Build advice sought

[warpigeon]

I'd like to build 2 computers:
1. Gaming rig at 1280x1024, mid priced ~ $600
-have monitor, case, 450w ocz modstream psu, optical drive, old raptor 10k rpm hdd

2. Comp for my dad so he can surf the web, use some applications.
-he has a 19" monitor.
-Want to get him a good rig for once in his life, how 'bout a $500 budget

Would I be able to buy just one OS? That'd be nice.
No preference on companies.
I do like to oc but it's not essential.

I am totally out of the loop. My socket 939 agp system barely runs skyrim. Need some builds from you guys. Thanks.

 

[lehtv]

US or Canada?

Your PC, in a nutshell (US prices, newegg):

i5-2500K $225
Asrock Pro3 Z68 board $100
G.Skill Value 8GB DDR3 1333 $40
Radeon 6850 $150
Windows 7 HP OEM $100

Total $615.

6850 only needs one PCIe connector, I think your PSU doesn't have more than one.

Just to confirm - your dad's PC budget includes only the tower and OS, no peripherals?

 

[warpigeon]

Yes, US. And yes, only tower and OS for the dad's PC.

The psu has one 6 pin PCIe and one (6 + 2pin) PCIe. It's a 500w.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-500w-700w-modxstream-pro-power-supply.html

 

[ElFenix]

you would need two windows licenses. you *might* be better off getting a refurbed dell at $500.
edit: this could be useful
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.752633
edit2: or this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.753182

 

[lehtv]

The psu has one 6 pin PCIe and one (6 + 2pin) PCIe. It's a 500w.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-500...er-supply.html

Ok. You did say 450W in the OP, normally under 500W units don't have more than 1 connector.

With that unit you might get a 6870 instead if you want. It is not exactly needed for your resolution, but maybe you will upgrade to 1080p in the not too distant future. The cheapest 6870 at the moment is XFX for $150 AR. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150561

EDIT: For your dad the second one linked by ElFenix looks pretty good. Just add Windows. Depending on how much space he needs though, you could piece together a system with a 64GB SSD.
http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147010
Biostar TH67B $80
G.Skill 4GB $23http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
Pentium G850 $88
Crucial M4 64GB $115
Samsung DVD-RW $19
CM Elite 330 $40
Corsair CX430 V2 $35 AR
Windows 7 $100

= $500

 

[mfenn]

I agree with the plan of building your own since you have a significant number of parts already. Lehtv's first list looks good.

For your Dad, you really should just get a prebuilt. $500 gets you an i5 with 6GB of RAM and someone that you can call when it breaks.

 

[lehtv]

$500 gets you an i5 with 6GB of RAM and someone that you can call when it breaks.

404 - File or directory not found.

 

[mfenn]

404 - File or directory not found.

Just checked it and it works for me. Basically the specs are:

XPS 8300
i5 2320
6GB RAM
1TB HDD
6450
$500

 

[lehtv]

Odd, it still doesn't work for me. Same error in Chrome and Firefox.