DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Sub 40K rig for casual gaming and no upgrades for a few years

17 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/sub-40k-rig-for-casual-gaming-and-no-upgrades-for-a-few-years.144144/

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domin8r Original post #1
Jul 23, 2011 at 8:54 AM
1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: Casual gaming (should be able to run high-end games like Crysis 2 etc.), everyday use.

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Sure.

3. What is your MAX budget?
A: 42-43k.

4. Planning to overclock?
A: Not yet.

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: Windows 7, Linux.

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: 500GB should suffice.

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
A: 1920x1080, 22" LCD

8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10?
A: 5.

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: I plan to buy this from SMC International, Nehru Place, and get it assembled by them as well.

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: Latest by next week.

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: If the configuration can play games at a decent rate for the next 2-3 years, I'll be happy.

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: Not really, the standard stuff.

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Indirapuram, but like I said I'd be buying & getting it assembled at SMC, Nehru Place.

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: Here's what I configured at SMC' website:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 (Black Edition) 5,800.00
Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 4,750.00
Gskill Ripjaws 1600Mhz DDR3 4GB X 1 1,900.00
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 600W 3,450.00
Cooler Master Elite 430 NormalRC-430K-KKN3 2,475.00
Seagate 500 GB SATA Desktop 3.5" Internal HDD 2,050.00
Benq G2220 22" LCD Monitor 7,200.00
MSI N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC 10,230.00 / Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 - 1GB Toxic Edition 10,800.00
APC UPS 600VA 1,800.00

With N460GTX: 39,655
With HD 6850: 40,225

I read at a forum that the overclocked N460GTX performed better than the HD 6850 Toxic Edition. SMC's website doesn't stock any FSP PSU's so I chose the CM one... would 600W be enough for this card?
masterkd
Jul 23, 2011 at 9:16 AM
change your psu to corsair vx550 or gs600..cooler master extreme power is a crap psu
460gtx is old..get 6850/6870
thetechfreak
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
I reccomend this which should be better than the AMD rig you mentioned :)

Component | Make | Price Processor |Intel Core i5 2400|9300
Motherboard |Asus P8H61-M LE B3|3300
RAM |Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 4GB|2000
Graphic Card |MSI R6850 Cyclone Power Edition|9800
HDD |Seagate 500GB 7200.12|1900
DVD Writer |LG 22X SATA DVD|900
PSU |FSP Saga II 500W|2000
Case |CM Elite 310|1500
Monitor |Benq G2220HD|7000
Mouse |Gigabyte GM-M6800 Noble Black|700
Keyboard |Logitech KB-200|400
UPS |Intex 1KVA|1800
Speakers |Logitech Z313|1000
| Total |41600
Tenida
Tenida #4
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Good config. Techfreak +1. ;-)
Skud
Skud #5
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Are Intex UPS' good? Plus suggest an alternative SMPS, FSP Saga is not easily available. Rest of the config is fine.
Tenida
Tenida #6
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Some user saying Intex is good but OP can Choose APC 650VA @2k.For SMPS Corsair Cx430@ 2.3k or Cx430V2@ 2.8K.
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domin8r #7
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Thanks guys, I looked up the i5 v/s 955 benchmarks on the web and the i5 2400 is the better buy indeed. I'll get the Corsair PSU, and a APC UPS.
Tenida
Tenida #8
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Or you can choose Corsair GS600 @ 3.8K for future upgrade its recommended.
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domin8r #9
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:48 AM
They don't have the GS600 listed on their website, might be in stock at their shop in Nehru Place, dunno... I'll jot down a few of these and take them with me. Plus I'm leaving in about 30 mins to get this baby assembled today!
Tenida
Tenida #10
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Techfreak your config is so good but i am changing few things. ;-)
Intel Core i5 2400|9300
Intel DH67BL-B3|5200
Gskil F3-10666CL9D-4GBXL|1700
MSI R6850 Cyclone Power Edition|9800
Seagate 500GB 7200.12|1700
LG 22X DVD RW|900
Corsair CX430|2300 or Corsair GS600@3800
CM Elite 310|1500
Benq G2220HD|7000
Logitech Combo Desktop|500
APC 650VA|2000
Logitech Z313|1400
Total|44800(with CX430) or 46300(with GS600)
D
domin8r #11
Jul 23, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Is the stock cooler/fan on the MSI R6850 Cyclone Power Edition enough, or should I buy an extra fan/cooler for it?
Tenida
Tenida #12
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Its enough buddy Cyclone is very good build card.Go for it. :))
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domin8r #13
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Done & done. Called up SMC to arrange a visit to their Nehru Place shop with this configuration. Just one last question :) I know SMC are reputed here and on the web too, should I get it assembled from them? No problems there, right?
Tenida
Tenida #14
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:04 PM
You can add side fan to the cabinet if required.BTW. Elite 310 has side fan hole??
Cilus
Cilus #15
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM
thetechfreak, nice suggestion buddy. Just change the mobo to Intel DH67VR-B3 @ 4.5K for better future proof solution.

However, as OP mentioned that main purpose is gaming and day to day work, my suggestion is a cheaper CPU like Phenom II and a better Graphics card.

My suggestion is :

CPU| Phenom II X4 955| 5.5K
Mobo|GIGABYTE GA-880GM-UD2H| 4.1K
Ram| Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600| 2.3K
HDD| Seagate 500 GB 7200.12| 1.9K
GPU| MSI R6870 TWIN FROZR II OC| 12.6K
PSU| Tagan TG-500-U37| 3.05K
DVD| LG 22X SATA| 0.8K
Case|CM Elite 310| 1.5K
Display| BenQ G2220HD| 7K
Mouse|Gigabyte GM-M6800 Noble Black| 0.7K
Keyboard|Logitech KB-200| 0.4K
UPS|Intex 1KVA| 1.8K
Speakers|Logitech Z313|1K


Total 42.65K
Tenida
Tenida #16
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Done & done. Called up SMC to arrange a visit to their Nehru Place shop with this configuration. Just one last question :) I know SMC are reputed here and on the web too, should I get it assembled from them? No problems there, right?

Yes they are very reputed :)
T
Tech_Wiz #17
Jul 23, 2011 at 12:41 PM
thetechfreak, nice suggestion buddy. Just change the mobo to Intel DH67VR-B3 @ 4.5K for better future proof solution.

However, as OP mentioned that main purpose is gaming and day to day work, my suggestion is a cheaper CPU like Phenom II and a better Graphics card.

My suggestion is :

CPU| Phenom II X4 955| 5.5K
Mobo|GIGABYTE GA-880GM-UD2H| 4.1K
Ram| Corsair XMS3 4GB 1600| 2.3K
HDD| Seagate 500 GB 7200.12| 1.9K
GPU| MSI R6870 TWIN FROZR II OC| 12.6K
PSU| Tagan TG-500-U37| 3.05K
DVD| LG 22X SATA| 0.8K
Case|CM Elite 310| 1.5K
Display| BenQ G2220HD| 7K
Mouse|Gigabyte GM-M6800 Noble Black| 0.7K
Keyboard|Logitech KB-200| 0.4K
UPS|Intex 1KVA| 1.8K
Speakers|Logitech Z313|1K


Total 42.65K

Hmm My requirements are also pretty much same. May be I can save some money for a better GFX.

btw OP I will +1 Cilus Config for use he said. If CPU intensive then go with i5 one suggested by Tenida.