The Official Budget-Conscious Dream Machine!

*whiny voice* But waiting is the hard part... lol

I know it's a bit extravagant, always having the newest. But it's less a status thing and more being able to enjoy a generation's games the way that they're meant to be.

I am not my hardware. It does not equate to the length of my "e-penis" lol

But it does affect my enjoyment of games.

So If I have the money... well... I'm 17... what the heck else am I gonna spend it on? lol

EDIT: Notice how both builds started as budget PCs with upgrade potential... well... costs more over time, but it costs less up front to buy one or two big parts at a time. It's more manageable that way

 

hehe, well precisely. People wonder why someone my age owns two dual-core PCs and a 30" monitor. My simple answer to that is I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't drive. Money saved is money earned!

 

Which brings us back to our budget subject. You might remember that my system started with a Socket 939 X2 3800+. I still have my original X850XT.

(Kinda stated in my earlier post)
Budget building is my passion. I started both PCs as budget builds... then I got a decent job. So I did what I had originally planned. I upgraded

It's more manageable to buy a new part when it comes out than it is to buy a whole new system for each generation. I make enough money to do it easily and still put away a considerable amount. So I don't think I'm squandering my money. In fact, my PCs are both used regularly so I view each new part as an investment in something I love.

 

I feel much the same way. My PC is where I spend most of my time, so I may as well devote what I can afford to it. My PC was built new in June 2006. It's CPU and RAM are now in my server. It's old motherboard was also in there (before it failed), but even that now runs a new one. Even the new motherboard I got for my CPU has since been replaced (also because it failed). The PSU's now in my server too, so that also counts as an upgrade. I've changed the cooler on my graphics card, I've changed the sound card, I've changed the main hard drive (and bought 5 additional ones since), need to change the DVDRW drive due to starforce, upgraded my speakers twice, changed the monitor twice (since getting the PC), changed the keyboard and mouse, and changed more case fans than you would believe. I now have at least a dozen spares!

 

Hmm... let's see... my spares...

-80GB WD Caviar SE SATA
-7600GT stock cooler(replaced with Zalman VF900)
-HP HIPRO 500W PSU(actual output of ~400)(not the best but in known working condition)
-Sapphire X850XT 256MB PCIe x16(excellent video card!)
-Countless case fans and motherboard cables
-ASUS A8N-5X Socket 939(nice mobo, planning on a birthday build for my 13 year old cousin)
-Dell e710 17in CRT monitor
-X1300PCI 256MB
-Thermaltake TR2 430W PSU

I've got a collection too

 

Hehe, my third PC is essentially a spare PC, but for the fact that hardly any of its parts are compatible with my current build. It's my current intention to repair it so that it's up to scratch again though, too much money sitting not being used!

 

Oh yeah, get an AM2 motherboard. A cheap dual core like a 6000+ or maybe a 3800+ for quite a bit less.

And then throw in an X1950Pro. Instant LAN machine

 

To hell with that, it's fast enough already. an Xp 3000+ and an X800 Pro isn't exactly high end any more, but it's no slouch.

 

ROFL!!! True to the spirit of the thread

 

Well, my dream machine is my main PC, and that wasn't exactly budget conscious. Well, not to the same extent as most, anyway.

 

I think it's a solid multi-purpose PC. Spending the extra on the 1900XT 512MB and 2.2GHz dual-core made a HUGE difference on your future proofing. Even more so with the Core 2 Duo.

You are able to run most, if not all games available on absolute maximums. Of course, given the few like Crysis and Oblivion which both offer immense environments with rich environment detail and offer frame rates below that of the average game.

I'd say that is the most extreme long lasting video card I have ever seen.

A worthwhile investment in my opinion

 

Definitely. It didn't come cheap, but then I paid more since back then, I had my PC built for me (shock horror!) however, back then Aria built what you put in your basket from their site, so there weren't any components there was a degree of concern over, and the built cost was only £47, so I did it to keep nagging parents off my back. This was only 8 months after a cheap PSU toasted half my last PC you see!
I'm more than happy with my X1900XT, especially after changing the heatsink so it's near-silent (no fans, the only noise is from the ICs themselves!) I will be keeping it for quite a lot longer, unless something ridiculously powerful comes out at a low price (heh, fat chance!)

 

Man these HD 3870s are overpriced. This seems about the best deal.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...3&cs=04&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=25747&lid=585570

 

Sam, what would you consider cheap then?

 

Sam, what would you consider cheap then?

 

I think the HD3870s are priced about right, they're a bit slower than the 8800GTs, but they're a bit cheaper.

 

wow thats so true...yes i can't wait but it's because i don't have money...i don't work...i use my parents money and you know it's difficult to ask them to buy stuff for you...lol

 

I do indeed. I'm not currently earning any money of my own, and I have to live off what my parents give me!

 

C'mon guys it's not that hard to make money. You don't even have to work. Just hustle.

 

I think I totally overestimated how old the people on here were. haha. You guys seemed like people in your 30s or 40s, but to think I may actually be older than you!? Makes me feel kind of stupid..