Build specs and prices (from newegg only)

[SexyLemming]

Thanks everyone for the anwers to my earlier question. Here are two systems I have kinda come up with, for the first I would use my current case and PSU(430 watts I think)
Build 1
-Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO4200CUBOX - Retail $180

-Mobo GIGABYTE GA-M59SLI-S5 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $170

-Vid Card SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail $170

-Ram CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024A-6400 - Retail $132

-Monitor DCLCD by Sceptre DCL9D Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail $180 (and I have NO IDEA if this thing is any good)

-HD Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3250824AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $75

-DVD Burner Generic $28

-As I said I have a case, PSU, also a floppy and a second CD-Rom

Total=935

OK stay with me, here is my other build

-Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO3800CUBOX - Retail $160

-MoBo GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $117

-Vid Card eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card - Retail $180

-RAM CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024A-6400 - Retail $132

-Monitor DCLCD by Sceptre DCL9D Black 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail $180 (and I have NO IDEA if this thing is any good)

-HD Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3250824AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $75

-DVD Burner Generic $28

-Case w/PSU JPAC 416 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail $37

Total=909

I want to go with new case and bigger PSU but I REALLY need to keep this as cheap as possible. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Were I you I would go with the second list, but I've not done an AM2 build so I can't advise on the speed or OC potential but I was just on your other thread and the best card for your new system given your budget may be something along these lines http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062 which would leave some cash to invest in a brand name PSU rather than the one that ships with the case.

 

[col-p-todd]

Does it have to be an AMD system and if so do you want an energy efficient cpu?

 

[Threshold]

I agree with mousemonkey. The 7600GT is one of, if not the, best options, as far as price per performance ratio goes-and it's actually fairly good, too.

I don't know why you're planning on an SLI motherboard in either build-SLI'ing or CF'ing isn't worth it right now, and to be honest never really was.

If you want to save as much money as possible, get the 7600GT. If you do a fair bit more of gaming, get the x1950pro. Sorry to say, but 7900GS isn't in the running, IMHO. Already had this discussion in another thread, and x1950pro is amost as good as 7900GT in some cases-and even better in others.

3800 X2 EE is a good choice-well, for an AMD system, anyway-as s 4200 X2 EE. You shouldn't really see a fair amount of difference either way, to be honest, though if you don't overclock, you'll notice it. If you do overclock, you'll probably hit the wall at the same MHZ, +-~75-100...it'll just be easier to get there with the 4200, and it might run a little cooler. Haven't overclocked the EE versions to test for myself, and it's largely luck of the draw anyway, but an extra 200MHZ stock does make OCing a tad easier.

Nothing wrong with your RAM, looks quite nice. Personally, I prefer OCZ Gold for AMD systems (as it's usually a bit cheaper than Platinum), but you really can't go wrong either way.

You might want to consider upping the hard drive to 320GB-higher capacity per price ratio, at $95.

That said, you can build a better C2D system for $900.

I sort of have to laugh at all of these people spending $200 on an LCD monitor...there's not THAT much improvement over CRT-in fact, there are some cons as well. It's mostly about space...and heat/power, IMHO. But I just find it hard to believe that no one else has a spare monitor sitting around, and feels the need to go out and get a $200 LCD-especially when, such as in your case, they tell us they need to keep it as cheap as possible.

No offense, though.

 

[yquo]

Some options:

Motherboard: Asus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

LCD Acer 5 ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009091

 

[SexyLemming]

It doesn't have to be AMD but I do plan on OCing some time in the future, and my wife wants the LCD more then I do, and also I don't have a CRT sitting around so I thought if I HAVE to buy a monitor might as well go with a LCD. Thanks for all the help so far guys.

 

[ProSlayer]

It doesn't have to be AMD but I do plan on OCing some time in the future, and my wife wants the LCD more then I do, and also I don't have a CRT sitting around so I thought if I HAVE to buy a monitor might as well go with a LCD. Thanks for all the help so far guys.

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/GUIDE-GHz-Core-Duo-Budget-System-631-Overclock-ftopict205223.html