Hi. I'm Building a new system after I get my income tax refund. Im using some parts from my current system. I will be needing the following parts:
Cpu
Mother Board
Ram
Video Card

Heres my current specs:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz - Socket 478 mPGA Northwood
Intel 865PE VL13 Dynasty 800 fsb
9600xt 256mb agp
2x512mb ddr3200 200mhz

This is what im thinking about getting.

A-DATA 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211188

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059

Intel Celeron E1200 1.6GHz 512KB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116064

SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire
http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/pr [...] 92A0J5BGA#


Im trying to make this cheap but effective with games like UT3, Crysis, ES: Oblivion, and maybe COD4
This computer will be used for gaming mostly. Any thougts would be appreciated.

Looks fine, however if u can then get a 8800GT/8800GTS 512 instead of
HD 3870

also if u want to OC ,then go for a RAM which has 4-4-4-x or lower timings

I would strongly suggest a better CPU, check the new E8400 it's worth the price change I think. Also, the 8800 GTS 512mb G92 nVidia card runs Oblivion and Crysis VERY well for me and it's worth the money if you can spare it.

Your processor choice is very weak for what your trying to build here, my last system I replace almost a year ago was a Pentium 4 3GHz that lasted me two years. I would check out a Core 2 Duo, maybe E8400 or higher will serve you for a long time to come. I can get you some better RAM for cheaper than the ADATA, Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, and an Nvidia 8800GTS 512MB card would be best or even wait for the 9800GX2 for about $449.99.

Crucial Ballistix RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146565

E8400 Core 2 Duo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=E8400

I was focusing most of it on the Video card. As far as the cpu is concerned I was planning on overclocking it to like 3.0 and updgrading that in like 2-3 months when I start working again(seasonal) and build a cheap comp for my lil sis. So that cpu is just to hold me over.

Graphics:
The cheapest 8800gt I found was 239$ and 219$ for the 3870. Is the 20$ difference worth it? Single slot isnt a concern of mine.

Ram:
The ones I chose were the third top rated ram at newegg under DDR2 800. They are cheap and very well rated. Would they be good enough or would I really need to go with some better timings? After rebate they are 67.99. If someone can post something that is worth the upgrade id most appreciate it.

Mb:
I take it this one is a good mobo? It was highly rated on newegg.

Is a 20$ upgrade more imortant towards graphics card or ram?

Also have to realize what im upgrading from. Lol Ive had this computer for a very long time. 6 years I think.

To systemlord: The a-data ones I chose are 2x2gb for 67.99. Would using 4x1gb of the crucial you listed at 100$ after rebates be that much of an improvement because if so I would consider changing my mind.

It appears that I missed the 2x2GB, oops. Yeah price after rebate $49.99 for 2x1GB, the Crucials have much better timings. 4-4-4-12