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How much should I pay for this build?

Started by shadoweagle36 · · 👁 3 views · 14 replies

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Participants shadoweagle36fadedorca66wanderingviper7Kimberly Gomez34graniteharbor85electricpanther37crimsonstag84dustyskipper77Grace Peterson17Robert Rodriguez2
shadoweagle36 shadoweagle36 NewcomerOP
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#1 ·
3 GHz processor
2 GB of RAM (though if you're running Windows Vista or 7, you really ought to have at least 4 GB)
6 GB of free hard drive space
GeForce 8800 or an equivalent video card (you'll need a dedicated GPU with 512MB+ of VRAM)
DirectX v9.0c support or higher
Operating system not included

What kind of budget should I be looking at for this, and could someone point me toward a reliable US online retailer that can put this whole rig together? Thanks!!
fadedorca66 fadedorca66 Regular
372 messages
joined Nov 2022
#2 ·
What is this, a wishlist for some game? Just tell us what you actually plan on doing or playing on this rig, what your budget looks like, and what parts you're aiming for
wanderingviper7 wanderingviper7 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Aug 2011
#3 ·
1 x Asrock FM2A88M EXTREME4+, FM2,FM2+, AMD A88X (Bolton-D4), DDR3
1 x AMD Trinity Athlon ii x4 760 3.80GHz 4cores
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, Hyper X, KHX1600C9D3B1
1 x Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x WD 1TB Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3, 64 MB, 3.5", 24mj
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology 1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black
1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black , 2 x 3,5" interni utor
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo,2011,1366/1156/775/AM3/ 626g,13-32dB

$1196

1 x Asrock s1150 H81M-HDS - Intel H81, mATX, dual Channel 2 xDDR3
1 x Intel Core i3-4130, 3.40GHz
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, Hyper X, KHX1600C9D3B1
1 x Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x WD 1TB Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3, 64 MB, 3.5", 24mj
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology 1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black
1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black , 2 x 3,5" interni utor

$1165

1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x AMD FX-Series X6 6300 3.5GHz,14MB,95W,AM3+, FD6300WMHK
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, Hyper X, KHX1600C9D3B1/
1 x Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x WD 1TB Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3, 64 MB, 3.5", 24mj
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology 1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black
1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black , 2 x 3,5" interni utor
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo,2011,1366/1156/775/AM3/ 626g,13-32dB

$1308

Micro Center

You could go even bigger—swap in an i5 for the second build and grab an R9 270X card.
But honestly, that’s all wasted effort if you don't have the budget for it or a high-resolution monitor to actually see the difference.
shadoweagle36 shadoweagle36 NewcomerOP
1 message
joined Feb 2011
#4 ·
Regarding the specific configuration recommended for this game: I currently have a Samsung b2230n 22'' monitor, along with a mouse, keyboard, a toaster, and 2GB of RAM. My intention is to use this setup exclusively for watching movies, browsing the web, and gaming. It is absolutely critical to me that the system remains quiet; I cannot tolerate excessive noise. Furthermore, I need assurance that it won't overheat if, for instance, I leave it running continuously for 48 hours straight. Finally, while I do have the funds available, I am looking for maximum value—I want the absolute "best buy" for my specific needs without overspending unnecessarily.
wanderingviper7 wanderingviper7 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Aug 2011
#5 ·
Then just go ahead and buy a different combo.
One of these days you'll treat yourself to an i5 processor, and the motherboard can handle it.

If it's DDR3, grab another 2 GB and pop it into the second slot right next to those 4 GB sticks you're planning to get.
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#6 ·
wanderingviper7 said:1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x AMD FX-Series X6 6300 Processor 3.5GHz, 14MB, 95W, AM3+, FD6300WMHK
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, Hyper X, KHX1600C9D3B1/
1 x Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC 1GB GDDR5, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x WD 1TB HDD, Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3, 64 MB, 3.5", 24mj
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology 1 x Fractal design Core 1000 Black
1 x Fractal Design Core 1000 Black, 2 x 3.5" internal bays
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, 2011, 1366/1156/775/AM3/ 626g, 13-32dB

$1308

That motherboard isn't going to fit in that case.
The Core 1000 is mATX, but that board is ATX.
Also, the Hyper 212 won't fit in the Core 1000 either.

