[ac1dchamp]

My dad has given me 500 bucks to build a computer, but I can always go over

. I am trying to build them a computer that will last for a couple years. What I got now is just an AMD Athlon II X2 250 (maybe?). Not sure what else to put with it. I kinda wanted to put in a 9800gt just so i can play some games with a friend nearby but it doesn't really matter. I am just stumped on how to save them as much money as possibly while building a decent computer that will last for awhile. Also my dad will later be getting a blu-ray drive when they get cheaper. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[xHassassin]

For 500 bucks, you could get GTX260 216 or better... Assuming you don't decide to go i7.
Not sure about AMD builds, so can't advise on a mobo yet.

HDD: WD Caviar Black 640GB or 1TB. You choose.
RAM: Generic stuff, 40USD ~ 60USD.. Pick a brand.
PSU: Corsair 550VX/650TX

 

[Phaedrus2129]

Try an Athlon II x3 435. Great budget CPU, good price/performance ratio. Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H for the mobo. 2-4GB DDR2 RAM. Save some money and put in a 4670 instead of the 9800GT, or spend the same and get a 4770. An Antec 200 or 300 case, or a CoolerMaster Centurion 5. Decent 320GB+ HDD, I like Western Digital. Get a Corsair CX400W or VX450W PSU.

That should be somewhere in the $500 neighborhood.

EDIT: A GTX260 on a $500 budget? It'd take up two fifths of the budget! Freakin' nuts.

 

[tNok85]

Do you need mouse/keyboard/screen as well, or just the box?

 

[xHassassin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaedrus2129 Try an Athlon II x3 435. Great budget CPU, good price/performance ratio. Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H for the mobo. 2-4GB DDR2 RAM. Save some money and put in a 4670 instead of the 9800GT, or spend the same and get a 4770. An Antec 200 or 300 case, or a CoolerMaster Centurion 5. Decent 320GB+ HDD, I like Western Digital. Get a Corsair CX400W or VX450W PSU. That should be somewhere in the $500 neighborhood. EDIT: A GTX260 on a $500 budget? It'd take up two fifths of the budget! Freakin' nuts.

Lies....
He already has his CPU... So it's 300bucks for Mobo + HDD + PSU + RAM.

 

[tNok85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xHassassin Lies.... He already has his CPU... So it's 300bucks for Mobo + HDD + PSU + RAM.

He said (maybe?), so I'm unclear on this.

OP, what parts do you have already? What do you need?

 

[Phaedrus2129]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xHassassin Lies.... He already has his CPU... So it's 300bucks for Mobo + HDD + PSU + RAM.

I read that as he was thinking about getting the Athlon II x2 250, not that he already had it. You might be right though.

But if this is only going to be used for gaming occasionally then it would probably be smarter to go with a weaker GPU to save on power.

 

[ac1dchamp]

Lol sorry for all the confusion. I just thought that that CPU would be good enough for the price but any suggestions are fine. All i need is the box pretty much. Already have monitor and keyboard with mouse. And its mostly for the parents but putting a few games on it like cod4 wouldnt be bad. Im sorry for the confusion

 

[xHassassin]

You can get one of those mobos with integrated gpu then, and some cheap card like a 9500GT or something... At most this should be no more than like 350?

 

[AMG]

I think a GTS250 should be good for gaming "here and there".

 

[tNok85]

$492.92 Shipped (NY)

Intel E3200 Dual Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116265

Sapphire 5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102859

Corsair 400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

Wintech 2x2GB (4GB) DDR2 800MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820161183

Biostar G31E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138145

WD Caviar Black 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Apex Mid Tower Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811154095

LG DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136177

Could mix and match a bit. Drop the RAM to 2GB and might be able to fit a better CPU/Mobo. More of a budget GPU and the same. Depends what you want.

 

[Phaedrus2129]

CPU:
AMD Athlon II x3 435 2.9GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0II%20x3%20435
$89.99

Mobo:
Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...GA-MA785G-UD3h
$89.99

RAM:
G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800 CL5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-207-_-Product
$81.99

Graphics card:
Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-854-_-Product
$64.99

Power supply:
Corsair CX400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Corsair%20400W
$49.99

Case:
Antec Two Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-070-_-Product
$39.95

Hard drive:
Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-074-_-Product
$49.99

Optical drive:
Lite-On 24x DVD burner DH-24AAS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-339-_-Product
$29.99

Total: $496.88

 

[ac1dchamp]

Thanks so much guys. Not sure what build I want to use, but they both look great. I think tomorrow I will start to order the stuff so I can have it ready for them as soon as possible. You guys are all life savers. Thank you!

 

[Ben the OCer]

Here's what I came up with:

CPU & Motherboard:
Phenom II X3 720BE + Gigabyte 790GX AM3 Combo
$178.99 + shipping after MIR

RAM:
G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB DDR3-1866 Kit
$94.99 shipped

Power Supply:
OCZ ModXStream 600W Modular PSU
$49.99 shipped after MIR

Hard Drive:
Samsung F3 500GB
$54.99 shipped

DVD Burner:
Samsung SH-S223C DVD Burner
$26.99 + shipping

Case:
NZXT Beta Evo with Black Interior
$39.99 shipped after MIR

Total: $445.94 + shipping after $60 in Mail-In Rebates

The onboard HD3300 video card should suffice until you can get a discrete card. Maybe you could even ask your parents for one for Christmas.