$1500 to spend on a desktop

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Doc

New Member
I'm looking to get a decent gaming rig for up to 1500 bucks.

what I need to know....

What are some good machines for around this price?

Where should I buy said machine?

Should I attempt to build my own gaming rig instead even though I have no experience at all?

Thanks in advance
 
D

Doc

New Member
Would it be a lot cheaper to just assemble it myself? And is it worth the risk of possibly messing something up since I have never done something like this before?

Could someone post some good parts for a $1500 dollar gaming rig? I'm somewhat clueless on this whole process and I don't want to be stuck with a machine that I later regret or find out I could have got for much cheaper.
 
davie23223

davie23223

New Member
Well, you might not want to learn to build a $1500 computer alone without anyone to help you. Best way to learn is putting together a computer with cheap parts, i.e. build a $500 system if you want to learn(this is my suggestion). If you want to avoid building a $1500 machine since you're scared you might screw up(happens to most first time builders), you can choose one of these nice gaming systems that they've put together. With just a $30 fee, they will build you a nice gaming system and also over-clock it safely and professionally.

This system was built by LUCOMPUTERS and the price is $1402 CDN ($1390 US)

Overclocked Gamer Ultra
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz FSB 1066, 8MB CPU
Overclocked to: Core 2 Quad 3.2GHz*
OCZ Vanquisher CPU Cooler - Socket 775, 754, 939, AM2
2GB DDR II 800 nVidia SLI Certified RAM (OCZ)
ASUS P5E Motherboard
Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA II
Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA II
LG 20X DVD RW w/ Lightscribe +- Dual Layer Serial ATA
(NEW) nVidia Palit 8800GT 1GB DDR3 256bit 2-DVI TV HDCP
Onboard Audio
Onboard Network Card
Thermaltake Bach VX VF4000BWS w/ Side Window
Sunbeam Cold Cathod Neon Light (blue)
600 Watt Thermaltake Pure Power Supply W0129RU
1 Years Parts & 3 Years Labor Warranty

I searched for all the items on Newegg and found almost all of them!
$288 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz

$27 OCZ Vanquisher

$70 OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

$235 ASUS P5E LGA 775 Mobo

$240 2xWestern Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KSRTL 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA

$36 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black - OEM

$300 ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3

$100 Thermaltake Bach VX VF4000BWS Black

$105 Thermaltake Purepower W0129RU ATX12V 600 W Power Supply

TOTAL: $1401 US

Ahh what do we have here? It's cheaper when buying a computer and more expensive building one with the same parts??? Hehe that's because i didn't subtract Newegg's Mail-In-Rebate prices.

Ok, so lets subtract $25 MIB(2GB OCZ ram) from the grand total: $1401 US - $25 US = $1376 US

And also,

The only 2 items Newegg didn't have was the Video card & DVD-drive, but i looked for the similar ones:

$303 (NEW) nVidia Palit 8800GT 1GB DDR3 2-DVI TV HDCP
$300 ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3


&

$38 LG 20X DVD RW w/ Lightscribe +- Dual Layer Serial ATA
$36 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black - OEM



Gamer Ultra computer build by lucomputers: $1390 US
Build your own computer with the same parts $1376 US

Conclusion: You save $14 if you build your computer...But I haven't added the $14CDN (13.88US) Sunbeam Cold Cathod Neon Light that was included in the lucomputer system! Well if you add that, both ways will be asking you for the same amount of money. Both $1390 US!...Well $1390US vs 1389.88US to be precise. But we are missing something...If you buy your own system, they will build it for you, professionally overclock it, and test it. So i think buying a system would be much safe and cheaper...It seems according to my research. :rolleyes:
 
D

Doc

New Member
Davie, that response was filled to the brim with awesome. Thanks.

So do you think that computer is a good deal for the price? If you think so, I will probably just end up buying that one.
 
D

daisymtc

Active Member
davie23223 said:
Well, you might not want to learn to build a $1500 computer alone without anyone to help you. Best way to learn is putting together a computer with cheap parts, i.e. build a $500 system if you want to learn(this is my suggestion). If you want to avoid building a $1500 machine since you're scared you might screw up(happens to most first time builders), you can choose one of these nice gaming systems that they've put together. With just a $30 fee, they will build you a nice gaming system and also over-clock it safely and professionally.

