fully custom mATX, Silent, Performance, BUDGET system...

[velusip]

This thread is for those who still make budget computers (read: don't blow a paycheque on a single GPU *grins*). Consider this a stencil for making a (really) great mATX computer for very little money (relatively).


Backstory:
I was building a "performance, mATX, silent PC" for under $800 CAD that would run Half Life 2 because a friend of mine said it could not be done... mind you, this was a year ago. I finally built the computer late last year and put it together, but the 2200 proc fried and AMD is not shipping any more so I had to get the 2800 instead (only one the store had in stock).
I'm sure this would be easier for someone in the USA since you have more resources and a better dollar. It also helps when you know someoen who can get a few things at stock prices.

Final specs:
Athlon 2800 XP
ASUS A7V400-MX
1GB Samsung mem
Zalman ultra quiet PSU
160GB silent Seagate HDD
Sapphire 9250 (128-bit) GPU (overclocked slightly)
Revolution 7.1 M-Audio card
Nexxtech mouse, logitech navigator keyboard
LG Flatron F700P 17"
Some cute no-name case
$840 CAD (M-Audio card came later, so it's actually only $720 + 7% tax = $770)

*bows* Thank you! Thank you!

 

[shoes]

so how well does that run hl2?