Got $2000...what should I build?

[Nutdotnet]

Sorry, I'm sure this has been discussed before but I'm trying to help a buddy out building a comp and...I haven't had time to research parts.

No need for links; I can find the stuff...

I don't need a Monitor or a Video Card

Wants
2gb of RAM Dual Channel
Dual Core Proc (most likely)
Max 120gig SATA Hard Drive (no need for bigger)

I personally don't think he needs $2k for the build since he has a monitor and vid card...

 

[nick1985]

AGP or PCI-E video card?

 

[Remedy]

What is the Primary application that he will use?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What's the actual videocard and res of monitor he's going to be playing at while you're at it?

Is this a gaming computer then?

Does he need speakers, keyboard/mouse etc?

Even if he does it's going to be tough to justify $2k on it.

 

[slpaulson]

You should get a 2nd monitor 🙂

Some nice speakers and a TV Tuner would be nice too.
You can do a lot with 2k.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
You should get a 2nd monitor 🙂

Some nice speakers and a TV Tuner would be nice too.
You can do a lot with 2k.

That's what I'm sayin.

OK...

Gaming PC...strictly gaming PC.

I don't know what his current Video Card is....I know it's fast...but I don't know if it is AGP or PCI-E

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Do you think he'd be interested in going nuts on the audio? :evil:

 

[Nutdotnet]

Shoot, I got him loaded with everything I think he needs...

And I'm at $800.

Add another $100 for the case and...

he's got another $1100 to work with.

If I do get him to upgrade his video card what should he get?

This is what I have:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Abit AN8
1gb Geil PC3200 (x2)
Maxtor 120g SATA

 

[Hacp]

AMD 4800+ (1000 dollars)
OCZ Titanium 2x 1gb (350 dollars)
DFI Nforce4 SLI mobo (180 dollars)
2x Raptors running at raid 0 (300 dollars)
Enermax 600 Watt noisemaker (150 dollars)
Lian Li PC-60APlus Silver (130 dollars)

 

[imported_Tick]

With that budget, might as well go 4400+, might as well get SLI mobo, 2x 1GB sticks of ram, And if he's got less than a 6800 ultra, get him a 7800gt/gtx.

 

[arcenite]

Save it for your college tuition.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Alright...so he's got a

6800GT AGP Video Card


He doesn't need another one...

What mobo should I go with?

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: Hacp
AMD 4800+ (1000 dollars)
OCZ Titanium 2x 1gb (350 dollars)
DFI Nforce4 SLI mobo (180 dollars)
2x Raptors running at raid 0 (300 dollars)
Enermax 600 Watt noisemaker (150 dollars)
Lian Li PC-60APlus Silver (130 dollars)

:thumbsdown: @ the Raptors. My 2x300GB's are faster, bigger, and cheaper.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: arcenite
Save it for your college tuition.

Yeah...he ain't goin to collge...

Mommy and Daddy pay for EVERYTHING

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Alright...so he's got a

6800GT AGP Video Card


He doesn't need another one...

What mobo should I go with?

AMD 4400+ (600 dollars)
OCZ Platinum 2x 1gb 2-3-2-5 (250 dollars)
MSI Nforce3 neo platinum (120 dollars)
2x 74gb Raptors (320 dollars)
2x 300gb sata (300 dollars)
Enermax 600 Watt noisemaker (150 dollars)
Lian Li PC-60APlus Silver (130 dollars)
X-fi extreme music (130 dollars)

Total 2000 dollars

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Alright...so he's got a

6800GT AGP Video Card


He doesn't need another one...

What mobo should I go with?

AMD 4400+ (600 dollars)
OCZ Platinum 2x 1gb 2-3-2-5 (250 dollars)
MSI Nforce3 neo platinum (120 dollars)
2x 74gb Raptors (320 dollars)
2x 300gb sata (300 dollars)
Enermax 600 Watt noisemaker (150 dollars)
Lian Li PC-60APlus Silver (130 dollars)
X-fi extreme music (130 dollars)

Total 2000 dollars

Grak you killed my list! They had the raptors for sale 150 AR this week heh.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet
Alright...so he's got a

6800GT AGP Video Card


He doesn't need another one...

What mobo should I go with?

AMD 4400+ (600 dollars)
OCZ Platinum 2x 1gb 2-3-2-5 (250 dollars)
MSI Nforce3 neo platinum (120 dollars)
2x 74gb Raptors (320 dollars)
2x 300gb sata (300 dollars)
Enermax 600 Watt noisemaker (150 dollars)
Lian Li PC-60APlus Silver (130 dollars)
X-fi extreme music (130 dollars)

Total 2000 dollars

I would bump down the processor to a 3800+ or something
Skip the raptors or just put one in (RAID doesn't seem to get you a whole lot with raptors if I remember correctly)
Tone down the PSU to something more budget-y
Tone down the case
Possibly keep the X-Fi if you have enough money left over to add a sound system that deserves to have one attached.
The rest into the sound system to justify the x-fi.