$800

[TheDrag0nReb0rn]

I have $800 to build a PC, not counting it's monitor. I would like suggestions of what I can build; I want the most bang for my buck. I will be using this computer for gaming mostly, and I think I should mention that I am a COMPLETE noob at computer building. Thanks!

 

[J Macker]

does $800 include keyboard? mouse? speakers? router? UPS?

Start with waiting approxiamately 2 months. Prices should fall substantially on new processors.

ninja edit: I'd suggest decent speakers and spend at least $150 on them, along with getting a good mouse ($40) and keyboard ($20). If these must be included in the $800 it's going to hurt.

 

[TheDrag0nReb0rn]

I already have a very nice set of speakers. The $800 includes everything inside the chassis, as well as a keyboard and mouse.

 

[Stellar]

www.zipzoomfly.com

AM2 3500+ $109
MSI K9N Platinum $122
2GB Corsair Value DDR2-667 $147
eVGA 7600 GT KO 256MB $140 After $30 MIR
Hitachi T7K250 160GB SATA II $65
NEC 3550 OEM $40
Coolermaster Centurion $65
Antec NeoHE 430 $79
Microsoft Keyboard 4000 & Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 Value Pack $42

$809

 

[tys90]

www.zipzoomfly.com

AM2 3500+ $109
MSI K9N Platinum $122
2GB Corsair Value DDR2-667 $147
eVGA 7600 GT KO 256MB $140 After $30 MIR
Hitachi T7K250 160GB SATA II $65
NEC 3550 OEM $40
Coolermaster Centurion $65
Antec NeoHE 430 $79
Microsoft Keyboard 4000 & Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 Value Pack $42

$809

We have a winner. Only thing I MIGHT change is get a better mouse, say a MX518 ($25 if you look around), and get/obtain/steal a keyboard that you are comfortable with. I'm sure you have friends with an extra keyboard or two. I've used many different keyboards in the past 6 months or so and haven't really noticed a different between the cheapest and oldest one and the newest and most expensive one. That's just me though, you may want a better keyboard. If you are a gamer, a mouse is more important than a keyboard IMO.

 

[Stellar]

Yeah, that KB/M combo is just the best I could find to keep him close to budget. I would generally not recommend an ergo kb for gaming (or an MS mouse for that matter), although I do own that keyboard and it's arguably one of the best made, most comfortable keyboards ever built.

 

[Grap3S0da]

You can save a little bit on the PSU by getting this FSP Group PSU or the Sytrin Nextherm and use the saved $ on getting a better mouse. I would go with the MX518 or you might want to look into buying the Logitech G3 that is going to release soon (has the MX310 body style which some people prefer as opposed to the egronomic MX5XX series.)

As for the keyboard you can go with someting as cheap as the Logitech Internet Pro (~$10) to a Saitek Eclipse (will run you about $45). The keyboard may not be THAT important to you, but it is one of the perihperhals that will last you the longest, so you might as well get something good. The Logitech Ultra X is good if you are looking for a smaller laptop style keyboard.

Other than that, what Stellar has recommended should be good if you don't want to wait for Core 2 Duo/AMD price drops. $100 for an AM2 3500+ is pretty cheap and should last you a while..heck I bought the Socket 939 3500+ about a year ago for $200+ and its still running fine.