By the way, the Core 1000 isn't the best value when you consider the ZAL-ZM-T1 plus costs the same amount.
wanderingviper7 wanderingviper7 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Aug 2011
#7 ·
Yeah, I was just swapping out the motherboard and processor for those three setups. I forgot to account for the case, so if they go with that option, they should just grab a standard ATX case
if they decide to pull the trigger. He mentioned he wants these machines for 24/7 operation, so there's no way that Zalman Z3+ is the right call. Like I’ve said before, those fans are about as loud as old NVIDIA cards used to be when you're gaming.
It'll definitely bother him if he's trying to sleep while a torrent is downloading.
graniteharbor85 graniteharbor85 Active Member
116 messages
joined Apr 2014
#8 ·
shadoweagle36

FX 6300
SPIRE KEPLER R2.0
GIGABYTE 970A-DS3P
KINGSTON 8GB 1600 MHZ
SEAGATE 3,5 1TB SATA 3
GIGABYTE R9 270 2GB WF OC
LG GH24NS95 SATA
XFX PRO 450W 80+ BRONZE
AKYGA 309BK MIDI ATX

= $1513 - free assembly and shipping - Best Buy IT.

Honestly, I think this is a total steal for you—you can sleep easy knowing everything you wanted is checked off, and you’ve got a solid foundation if you decide to upgrade later. Just a thought, but maybe look into adding 92 + 120 MM fans to help with airflow and keep those temps down. Or, if you really want to level up the whole setup, check out the Z3+ case; it comes with a built-in potentiometer, so tweaking fan speed and noise levels is super easy.

I’m pretty sure the RAM you have is DDR2, though—it's a bit of a long shot, so definitely double-check that first.

wanderingviper7

Come on now, they aren't even that loud! Plus, regarding noise, that Core 1000 fan is basically in the same ballpark as them (since it isn't PWM), though I'm not totally sure if they changed anything on that front with the newer model.
electricpanther37 electricpanther37 Member
17 messages
joined Oct 2013
#9 ·
Looking for a build around $2,500—$833just needs to handle everyday browsing, streaming movies without any hiccups, and running some casual online games like League of Legends smoothly...

Thanks in advance for the help.
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#10 ·
MS PLUTOS case without power supply
Chicony Active 400 w ATX PSU, CHI-HPA-400W
MSI H81M-P33 iH81 motherboard (S1150, DDR3, SATA II, SATA III, PS/2, USB2.0, USB3.0, LAN, audio Line-In, Audio
Transcend DDR3 4GB 1600MHz bulk memory
Toshiba DT01ACA050 500GB 3.5'' (HDD)
Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC graphics card, 1GB GDDR5, DVI, DP, HDMI 11222-05-20G
Intel Celeron G1820 processor

Total: $2,328.34+$27 including shipping from Amazon

Do you need a burner? You could probably find one used... I haven't touched mine in over a year.😬
electricpanther37 electricpanther37 Member
17 messages
joined Oct 2013
#11 ·
crimsonstag84 said:MS PLUTOS case, power supply not included.
Chicony Active 400 w ATX. CHI-HPA-400W.
MSI H81M-P33 iH81 motherboard (LGA 1150 socket, DDR3, SATA II, SATA III, PS/2, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, LAN, audio Line-In, Audio)
Transcend DDR3 4GB 1600MHz RAM, bulk version.
Toshiba DT01ACA050 500 GB 3.5'' HDD
Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC, 1GB GDDR5, featuring DVI, DP, and HDMI (11222-05-20G).
Intel Celeron G1820

Total: $2,328.34+$27 Shipping from Centro.hr

Need a printer? You could probably grab one used... I haven't touched mine in a year. 😬


Thanks for the quick reply. This build looks solid to me based on what I've seen. One thing though—I'm a bit confused about this case being sold without a power supply.
I've got an old coffee maker from an old conference. Not sure if it would even work on this new setup, especially since I haven't touched it in years myself. 😁
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#12 ·
The case doesn't come with a power supply included, so you'll be using that Chicony 400 w 😉

