Budget build for friend <$500 CPU/MB/RAM/VGA

My friend is looking to upgrade his old system. He will use his existing PSU (I think it will be OK), case, DVD drive, HD, and monitor.

That leaves the CPU, Motherboard, RAM, and video card.

I was thinking:

-Intel E7200 - $120 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052
-BIOSTAR P43-based MB - $90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138122
-2 x 2GB G.SKILL RAM - $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122
-ATI 4850 - $190 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121253

Total of $480, $440 after MIR's.

How does this sound? He does not want to spend a lot more. He mentioned 4GB of RAM so he does not have to worry about upgrading (should last the life of the motherboard).

If there is something I can do to save some money, but not give up a lot of performance, I would be game for that. Games are things like HL2, Test Drive, and similar on a smaller LCD (1280x1024 I think).

Thanks!

I don't think that mobo is supposed to be that great, could get the asrock p43 for $75 instead, tweaktown just did a review on it good overclocker, but the power connect is near the cpu, only a problem if you have a bottom mounted psu or a huge cooler. Mushkin has similar ram that is cheaper after rebate and comes with free pcmark. Could take the money you save from cheaper ram and get the biostar tp45 instead for $105 after mir, one of the best value overclockers and supports 8x8 crossfire. Finally you could wait for the e5200 cpu to be released, should be extremely overclocking freindly and cost only ~$85.

That graphics card should do more than fine in those games. I upgraded to a 9600gt and it runs Test Drive: unlimited maxxed where my 7600gt wouldn't. Otherwise, looks like a solid system.

Quick question: what os is going to be used? cuz if your friend gets 4gb of ram xp 32bit won't utilize all of it. 2gb is plenty for xp and gaming.

+1 to dirtmountain's suggestion.

that build looks great actually, its surprising what you can do for less than 500

gj, although my curiosity strikes... what psu is it? i just wanna know just in case some1 wants to bash your head in for a rosewill or a raidmax...lol

I know that it does, I'm just asking if anything newer than HD4870 will be limited by pcie 1.1b...

I've been asked to spec a system from the ground up in about this price range. Anyone have a case/PSU they link for this combo? How's this Xion from Newegg?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811208005

This friend is committed to XP. Any issues with this P-35 Biostar (or the P-45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138127 ) running XP?

If really on a budget and willing to OC:
P35-DS3L (good OCing) $85
E2180/E2160 (OC easily to 3-3.25Ghz; upgrade later to E8x00 or better) $60-70
ATI 4850 $175-220
XIGMATEK S1283 (+ bolt in kit) $40
2*2GB DDR2 800 ($80)
Corsair 650TX ($80 after MIR, good quality) [Don't skimp on the PSU esp. when running high end GPU ] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ir%2b650TX

Total cost for above parts: $~450

That leaves ~$50+ for HDD and DVD RW,Case, OS, etc.

Imo, a 4850 might be an overkill on the 1280x1024 LCD esp. with games like HL2. Check out the 8800GS/9600GSO (~$60-80 after MIRs) and see if it would be a suitable replacement for the 4850.