Build input needed

[SlayerRules]

Gotta say, I wish I never found this site. Too much good info here, so I'll be interested to see what sorta feed back I get.

I'm in the process of building a "decent to mid-quality" gaming computer. In other words, nothing too fancy, doesn't have to be overclocked, yet just needs to stay up with current trends. Also, let me stress the importance of "budget build." I'm talking around the amount of $800.00 +/_.

This is what I have purchased so far ($385.00 spent with rebates)
*Ulta Wizard ATX mid tower case (yeah, the $40.00 jobber from Outpost, free with rebate.) :thumbsup:
*Ultra V Series 500 watt PSE (again, free with rebate.)
*AMD X2 4200+ CPU $255.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103741

*Abit NS-M2 motherboard combo deal with CPU ($88.00 included in the $255.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127013

*DDR2 1 gb (2x512) Patriot RAM $130.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220160

Monitor is taken care of and I'll swap the CD and DVDR drives out.

So that leaves me with the purchase of GPU (thinking either the ATI 1950 or the Geforce 7950). I may even wait for the new Geforce 8600. I'll also need an operating system and a hard drive. Based on what's out there, I'm roughly looking at spending another $400.00.

So here's my dilemma. After reading most of the posts here on new systems, I'm thinking I should return the CPU and motherboard and get a core2duo system. So my question is, what should I reconsider, not knowing much about Intel? Thanks much.

 

[Ruptga]

CPU isn't terribly important for games, your 4200 should keep up well enough.

For $210 you can have a 1950pro or a 7950GT for $230, and both are single-slot cards if I'm not mistaken.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814195029
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814170111

As for the OS, you'll probably be fine with MCE, but whether you get that or Pro, an OEM version will be cheaper. (The MCE one comes with an upgrade coupon to Vista, if that matters to you.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116059
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116171

For a HDD, I really have no idea, but someone around here will.

Edit: you may have problems with such a cheap PSU, but a good one is relatively expensive ($70-120) so I'd put the system together, then switch out the PSU when you have the money saved for it.

 

[SlayerRules]

Hey, thanks for your input. It basically sounds like going core2duo will drive me out of my budget. Yeah, I had the same worries with the cheap PSU. It's been a few years since my last (inexpensive) build, but now want to make sure my latest build will last at least that long (and then some).

I'll probably go with the XP Media Center with the Vista Upgrade and am still debating on the GPU. I can't decide between the Saphire Radeon x1950xt of the BFG 7950 GT.

Any recommendations (other that waiting for a cheaper directx10 card)?

 

[SlayerRules]

Any feedback/comparison with the above listed build with what I'm now thinking?

The Intel Build I'm now considering:

*C2D E4300
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115013
*Asus PB5 LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131030
*Patriot Extreme 2GB (2x1gb)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820220144
*Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 120gb Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148161

I'm thinking of returning the Abit MATX board and AMD 4200 to Frys for instore credit to get the rest of the necessities:

I'll keep the Ultra Wizard Case, ditch the Ultra V Series 500w psu and put a Cooler Master Extreme 600w (already returned the 1 gig of Patriot memory),
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171013
along with a couple of 120 mm case fans, along with a Big Typhoon heat sink fan.

As for the GPU, I'll wait for the 8600 series to be released. Also running Vista Home Premium.

Anyone care to comment on either system? I'm flip-flopping like Mr. Kerry. :roll: