$700 dollar gaming computer for a friend

[aylafan]

I am building a $700 dollar gaming computer for my friend. It will be used mainly for gaming and will be used to replace his old Dell computer. He decided to go with the Intel route because he wants to upgrade to Core 2 Quad when he has more money. Any changes or suggestions will be appreciated. I usually order from www.newegg.com

Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128059

EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130334

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136073

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139003

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119137

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153

Total Cost: $676.92

P.S. He already has a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and a Windows Vista Home Premium DVD from the college bookstore.

 

[jay2tall]

Good build. I would change just a few things. I'd get memory that is CAS 4 not 5. Its a little snappier. Here is some crucial Ballistix which is actually cheaper after rebate. There was some Patriot memory there to that was similar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

I think that Corsair PSU would be fine for now with that system. But if your buddy is going to put a Quad in there I would suggest something a little beefier like a 550W corsair or more. The e2200 is going to suck WAY less juice than a quad.

I'd get a 7200.11 from seagate. They have 32Mb cache and FLY. I believe they just under perform the Raptor by a little bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

 

[jay2tall]

If you didn't say he wanted to upgrade the CPU I would vote the AMD 5000BE instead. It's cheap and unlocked and awesome.

 

[aylafan]

If you didn't say he wanted to upgrade the CPU I would vote the AMD 5000BE instead. It's cheap and unlocked and awesome.

hmmmm.. if he does decide to go the AMD route.
The AMD 5000BE processor and what motherboard would you consider to go with it?

But I will definitely upgrade his PSU to a 550W and that Seagate harddrive looks like a great deal. thanks for the help.

 

[jay2tall]

Depends what you want to spend. You can get an Asus 590 ultra board dor $99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022
If you want SLI its a little more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013

 

[aylafan]

Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128059

EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130334

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148288

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817139004

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119137

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153

Total Cost: $701.92

Okay. Here is the updated system build. I tried not to go over $700. A dollar and 92 cents isn't that much more.
Any more suggestions would be great. I want my friend to be happy with his computer system. =)

P.S. He wants to stick with the Intel route.

 

[jay2tall]

Is that before or after rebates? no memory bump? It's cool it will still be fine either way.

Honestly Im starting to like MSI 9600GT and 8800GT cards for their nice coolers. Might be a good alternative for you. it's clocked higher. 700MHZ:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127333

 

[chuckm]

The power supply is alot cheaper here, you will save more than $1.92;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX-550W-Power-Supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

 

[Jim_L9]

Here is a nice budget motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128084

 

[aylafan]

wow. you guys are killing me here.

buying the same PSU for cheaper and buying that budget motherboard can allow me to get 4GB of ram instead of 2GB.

also, that MSI 9600GT looks great too, but the warranty is only 1 year. the EVGA 9600GT has "Lifetime limited" warranty. that is why i chose EVGA.

thanks for the suggestions and the prices are with "instant rebates" not mail-in rebates.

 

[jay2tall]

You know i didn't see that on the MSI, good call. You can fry the eVGA and have it replaced, i mean that's the worst case.

4GB would be nice even though it won't see it all unless he has the 64bit version. How much are the schools selling Vista for anyways?

 

[aylafan]

4GB would be nice even though it won't see it all unless he has the 64bit version. How much are the schools selling Vista for anyways?

at the university of texas at dallas. windows vista ultimate can be brought for around $30-40. i'm assuming windows vista home premium is about $10 cheaper and my friend has the 64bit version of windows vista home premium. i remember the 3.5GB limit problem on 32bit operating systems.

 

[oushi]

The case you picked is $79.99 but with $21.11 shipping on newegg. You can get it on buy.com for $84.99 with free shipping, saving you $16.11.
http://www.buy.com/prod/cooler-master-690-no-p-s/q/loc/101/206177908.html

 

[lpsidler]

Someone earlier said get ram that is CAS4 not 5 but all you have to do is take that G-skill and pump it up to 2.0v, and it will be 4, I have the same ram and its only CAS 5 if you leave it at 1.8v.