Critique this uberbudget build ($650 inc S&H)...

[Sovereign]

I have a friend who is getting some money for his birthday. He wants a gaming-capable desktop. His three main uses are basic productivity, movie-watching (1080p) and gaming. He's not a huge nut on "uber-high settings" but he wants it to be "decent" (i.e. no bottom-barrel scraping on settings). Ideally, the graphics board would have to be replaced every two years or so.

Games should run @ 1080p (with reduced settings of course), but we're talking things like Company of Heroes, Call of Duty 2/4/5 and maybe an occasional newer title. The reason I say "should run @ 1080p" is because from my understanding, the next-lower resolution from 1920x1080 that maintains the exact same aspect ratio is 1366x768, which is a huge drop...

Anyway, PC follows ($611 or so as configured, figure shipping won't push it too much over $650--his budget is ironclad though. No bleed over!)

Case - XCLIO Coolbox Advanced
Mobo - ASUS P5Q SE Plus
GPU - ZOTEC GeForce 9600GT 512MB
PSU - Corsair CMPSU 550w
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 Wolfdale @ 2.8GHz
RAM - 4GB (2x2GB) G.Skill DDR2-800
HDD - WD Caviar 320GB SATA
OPT - Sony Optiarc DVD Burner
NET - EDIMAX EW-7128G

He does not need a monitor, mouse, speakers, keyboard or soundcard. He's going to be using 1280x1024 for his regular monitor, but a 1080p HDTV for the movies and some gaming (hence the mentions of 1080p before).

[Skippman]

I tried and tried to find something wrong with the build but I just can't. I'd go with more drive space and RAM and possibly a diff case but what you've got there is rock solid on the face of it. Corsair PSU that'll take a beating, good RAM brand, decent GPU. Not bad.

[Sporg]

So one thing I would look at is the stock cooling. For some folks it works great, but for others there can be heating issues. A lot of it depends on where the PC is located. I'd say if you are on a main floor, or basement, and have plenty of air flow around where the PC will sit, then you should be fine. Those are just my two cents. Otherwise a very solid looking budget build.

[DMB2000uk]

You've done the best you can with the budget, but I think your friend is going to get a nasty shock trying to game at 1920x1080 with a 9600GT.

If it's a TV, he'll not be sat close to it, so I don't think he'll notice the difference between native and 1366x768, so you should suggest that he plays at the lower res until he can get a beefy graphics card.

Dan

[ibleet]

Shell out a few more dollars and upgrade to a 9800GT. I've seen 'em for around $100 after MIR lately. I also saw a 9800GTX for around $120.

Overall the build appears to be solid...well done!

[Sovereign]

I've cross-posted this at three forums and I'm hearing noise about ATI cards. Are there any ATI cards that, frankly, would offer a better value? He's not locked in on NVIDIA, he just wants speed (and I tend to associate NVIDIA with speed, since my last three videocards were from them since they were the "thing to have" at the time of all three purchases).

I swapped the case for an Antec 300, the CPU out for an E5200 and the graphics got a boost to 9800GTX+. Still only $639 w/S&H...

[DJ Tucker]

with that build and that price thats not at all bad. the graphics are great the case is ok and the cpu it good but you could get better if you shop around.

[stopthekilling77]

I've cross-posted this at three forums and I'm hearing noise about ATI cards. Are there any ATI cards that, frankly, would offer a better value? He's not locked in on NVIDIA, he just wants speed (and I tend to associate NVIDIA with speed, since my last three videocards were from them since they were the "thing to have" at the time of all three purchases).

I swapped the case for an Antec 300, the CPU out for an E5200 and the graphics got a boost to 9800GTX+. Still only $639 w/S&H...

How much is the cost for that model 9800GTX+? I do agree that there might be better cost/performance solutions for the GPU but it's sort of moot until I know the cost of that particular card you're looking at.

*EDIT* And if at all possible, stay with the E7400. The Core2Duo architecture is a much, much better value than the E5200

[ibleet]

Here is the 9800GTX+ I mentioned for $120:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=3670

I agree 100% about keeping the E7400...its a much better card. Sometimes being penny smart is dollar foolish.

[DaddyRabbit]

I agree with the E7400 as well.

As for GPU I think the 4850 is the card that sits opposite the 9800GTX as they both seem to trade blows back and forth in the reviews I've seen. They are generally the same price (I HATE MIRs!) .

To be honest I am not brand loyal but go with what seems to be the best solution for me at build time. I have both Nvidia and AMD/ATi and, for video playback, I would probably choose the 4850. The NV cards however, have a slight edge in frame rates (depending on the game). Either card would do well I think (there is also the 9800 GTX+ for not much more).

Its amazing what you can build on a budget these days

[The Flying Pig]

As long as you aren't planning on overclocking this too hard, it should be fine.
Stock cooling provides enough to keep the CPU cool, and the case has enough air flowing through it, so the cooler won't be too noticeable nose-wise over the rest of the fans (hopefully).

For the GPU, I'd recommend spending a few more dollars and going for the 9800GT.
I used to have a 640mb 8800GTS (G90) and it played my games at a 1920x1200 resolution fine.
(9800GT evolved from the 8800GT which came from the 8800GTS iirc)
I could manage Crysis on high settings with 20fps.. lol.
My main game back then was Lord of the Rings Online, and I had every setting maxed out and the only time I had to turn it down was to raid (20+ people in one area doing different things, but to accomplish a uniform goal).
If you are looking into ATI, the 4830 is the price equivalent of the 9600. But I would agree that a 4850 would be worth the investment now (it would last your friend longer).

I don't really have much to say about the rest, heh.
Well okay I lied. For your wireless adapter, look to see if windows can manage it or not.
I've had really bad experiences with crappy wireless software.
Air-link and 2-wire are the two that I can think of offhand that I've experienced that don't allow windows to take control of the wi-fi settings.

There are my two cents.

[Major_A]

You don't need that power supply for the listed setup. For what you have listed it is overkill and wasted money. You can find cheaper alternatives out there that offer good/stable power for considerably less money.

[stopthekilling77]

You don't need that power supply for the listed setup. For what you have listed it is overkill and wasted money. You can find cheaper alternatives out there that offer good/stable power for considerably less money.

Worth it if he uses the $20 MIR
just remember the PSU is the only component that has the capability to kill the other components, so it's best not to skimp

[Major_A]

Agreed. But he can get a a $40 Cooler Master PSU and call it a day.

Example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817171031

This supply is a little Spartan on the connectors but it works just fine. I used this PSU for my brother's in law/sister's build.
Powering:
Opteron 170
EPoX 1697GLi
3GB DDR RAM
SB Audigy
eVGA 9800GTX+
Samsung IDE 18X DVD-RW

Use the saved money on the PSU to upgrade your CPU/GPU/add aftermarket cooler/whatever you want.

[stopthekilling77]

His call really, either of those PSUs would be great in his machine!