New build (lite gaming, heavy surfing/homework) for collegwe student

OK, here's a system I am putting together for my daughter, who is a so-so gamer, likes to surf the net, and will need to do homework on.

The major components are pretty much what I am going to get, but would like a bit more info on the monitor (highlighted below). Any ideas would be welcome. Also, if you can come up with a better system for less than or equal to the total of this one, by all means throw in your suggestions.


Linkworld 3210-04-C2628 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: 3210-04-C2628
Item #: N82E16811164040
$27.99 -$5.00 Instant $22.99

ASUS EAH3650 TOP/HTDI/256M/A Radeon HD 3650 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: EAH3650 TOP/HTDI/256
Item #: N82E16814121232
$89.99 $89.99

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: W0070RUC
Item #: N82E16817153023
$39.99 $39.99

Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E2160
Item #: N82E16819116036
$69.99 $69.99

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K - Retail
Model #: ADQVE1A16K
Item #: N82E16820211066
$42.99 $42.99

EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8160S 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ESJ8160S
Item #: N82E16822210004
$44.99 $44.99

Logitech 967738-0403 Black USB Standard Deluxe 250 Keyboard - OEM
Model #: 967738-0403
Item #: N82E16823126013
$8.99 -$1.00 Instant $7.99

Hanns·G JW-199DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: JW-199DPB
Item #: N82E16824254001
$189.99 -$20.00 Instant $169.99

Logitech RX1000 931710-0403 Black/Silver 4 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - OEM
Model #: 931710-0403
Item #: N82E16826104014
$22.99 -$2.00 Instant $20.99

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black IDE Model DRW-2014L1 - Retail
Model #: DRW-2014L1
Item #: N82E16827135163
$35.99 $35.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P35-S3G
Item #: N82E16813128084
$79.99 $79.99

Subtotal: $625.89

I agree with shadow, but I'd change the hard drive for another reason too...as a student you will probably end up having a huge amount of films/music/games etc so you might want a bigger hard drive. You could always go for an external if and when you need it though. But the most important thing about the drive will be your work. Word documents etc, don't take up a large amount of space...but you definitely cannot lose that stuff, get a decent brand.

For $10 more you can get the Corsair VX 450 power supply, very well worth the $$$;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX [...] 66485.html

2 gig of Corsair ram $30 after rebate;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145034

There is nothing wrong with that board as far as I know, the DS3L has a strong following and has proven itself, haven't heard much about the S3G.
You can get the power supply for $50 and free shipping from the link I posted above.

If she's in a dorm, I hope she doesn't end up on the top floor like me. I decided to stick with my tablet only (which is required here) because carrying a tower up 6 flights of stairs is no fun. Needless to say, I've been limited to 5 year old games since the beginning of the semester. Not next semester, though

Looks good. I second the better HD and backup drive.

The mobo should be fine... only differences I'm aware of is that the S3G has one PCIe x1 slot but five PCI slots and while the DS3L has 3 of each. The onboard sound is also worse, but should be adequate for your daughter. It also has a more clumsy layout in my opinion.

Are you planning to overclock this machine for your daughter? If not, I think your money might be better spent on an AMD setup. Or as others have said, you can get her a laptop. You won't get the same performance for the money, but it's definitely convenient for a college student.

There's usually deals everywhere for laptops... here's a $600 one that looks about the same specs as the desktop you're looking to build sans the graphics: Click here. Unless your daughter likes to play around with computer parts, she'd probably be happier with a notebook. Go into any dorm room nowadays, and more likely than not the students will have a laptop.

MB vote....DS3L