New Desktop Build - SUGGUSTIONS NEEDED if possible to do this

[rajs]

Hi - Time for me to build a new PC -- for my folks and I wanted to buy them something I could use when I visit to play games on also.

Initially I was thinking about getting them a Dell 9200 or E520 using a C2D CPU with 2 GB RAM -- but I realized a few issues -- I wanted a decent good video card so I when I go over so I can play games like BF2, DOD:S and wasn't so sure I was getting the best deal from Dell and getting the most out of the C2D chip using their BIOS which I can't OC with. I can get a 9200 configured with the general specs below with a 7900 GS Video card and 1907 Monitor for ~ $ 1240

Wondering what you'd recommend for a full system build for the following items == and am looking to keep costs as low as possible reasonably.

CPU - ?
* Intel Core 2 Duo 6300 (Will want to OC this)

RAM - ?
* 2 GB RAM

CPU Cooler - ?
* What do you recommend (don't need anything to hit MAX OC -- but would like to get as much as reasonably possible out of CPU on AIR)

Mobo - ?
* Do not need SLI -- but do want decent on board sound if possible with good OC potential

Monitor - ?
* 19" monitor @ 1280 x 1024 resolution (want something that is good for text clarity and also speed for gaming) - do not want higher resolution as their eyes won't handle it.

Video Card - ?
* Something that I can have real good frame rates in BF2 and DOD:S @ 1280 x 1024 with everything set to MAX

Case - ?
* Nothing flashy or fancy needed here -- i.e. -- no neon lights, etc. Just something that will cool well and is relatively quiet if possible.

Powersupply - ?
* Something that will be of good quality and can stay on 24 hours or longer and handle being left on the 3rd floor of a house that heats up quite a bit in the summer. Thus should be reliable. I've used Enermax PS'es in the past with no issues.

Hard Disk - ?
* 250 GB would be good

DVD - ?
* DVD Burner - Dual Layer support

Floppy Drive / Memory Reader - ?
* Anything cheap would be fine

Mouse / Keyboard / Speakers - Already have.


If it makes it easier to cut and paste your suggustions -- I've provided a template below for items I need:

CPU - ?
RAM - ?
CPU Cooler - ?
Mobo - ?
Monitor - ?
Video Card - ?
Case - ?
Powersupply - ?
Hard Disk - ?
DVD - ?
Floppy Drive / Memory Reader - ?

Thanks again.

 

[cparker]

Look at the current AT review of the E4300. It looks like the basis for a very potent low-budget build.

 

[rajs]

What about the config below -- any improvements for better items for same or lower price ?

$160 - Viewsonic Q19WB-2 Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD ($200 - $40MIR)
$190 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz
$210 - G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$109 - GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$156 - eVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB ($176 - $20MIR)
$48 - ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU HSF (Quiet)
$80 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$33 - Samsung 18X DVD±R w/LightScribe SH-S182M/BEBN
$40 - Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue ATX Case ($50 - $10MIR)
$106 - Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W
$19 - MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5 FDD + Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader
=========
~$1155 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

 

[cparker]

For your folks with occasional gaming? Here's what I would do:

cpu/mb 100 various combo specials 938 mb A64 cpu
case/ps 50
dvd 30
hs/fan 15 cooler master
hard drive 50
Ram 1g 70 DDR After Rebate
Graphics 60
Monitor 120 19" Hanns G on Sale AR

total 495

This would give you a great pc for your folks. You would have to hunt Newegg, Outpost, and even maybe Tiger Direct and PCConnection (for the Hanns G 19" monitor) to got the mix of discounted components, but they are around and available, maybe not all on one given day but over a period of a week or two. Also check the "hot deals" forum. What you are describing seems to be overkill for your folks. If you want to build a "serious" gaming rig, then you are going to need to spend a lot more than a budget rig similar to what I've described. Also look at the AT guides for budget "low end" builds. They generally "highball" the prices, as they don't list the combo specials that you can pick up, but if you subtract 100-200 from their quotes you can get a good idea of what it would cost if you hunted around some.