Need some help with a build

[RoyalBishop]

Alright, it has been a while for me since I have last purchased the components for a computer for someone else or myself. I need to put together a gaming/basic business machine for a family member for around $700. The price will include a monitor, pref a 23 inch so lets say around $600, I can get one pretty cheap.

The last computer I built I spent $1600 and anything probably around $600 is faster now.

It will pry be running Ubuntu and Windows 7(for games), Bad Company 2, Diablo 3 if it ever comes out and Quickbooks runs on almost anything.

I will not be overclocking this machine, Higher settings in games would optimal (if resolution needs to be brought below a 23" natives res thats fine). No current parts, no brand preference and I will be purchasing from newegg. Unless there is a better deal out there and I plan to buy pretty quick. Also I would want this system to last for a couple of years, I understand the fact that the more you spend now the more time you have till you have to upgrade again but its not my money 🙂.

Heres what I need.
Cpu-4 or 2?
Mobo-not alot of things are going to be hooked up as far as input devices, mostly usb.
Gpu
Psu
Ram-pref DDR3
HD-not alot of space needed, sas or sata?

I just have a case picked out and thats it.
Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Thanks for the input.

 

[MisterDonut]

Good choice on the case 🙂!. Does your budget include the OS, or do you have that already? BFBC2 sees better performance from a quad, but if you do not have the OS, it might be a little tough to squeeze one in.

 

[mfenn]

So, to be clear, that's $600 not including monitor? What about mouse/kb? Do you already have a Windows 7 license?

I'm assuming that native res. on a 23" monitor is going to be 1080P. To be blunt, you're going to have a hard time reconciling these 3 things:

1. Budget
2. BC2 at 1080P
3. Linux

Essentially Linux means that you really want an Nvidia GPU because ATI's Linux support is absolutely terrible. However, the only real cost-effective Nvidia option in your budget is the GTS 250, which struggles with BC2 at 1080P. If your family member is OK with lower resolution or detail settings, this less of an issue, of course.

Here's a Newegg public wishlist. (This is my first attempt at such a thing, so let me know if you have trouble viewing it.) It comes to $605 shipped AR and does not include an OS. It could be gotten under $600 with an OS if you drop to a dual core and 2GB of memory, but that would severely compromise the BC2 performance.

 

[RoyalBishop]

Sorry for the delay getting back, I do have the OS's already in my possession a will not need to purchase them. I was hopeful on getting everything but the monitor between $600-$700. Also I have a keyboard and mouse already set aside for my family member that I already own.
I like your wish list mfenn but is it worth upgrading to this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103656
or should I upgrade the gpu to a faster card? Is ATIs support for linux that bad?

 

[fffblackmage]

Is ATIs support for linux that bad?

Yes.

For the sake of gaming, you're better off putting money into a better graphics card than cpu. The only difference between the Athlon II X4 630 and the Phenom II X4 925 is the L3 cache. Considering the Phenom II has a 40% price premium and you won't see a 40% performance bump, just stick with the Athlon.

 

[mfenn]

Yes.

For the sake of gaming, you're better off putting money into a better graphics card than cpu. The only difference between the Athlon II X4 630 and the Phenom II X4 925 is the L3 cache. Considering the Phenom II has a 40% price premium and you won't see a 40% performance bump, just stick with the Athlon.

Second all of this. OP, you're kind of in between a rock and a hard place due to Nvidia's current situation. Their < $400 cards are not competitive with ATI on a cost per performance basis, but you need Nvidia for any kind of decent Linux support. If you want to get closer to the $700 end of your budget, grab a GTX 260. It's a decent upgrade over the GTS 250.