Gaming PC (500-600 USD) < 1 Month

[Snowman1983]

Approximate Purchase Date: Now until the beginning of June

Budget Range: 500-600 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Editing (home videos), Adobe Photoshop, Web Design...

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or Amazon

Parts Preferences: N/A

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200

Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC)

Components I have looked at: (all off Newegg)
59.95 Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Item #: N82E16811129042
169.99 SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity Item #: N82E16814102908
44.99 Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ... Item #: N82E16817371033
64.99 CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 Item #: N82E16820145260
59.99 ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Item #: N82E16813157241
124.99 Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100 Item #: N82E16819115078


** - I know a few years back, having PCI slots to expand was almost a necessity, but how important is it now-adays? The only reason i ask is this MB only has 2.

 

[eloric]

Actually, the board only has 1 PCIe slot capable of handling a graphics card - no matter, that is all you need. Dual video cards are for high end machines. Your budget is a bit low for any performance for video editing, but if you keep things simple, it should work fine.

The speed on the memory you selected is not compatible with the mobo. Take a look at this for less money: Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB for $35 after rebate. Alternatively, you could upgrade to 8 GB for only $5 more than what you had planned: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB for $70 after promo code. The EMCKEKD36 promo code lasts until 5/12.

No hard drive, DVD or operating system?

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB for $60. This is from Meritline.com, since Newegg jacked their price up so high.

DVD: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD fopr $22

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit for $90 after promo code.
Buy this now, you do not see this price often and I do not know the expiration on promo code EMCKEKD52

 

[Snowman1983]

Thanks for those details. I actually have a WD 640GB SATA drive and DVD burner that I will more than likely transfer. As of right now, I cannot recall what connections they are, but once i confirm that, I will just transfer them. I also have Win7 Ultimate 64 bit, so i am good there.

I will check out the other items though.

 

[eloric]

The connections should be fine.

I found a power supply for the same price that has a few more watts: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous for $45 after promo code. A PSU will eventually lose wattage as capacitors age, so it is a good thing to go a little high.