My new system

[CDN_Merlin]

Well, went out in hopes of getting a I7-950 but they didn't have any in stock. So I came home with instead which is better and was cheaper.

Intel I7-2600K
Asus P8P67 LE MB
Asus DVD RW
Gigabytes ATI 5830 1Gb
Seagate 1 TB Sata
Win 7 HP 64 bit

I'm using my old Antec case and 650 PS.

Currently installing updates and my games. Can't wait to try some of this at this speed.

[Duper]

good grief. only 650w?

well you don't have that many drives.

Nice setup. no front SSD?

[CDN_Merlin]

The PS I had bought last year when my old PS died. And I only have the one drive, DVD and video. No SSD. This was a budget upgrade and it blew our vacation money for this year. Did what I could.

[Krom]

Real power numbers for a basic single video card system like that would range around 100-120 watts idle and 225-275 watts load, 650w is plenty.

Desktop hard drives in general range from about 10 to 15 watts. Optical drives can pull upwards of 30 watts in use. Single GPU systems, even with the highest end chips that require the most power almost never break 400w at the outlet.

[Duper]

Right Krom.

I did a quick google on that Vid card and THIS is what I got for power consumption ... so plus or minus 35W on both ends.

That and I was thinking Crossfire needs when I initially read through it.

For a "budget" upgrade Merlin, you did great! I've been thinking about getting the same mobo myself except I have an older i3 so I'm stuck with a 1156 socket. ... I think the board I have is killing my memory. I'm starting to get the same freezing I had last year AGAIN! I dunno.. something isn't right.

[CDN_Merlin]

With my ex, money was no limit since we had no kids but in my new relationship my priorities are elsewhere. I got the best I could for as cheap as I could. I don't play many newer games with the exception of Diablo 3, Portal 2, F1 2010 and NFS SHift 2. Everything I have so far is running 1680x1050 full tilt without any glitches and it's pretty sweet.

[Pandora]

how much did you pay for it, Merlin?

[CDN_Merlin]

WIth taxes, just over $1100 CAN.

[TOR_LordRaven]

$1100 for a "Budget" ?

lol wow man.

A budget system for me is around $500 but hey.

[CDN_Merlin]

I normally spend $2000. I would of bought a better video card, more ram and a new KB/Mouse but don't relaly need it.

Tried Race On and GTR last night. WOW. It's a totally new game now.

[BUBBALOU]

GTR2 man.. not starforced GTR.. don't confuse these guys

go grab 2 more monitors and a Display port adapter and move up, since you have the card for it

[CDN_Merlin]

It's actually Race On that I tried. I can't afford another monitor or anything else.

[BUBBALOU]

I found 4 viewsonic monitors for less than 9.99 a piece for my rig (used 2 in pit with my orginal, left one on regular desk, kept one as spare)

Each powered on no video (blinking green light) description... cost of repairs $5.00 for all 4... bad caps on the power board !

replaced with rubicon caps

frugal...