Take a look at this rig?

[Banli]

I'm building a rig for a family who does some gaming and uses the computer for general processing/internet usage. Below are the specs/parts I've picked out. Any suggestions/comments/huge mess-ups I didn't see, etc...?

Proc - $160 Core2 Duo E6550 2.33Ghz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030

Motherboard - $90 Gigabyte GA-p35-ds3l http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

HDD - $65 WD 250GB 7200 RPM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144309

RAM - $65 2GB Kingston DDR2 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104008

Case - $30 Rosewill ATX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147075

PSU - $40 430W Thermaltake http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

GFX - $95 8600GT 256 MB XFX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229

Firewire card - $13 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124003

DVD Burner - $27 Samsung http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

OS - $86 XP Home

Key/mouse - $22 Micrsoft http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156

Monitor - $240 AOC 21.6" widescreen http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160014

 

[imrul]

do you really need a firewire card? you can get a motherboard that has onboard firewire...

 

[lunyone]

Okay here are a few suggestions, depeding on budget:
CPU - You could drop down to a e2160/2180 to allow more $ for a better GPU. Not sure you want to do this, but might be a good idea.

Mobo - Good selection here

HD - Should be fine for most people. If they want more, either buy more now or buy another HD later.

RAM - I wouldn't waste my $ on 1066mHz DDR2. Your not even going to fully utilize it. I'd go with DDR2 CAS 4 800mHz stuff, like below. It's cheaper and faster and can be full utilized (especially when OC'd).
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

Case - Save the $16 shipping and get basically the same case here:
Rosewill R218-P-BK Black 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073

PSU - Don't even go with a low-end TT PSU. You don't want to push your luck. Go with a quality PSU instead. I'd go with the Antec 500w Earthwatts right now. It has 34A on the 12V rail, so you could run any GPU out there and not have to worry. It's going for $60 shipped!
Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
or if you get the nice case/PSU combo, you'll get it for $90 after $30 MIR!!
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

GPU - I'd get the 2600xt over the 8600gt any day. It's a tad better and about the same $.
MSI RX2600XT Diamond Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127305
or upgrade to a 9600gt for $126 after $30 MIR!
PALiT NE/9600T+0152 GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261002

Firewire - ? Not sure about this, unless you really need it.

DVD Burner - I like LiteOn, but make sure you get the "Retail" version or a version that comes with the software that you need to read/burn DVD's with.

Monitor - Get what you need, I don't have any recommendations here, since I haven't researched much in monitors recently. I have a 19" Acer 1440x900 LCD right now and really like it.

 

[mihirkula]

PSU: Corsair 550VX...its there in newegg for $94. Saw a link in a post (bestbuy i think) for $65.

 

[mihirkula]

btw for the monitor i'd take the excellent SAMSUNG 920NW Black 19" ($199.99 in newegg) and save a few $$

 

[Banli]

As far as memory goes, what will happen when I run pc 6400 (800 mhz) memory in the mobo I picked which says its memory standard is pc 8500 (1066 mhz)? Will the fsb be forced to clock down... or what?

 

[lunyone]

PSU: Corsair 550VX...its there in newegg for $94. Saw a link in a post (bestbuy i think) for $65.

Here's the link for the $65 (after $20 MIR) Corsair vx550w PSU, it's at Buy.com:
Corsair VX 550W ATX Power Supply - CMPSU-550VX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html