Amd system under 400$

That's quite impossible if you want a Phenom II gaming system, have you done any research yet yourself?

Please look at some parts yourself first, then post it here and we will help you make the necessary corrections.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103694 90$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022 65$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138152 95$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166 60$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102835 110$

total 440$ everything without rebate

Hate to be nitpicky but 245 ain't a Phenom 2 class chip - no L3 cache (Athlon2) ^^ Possible with the dual core variant of the Phenom 2 family i.e Callisto though

Good point Batuchka. The good thing is that there's several ways to get to a $400 or so build for the OP. It's not top of the line or anything, but would give decent performance at medium settings to game, with a good upgrade path that won't bust his wallet.

I love these budget challenges!

Monitor: Acer 1440x900 19"
$100 w/ free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009151

GPU: Asus 9600 GSO 512 ddr3
$35 = $60 - $20 mir - $5 promo code EMCLWMM88 (Expires Monday) w/ free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121320

Combo
CPU: AMD Phenom II x2 545 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103694
Ram: 4gigs DDR3 OCZ Gold http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227316
$151 =$161 - $10 mir w/ free shipping on both
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237839

Combo
Mobo: MSI 770 AM3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130228
PSU: OCZ Modxstream 500w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341016
$116 = $130 - $20 mir + $6 shipping on PSU

Total delivered:
$402 = $452 - $50 mir

The 9600 GSO should do well enough at 1440x900 for you. If you find extra money, the 2 places you can put it are:
+$29 AMD Phenom II x3 720 w/ same ram combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237833

GPU
If you can find enough to get a 4850, you'll be set at 1440x900 for a long time.

This AM3 platform is the same price as the AM2+ above for the CPU/Mobo/Ram/PSU. But you'll have the DDR3 ram/AM3 mobo and ready for a CPU/GPU upgrade at any time for the next few years. And its the closest to your budget.

yes from newegg

It is exactly point of view. That is something completely up to the OP and should be included in the sticky. I'll post in there to see if that can be added as a "Do mail in rebates count: Y/N?"

I do find that at this price point, most buyers are better than high end systems about getting them in the mail and factoring them into the cost. Yes, sometimes it doesn't work out and you don't get your money, but I think that if you are careful and photocopy your stuff, your chances go way up. For example, I had an eVGA rebate denied cuz they didn't get the UPC. Even though I didn't get my stuff photo copied, I took a picture of the box with a hole in it and emailed them back saying I don't know what to tell them, I sent it in. They honored the rebate. Since then, I always photocopy my submissions and have never had a problem.

Thanks skora. Yeah it would help.
I rarely mention MIR's as I figure if they get it then bonus! but if it is in the sticky then that would help a lot.... sorry for the thread jack!!

how long u thinking bout keeping the pc ? maybe it be better to save up another 100 or so and get a decent build instead of salcking off on some parts.