$500 gaming build

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: soon
BUDGET RANGE: $500 or less

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Games, internet, music pictures.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, speakers, mouse, monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com,

PARTS PREFERENCES: amd or intel

OVERCLOCKING: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: okay i found an article on maximum PC.com they built a pc that plays Crysis at 40fps for $500 but that was like a month ago so the prices have dropped so it could be cheaper...I changed the graphics card to a 4770 from a 4870 b/c it's cheaper and was able to add Vista

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/f [...] page=0%2C0

here's the specs:


CPU: Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz Wolfdale -Price: $71
Motherboard: MSI P43 Neo3-F LGA 775-Price: $90
Memory: Crucial 2GB DDR2 SDRAM 800-Price: $23
GPU: ATI 4770 $100
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S223F 22X DVDR-Price: $25
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB-Price: $50
Case and Power Supply: Rosewill TU-155 II 500 Black-$50
Vista 64bit OEM- $99

$508 total + shipping and tax

so what should I change to stay under this price...I've considered the Windows RC 7 but don't like the fact it expires b/c that would be a headache next year.
i'd also consider an AMD build it doesn't matter to me.

thanks that gives me another option! have you found any benchmark tests with the x3 720? would the GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD motherboard be upgradable to the newer am3 sockets?

wow yeah i'll forget the e5200, that's pretty weak compared to the competition b/c I don't plan on overclocking and I think 3 or 4 cores is smart right now. The Phenom II X3 720 looks like a good choice b/c of the extra core while being on par with the e8400 and MUCH cheaper.