Under $400 Build Suggestions

[FrozenPie]

Well, my friend needs a new computer for under $400 and I told him to get a refurbish dell but he says he doesn't accept that kind of garbage and knows that he can get a better computer for the price. So I compiled a list of parts cause he needs a new computer. $400 is all he has in his paypal and he won't get another paycheck until the distance future so he wants to order now as soon as possible (possibly Monday)

He only needs the tower since he's going to reuse his xp, keyboard, mice, speakers, and 17" CRT monitor from his old **** computer (athlon xp 2500+, 512 ram, ati xpress 200m).

As of right now, he only use the computer to play Tibia, WoW @ 15-35 fps on min setting, basic internet usage, and listening to music.

What he plans to do on the new computer:
Play counterstrike:source, battlefield 2, starcraft 2, company of heroes, and any new games on his same 17" monitor

Here the list that I put together during the last 50 minutes so it's not final yet unless you guys approve.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10998448

$56 CASE/PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148030
$76 MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141 Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G
$60 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211 AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
$37 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB)
$88 GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127383 MSI HD 4670
$55 HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 Seagate Barracuda 250GB
$24 DVD/CD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 LG Black 22X

Total: $396

That's the best I could do for now. I haven't looked at any other sites yet other than neweggs.

I know the PSU is bad but I figured for a budget that should do since it's not a power hungry beast anyways.

In the future, he plans to get a better monitor to experience the eye candy, and hopefully a new PSU but that shouldn't be a concern for now since he's dirt poor and needs to spend under $400.

So with that, do you guys have any more suggestions or ideas to MAXIMIZE performance while MINIMIZING cost? approve or disapprove?

Thanks!

 

[ilovebarny]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148138
one of these graphics card would be better but i dont know if you can fit them in the budget. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=4830&x=0&y=0
other than the case is not what i would suggest getting (but it will do) your build is fine.

 

[zenmaster]

I think that is a decent selection of parts.
I really like squeezing that GPU in.
The 4670 is a really nice card in that price range.

 

[zenmaster]

Antec 300 Case = $42 ( w/code 20ANTEC) (Free Shipping!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

X2-5000 = $35 w/Antec 300 Combo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

Nice 500w PSU ($23AR w/free shipping. Code: EMCBACBBB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012&Tpk=OCZ500SXS

Same basic build but much better case and much better PSU and should save a couple dollars.

 

[zenmaster]

And This RAM for $12 AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16820227198

 

[Salain]

Hey, it looks nice given the constraints...

That HDD is very nice but price is $60 at the moment, I would switch to a 160GB like this WD for $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075

Keep in mind that if he has to pay tax you're going to have to come in pretty short, I think this would be close to getting you there.

 

[dirtmountain]

Good build at that price limit. Any way he can reuse his old burner ? This combo deal is $28 more, but it gives him a x2 6000+ and a 790GX motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128

 

[ke7diz]

go with a 790gx mouther board and maby a 3450 fore hybrid crossfire

 

[FrozenPie]

Oh my gawd, you guys are great! Thank you Salain, Zenmaster, IloveBarny, dirtmountain!!!!Your suggestions allowed me to get a better case/psu/hdd with the combos and promos


Here's what it came down to:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=7647385

$89.94 = Antec 300 + AMD 5000+ X2 Combo
$87.99 = OCZ StealthxStream 500W + OCZ 2GB Combo

$49.99 = Seagate Barracuda 400GB
$23.99 = LG 22X DVD Burner

$59.99 = Biostar AMD 740G (w/ shipping)
$79.99 = MSI ATI HD 4670 (w/ shipping)
_________________________
Subtotal: $391.89

+ $12.02 For shipping
- $10.99 Promo
_________________________
Total: $392.92 at purchase time which is completely within the limits

- $70.00 Mail-in rebate
_________________________
Grand Total: $322.92 after mail-in rebates


Wow this is great! Better case, better PSU, better than what I expected. I'm actually thinking of ordering this for myself rather than my friend ordering his...xD I swapped out the motherboard to a 740G since I figure the IGP and extra features isn't worth it for a budget since there's already a good GPU that is, in my opinion, overkill for his current resolution @ 1024 x 768. That rebate could be put to use and help buy a new monitor! Also, I'll see if I can do some really minor overclocking or undervolting on this mobo if it's possible.


So for now, I'll check other forums for hot deals on Frys, tigerdirect, etc... thank you everyone!

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

Hate to start an Intel/AMD debate...

But I think you would be better off with an E2160 (ducks). You could get 3.0 pretty easy (on the stock cooler) out of it, and it will veritably smoke the AMD chip at just about anything you throw at it.

4670 or 9600 GSO/8800 GS for video. The 8800 GS can be overclocked to perform on par with a GT.

 

[FrozenPie]

Yea, an intel chipset would be better (I have an e2140 @2.5 since I don't have good aftermarket cooling) but I would have to sacrifice the card and quality for it if I were to order off newegg.

It's possible to build with used parts from ebay or something but he want's a new computer.

So an AMD build is stable for a budget under $400...plus he already ordered so it's all good

 

[zenmaster]

While Intel would be better, you are not going to get an Intel Chip for $35.
And you will be hard pressed to find a mobo with an OCing Bios for $60.

You are talking about $50-$75 more.
Yes, the Intel system will be better/faster.
But if he is simply looking for a "WoW" system and is strapped then the specced AMD system is fine.

Example - For my Wife, this system would be fine. (I would likely do a Dell if it came down to it for her. Y! games is her limit.)

For myself, I would spend the extra money.

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

Mmmm... I got my Gigabyte G31M-S2L for $55 (no rebates) on Newegg, and it overclocks like a dream.

Plus, the E2160 can be found for as little as $65, and the performance at 3.0 will smoke any AMD dual-core. The extra $30 is worth it.

 

[SOSharuhi]

Oh wow, i just registered to thank everyone in this thread!

I just ordered this comp and i was in a similar situation as op... except i upgrade from an emachine lawl with a celeron

my total ended up $387.09 before rebates
this saved me quite a bit of $$$

just wished I had more money though xD