Help me build yet another computer

[brikis98]

Since I put together my last rig a couple years ago, I haven't really been paying attention to the hardware scene and have lost touch with what the best CPU's, mobo's, video cards, etc are. I'm hoping you guys can make some good recommendations to get me going again.

Uses: movies (doubles as a HTPC), occasionally games (3d shooters mostly) at 1920x1080, web browsing
Budget: $500 - $600
Country: USA
Brand preference: None
Current parts: 500gb HD, Corsair HX520 PSU, NEC 3520a DVD-RW, 2x1GB Corsair DDR2 800, Windows XP, keyboard, mouse, 37" 1080p TV as a monitor
Similar threads: looked at a bunch
Overclocking: nope
When: September
Other: I want this system to be fairly cool & quiet. The only performance challenge is that I play the occasional game, but these are few and far in between, so a low end CPU and mid range video card should be plenty. Since this doubles as an HTPC, a motherboard with decent on board sound is probably a good idea. Also, I'd love to hear suggestions for a reasonable sounding set of computer speakers at a budget.

Current choices:

Motherboard: ASRock P45XE, $90
CPU: Intel E5300, $80
HSF: Cooling Alpine 7, $13
Video card: ATI HD 4850, $85
Case: ?
Speakers: Logitech X-540, $77

Total:

 

[TridenT]

CPU: E7400???
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128357 (It's simple...)
Videocard: ATI 4850 or ATI 4890 if you really want good performance... 4890 takes up two slots and some 4850s can too if you get the bigger coolers. This means you'll only have one slot for the TV recording card, if you use one.

That will be like $240-375ish. It depends on what card you get(4850 can be had for $75... CPU for $115. Motherboard for $60)

I would go with non-computer speakers.

 

[M0RPH]

I would suggest this combo with the Phenom II X2 940 for only $189 AR.

 

[brikis98]

Any recommendations on a cheap and quiet case? Is a 4850 not going to be powerful enough to play the occasional game at 1080p? Will an E5300 hold it back?

 

[brikis98]

bump

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: brikis98
When: September

Seriously? Two or three months is a long time in computer hardware. Prices will have changed a fair bit by then, probably best off asking again when ready to build.

Just as general comments:

e6300 is considerably faster than e5200 for only like $13 more.
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R is a better motherboard.
You're better off with stock HSF than that dinky little cooler. If you want better cooling look at the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro or the Xigmatek S1283.