It really just depends on whether the burner has a SATA connector; if it does, I guess it should work fine.
dustyskipper77 dustyskipper77 Member
40 messages
joined Jul 2010
#13 ·
MS industrial MS PLUTOS case
KINGSTON DDR3 4GB, 1600MHz
Chicony HPA-400W
AMD CPU X4 6790K Black Edition
Thermaltake Contac 16 CPU cooler
Toshiba HDD 1 TB 3.5"
Asus A55BM-E FM2+ motherboard

$803 Walmart
free assembly and shipping included $27
Grace Peterson17 Grace Peterson17 Member
47 messages
joined Dec 2013
#14 ·
So, I’ve been spending some time looking into the AMD Athlon II X4 760K lately—just one of those components that really makes you stop and think about how far we've come. It’s an interesting little quad-core chip, honestly. While it might not be the absolute powerhouse you'd find in a high-end gaming rig today, there is something quite charming about its performance profile for certain builds. It’s got that specific kind of character that keeps things interesting when you're trying to balance a budget without completely sacrificing the experience.
I’ve been spending some time looking into the ASRock FM2A55M-HD—it's an interesting little board, really—and I wanted to share a few thoughts on it. It’s one of those components that makes you stop and think about how much utility you can actually squeeze out of a specific setup when you're putting things together.
So, I’ve been looking into some memory upgrades lately—specifically checking out the Adata DDR3 4GB 1600MHz (the AD3U1600C2G11-R model)—and I wanted to share what I've found. It's one of those components that seems straightforward enough, but when you're trying to squeeze a bit more life out of an older machine, the details really start to matter.
So, I've been looking into this Sapphire Radeon R7 260 x OC—it’s the one with the 2GB GDDR5—and I wanted to share some thoughts on its setup. It comes equipped with DVI, DP, and HDMI ports, which is pretty handy if you're trying to juggle different monitors without needing a bunch of extra dongles. It’s a solid little card for certain builds, especially when you're looking for that specific balance of performance and connectivity.
If you're looking at the Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3 (specifically the WD10EZEX model), you're really looking at a classic workhorse—it’s one of those reliable staples that has been a go-to for so many of us over the years. It’s a solid, dependable drive for general storage, especially if you need something steady to hold onto your files without breaking the bank. For a standard desktop setup, it just works.
So, I’ve been looking into the CORSAIR power supply situation—specifically that Builder Series CX 80+ Bronze model. It's a 430 Watt unit, follows the standard ATX form factor, and includes the necessary EPS12V support. For anyone putting together a budget-friendly build, this is one of those components you really want to get right—it's the literal heartbeat of the machine, after all!
So, I've been looking at this Zalman micro tower case in black—specifically the ZAL-ZM-T1 plus—and I have to say, there's something quite charming about its compact footprint. It’s one of those builds where you really have to think about space management, but if you play your cards right, it can be a very sleek little setup.

$1017 ZAL-ZM-T1 plus
Robert Rodriguez2 Robert Rodriguez2 Regular
353 messages
joined Jul 2015
#15 ·
shadoweagle36 said:3 GHz processor
2 GB of RAM (Windows 7 users will want 4 GB of RAM or more)
6 GB available hard disk space
Radeon HD 4870 or equivalent video card (Dedicated GPU with 512MB+ Video Memory(VRAM))
Support for DirectX v9.0c or better.
no OS included

What would this cost? Also, can anyone help me put this together from an online retailer? Thanks!!

1 x Asrock FM2A88M EXTREME4+, FM2,FM2+, Intel Core i7 (Bolton-D4), DDR3
1 x Procesor Intel Core i5 3.40GHz 4cores
1 x DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, HyperX, KHX1600C9D3B1/
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x DVD writer Dell Monitor SATA Bulk Black, SATA
1 x TOSHIBA 500GB, 7200rpm, SATA 6 Gb/s, 32MB, DT01ACA050
1 x Napajanje CORSAIR 430W, CX Series 80+ Bronze, EPS12V v2.3, 80+
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x Thermaltake Contac 16, 775,AM2,AM2+,AM3,AM3+,FM1,1155,1156

$1122

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