kdbolt70

Hey everyone,

I think I'm going to build my gf a gaming pc for Christmas, as she loves playing the sims but her 4 year old lappy can't handle the Sims 3 without crashing.

I just came across a great deal for an E5200, so I might start with that and go from there. I need pretty much everything, mobo, case, PSU, optical, HDD, and (perhaps most importantly) a solid GPU. I'm not brand specific on any of these, besides the fact that I plan on going intel with the proc. I have 1x2Gb new cruicial DDR2 800 mem sitting here, so I planned on using that to save some cash.

My budget is really as cheap as possible, maybe $300 or so for the components I listed. I am really looking for the best "bang for your buck" with all the deals going on right now, so I'd really appreciate some help! (especially with picking out the best budget GPU that will run the Sims 3 well). The HDD can be small (I'll probably pick up a WD Green 320 Gb or something) and the case doesn't have to be anything fancy.

Thanks!!

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kdbolt70

Threw together some ideas on the stuff I'm less framiliar with:

Cooler Master Elite with PSU

Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L

Still shopping for a sub $100 GPU...

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Phaedrus2129

$300 is really tight for a gaming machine.

A Radeon 4650 or 4670 might be a good choice in that price range. For a power supply something like the Corsair CX400W would be good. The Antec 200 is a good budget case. I think you're only going to manage 2GB of RAM on that budget, my preferred brands for RAM are: Corsair, OCZ, G.Skill, Crucial, and occasionally Kingston and Patriot.

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kdbolt70

I already have the ram and cpu, so the $300 just needs to cover the case, psu, mobo, HDD, optical drive, and GPU. Something like a 4670 would be in my price range. I'll have to look up some comparisons on it.

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rasa123

Get a 9800gt from the egg, such as this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150323 , or get something open box. Just my

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Spritanium

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128357
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125277

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new001

Antec Three Hundred is now $30 after MIR.

Fyi?

This is perfect, but I don't think he/she needs a 4670 to run Sims 3.
This 4650 is only slightly worse and will run it just perfectly Only $30 after MIR

XiDillon

Actually agree with this build. sims3 requires an fx5900 or greater. I know my gtx260-216 @666mhz core could max everything with almost no stuttering. a 9800gt is best for your budget, but id go with asus and see about overclocking it due to its better cooler.
ASUS9800gt
or
HIS4830
I know theyre pricey compared to the 46xx, but gameplay matters

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kdbolt70

Found a decent deal at BB of all places on an eVGA 9800 GT Superclocked: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/EVGA+-+G...&skuId=9638539 For $99 shipped. Could I do better?

Would this, coupled with the E5200, run Sims 3 on high at 1680x1050?

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