Friend's Budget Build

[Tunnel Vision]

My friend (who mostly plays WoW) wants to build a gaming rig, but he's on a strict budget (<600$). So far, I've come up with these parts to buy from newegg.

Case: Gigabyte GZ-X3BPD-500 38
CPU: Intel Pentium E5200 70
GPU: HIS 4830 512MB 93
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L 90
RAM: Corsiar XMS2 2x1GB DDR2 800 36
PSU: Corsair 400CX 50
HDD: WD Caviar 250GB 50
ODD: Samsung SH-S223F 22x DvD Burner 28
OS: Windows Vista OEM 100

As of 7/14, the total comes out to 555. Not including any possible rebates.

I'm sure most of these parts will work well together, but I wanted to post here to make sure it's a good build. I guess what I'm most concerned about now is ram compatibility with the gigabyte mobo. Also, he wants to get a new 19' or 22' widescreen monitor, what low price monitors do you recommend?

 

[HardwareGuru]

Not a bad build. However, an AMD build is your best way to go for the money. Consider this build

CASE/PSU - Antec 300 + Antec EA430 for $84.94
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.213672

CPU/MOBO - AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1ghz + ASUS M4A78 both for $169.98 ($10 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.211674

RAM/VIDEO CARD - OCZ Vista 4GB DDR2 800 + Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 both for $134.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.210799

OS/HDD - Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit + WD6401AALS 640GB both for $179.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319

OPTICAL - LG 22X Sata DVD Burner for $27.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

Total: $597.87 before shipping

 

[lt_shiro]

hardwareguru +1 X2 550 would kick the e5200 in nuts

Acer P235Hbmid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $180

or

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $110

would be my suggested display

 

[Jospeh]

http://www.5rprocessors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=311&idcategory=52
VP201b- 170$ 20"
Not a wide screen but it is an S-IPS panel monitor. Otherwise I guess you don't have much choices with a low budget and go for the TN panels.

 

[lt_shiro]

-1 Jospeh you can't be serious to even suggest that display... 16 ms

 

[Jospeh]

Old ass monitor meaning, before they started massively bullshitting about the specs.
Also my monitor. I tried using a Samsung 24" TN panel but it looked noticeably worse in comparison.

 

[lt_shiro]

When I am playing games, I like fast display. Not a John Woo movie.

 

[Jospeh]

When I'm playing games I want them to look good. If you play singleplayer games it is important that they look and sound good. If you only play multiplayer games for the competition it doesn't matter that much how they look or sound.

 

[HardwareGuru]

OP, your friend must have a pretty tight budget. As far as monitor, this Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" for $99.99 w/free shipping will do.

 

[Tunnel Vision]

Thanks for all the input guys, it really is appreciated. I think we're going to get the 19' Hanns-G monitor, it seems like it would fit his build the best. Also, I'm really going to think about getting an AMD build. I haven't built an amd rig since 2004, so this will be a nice time to try a phenom build.