Need new system advice

[blackersabbath]

Hi everyone,
I am building a new rig so that I can play some dx9 games. So far I have been donated an 80gb Samsung SATA hard drive, a Thermaltake ATX case, 2x512mb CorsairXMS2 DDR2-800 C4 RAM and a 400w PSU from my brother that just upgraded. I have a DVD burner out of a working Emachines computer that I am upgrading out of and a PCI FX5200. My budget is about $250. I would prefer to use an Intel Dual Core CPU with the AC Freezer7 Pro heatsink to overclock with. I will be needing a new cpu and motherboard with the possibility of a new graphics card if it can fit into the budget(if not good onboard video). I built an AMD AthlonXP-M 2500 Barton a few years back that I was able to get a 2.6ghz overclock on. I am thinking that 400w for the PSU will be enough for what I will be using the rig for with only one optical, one hard drive, one graphics card. I will be using onboard sound as they are pretty good at this point. I just want to play HL2, FarCry and Doom 3 at high settings and 1280x1024 resolution on my CRT monitor. Thanks in advance for the help. Remember that my budget is $250

I'm thinking something along the lines of:
Motherboard: Abit IP35-E $90
CPU: Intel Dual Core E2140 $75
Graphics: EVGA 7300GT $55
Heatsink: AC Freezer 7 Pro $20

 

[MarcVenice]

70$ for abit ip35-e, 75$ for e2140, leaves 105$ for a videocard. Hmz hmz hmz, a 1950pro should do just fine, which can be had for 115$ AR. That sums up to 260$. Then scrounge a little more money for another month, and you can buy another 1gb of ram, so you have a total of 2gb. I wouldn't do with anything less then the 1950pro btw. And if you wait for ATI's new videocards, prices might even go lower. Or look for used deals ... Lots of people will be dumping their 1950pro's/xt's for little money when they upgrade to a 8800gt or ATI's new videocard. Look around, buy smart, and I'm sure you'll be able to put together a decent gaming rig.

 

[blackersabbath]

When are the new ATI's coming out? I know that the new Nvidia's came out a few days ago. The budget is for before rebates including getting the AC Freezer 7 Pro lol

 

[MarcVenice]

The AC 7 Pro costs 20$, just suck it up, and spend 270-280$ instead. Going with something else would really make a difference in performance and it will hurt you in the long run. As for the ATI's, I think 14-16 november. Might be off 1-2 days, but yeah...

 

[blackersabbath]

Well, I will be upgrading the graphics card and RAM again in the springtime lol but where are you seeing the x1950pro so cheap?

 

[MarcVenice]

newegg.com. The resolution/games you play don't need 512mb vram, 256mb will be enough for your needs right now. It's after rebates of course, it's more like 135-145 with 20-30$ rebates.

 

[blackersabbath]

What about the X1650pro though for only $70 with free shipping? Will that play those games at 1280x1024 at max settings at about 30-50fps?

 

[MarcVenice]

Videocard is the most important in your rig. Rather buy a 50$ AMD mobo and a 65$ AMD cpu and spend more on the videocard. I doubt the videocard will perform good enough with max settings but I won't put any money on it.

 

[blackersabbath]

I'm trying to get Intel because that was the condition that my brother gave me on the gift of the other parts lol He won't give me the stuff if I go AMD