Is this a good list for a $650 build?

[alvine]

So yes me and my friend want to build him a $650 pc. Whole thing meaning: box, monitor, mouse, keyboard. This the list I have came up with please bare with me, he will not do any graphic intensive applications since he will use it for internet, music, pictures, and to type some essays for school.

Raidmax Apex case with 450w psu ($46.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156074

Samsung dvd burner http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_recorder ($24.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151171

Windows xp home edition ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116056

G skill 2gb ram kit ($42.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

Acer 20" lcd ($169.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009126

Keyboard and mouse combo ($17.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823157015

Gigabyte GA-945 motherboard motherboard ($47.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128076

GForce 8400gs ($40.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133237

Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core dual-core Processor ($69.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116052

Hitachi 500gb hd ($64.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822145215

All comes to $611.90

Please feel free to give suggestions how to improve this. Maybe a motherboard with good integrated graphic with dvi connector? Also you guys think that cheap cpu would hold up to windows xp?

 

[ahslan]

if he is not doing anything graphically intensive then try finding a mobo with onboard graphics instead of having to waste your money on a useless video card...

a lot of ppl are gonna tell you that raidmax psu's are not to be trusted...so you might want to consider buying a cheap psu from a respectable brand, like antec...

and dont worry about that cheap cpu holding up in xp...I have 8 year old cpu's that run xp perfectly...xp is a great os...i wouldnt go with vista on this rig just yet...(if you can get 4gigs of ram, then that would be a different story)

edit: if he isn't OCing, then you should check into a cheap X2 cpu...you can save mad cash there and still have a pretty solid cpu...

 

[mynameismichael]

$24 dollars to double your ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

 

[dozer63]

If you don't mind amd you might want to consider something like this. The 780g chipset is decent for onboard graphics. Simple setup, one less fan.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

 

[dirtmountain]

I couldn't read your list, so came up with some options
CPU - Intel wolfdale E5200- $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
Motherboard - Biostar G31 $50 Integrated graphics, supports quad and core2 duos including Wolfdales
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138125
Case - Coolermaster Elite 330RC $30 after rebate also has a combo deal that drops the price of a coolermaster 500w power supply by $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115
Power supply -Coolermaster 500w $30 after combo deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031
RAM - DDR2 800 1.8v 1x1 $18 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124
If a graphic card is really wanted, try this 9600GSO for $50 after rebate, dual slot cooling EVGA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130356
a bit higher in $$ but a worth it, Can always drop to a 19 inch monitor and save $30
as with a lot of Newegg deals, limited time to order

 

[dozer63]

Also agree about the power supply check these two out
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151035
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

 

[dirtmountain]

I might add that you can get a refurbished computer with a 30 day manufacturer warranty and available 2 year warranty. Just add in your monitor.
http://www.recoupit.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/5488893/vpcsid/0/SFV/31197

 

[crazyhandpuppet]

If you don't mind amd you might want to consider something like this. The 780g chipset is decent for onboard graphics. Simple setup, one less fan.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

Actually, that CPU (X2 5000+) combines with a Biostar 780G board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138105 for an additional $15 savings. The combo is only $124.49. Not to say that the two you provided aren't outstanding products, but this shaves his price just a little bit more. Wow, what you get for $125 nowadays...just wow...

 

[ahslan]

impressive isn't it...

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Dump the 8400 gs off there if your friend will want to do any gaming. I know you said he won't do anything graphically intensive, but you never know...The 4670 chip is a good buy for 40 more. And if not overclocking, then lower end-midrange, and AMD setup will be a good buy and likely cost less, while being comparable.

Also, not sure if I can recommend Hitachi drives, they are known, but I think something like a seagate might last better for you.