Updated 02-27-2010
$800 Computer Parts List
This is similar to the $500 computer. We upgraded the motherboard to allow for 2 video cards in the same system to double graphics performance. This is called SLI by Nvidia or Crossfire by ATI. See the video card component lesson for more on these options. We also used the case options from the $1200 gaming computer parts list.
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The Processor (CPU)
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Intel Socket 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz |
$79.99 |
We have chosen a solid performing CPU. This CPU will keep your system speedy for years to come without braking the bank. It's a dual core which means you can have multiple things going on at once and it will split the load between the 2 CPU cores. It's like having 2 CPU's in 1 and it's a must going forward. Check out the CPU component lesson for more on CPU features and specifications to look for. |
AMD Socket AM3
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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AMD Athlon X2 250 3GHz |
$64.99 |
For the AMD based system we have also chosen a solid performer. You may notice the speed in megahertz is faster than the Intel CPU. 3GHz vs 2.5GHz for the Intel. This will result in about equal performance to the Intel CPU, but slightly less. Check out the CPU component lesson for an explanation of this performance difference. This CPU is also dual core, like the Intel, so it's a solid performer for you every day tasks. |
The Motherboard
Choose your motherboard depending on if you want an Intel or AMD CPU.
Intel Socket 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 |
$109.99 |
This motherboard has a great reputation for being very stable. It has 2 PCI Express 2.0 16x slots and supports Crossfire, so we can add 2 ATI video cards to double our gaming performance. Supports a max of 16GB of RAM. Has on-board networking and sound. It's the perfect platform for our $800 gaming computer. |
AMD Socket AM3
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H |
$83.99 |
This AMD based motherboard has remarkably similar features and specs to the Intel based board above. |
RAM (Memory)
The RAM Memory speed needs to match what the motherboard can handle. DDR2 1066 in this case.
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| For both Intel and AMD based Systems | |||
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G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 |
$94.99 |
This RAM Memory is for both Intel and AMD based motherboard. You'll notice on the specs of the motherboards that both support around 1333MHz RAM. No manufacturer ever made this RAM. The closest you can get is 1200MHz and you'll pay a premium for it. Several reviewers did performance benchmarks and couldn't find much of a speed bump going from 1066MHz to 1200MHz. | |
Video card:
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
XFX Radeon 5750 1GB |
Newegg.com |
$139.99 |
This is ATI's best bang for the buck video
card. Both motherboards above can take 2 of these in CrossfireX
mode to double your 3D gaming performance. |
|
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB |
Newegg.com |
$134.99 |
In kind, this is Nvidia's best bang for buck video card. You'll notice it has half the memory of the ATI card above. Go ATI. Also this video is capable of SLI but there are very few motherboards in this price range that offer SLI. The motherboard that do offer SLI support in this price range are very old. If you love Nvidia and need SLI support you will have to move up to the $1200 Gaming Computer. See the video card component lesson for what a video card is with definitions of features. |
Hard Drive
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB |
$79.99 |
This hard drive fits our minimum specs. It's 750GB capacity is more than most people will need. It has a 5 year warranty. It's fast, quiet and runs cool. See the hard drive component video lesson for features and specification to look for in a hard drive. |
DVD Burner (Writer)
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Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sony AD-7240S-0B 24X |
$23.99 |
DVD burners are extremely cheap these days. There really isn't any reason to pay more for a DVD writer. We recommend this model for all of our customers computers. |
Case and Power Supply
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP |
$69.99 |
This case has a lot of bells and whistles for the money. It comes with a good 500W power supply. Great cooling with a 120mm front fan and 3, 80mm fans to exhaust the hot air. The motherboard tray and card slots, all fold out the side, making it easier to install the components. It has a side Window to show off you parts with blue light from one of the 80mm fans. This power supply does not provide enough power to use the 2 of the 4870 video cards in CrossfireX mode. If you're wanting to use 2 video cards you'll need to put in a different power supply. See the Mid-range Gaming Computer parts list. | |
|
Antec Sonata III 500 |
$99.99 |
This case is the opposite of the RAIDMAX above in the looks department. It's made to disappear, not just by it's looks. It's designed to be ultra quiet. It comes with 1, 120mm rear fan and there is a spot in the front for another. The power supply is a great quality 500W Antec EarthWatts. It's rated at least 80% efficient which means it will lower your electricity bill compared to more power supplies. The power supply can NOT handle 2 of the 4870's in SLI mode. You'll need at least a 700W power supply. |
Cooling Fans
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan |
$8.99 |
The cases we recommend above already have fans but there are spots to add more. This Scythe 120mm cooler is very quiet, which will help keep down the noise level of your computer. | |
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MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case Fan |
$1.99 |
Again, the cases above have spots to add extra fans. It's a good idea to add fans when possible because a gaming computer will get hot. |
Sound and Network - included on the motherboard
The motherboard include sound and network adapters so you don't need to buy a separate add on card.
For a PCI computer sound card comparison see the computer sound card component video lesson.
For more on the Network card component see the Modem and Network card component video lesson.
Monitor
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Asus VH198T Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor |
$129.99 |
This is a very good quality monitor. That said it is a little small, especially being a widescreen monitor. Websites would probably feel cramped, vertically and you'd end up scrolling more than you would like. If you have the extra money, I'd recommend going with the 22" monitor below. | |
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Hanns G Hi-221DPB Black 22" 5ms Widescreen |
$159.99 |
This is the same monitor we recommend for the $1200 Gaming and $1800 Gaming Computers. It is a steal at this price. |
Speakers
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 |
$23.99 |
These get very good reviews. I have the older model and they sound excellent for the price. |
Mouse and Keyboard
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Logitech Black Deluxe 250 Desktop Mouse and Keyboard |
$16.99 |
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