Need Approval (Well, comments)

[WVSteelers22]

Hi all. I'm needing some help with piecing together a new desktop. I'm not looking for anything over the top, but I don't want to buy a brand-name computer either. I'm building this computer for my brother, and right now he's a little scraped for money, but I believe that I can make this work. I have a budget of around $450, no gaming or OC'ing, just light graphic/image stuff, and day-to-day stuff. I'm also "trying" to look down the road as far as upgrading, but then figured I would go ahead and try for the better CPU. Here is what I have now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052 Intel Core 2 Duo E7200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116070 Intel Dual-Core E2220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128085 Gigabyte Intel G33 (A little more expensive than what I want, but has 4 RAM slots for upgrading)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231121 G.Skill 2GB DDR2-800 (Single Stick)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075 WD 160GB HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106057 Lite-On Optical Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121004 Hec Micro-ATX computer case (A little unsure of at the moment, but it seems reasonable)

Any comments, suggestions, anything? Is it worth the extra money right now for the Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 CPU?
Thanks for taking a look,
WVSteelers22

 

[guanyu210379]

My Suggestion :
AMD X2 4450e
ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX

 

[aevm]

The mini-tower case will be a problem when you try to make upgrades in the future.

Do you need to buy Windows too? If you do, you're better off going to Best Buy or WalMart or whatever big store is nearby and getting a PC from them.
In general, if the PC is not for gaming and the budget is low you can get a better configuration that way than building yourself.

 

[WVSteelers22]

I'm sorry about that part. I do have a copy of Windows XP Pro. That's sort of the reason why I figured I could save on buying a pre-built computer, because I don't have to necessarily buy an OS license.

Thanks for the quick replies though.

 

[aevm]

Sounds good. Yeah, I think guanyu is right, try something with 780g.

 

[dirtmountain]

Save $10 on this coolermaster mid tower case +350w power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119118

 

[th_username]

go with amd if you are using integrated graphic

 

[rwpritchett]

Another vote for AMD if going integrated graphics and buying now. If you can wait, the G45 intel chipsets are due soon and may be a better integrated option for the E7200.

 

[compy386]

Yeah definitely go for the 780G. It'll be much better then the intel integrated graphics.

 

[WVSteelers22]

Okay, thanks again for the replies everyone.

So it appears that AMD has the thumbs up in this situation, huh? I'll definitely look into an AMD system.
The only thing that is troubling me is that it seems like the Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 is just to good of a processor for only $130.

One quick question. I was looking through some other posts and found that someone recommend these computer (It seems like a good low-to-mid-range budget computer, but is the site reputable?)

http://www.recoupit.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/5496256/vpcsid/0/SFV/31197

Again, I appreciate all the help.

 

[aevm]

The E7200 is good, sure. However, most of the people who praise it have overclocked it, which you aren't going to do. It's less fun without the OC.