Need Help Picking a Few Parts for my First Gaming PC Build

[blobdude]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: Looking for the build total not to exceed $650, extremely budget, but most of the parts have already been bought

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, main computer for general use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Don't need monitor, keyboard, or mouse. I've already bought the case, HDD, processor, and video card. However, if there are any convincing or well-backed recommendations, I'd return/exchange them for better parts.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I prefer Newegg, bought from them before, always satisfied, but open to any site

PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't Have any parts preferences, they all just have to work together. :lol:

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (No experience, makes me nervous) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, but won't buy second graphics card right away.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1366x968 (720p 32" HDTV)

Okay, here's my list of parts:

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz
PQI Turbo 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5400)
hec X-Power Pro 600
Sony Optiarc Black 24x DVD/CD Drive
Western Digital Caviar Blue 640GB HDD
MSI GeForce GTX 260
Fokconn A76ML-K MoBo
NZXT Nemesis Elite Case

Now, I've bought some, but can still decide on my RAM, CD Drive, MoBo, and PSU. Let me know if there are any parts I should really return and switch, or if I should pick different parts of the above.

Thanks!

 

[blobdude]

Reasonable enough suggestions. The MoBo is a promised Xmas gift, so I'll give both of the MoBos you had named and let her pick, as my original board had been $55, but I didn't realize it didn't support AM3 until she had already bought it. I don't want to ask for a replacement that's too much more expensive, though I can always get cash and make up the difference. Either way, thank you.

 

[blobdude]

Ah, I see. I still don't know a lot of the specifics yet, thanks.

 

[blobdude]

How's this for a PSU?

Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply

 

[hundredislandsboy]

Start over (again). Look at your CPU. Yeah it seems cheap fpr $99 and you can overclock but with your budget, you should be able to have a more powerful CPU, at least an X4 925 which would push your GTX 260 much better than the Propus 2.6 Ghz.

 

[blobdude]

For some reason it wouldn't let me post when I last tried. Anyway...

I don't see the point in taking the time to return the processor I currently have, as well as spending an extra $41, just for an extra 0.2 GHz. Unless there's something else to it that I'm missing...

 

[blobdude]

Okay, so I'm about ready to start putting all of this together. Just need to get the RAM. I'm getting the CD Drive OEM, what cables and such do I need to buy?

 

[blobdude]

As I've said, this is my very first build. Could you point me to a good go-to guide for everything I need to know/do? I found one at pcguide.com, but it hasn't been updated since it was first created, and that was in May of '05. I thought I may need something more current than that...

 

[blobdude]

Alright, I got stiffed with my graphics card. Just got an e-mail today that they were "out of stock" and apologizing for the inconvenience. The next cheapest GTX 260 is 169.99, plus shipping.

Taking a look at the "Best Cards for the Money" feature for January, there are some interesting recommendations.

What changes would I need to make to run two GTS 250s in SLI?
Or what do you think is the best recommendation of them all for a sub-$200 single card setup?

 

[blobdude]

Thanks for the quick reply! I think I'm gonna go with the ATI 5770 and forget about SLI for now. I'll mess around with that when I tackle my next build after I finish undergrad.

All goes well, I should be starting to build this in about a week.