the budget $500 rig

[Sid3way]

so i decided to build a budget PC for my brother because his old dell been crappin' out on him. being a gift, i want to keep it within $500 range, so i came up with this:

Antec 900 - $89 (microcenter.com)
P35-DS3L - $89 (newegg)
E2140 - $59 (microcenter)
7300GT 256mb/128bits - $65 (newegg)
Seagate 250GB - $69 (newegg)
Thermaltake 430W - $39 (newegg)
LG DVD+R - $27 (newegg)
2GB Corsair XMS2 PC2-5300 667mhz - reused from old rig but currently priced around $50

total: $487 + tax

unnescessary accessories:

Atech internal card reader $19.99
Thermaltake ES II chipset cooler - $24.99


the result:

OC'd to 2.66ghz on STOCK HSF, raised memory frequency to 400mhz, currently running really stable. This budget $59 cpu is now as fast as a E6750 but costs 1/3 the price.


if anyone is looking for a budget gaming rig, the E21xx series is the solution. I cant be more happy.

comments/criticisms are all welcome.

 

[akhilles]

Nice boxens. The E2140 can easily be o/c'ed 100% on air. The same can't be said for other chips.

 

[smokedyou911]

Would have spent a bit more on a better video card, other than that great job!

 

[Sid3way]

thanks guys!

the graphic card is okay for now since the guy doesnt play game at all. the graphic card is mainly there just for vista aero and dreamscene. LOL