Building on a Budget

[Schmee]

Hello all,

I am new here and I am a rookie as this, so please be patient with me. I'm looking into building my first computer, but I am on a thight budget. I've owned two computers in my life...one was a hand-me-down and the other was a Mac. I've done a bit of research and looked around for what I think looks good...now I would like to run it by some pros ;)

Just some basic information first. This computer will be mainly for casual gaming and some very basic music recording/editing. Not the latest greatest games out there, but MMOs basically. I don't need 100 frames per second, but I would like things to look and run good on at least medium/high settings. I have a very cheap 17' wide screen monitor that only looks good at its native resolution of 1280X768 so I won't be running at any super high resolutions. I also have a good speaker setup already and an external sound card for music/sound needs if that helps.

My budget is $750. I know its probably gonna be a stretch. Here is what I have come up with. Any suggestions on what I could do better or save some money on would be greatly appreciated.

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E16819103 773 - 169.99

Graphics Card: GECUBE HV195XTG3-E3 Radeon X1950XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E16814241 063 - 199.99

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx Item=N82E16811119106 - 49.99

MoBo: BIOSTAR TFORCE 550 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 550 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E16813138 026 - 79.99

HDD Seagate 7200.10 250GB, 16MB cache, SATA 3Gb/s, perpendicular recording - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148144 - 67.00

RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E16820231 098 - 88.99

DVD Rom: G Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache E-IDE/ATAPIDVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E168271361 19 - 27.99

PSU: FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 110/240V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954 - 57.99

Am I missing anything? Any suggestions for equal or better parts?

Thanks in advance

Schmee

[Cirndle]

The AMD processor isn't worth the money. Currently the Intel Core 2 Duos are priced lower then the 6000+ AMD and outperform them by alot. I don't know about the power supply, but make sure it is reputable, since the PSU and mobo are the heart of the beast.

Also on the graphics card note: Go with Nvidia evga type brand instead of ATi 1950, that card is too much money man.

I run a Nvidia EVGA geforce 7600gt ko, I get 6181 on a 3dmark benchmark at stock speeds, and I only have a P4 3.0ghz made by dell, ewww.

This card comes with it's own GPU cooler, (it has a fan on the gpu.) It only cost like 100-125 check newegg can't remember exactley, but it is alot cheaper then that card.

The g. skill ram is supposed to be good, and even able to overclock like 67 over teh stock speed.

So in recap:

Nvidia evga geforce 7600gt ko card or better
Mobo that supports socket 775 and Intel Core 2 duo, along with pci-eX16
Check your PSU to make sure it has enough juice for your system and is a good brand.
Intel Core 2 duo processor. Any of the 6000's are good enough for what you want to do.

Just my 2 cents peace out.

[Jamie Nixx]

Heres my suggestion for a good rig if your on a budget.

Core 2 duo E6400
Asus P5N-E SLI Motherboard
Corsair XMS2 PC-6400 ram
7900GS, any reputable make i.e BFG, evga, Gainward ect

At least a 600w power supply, have a look through some of my other posts for my recommendations for power supplies, otherwise i will have the wise monkey on my back for repeating them ;) :D

Everything else looks sweet.

[koganinja]

c2d e6320 with a zalman 9500 cooler
evga 650i ultra mobo
gail 6400c4 2gig 800 mhz ddr2
8600 - 8500 with a thermalright cooler oc into a gts or gtx
450 psu any will do

hope this helps and its all in ur buget