Can anyone help me build a new lower-end desktop with what I already have?

[Xpred]

Hey everyone. I've posted in this in another forum to get more input as rapidly as possible. I want to start building a new computer, however I have not built one in about 4-5 years. So I'm a little clueless and definitely outdated when it comes to the newest parts and installation procedural wise (if it's any different than before). The last one I built was an A64 2800+ processor (socket 754) w/ an AGP-8X graphics card. Now that's old! See..I am heavily outdated computer-wise, heh.

Anyways, my total budget is $450. I've used up $272 so far buying five of the necessary parts. This desktops needs are mostly for media editing (photo/audio/video/etc) as well as some light gaming. When I mean light gaming--maybe games older than 2006 should do the trick. I only play games like WC3 & from the HL2-era. Here is what I have and what I still need:

Maximum budget: $450
Total used so far: $272

Budget left to use: $178

Here's what I already have:
GFX: MSI Radeon OC HD3850 512MB for $50
HD: WD Caviar WD6400AAKS SATA 640GB for $60
RAM: Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2-800 for $17 (although XP will only read 3GB...)
Drive(s): LG GH22NS30 22X DVD-RW for $25
CPU: Intel C2D E7400 2.8 GHz for $120
OS: none... but I will probably install XP Pro SP3 32-bit

Here's what I still need and their requirements:
Mobo: any shall do...as long as it has decent integrated sound & LAN (I will also be installing FireWire 1394 on one pci port)
Case/PSU: any decent case/PSU combo (or separate) w/ future expandability options shall do (I will probably shop in-store at Frys for a decent case/PSU combo, possibly a cheaper Antec)

Any possible suggestions? I don't know what speeds/sockets/ports are compatible now with the hardware that is available out there (making sure RAM/CPU/mobo/etc are all working together), so I guess that's where I need a little help. I hope the budget is doable as well...hopefully, there are some excellent deals out there! Thanks!

 

[UMfanatic]

I have picked out some stuff, unfortunately with what you want it will be tough to near impossible to get those 5 remaining things for 290 dollars, I couldn't even do it myself and I tried to pick out the best quality stuff for the lowest price possible, but here is what I picked out for you at newegg

CPU C2D E7400 - $119.99
MoBo Giga-byte GA-EP45-UD3L - 98.99
RAM G.Skill 2GB(2x1GB) DDR2 800 - 33.99
Drive LG 22x DVD+-R - 24.99
PSU Antec 650w - 79.99
Case (this is more a personal choice but) Cooler Master Centurion - 49.99

 

[JackMDS]

Taking UMfanatic list as a frame of reference You can reduce the cost of the above by getting E5200 CPU, and and a good mATX mobo for less money, and save about $40

You can find also a case with PSU that a would cost less than $130.

 

[Xpred]

Ah, thanks so far for the inputs, guys. In consideration, I decided to increase my budget $50 for the hell of it. So hopefully $450 is more do-able. I guess an AMD processor COULD work as well...I figured I just wanted something comparative to a 2.4ish GHz (around there) C2D power-wise.

 

[UMfanatic]

If you went with AMD you could reduce the price drastically

MoBo Giga-Byte GA-MA770-UD3 74.99
CPU - AMD Athlon X2 5050e 2.6GHZ 59.99
Case Cooler Master Centurion 49.99
PSU Antec 650w 79.99
Drive LG 22x 24.99
RAM 2GB G.Skill 33.99

Total 324.94, I don't know where you live so I can't give you a total with shipping, but that falls right into your budget

 

[UMfanatic]

I am not necessarily a Fan of the Case but it is the highest rated case at that price on newegg

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: UMfanatic
If you went with AMD you could reduce the price drastically

MoBo Giga-Byte GA-MA770-UD3 74.99
CPU - AMD Athlon X2 5050e 2.6GHZ 59.99
Case Cooler Master Centurion 49.99
PSU Antec 650w 79.99
Drive LG 22x 24.99
RAM 2GB G.Skill 33.99

Total 324.94, I don't know where you live so I can't give you a total with shipping, but that falls right into your budget

Not bad, but two things come to mind:

- He doesn't really need a 650W PSU. He could save a bit and get a slightly less powerful Antec, or perhaps a Corsair or something similar. There are a lot of good PSUs in the $50-$70 range. My friends have had too many Antecs fail on them for me to buy one, but that's just me. I understand they are pretty good.

- No Athlon X2 (other than perhaps the 7750) will even approach a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo in performance. If he is to go AMD, he should get an AM2+ motherboard and at least a 7750. Still cheaper than Intel, but performance will nonetheless be on the low side.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

E7400 $120
Giga P35 mobo $63
Antec Sonata III w/ 500w PS $110
Patriot 4gb ddr2-800 $25 after MIR
22x DVD burner $24

That's $417 plus shipping

 

[heyheybooboo]

The X2 5600+ for $69 would be a bit more of a power miser than the Kuma 7750.

It's tough to top that Gigabyte 770 for $75 - it's got on board firewire so that may help you there. There is a full size ATX Gigabyte 780g with similar specs for $10 more that might be a bit more energy efficient. Investing in the Gigabyte 790x with sb750 for $115 might work if you tend toward being an 'enthusiast'.

This 400w Corsair for $40 AR should be more than enough juice. Not sure if it has all the 'future' connectors you may want.

Here is a Coolermaster case for $45 or an Antec 300 for $65 - they each have free shipping.

That leaves you $50-$110'ish of room on your budget for your optical drive and RAMs. The Kuma 7750 IMC will run DDR2 1066 - otherwise DDR2 800 will suffice (Phenoms run 1066MHz. If you go with the x2 5600+ you could go with 1066MHz but you would have to down clock it to 800MHz. That would cover you somewhat for a future upgrade)

 

[Xpred]

Thanks guys for the consideration. I managed to buy the RAM at an even cheaper price. That just really leaves me with a few things left. I think I will just go to Frys in-store to look for a decent Antec case/PSU combo (or similar) to cut shipping costs.