Custom Gaming PC suggestions.....

[Thunderscope]

I'm building a somewhat budget gaming pc, I already have the Motherboard and Athlon XP 2600 processor, case, pci cards, and DVD RW Dive. Tomorrow I am getting either a 60, 80,100,120 or even a 160 gig Harddrive and Graphics Card. I am a ATI Fanboy but I will step into the darkside with Nvida if the price is right. I wanna buy at least a 64MB Graphics Card but I am not to sure what to get. this is where I need some suggestions. I need to keep the price under $200 for both the graphics card and Hard Drive. Luckily Fry's has a good sale going on. Also what are some accessories I should buy for my gaming PC? should I buy one of those Logitech controllers or just a Xbox Controller adapter? I am also leaning toward a wireless keyboard. I can go over my limit but prefer not to.

[redrobot]

For under 200, I'd say you're gonna have to skimp on the graphics a little. ATI is bringing a whole new line of cards out soon, the x300, x600, x800, and x800 xt. These are insanely fast boards but also insanely expensive (except for maybe the x300 but I have yet to see a price point on it.)

The good thing about that is that it should drive the prices of older hardware down, so if you can wait a month or so it may be better. You may be able to snag a 9600xt or even a 9800pro board for within your budget.

For a hard drive, try and get a serial ata drive if your motherboard supports it. The seagate 120gb 7200rpm sata is what I'm throwing into my new gaming box. There is an 80gb version available from newegg for $74.

If your motherboard doesn't support sata, then a ultra ata 133 interface is the next step down. Newegg has a 120gb samsung 7200rpm uata133 drive for $84.

If you have any more questions go ahead an pm me or send me a message to redrobotrulesyou on aim and I'll try to help you out.

Good luck!


surfing around newegg i just found:
9600xt with 128mb for $120
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=14-142-020&DEPA=1

80gb hitachi 7200rpm sata hd for $68.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-145-049&DEPA=0

160gb samsung uata133 hd for $92
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-152-011&DEPA=1

[SpookyD]

I got a geforce 4 ti 4200 with 128megs of texture memory for 100$ and I think 2 40gig maxtors raided together for like 80 or somewhere around there, I really like the graphics card but I need more hdd space.
I didn't build it myself but those were the prices, the guy who made it for me was saying its a good idea to not spend much over 100$ on graphics because the prices will just drop for the cards when your barely using the power of your card, there are tons of games that just don't need a ati 9800. I havn't had any problems with my card yet but when I do i'll probaly just grab the best thing I can for around 100$ which should be pretty soon when all this new stuff comes out.

[Thunderscope]

Ok guys here is what I bought, ATI Radeon 9200 SE 128MB, (2) 60gig HDD, and 512 MB of DDR333 PC2700 Ram. Total $250

[thecolonel2323]

oh that sucks you wont be plaing any games on a 9200se. Return it fast if you can.

[Scrubking]

If you are building a gaming pc then you should not have bought the dvd rw drive and used the $$ for a decent vid card.

The minimum ati card you should get is a 9600 pro there are pretty cheap and whatever you do never get an SE card.

[Thunderscope]

will I can always take it back since I haven't even opened it yet. May I ask what is so bad about the card I bought?

[Scrubking]

SE cards are stripped down to almost nothing - you may pay less, but you also get a way crappier version of whatever card you bought.

[Thunderscope]

Here is the link http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3823067 to the website that shows the videocard I bought. AND here is the link to th ATI model http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3654445 If you guys think it is THAT bad I will return it tomorrow for a better one. But I am on a Budget

[redrobot]

I'm sticking with what I said before. That 9600xt is a great chip at an awesome price.

Edit: My friend put an order in with newegg the other day. He sent them an email explaining that he was on a very tight budget but had a great shopping experience and was thinking of becoming a repeat customer. They gave him a nice discount for that. Not saying it will work (his order was for almost and entire computer in parts) but it could be worth a try.

[Thunderscope]

Well I am taking it back, I may go with the GeForce 5200 Ultra if I can't get a ATI Radeon 9600XT for around $100

[thecolonel2323]

Dude dont cheap out on a video card. Go to www.tomshardware.com then go the community link on the left side. Click on components-->Graphics Cards-->Graphics card buyers guide. There is a list of good cards under $100 and around $100. Find the one you want then go to pricewatch.com to find the best deal. Order it wait a few days for it to come and you will be much happier than you would with a 5200.

EDIT: Link to buyers guide: http://www.community.tomshardware.com/forum/showflat.m?Cat=&Board=comp_graphics&Number=505591& page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5

You wont find a 9600xt for anywhere near $100 unless you get it online.
The cheapest I see now is $141 or $129 refurbished both with free shipping.