How's this build?

[lektrix]

For browsing, general apps, movies, music, mild gaming...

Gigabyte EP43-UD3L $102.26
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $208.88
G.SKILL F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK $55.84
Western Digital Caviar 640GB (WD6400AAKS) $76.99
Gigabyte Radeon HD 4850 $183.71-$15MIR
Samsung SH-S223F/BEBN $22.99
Coolermaster Elite RC-330 $43.74
OCZ StealthXStream 500W $71.99-$30MIR
Cooler Master Neon Blue LED 120MM Fan $6.99

 

[AstroManLuca]

That looks good, but I'd think you could get a better deal on a 4850. Is that a 1 GB version?

I've seen 4850s for ~$130 after rebates.

 

[somethingsketchy]

What is your definition of "mild gaming"? Bit of an overkill on the processor if you're only doing mild gaming, unless said gaming involved the latest games then the processor is worth it. Other than that I suggest an E7500:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16819115056

A small .07MHz overclock and you'll have the same processor speed as an E8400. Granted you lose out on the L2 cache, but if you're on a small budget, you can save a little bit and get more HDD space or upgrade the PSU. 500W may be enough, but I suggest a little bit of headroom (550W to 600W), to allow for future upgrades.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Wait, I didn't notice those were Canadian prices.

Also, if you do want to downgrade from the E8400 to something a bit cheaper, you may as well go all the way down to the E5200. It's a little slower than the E7x00 and has 1 MB less L2 cache, but it's also much cheaper and still overclocks like crazy. I guess the E7x00 serves as a decent middle ground though. If you do go for an E7x00, may as well go for the E7400 instead of the E7500. Save another $30 and all you lose is a few MHz (which you can easily make up through overclocking).

 

[lektrix]

Updated original post.

Yes it is in Canadian $.

My friend is torn on whether he will game or not. Not really a gamer but might be interested in it.

He just got a 24" Dell monitor.

 

[Denithor]

Swap the e8400 for an e5200 and spend the extra bucks that frees up for a 4870 or a GTX 260.

For general duties you won't see any difference between the cpus but for gaming on a 24" screen you need more horsepower.

 

[DSF]

Your friend really ought to decide one way or the other, as it could significantly change his build.

 

[lektrix]

Alright, no gaming...so I was thinking of downgrading CPU to an E5200 and Video to a 8800/9800GT in the sub-$100?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: lektrix
Alright, no gaming...so I was thinking of downgrading CPU to an E5200 and Video to a 8800/9800GT in the sub-$100?

If he's not gaming you may as well get something really cheap, or even get a motherboard with integrated video. You can always upgrade to a better vid card later if he's interested.

If he does want to at least leave the door open he should get either a Radeon 4650 or 4830, depending on how much he's willing to spend on something he may not use.

 

[MykC]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16827151171 Samsung DVD Drive $32
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300 $71
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16822136319 WD 640 GB AALS $100
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16813128379 Gigabyte 780G mATX motherboard $100
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16814102822 512MB 4830 $115 - $15USD MIR
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16817341022 OCZ 550W Fatality $90 - $20USD MIR
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16820231209 4GB G.Skill PI Black $55
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/C...?ItemList=Combo.170961 AMD Phenom II 720BE with Xigma Cooler $197

$730. If you drop the Antec 300 Case you'll save about $35 in shipping.

Upgrades:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16822148337 1.5TG Seagate $62

I choose the AMD platform, I think it provides better value outside of gaming and inside gaming as good or better depending on the game. In additoin I feel the AM2+ boards have a longer like as the AM3 chips are just coming out and th LGA 775 will most likely not see any new chips.

edit: The 780G has onboard video, if you want to drop the 4830 all together the onbaord will do alright, the 790GX is $40-70 more depending on brand but you get a full size ATX board (just more PCI slots no more features or speed) and a HD 3300 on board video which is equivalent to a 6600GT.