This system was built by LUCOMPUTERS and the price is $1402 CDN ($1390 US)

Overclocked Gamer Ultra
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz FSB 1066, 8MB CPU
Overclocked to: Core 2 Quad 3.2GHz*
OCZ Vanquisher CPU Cooler - Socket 775, 754, 939, AM2
2GB DDR II 800 nVidia SLI Certified RAM (OCZ)
ASUS P5E Motherboard
Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA II
Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA II
LG 20X DVD RW w/ Lightscribe +- Dual Layer Serial ATA
(NEW) nVidia Palit 8800GT 1GB DDR3 256bit 2-DVI TV HDCP
Onboard Audio
Onboard Network Card
Thermaltake Bach VX VF4000BWS w/ Side Window
Sunbeam Cold Cathod Neon Light (blue)
600 Watt Thermaltake Pure Power Supply W0129RU
1 Years Parts & 3 Years Labor Warranty

I searched for all the items on Newegg and found almost all of them!
$288 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz

$27 OCZ Vanquisher

$70 OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

$235 ASUS P5E LGA 775 Mobo

$240 2xWestern Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000KSRTL 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA

$36 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black - OEM

$300 ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3

$100 Thermaltake Bach VX VF4000BWS Black

$105 Thermaltake Purepower W0129RU ATX12V 600 W Power Supply

TOTAL: $1401 US

Ahh what do we have here? It's cheaper when buying a computer and more expensive building one with the same parts??? Hehe that's because i didn't subtract Newegg's Mail-In-Rebate prices.

Ok, so lets subtract $25 MIB(2GB OCZ ram) from the grand total: $1401 US - $25 US = $1376 US

And also,

The only 2 items Newegg didn't have was the Video card & DVD-drive, but i looked for the similar ones:

$303 (NEW) nVidia Palit 8800GT 1GB DDR3 2-DVI TV HDCP
$300 ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3


&

$38 LG 20X DVD RW w/ Lightscribe +- Dual Layer Serial ATA
$36 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black - OEM



Gamer Ultra computer build by lucomputers: $1390 US
Build your own computer with the same parts $1376 US

Conclusion: You save $14 if you build your computer...But I haven't added the $14CDN (13.88US) Sunbeam Cold Cathod Neon Light that was included in the lucomputer system! Well if you add that, both ways will be asking you for the same amount of money. Both $1390 US!...Well $1390US vs 1389.88US to be precise. But we are missing something...If you buy your own system, they will build it for you, professionally overclock it, and test it. So i think buying a system would be much safe and cheaper...It seems according to my research. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Not agree! I can make similar set up from newegg for $1290...

Intel Q6600 OEM
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler - Retail
Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB
Patriot Extreme Performance 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 PDC22G6400LLK - Retail
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB OEM x 2
Sony NEC optiarc AD-7191S OEM
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 750W
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP

Total: $1372. MIR $90 w/o shipping
 
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R

ride3k

New Member
Doc said:
I'm looking to get a decent gaming rig for up to 1500 bucks.

what I need to know....

What are some good machines for around this price?

Where should I buy said machine?

Should I attempt to build my own gaming rig instead even though I have no experience at all?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...


myrig in my sig was purchased from newegg for 1400, everything seen in my sig was purchased for that much.
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
daisymtc said:
Not agree! I can make similar set up from newegg for $1290...

Intel Q6600 OEM
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler - Retail
Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/1G/A GeForce 8800GT 1GB
Patriot Extreme Performance 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 PDC22G6400LLK - Retail
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB OEM x 2
Sony NEC optiarc AD-7191S OEM
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 750W
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP

Total: $1372. MIR $90 w/o shipping
Click to expand...

I totally agree. The one above is alot better. There was something suspicious about his post...

Anyways, I'd go like this:

Q6600 G0
X38-DS4
4GB XMS2 CL4
Antec 900
WDC SE16 500GB SATAII
8800GTS G92
OCZ 700W
Sony Writemaster DVD Burner
Zalman 9700

And that'd be like $1200... that's all you'll need for quite a while.
 
D

Doc

New Member
Nothing is as easy as it seems I guess. From what you guys are saying, it sounds like I can get a better machine for cheaper if I purchase the parts separate and build it myself.

If I follow the sticked threads on computer building, could I do this myself?
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Doc said:
Nothing is as easy as it seems I guess. From what you guys are saying, it sounds like I can get a better machine for cheaper if I purchase the parts separate and build it myself.

If I follow the sticked threads on computer building, could I do this myself?
Click to expand...

Yes you can. Although it's listed computers might be a bit outdated here and there... It's a great thread. Look through it, and we'll help ya on the way :)
 
D

Doc

New Member
Alright, going by Oscary's build:

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128080

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

Computer case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002&Tpk=OCZ+700W

DVD burner: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106228

Cooling: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118020


Total with all MIR and shipping: $1,266

Does this look good?
 
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D

Doc

New Member
2 more things before I take any action....

I notice that the monitor isn't included in your build... what's a good (but relatively cheap) monitor?

Operating system: I was thinking about staying with Windows XP and upgrading to vista later when it is more stable. I will have to buy this as well right?
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Doc said:
2 more things before I take any action....

I notice that the monitor isn't included in your build... what's a good (but relatively cheap) monitor?

Operating system: I was thinking about staying with Windows XP and upgrading to vista later when it is more stable. I will have to buy this as well right?
Click to expand...

1) How many inches you want? Do you game?

2) Yes.
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Doc said:
1) I was thinking 19"

2) ok
Click to expand...

I have the AH191D, and it has passed every game I play at max settings (BF2, Halo, COD4 Demo) with flying colors. It's a 5ms, so don't expect that much performance as a 2ms or so. But I doubt you'd notice, I have never experienced any ghosting on this monitor.
 
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