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$700 or less PC, Artist/Photographer

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My apologies for bringing this up again...I originally came her back in May, and akhilles helped me work up a wonderful build. (Thanks a bunch for your help akhilles!) Sadly my money fell though, and I didn't get to build it. Now some of the parts are unavailable. And when I leave my computer on with my new fan for a typical day (10-14 hours) the fan sometimes makes noise starting around hour 9... Or at least it sounds like the fan. (I may just be paranoid, but I don't trust my old P4.)

  • My most graphics intense game is The Sims, and Petz 5. No new games in sight for a long wile. (I prefer my Nintendo DS.)
  • I have a bad habit of running 25+ image heavy Firefox tabs across three windows; with twirl, Windows Live Messenger, Thunderbird, and music in the background.
  • Music = Pandora via IE window, Windows Media Player 9, or iTunes.
  • I edit photographs, and scans of artwork in GIMP.
  • Most of my other work is blogging, or writing in word.
  • Operating System will be Windows XP Pro SP2 or SP3.

    So here we go...

  • Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower
  • Computer Case 500W Power Supply
  • GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
  • Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA
  • G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
  • Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB

    Total w/ Sales tax $586.62 From newegg.com (I live in TN).

    Now then.. That leaves about $113.38 (less sales tax) for the graphics card, and a CD/DVD set up. I'd prefer to be around $700 dollars total. I can go a little bit over, but not very much. As all the money is coming out of my savings account/emergency fund. I'm thinking about downgrading from the 3.16GHz processor to the 3.0 as It'll save a few dollars that I could use to add to the other things that I need.

    Could someone recommend a Graphics card, and a CD and/or DVD burner? Please? (Preferably one that The Sims Complete's DRM works with... It hates my TDK CD Burner.)

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    For your needs, order this Antec NSK used recently in the builder marathon $500 dollar build. It includes the 380w power supply which is fine for your use. It'll also save you $50
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Keep the E8500 since it offers a -$25 off combo deal with your choice of motherboard, save $10 and get the free CPU upgrade.
    With money save upgrade the Hard drive to the western Digital 640GB SATA, faster, more storage and only $75.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    One of the benefits that might come from the delay is that graphic cards that weren't available 2 months ago, are now. This HD4670 is very video friendly and more gaming then you use. This HIS ICYQ has good dual slot cooling and is $80 after rebate.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    DVD burner - Liteon with Lightscribe retail version for software $30
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

    should all fit well within your budget





     
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