putting together new comp on budget

Dioxin

New Member
Hey everyone,

First time posting here. My computer at home (p3, 733) crashed (probably system board) and I decided it was time to just get a new one. I have not been able to play any pc games released in the last 2 years. I used to put together computers back about 10 years ago, but have not done so since then. This has left me a bit rusty in this arena, I'm embarrased to say.

So, I've got a lot of components from my last computer that will work great. I've got network cards, sound card (older, but descent), monitor/peripherals, dvd/cd burner, hard drives, floppy... I don't see a need to buy a manufactured computer when I'm unhappy with the parts. At the same time, I have a limited budget of about $550. I am interested in having a mid-level gaming system. Nothing crazy. I just want to be able to play games that come out for the next few years.

Here were some of the parts I've been considering so far.

case: $50 shipped
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Video card: $120 shipped
BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

OR

eVGA 256-P2-N612-TX Geforce 7600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card ($116 shipped)


Parts that I'm not sure about.

AMD vs. Pentium. I was considering a pentium D, but see that a lot of people like AMD. I've always been a pentium person for some reason. I picked out a PentiumD CPU and someone told me it was junky, so I obviously don't know what I'm looking for when choosing a CPU.

MoBo - obviously will vary with chosen CPU. Used to like ASUS, not sure if they are still good quality boards.

RAM - I figured I'd start with 1gig of ram and upgrade later. I like Kingston. Someone told me that the ram I chose before wasn't compatable with the CPU or motherboard, so I obviously don't have any clue what I'm doing here either. I figure spend about $110 on ram shipped.



If anyone is willing to suggest some components or comment on the things I've said, I'd love to hear it. I'd also like to build a great system, but I know it can't happen. So, I'm just looking for some reasonable parts. I'd like to get moving on this thing asap.

Thanks,
Dioxin

EDIT: I do not plan on overclocking the system.
 
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thank you very much for the response bundar.

I'm considering the processors found on this page:
http://www.avadirect.com/Parts/Processors/Socket_775_Core_2_Duo_Desktop_Processors
It seems like the 1.86GHz processor isn't really worth it. Maybe I'm wrong. It just seems like a low number.

(EDIT: Actually found the 1.86GHz for $183 at new egg, which would help keep me in budget)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

What do people think about the 1.86 vs. the 2.13GHz, which is the next step up for $50? Is there a huge difference here? Is the 1.86GHz suitable for the things I'm interested in doing?
 
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Do you know what overclocking is?

Yes, even though the Core 2 Duos have low speeds, they are much faster than anything else available currently.
 
Yeah, I know it's pushing the cpu a bit to run faster than it comes from the mfgr. I'm just afraid of doing it. lol.

As far as cpu, I've decided on this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819115004

and this mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813135026


And also thinking about one of these two video cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814143049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814130054

With this ram (start with 1 gig and upgrade in a year or so)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220145


If there are any additional comments, please speak up. I always appreciate the feedback. I'd like to order some time this week.
 
get the 7600GT,the E6300,cant see mobo cuz site is down,1gb is fine at the moment aslong as you plan on getting 2gb in the near future.
 
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