Please critique this gaming PC before I buy

[Airsofter]

Hi, I have $500 to build a budget gaming rig. After some research, I configured this system on Newegg. It comes out to $493 shipped which is the best compromise I could find. Here are the specs:

Samsung DVD Burner $33
Seagate 80gb Hard Drive $43
Biostar Tforce Mobo $73
Sapphire X800GTO2 $129
Forton 400w Power Supply $37
1gb DDR2 667 $75
A64 3500 AM2 $90

Please, critique away.

 

[Trey22]

For the money, I'd say that's a good build. If you get 512MBx2 you'll benefit from a slight performance increase due to using dual channel.

The video card is the only one I'm thinking, "What could give a noticeable boost by stretching the budget just a couple of dollars more?". For $17 (after rebate) more, you could go with a 7600GT that blows the X800GTO2 out of the water.

 

[Airsofter]

I had that in my cart originally and it'd bump me up to $529 which is more than I have in my paypal. I'd like to, but I'm on a budget. Besides, I'll only be gaming at 1280x1024. And nearly all of the X800GTO2's unlock to a X850XT PE with a simple flash which might be able to tout with the 7600gt.

I decided on 1 stick of DDR2 (with the help of some members on here) because it will allow me to upgrade to 2gb of ram in the future while taking a very very small performance hit.

 

[Trey22]

Great, hopefully that card unlocks, and since you plan to upgrade to 2GB... :thumbsup: .

 

[trexpesto]

I would try to get a bigger hard drive. 80 is going to fill up fast and then where you gonna go?

OK, to try and be constructive:
Huge instant savings, limited time offer SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series HD160JJ 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $54.99

 

[TheSpy007]

Id change the burner to this one, you will save a few $

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152058

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
I would try to get a bigger hard drive. 80 is going to fill up fast and then where you gonna go?

OK, to try and be constructive:
Huge instant savings, limited time offer SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series HD160JJ 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $54.99

Lol i've been using an 80 GB HDD for almost a year, and I have no problems with it.

 

[Airsofter]

I just made the purchase. Same as above except they got the X850XT back in stock (and $8 cheaper too). And i got the better G-skill ram. Came to $496.

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: Airsofter
I just made the purchase. Same as above except they got the X850XT back in stock (and $8 cheaper too). And i got the better G-skill ram. Came to $496.

You're going to be happy with the x850xt :thumbsup:

last year I spent 349.99 on my x850xt agp

 

[trexpesto]

nm

 

[Airsofter]

I've been using a 20gb for years and I never filled it more than 75%. 80gb will do just fine.

 

[imported_Zeke]

Originally posted by: Airsofter
I've been using a 20gb for years and I never filled it more than 75%. 80gb will do just fine.

I'm impressed by your data thrift. I have 880 and I am always shuffling for space.