Help a noob build a new PC with $500 budget

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
I am currently running a dell dimension with p4 1.8 gig still with PC-133 SDRAM!! :(

I have a budget of $500, dont need a monitor, keyboard, or speakers

some requirements:
- I game a bit... but not really graphic intensive games.. I dont need the latest and greatest vid card
- I have a 2405fwp.. I want something that can fully utilize this monitor
- I like to listen to music.. so a decent sound card would be nice

TIA folks! :)

How is this deal from tiger direct?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...A&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1045RW
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
45
91
What kind of speakers do you have? That's usually going to be a bigger deal for sound quality vs a soundcard since onboard is usually pretty good now.

When you say you game a bit, what kind of games are you talking about? Getting 1920x1200 at decent framerates is going to be quite tough.
I don't have that monitor so I don't know what it looks like gaming at non-native res.

How much storage are you thinking? Do you need a new harddrive?

What about optical drives?

So for sure you're going to want

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
Videocard
PSU
Case

with possibly

Optical
HDD
Soundcard
Windows
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
What kind of speakers do you have? That's usually going to be a bigger deal for sound quality vs a soundcard since onboard is usually pretty good now.

When you say you game a bit, what kind of games are you talking about? Getting 1920x1200 at decent framerates is going to be quite tough.
I don't have that monitor so I don't know what it looks like gaming at non-native res.

How much storage are you thinking? Do you need a new harddrive?

What about optical drives?

So for sure you're going to want

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
Videocard
PSU
Case

with possibly

Optical
HDD
Soundcard
Windows

Im talking about strategy games, WOW, maybe some FPS.. but I rarely play that so I can live with decent graphics

hmm I can buy the speakers separately.. I have these antec lansings that I think I should replace.. but I can wait for a good deal. If on board sound is already pretty good, then I wont need a sound card I think

yes I would need a new HD.. nothing too big.. I dont need that big of a space, any 80-100 gig would be fine.. I can always add more space later

What do you mean by optical drives? for speakers?

I dont need windows.. I have one already.



 

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
0
76
$500 budget will get you a good A64 setup. Get the HDD at a local OfficeMax or something...take advantage of the rebate. Should be able to get a 80-100 GB for $30-40 if you shop carefully. I assume you have WinXP?
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: Bonesdad
$500 budget will get you a good A64 setup. Get the HDD at a local OfficeMax or something...take advantage of the rebate. Should be able to get a 80-100 GB for $30-40 if you shop carefully. I assume you have WinXP?

yes I do :)
 

Azndude2190

Golden Member
Jul 4, 2005
1,779
0
76
So now all you have to think about is:
CPU-A64 939 3000+
RAM-Standard pc3200 512mb
Mobo-A cheap Asus or Epox one
Case-Get a really cheap one that comes with a psu combo
Vid card-XFX 6600GT PCI-e(its 119 dollars)