SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Videos, General Use
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, OS.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
OVERCLOCKING: Preferably Not
BUDGET: $800
First thanks in advance for any advice given. Basically I am looking to build a gaming rig that can run most games coming out this year at full specs without too much trouble Games I'm looking at are Borderlands, CODMW2, and Dragonage, and L4D2. I'm not really concerned about hitting max specs for crysis though. I will unfortunately need to purchase a monitor along with the parts so I am including that in my $800 budget (I might be able to to be a bit flexible though.)
Like I mentioned before, this is my first time building a PC so I really don't know where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I should also mention that I can pick up a copy of 64-bit Windows XP for cheap from my school. Would this be recommended?
with your budget, I'd be leaning more towards an AMD build. Since you need to squeeze a monitor into that budget, trying to fit in a core i5 would be tough. I'd be worried about having to compromise too much on the quality of other components.
As for the 64bit XP, I'd say it depends on how cheap. XP isn't an OS with too much life left in it. If you can get it for a few bucks, it'll allow you to use a windows 7 upgrade with a clean install, instead of shelling out the full price for windows 7 right now.