Need Suggestions for a Budget PC that can play

[tk149]

EDIT: His PC died completely last night. Won't even power on. Need help ASAP please!

Friend wants to replace an aging eMachine. He plays Dungeons & Dragons Online.

I plan on cannibalizing the PATA hard drive (new) and CDRW from his current rig. I doubt that anything else is salvagable except for possibly the case. His current motherboard only has 3 PCI slots - not even an AGP slot!

I haven't been keeping up with PC parts, so I'd appreciate suggestions. Assume his budget is less than $500.

Here's the recommended specs for Dungeons & Dragons Online.

Recommended System Requirements:

Processor P4 3.0GHz or AMD equivalent with SSE
Memory 1GB RAM
Graphics Card GeForce FX or better with 128MB of memory
Network Connection Cable Modem or DSL connection
Software Windows XP, DirectX 9
Disc Space 3GB 5GB for high resolution

I think the GeForce FX is actually too slow to be adequate for his requirements, so I would like to get something better if possible. Suggestions please?

 

[tk149]

I've been looking at the following barebones system from Mwave.com:

Abit KN8 SLI motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (Retail includes Heatsink/Fan)
1 GB DDR400 RAM
= $286.15

Any comments?

Also, has anyone tried the Generic Mwave case?

Still need a videocard and power supply.

EDIT: How about THERMALTAKE W0070 TR2 430W ATX 12V for $35.50?

 

[DaveSimmons]

One ~ $500 option:

Staples has a $299 (after "easy" rebate) Compaq Sempron 3400+ with legal copy of XP home, check the details to make sure it has a PCI-E slot and if so add a 7600GT from newegg for around $100, plus some more RAM.

Your mwave parts are faster of course, but more expensive if you get Windows.