing my findings then scotch mist?
Ar hte grpahics drawing about 40% faster PER FRAME by magic???

As far as games go....
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_e8500/16.htm

Conclusion..
Is it as good as a Quad Core? Close, but not quite close enough.
And they did not even overclock the Q6600.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_e8500/16.htm

Lastly, here are some benchmarks (and like I said the q6600 is not OC) from game related stuff.

Crysis

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_e8500/8.htm

3d Mark 06
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_e8500/15.htm

Call of duty 4
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_e8500/11.htm

Surprise surprise, confirming what I already said, the STOCK q6600 is faster or thereabouts. It compares favourably to the E8500 in games or close enough AND you get the advantage of certain games utilising its extra cores in the future and the multi tasking benefits it offers.

Sorry you made the wrong choice in CPU and feel the need to argue over useless stuff, which at the end of the day does not change what I said.

Edited by Jamerio at 22:35 CDT, 31 August 2008

<< Comment #14 @ 22:44 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Ignignokt - Reply to #13

Doesn't change the fact that the cores don't add up like you believe. And it seems to me according to those benchmarks the e8500 has the edge in gaming and since the guy is building a gaming computer he should get the best for that. Not to mention the e8500 is a lot better for overclocking. I mean you have to use 1.4 vcore just to get the q6600 to 3ghz.

<< Comment #17 @ 00:59 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

Aaron - Reply to #13

wow all and and none of it is relevant to what he said at all

<< Comment #22 @ 08:22 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

Aquashark ' - Reply to #17

go with "jamerio'd" next time
i've heard it's making a comeback

Edited by Aquashark at 08:23 CDT, 1 September 2008

<< Comment #24 @ 10:47 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

Jamerio : - Reply to #17

Because his point was a technicality which means very little.
AMD said their CPU's were the first true quadcores, who gives a shit, they're slower than intel and the irony is, one of the cores were broken which is why they are selling them cheap as triple core CPU's.

The bottom line is, the total output and sheer grunt from a quadcore is noticeably faster than the dual core we're talking about when it comes to CPU related which is why I mentioned the output.. blah blah it does not add up, well, I got renders finishing 40% faster than on E8500 so I guess its the fucking code fairies then?

On top of that it performs very similar in games, + it's being supported by future games + it scales better for general use, oh and its a cheaper CPU than the e8500.

<< Comment #8 @ 19:19 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

Erk

Get a HD4850 atleast as graphics card, and try to get a 19" or bigger monitor. That PSU is too small, get a high quality PSU from brands like Enermax, Corsair, Antec, Seasonic or similar. PSUs along with Ram are the main reasons for computer crashes. It is tempting to save money there, but a good PSU will follow your computer for a long time. Unfortunatly a lot of PSU's can't deliver more than 80% of what they claim. The brands mentioned above are known for always being able to deliver 100% of their rated power. There are other brands as well that have high quality PSUs, but make sure you get a brand that is known for it's quality.

<< Comment #15 @ 23:11 CDT, 31 August 2008 >>

By

bigNDpants - Reply to #8

Thanks for the suggestion, but this is what I ended up buying in the end.

2.4 Quad Core E6600
Stock Intel LGA775 Heatsink and Fan
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L (Intel P35, PCIEx, 8-Channel Audio, LAN, 4xSATA2, 4xDDR2, 1333FSB)
4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 DDR2 800Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty
500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA300
20X Samsung SH-S202G Dual Layer DVD+/-RW/CDRW w/Nero
512MB ATI Radeon HD4850 GDDR3 PCI Express DVI/Tvout
Raidmax Black Sagitta 2 (5 5.25, 5 3.5 bays) 2 Fans, Window, Front Audio/USB
500watt Antec EarthWatts EA500
Onboard LAN included
Onboard Sound included
Standard 1 year parts and labor
19"" CRT
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0
Supermat

Total: ~$1000

<< Comment #16 @ 00:04 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

cumrag - Reply to #15

where'd you get the monitor?

<< Comment #18 @ 02:08 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

bigNDpants - Reply to #16

ebay.

<< Comment #19 @ 02:09 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

bigNDpants - Reply to #18

19" CRT Monitor:

1600x1200 maximum resolution
Displays a maximum resolution of 1600x1200; 1280x1024 optimal resolution at 95Hz flicker-free refresh rate for easy-on-the-eyes viewing.
1600x1200 @ 75Hz
1280x1024 @ 95Hz
1024x768 @ 115Hz
800x600 @ 145H

<< Comment #21 @ 08:05 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

thelawenforcer ' - Reply to #15

nice rig

<< Comment #23 @ 10:13 CDT, 1 September 2008 >>

By

Erk - Reply to #15

Well you have all the parts I would have wanted in a budget gaming computer anyways. Antec is a quality PSU so you won't have any voltage problems, and HD4850 is a great card for the price (kind of like the new 6600GT).

Edited by Erk at 10:14 CDT, 1 September 2008

<< Comment #28 @ 21:34 CDT, 2 September 2008 >>

By

xou - Reply to #15

Should have gone for something like an Antec Sonata 3

<< Comment #27 @ 20:40 CDT, 2 September 2008 >>

By

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I definitely learned a lot over the past week about PC hardware.

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