Core Components <$400, Need Help

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: asap, can wait a month if new releases will drop market prices

BUDGET RANGE: $300 - $350

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: games/internet/office

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, EIDE hard drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: currently 1024x768(crt!), upgrading later to unknown LCD

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I did not post RAM b/c I'm not married to a mobo yet. The video card I went with is average due to budget, looking to get higher end when $$ permits. I'm currently using a Radeon 9800 128MB AGP so probably a huge upgrade anyway.


My last build was my current PC 5 years ago which is currently dying. I'm a little behind on modern architecture and would appreciate any input on if the parts I am looking at are #1) compatible with each other and 2) are quality or if there is room for reasonably priced improvement.


Case: Rosewill R223-P-BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $24.99 I currently have a Raidmax Scorpio ATX case which I can re-use if a MATX board and the new power supply can fit in there.

Video: BFG Tech BFGE94512GTE GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail $59.99

CPU: Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E6300 - Retail $83.99

Board: GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $64.99

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail $59.99

DVD: LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS422-08 LightScribe Support - Retail $30.99


Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions. I saw the cpu/mobo combo but was concerned about the quality of the board. I'm not familiar with the company and read the bios was pretty limiting. For a mobo I'd rather spend a little extra to reduce the risk of problems. I've run ASUS and have always been happy. I've heard mixed on Gigabyte boards but they seem to be more positive than negative.

Anyone know when the new Intel CPU release for Q3 is coming and maybe a price drop in the Core2 Duos?

@rshea newer intel CPU will be launching by September 9Th...So if you can wait till that, then you can get pretty good deals on the CPU...

And about the mobo, that ECS is of good quality for that price...but like you said better invest some more and get a better board...