Building new system, advice???

[Poulsonator]

OK, I'm finally going to build my new system. Unfortunately, for this system, I'm on a budget. I would like to spend around $650-$700. This system is going to be used for gaming mainly.

Basically, I'm taking AnandTech's advice on their Value gaming system and running with it (read it HERE). Here's what's listed (components I need only):

AMD Athlon XP 1700+ (1.47GHz)
MSI MS-6380E KT3 Ultra
256MB Mushkin PC2700 SDRAM
ATI Radeon 8500LE 64MB
Antec SX630 Case
Integrated 6 Channel Avance Logic ALC650 (Sound)
Maxtor DiamondMax D740X 6L040J2 40GB

Now, my questions / concerns / needs for advice are:

- I would prefer a 128 MB video card, so I'm thinking of getting the ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out. I can get if for $133 shipped (retail). Would this be a good replacement? Or is there something that's better in the same price range? Is this even a good card?
- I want 512 MB of RAM as well, so I'm looking at a stick of Kingston 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Memory. I can get it shipped for $136.
- The motherboard I chose has integrated sound, but I have access to a Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+ sound card (I can get it new for $30). Would that be a wise purchase? Is there another motherboard I should look at? If the sound card I listed above is good, should I go for a motherboard with an integrated NIC instead?

I guess that's really about it. I'm concerned about the video card mostly. And if the sound card I mentioned is worth buying for $30 and if it would be much of an improvement over the integrated one.

I would love more power, but for this system, I can't afford it (around Feb of 2003 I'll build my dream machine).

Thanks in advance. Your input will help out tremendously!

 

[Poulsonator]

Anyone? Or did I post this in the wrong forum?

 

[Markfw]

Question on the video card : go for the 128. It will come in handy later, but I think it may be cheaper somewhere (not sure)
I don't like to use on-board sound if you really like sound. Once in a while the on-board sound doesn't allways sound as good. But I wouldn;t want to pay for on-board if I wasn't using it, so one without on-board sound. I just got a KX7333R from Abit, and its great. That sound card sounds like a good buy. A NIC is a NIC, no difference I have seen.