How is this mid range build

[KamalS]

$159 Q8400
$135 ( $114 AFTER MIR - YET TO ORDER ) GA-EP45-UD3P
$60 ( $40 AFTER MIR - YET TO ORDER ) Antec EarthWatts 650W
$90 ( $70 AFTER MIR - YET TO ORDER ) CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-8500C5
$100 ( $80 AFTER MIR - YET TO ORDER ) PNY XLR8 VCG98GTEE1XEB GeForce 9800 GT 1GB

How is this mid range build?

I believe I can do virtualization with this processor?

My desire was to play DOOMIII, HL2 and America's Army 3.0 with this setup - should this not be enough?

It seems like I can also play some of the "latest games" with this too?

If I can't - no worries - this going to my parents anyways after a month or two

Could I have done better in approx the same price with some other components?

For example, should I have chosed an ATI GPU instead?

 

[batuchka]

Best go with a DDR3 platform for a fresh build ^^

Sample build: $488 AR 1680 x 1050 Crysis capable box
Your parts are $463 AR

 

[KamalS]

I have a bias towards Intel nd nVidia

Any suggestions for that?

 

[batuchka]

Go i5/i7 on a DDR3 platform ^^

 

[jbakerlent]

+1 batuchka, you definitely don't want to start a new build based on that processor or graphics card.

 

[jbakerlent]

For Intel/Nvidia, you'll need to up your budget to allow for a i5+250 minimum.

 

[KamalS]

jbakerlent, that's right

In that budget, I believe I have got the best "bang for the buck" that could have been possible.

Just checking in with your guys in case you had some suggestions - the CPU + MB + RAM are non negotiable :-D

Whay say?