$450 computer help

[Pylon]

So I'm building a new computer soon to replace an old 1.7GHz P4 machine and I will be running Ubuntu Linux. So anyone have any suggestions?

This is what I'm currently planning to get:
Processor-E5200
Motherboard-Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L
Cooler-Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
RAM-2GB A-DATA DDR2-800
HDD-HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 320GB
Optical drive:LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R IDE
Graphics card: 512MB Geforce 8400GS
Case: Antec 300
PSU-Antec Earthwatts 430W


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I will be using it for web browsing, flight simulation(X-plane), general work, homework, running Blender(3D program)etc.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Around $450, $470 after tax and shipping

3) Where do you live?
Massachusetts(relatively close to a Micro Center)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Processorentium Dual-Core E5200(open to using AMDs though)
Cooler: A good Socket 775 one, < $30.
Wireless card-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839121008
Graphics card: A good Nvidia one(budget/mid-range)
Case: Antec 300(one of the cheaper cases at the local Micro Center)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Probably an LCD monitor.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes. Hopefully I can bring the E5200 to at least 3.3Ghz

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
Not sure yet, probably reusing a 1280x1024 LCD monitor(VGA port)

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Some time within early next year(probably around March or so)

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I need a board that overclocks well. It should have at least 4 RAM slots and an ATX form factor is a plus. RAID or FireWire is not needed.
Currently looking at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

Other details: I will be running Ubuntu Linux and will be ordering parts from only Micro Center and Newegg.

 

[Dangman]

Well your current planned parts looks decent to me. Just note that the 8400GS is a very crappy video card for games. Also I recommend getting a SATA DVD burner for a cleaner case:
Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $25

However, I'm not gonna comment any more on the parts since you're planning to buy in March. In the three months from now until you buy, whatever parts we recommend today will be either outdated, out of stock, over priced, or outperformed. So ask again when you know for sure when you're building, about a week or two away from purchasing, and have a concrete budget.

 

[BladeVenom]

The Antec 300 case is still on sale last time I looked, so it's probably fine to get it now. Then be on the lookout for a PSU sale.

I agree that the 8400GS is a bit weak for gaming. Save up for at least a 4670, 3850, or 9600 series.

 

[Potatocodone]

You could consider the Antec Sonata III case. It comes with the Antec Earthwatts 500w.

Normally it is roughly $100. I seen it on sale as low as $45.

 

[xdivenx]

However, I'm not gonna comment any more on the parts since you're planning to buy in March. In the three months from now until you buy, whatever parts we recommend today will be either outdated, out of stock, over priced, or outperformed. So ask again when you know for sure when you're building, about a week or two away from purchasing, and have a concrete budget.

Precisely. To put it simply, this thread is wasting your and our time. It is just too early to make a build. In 3 months, 75% of the build will have changed.