Help picking parts for a New build -not a new builder

[bsmith11]

Hello Anandtech community, I have been out of the computer building world for about two years since I last built my own computer. I have had a series of problems with my computer that have literally been "unsolvable" by even the greatest techs I know.

Long story short, I am looking to build a cheap gaming computer. I will list what parts I need, budget, etc below. Thanks to anyone who has recommendations.

My budget for this project is hopefully going to be $500 (I know its low) but given the parts I have I think this is a good budget.


I currently have:

OCZ 520w PSU - is this still enough to charge a current computer? I'd imagine so given its a quality PSU
Case and fans
HDs - SATA
Optical drives
all peripherals including monitor

What I need:

I would like to go Intel this time around, as I've always built AMD systems. SO..

*An Intel mobo/processor
*2-4gb of Ram (going to go vista on this computer most likely) I don't have preference of brand, but I dislike value brands
*Heatsink
*video card - I prefer Nvidia

Forgive me if I left something out. I'll update if I did.

Thanks to all,

Bryan

 

[bamacre]

Are the hard drives you are going to carry over PATA, or SATA?

The reason I ask is because a lot of newer motherboards only have one PATA connection, which would likely be used for your optical drives.

 

[bsmith11]

My HD are all SATA right now. I'll update, thanks

 

[bamacre]

GIGABYTE P35 GA-P35-DS3L
$97.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006307

Intel Core 2 Duo E4400
$134.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/....jsp?ProductCode=80868

Corsair TWIN2X2048-5400C4 2GB DDR2-675
$58.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=85016-16

EVGA e-GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB
$160.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=321211

That leaves you about $50 for a cpu cooler. You may want to check the other forum here...
http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=28&flcache=2523983
... for recommendations for that.

The E4400 has a 10x multiplier, and is a good OC'er.

If you are not overclocking, then use the retail HSF that comes with the processor, and I would go with an E6750 over the E4400 (although that would bring you over budget by about $10).