Critique my build + some questions

[ku]

I need a sub $500 gaming rig (mainly for L4D... yes, I'm spending $500 JUST to play this game). My options were buying a refurb and add parts I need or build my own, but I think that knowing what parts I have outweighs the hassle that buying a refurb saves me the trouble of buliding (unless, of course, there's a way to get significantly more savings from going refurb than building my own).

I would like to have at least SOME upgrade path or potential to overclock in the future (I don't mind spending extra dough on a new power supply/heatsink in the next year or so). Here's what I've gathered thus far:

Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7300 - Retail
ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
~$200

GeForce 9800 GT
~$100

RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WUP Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail
~$35

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N800SR4GK - Retail
~$27

Some Hard Drive
~$60

Some Optical Drive
~$25

Some Wireless Card
~$20

Total: ~$467 + tax and shipping which should round out to about $500. I get taxed by Newegg... pwnt =(.

These prices are after rebates for many of them, which I don't really mind.

If anyone has any suggestions (particularly for the case... just picked one that I've worked with before and was cheap), please let me know! Thanks!

 

[DSF]

If you're comfortable with the Raidmax unit and you've worked with it before, that's up to you. I wouldn't trust my new computer to a Raidmax bundled PSU.

 

[ku]

True... I feel that way too. But unfortunately, my budget allows for few options =(.

 

[theAnimal]

Get an 8800GS for $33.

And a case with a very good PSU for $70.

 

[ku]

That's not a bad idea, theAnimal. I guess it would be much easier (and more sensible in terms of upgrades) to upgrade a video card in the future than it would a case. Hmm...

How does that case compare to Antec Three Hundred + Antec Neo Power 500w? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...129042&Tpk=antec%20300

And, probably more importantly, how does that video card compare to, say, the 9800 GT along with other cards in that price range?

 

[ku]

sigh, now I just came across this (something I was sooo close to buying, and then regret not buying it when it sold out)
http://www.buy.com/prod/HP-Des...loc/101/210227169.html

Wouldn't it be cheaper to get this and throw in a wireless card, video card, and possible a psu (Anyone know anything about whether HP uses proprietary stuff?). I could also use the extra copy of Vista... hrmmm

 

[aclim]

For HDD go with this HDD

For optical drive go with this OD

just my opinions. Not sure on a wireless card tho for desktop. I actually installed a Netgear USB wireless "card" on a friends computer and it has worked great for him. As long as you have open usb sports you will be good.

 

[theAnimal]

The Antec 300 + NeoPower is a good combo.

The 8800GS aka 9600GSO is probably about 10% slower than 8800/9800GT, but should overclock pretty well if you so desire.

 

[Denithor]

I would say drop down to the e5200 to save $35. The extra 1MB cache won't make much difference and you can use the $35 to buy a better case/psu which will make a noticeable difference (if you've ever lost a motherboard or other components when a PSU blew out, you'll understand).