Edit* I just changed a few things around, brings the total down to a crazy $338 after rebates. I now would recommend everyone check out the recommended upgrades section before making purchase decisions, unless they literally can't afford over $350

I've been selling Crysis oriented systems in the sub $600 price range for a few months now, and just thought some of you might find this parts configuration useful.

Starting with the processor, this core 2 based dual core tops out on average at 2.9-3.2 Ghz. I've been setting them at 2.66 to be safe. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116064

For the motherboard this might put some of you out of your comfort zone, but I must say I've been extremely satisfied with the $50 price range boards and their overclocking features. This one even has voltage control. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813500005

This powersupply sets this apart from other cheap builds, it will not fail you in 3-6 months like many cheapies. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153023

Ram, not much to say other than for a dollar more you can get a heat spreader but at a slower speed rating. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227139

One of the faster and more reliable drives out there, particularly at this price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136075

Yet to have an issue with these burners. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106228

This card is really what makes this work. It's unlike all other 9600 GSO cards because it's shader to core multiplier is 2.8 versus the standard 2.5. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121251

This is an excellent case, and can't be beat on the price to quality ratio. For those wondering, Rosewill is actually newegg's in house brand. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147073

After shipping total: $398.91
After rebate: $338.91

If it plays Crysis it can play anything. Expect 12-42 (24 average) FPS at 1024x768 on Very High. Hope this is helpful for those on a budget.


Edit*

A lot of people are suggesting upgrades to the parts I've listed, having tested this out numerous times I can tell you performance is good as is, but here are a few decent upgrades none the less.

For the Cpu I'd try an E2180 for $20 more, I really don't feel more cache is necessary. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116052

For the HDD I know a lot of people would like more space, for only $10 more you can go to this 250 GB drive. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148262

On the ram and powersupply. Dual channel will not improve performance due to the lack of motherboard support. As for the powersupply... this is a very opinion heavy subject, just pick whatever else you feel comfortable with, but I really don't think you'll need something better unless you want to upgrade to a heavy duty card later on.


VIDEO!


A lot of people seem to be doubting the Celeron and this rig in general, so I felt a video was the only way to show people how well this actually works. To prove a point on the cpu, I clocked this "****" dual core celeron down to just 2.1 GHz. Res is 1024x768, no filters, Very High settings (high for sound). The vids are the original files. I don't think you'd be able to make out much after the youtube processing.


Vid #1 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WSE8FL5H
The first vid shows a blurry cpu/gpuz, but you can make out Celeron and 9600 GSO. I then launch into Crysis with fraps. It stutters when I do the twirl to load in the textures but then you can see its fine, and its pretty lame movement since I'm only using one hand.

Vid #2 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7LWSW9NU
This vid is much better. I got out a tripod and I go further onto the island. You can see it isn't perfect, but I think its damn impressive for $400 and a supposedly gimped proc.

Thanks, smart choices in that money range.

interesting. how many of those systems have you been selling?seems like one of the best under $500 rigs.

theres always tons of people looking for a cheap gaming pc. this could really help them

+1 good work

What happens after 6 months?

I've sold 6 so far, and I really am not expecting anything to go wrong with that powersupply for years, only supply in that range with a full 5 egg rating.

how much do you charge for labor? I would also do a $600 pc with the same parts but 4 gigs of ram and a ati 4850

Um max settings on crysis? With my 7950 GX2 i cant do that, i can only get medium/high and thats like 25 FPS. The 9600 GSO has probably 70-80% the power of a 7950 GX2? so i doubt your getting max settings. My rig was about the same as your rig cost wise.

It turns into a pumpkin?

The TR series from Thermaltake is considered a mediocre PSU, not great, but not bad. It should power a low level computer just fine.

I didn't even bother to click the link to check out the PSU... but I will say this... I wouldn't put too much faith in a 5 egg rating.

I just do a fixed price at $550, my profit varies with the cost of the parts. As for the 7950 GX2, thats a pretty terrible card for Crysis. Keep in mind the 9600 GSO is better than the old 320/640 8800 GTS. As for doubting the performance, I can only tell you what I know. I've seen it and monitored it with my own eyes on multiple systems with the same config.

True, it takes a lot of experience to know how to cut through the BS and what you can take away from those reviews. I am pretty confident in the psu, and its definitively light years better than what you see tom's using in their cheap builds.

if you had bothered clicking on the link to check psu LAN_deRf_HA you would of realized its a thermaltake which speaks for itself .
personally i wouldnt use crysis to show off a budget machine , it just doesnt scale well , i use Race Driver Grid or CoD4 as they run well on budget machines , just like Gran Turismo on PS3 , grid just has such an eye catching appeal to it , its been coded really well too , (no suprise as codemasters have always rocked when it comes to that).

yeah but the people who are just getting into pc gaming that want a good system know that crysis has amazing graphics and if the pc can run it they think its amazing. i wouldn't mention the fps but i would say that it can run it on high settings

would 2 EN9600GSO in sli be faster the a single 7800GTX for a 24" monitor?

i would imagine 1 of those cards are faster

I didn't see anybody complain about the really crappy cpu! I know your on a budget but I would avoid any celeron cpu's period, even look around for a pentium dual core.

Nice looking rig for the price. It could be made faster or more reliable, but that would likely increase the price.

i think thats pretty cool. ive built a few computers for people but to do differnt things. its great that you have shared what parts you have used to help other people

And What do you do for an OS? Linux and WINE?