$500ish PC

[Wanker79]

I'd love to spend a couple hundred dollars more and upgrade pretty much every component, but that's not happening. So, keeping in mind that I realize that I've made sacrifices in order to stay on budget, what do you think of this? Could I do any better?

ASUS P5QL PRO =$87
Intel E5200 =$83 (free shipping)
Gigabyte HD 4670 = $76 -$20 MIR
OCZ 2x2GB DDR2 800 =$50 -$30 MIR
WD Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB =$60 (free shipping)
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus RS-500-PCAR-AW 500W =$37
Lite-On 20X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe =$28 (free shipping)
Cooler Master Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP =$50 (free shipping)

That's $470 before tax/shipping/rebates, $525 after tax/shipping, and only $475 after rebates (although my budget is for pre-rebates). So I'm a tiny bit over-budget, but the MIRs can probably justify it.

This'll be used mostly for gaming, although I'm obviously not a power gamer. I really just want to play Left4Dead and Diablo3 (when if eventually comes out) on reasonable settings at 1680x1050. I'll probably look into OCing at a later time, but I'll run at stock for as long as I can. Am I going to regret any of these choices? I know Cooler Master isn't the greatest name in PSUs, but they're not aweful are they?

 

[Thorbaden]

spend a little more on your psu. 80 + certified is the way to go.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
check that one out its $59.99 free shipping, probably close to teh cost of that one you have listed with shipping. you dont want to cheap out on your psu though, it will prevent you from upgrading, can prevent you from overclocking, and cheaper psu are higher risk towards damaging your computer system as they arent normally built with very strict voltages as the higher end psus are.

not saying you need to upgrade your psu. that one you listed will do you fine with that computer. if you plan on upgrading some parts like the graphics card along with some overclocking then i would invest spending ~$20 more on a 80+ certified psu. read the reviews at newegg too.

 

[slomo4sho]

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX is a much better PSU. Also consider the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L

 

[rjkucia]

I'd say step up to an E4600, but if you don't want to spend the extra money then you can stay with what you have.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Not a bad build, what else you may think about is dropping to an AMD processor say like the 5200+ x2 for about 65 and a cheapish AMD board for 45 or so. Then you could probably go with a better video card such as the 9600gt or possibly even a 4830. Since you say it's primarily for games, slightly slower processor with better video may be your ticket.

 

[Wanker79]

Well, thanks for all the replies everyone but this little project just got put on hold. I got hit for doing 65mph in a 45mph construction zone last night. The road was normally a 55, and by the time I got to the actual area where the construction was happening I was slowed down, but the bastard was sitting right at the speedlimit sign.

Thanks anyway.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I'd say step up to an E4600, but if you don't want to spend the extra money then you can stay with what you have.

You've got it backwards. The E4600 is a step BACK from the E5200. The E4600 is an older 65nm CPU that runs at 2.4GHz, the E5200 is a 45nm chip that runs at 2.5GHz. The E5200 is an all-around better chip.