First time builder needs help selecting components

[nbajrich]

Hi I'm looking to build my own pc after spending hours of looking through prebuilt pc's and having none of them fit my budget >_>. My pc recently crashed so I'm not sure if I can salvage any parts.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-3 weeks from today

BUDGET RANGE: $500-$600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, movies+videos, surfing web, homework

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, but anything that has cheap prices for good components will be a plus.

PARTS PREFERENCES: mid tower, intel processor

OVERCLOCKING: idk how to so.... maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: max is 1440x900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: windows vista with possible windows 7 upgrade, and I'm not sure if I should use my old hard drive(250gb but idk where the OS is installed, if it is installed in hard drive, then I want a new hard drive.) Idk if i should use my old "supermulti" optical drive(No idea what it is).

thank you for your time, since this is my first time and I'm paying for this myself, it would be a heartbreaker if this fails after spending more than half of my summer job money on it lol.

 

[Outlander_04]

your monitors resolution is a critical part of selecting a gfx card

 

[batuchka]

Hmm if i understand correctly that would be $600 inclusive of LCD right? If so:

 

[nbajrich]

no monitor which brings it down to 500

 

[evongugg]

CPU + Motherboard: E5200 + P43 gigabyte combo
GPU: HIS 4650
PSU: 400cx Corsair
Memory: G.Skills Pi Black 2x2gb DDR2 800mhz
HDD: 320gb Western digital or if a Western Digital Black 640gb fits in the budget, get it.
Case: Coolermaster RC-690

 

[evongugg]

You can use your supermulti drive. Check if it has a SATA or IDE interface.

 

[nbajrich]

its sata