Gamming Rig for $700

[MalooTakant]

Ok So I'm looking to put together a nice gaming rig for 700 or less. Doesn't have to be amazing. The majority of the games I'll be playing are not graphic intense however I still want the ability to play new games at or near max settings ie Mass Effect 2



APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Immediately

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Audio Recording

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Mouse & Keyboard, Speakers and Operating System

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg is fine I'd prefer Tigerdirect.com because they don't charge sales tax to California

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: California, USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU beyond that anything that is trustworthy

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

 

[MadAdmiral]

Hate to break it to you, but you aren't getting a good Intel CPU on your budget. The i5 (the lowest CPU you should get from Intel) costs $200 and the boards are typically another $150-$200. Add that in to the cost of everything else, and you wouldn't be getting a video card.

These are all from Newegg, so feel free to compare to prices on TigerDirect or wherever.

CPU/Mobo: X3 440 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $197 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
GPU: HD 5770 $150 after rebate
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Earthwatts 650W $130
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $23

Total: $670