Replacing an aging system.. better cpu for the buck?

[cdxrd]

Ok, I'm working on replacing an aging system. Right now im running an amd athlon 64 3400+ with 2 gigs pc3200 ram, and an AGP ATI x1950 pro .. old..

What I'm looking at is this, and only have ~400 to spend..

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Brisbane 2.9GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core
--or--
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core

ECS A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

A-Top SUPER CHARGE ATP-AP550B 550W ATX12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply

RAIDMAX xA Combo Pack ATX-568WBP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R Burner Black IDE Model AD-7200A-0B - OEM

ARCTIC COOLING ACF64LP 60mm CPU Cooler for low profile PC

This totals up to about $375 or so.. which is about all I will have to spend..

Also, processor-wise, which would be the better route? the 5050e? or the 5600?

That motherboard has onboard video, an ati 3200, which I read is close in performance to the 2400 series.. I dont do a lot of gaming, but anyone know how well that would perform in something like Everquest 2, which is about all i play anyways?

Just looking for ideas..

 

[IH8U]

Get a better PSU, preferrably: Antec, Zalman, PC P&C, OCZ, Corsair, or even Thermaltake (if in a 110v area add Seasonic)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103289
$66 (Black Edition, OC's much better 3.2GHz easy)
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010
$75 (OCZ, yes more expensive, but much better quality 600W)
HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186010
$15.30 Arctic Cooling Alpine64

You should be able to run EQ2 with the onboard, however I'd get a card soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161262
$63 HIS 4650

 

[Onus]

Here is a budget AMD build. The budget is the constraint; better choices for any number of things are possible. Even though it is one of their lowliest models, I've never read a bad technical review on an Antec PSU. If more money is available, consider a faster, Black Edition CPU. The 790GX board has the HD3300 IGP, which is better than the HD3200 found on the 780G, and also has the new SB750.

Rosewill R222-P-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:R222-P-BK
Item #:N82E16811147095

$29.99 -$3.00 Instant $26.99
Cheap, but has a reasonable layout and decent airflow.

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX3 A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:TFORCE TA790GX3 A2+
Item #:N82E16813138129

$124.99 $124.99
HD3300 video and the Sideport memory is DDR3.

Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - OEM
Model #:BP500UB
Item #:N82E16817371019

$39.99 $39.99
Cheap, but it's an Antec.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5000DOBOX - Retail
Model #:ADO5000DOBOX
Item #:N82E16819103211

$56.99 $56.99
Personally, I'd try to stretch to a Black Edition CPU, but the mobo should be upgradable all the way up to a Phenom II.

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K -

Retail
Model #:ADQVE1A16K
Item #:N82E16820211066

$26.99 $26.99
Will run on the JEDEC standard 1.8V.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250410AS
Item #:N82E16822148262

$54.99 $54.99
Decent budget drive.

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 - Retail
Model #:iHAS120-08
Item #:N82E16827106264

$25.99 $25.99
This Retail version will include any necessary software.

Subtotal: $356.93

If your budget has wiggle room, there will be obvious places for improvement, but if not this build will be decent for the price.

 

[cdxrd]

I appreciate all the input.. thanks!