need help- cheap pc build

[pcpunk]

Hello everyone,
was wondering if you guys can give me some tips. I need some help in building a budget (gamer) pc that will be used to play ut2k4. This will be a temporary upgrade, as I will spend more come black friday. I am also saving up for a laptop. I need you guys to come up with a good cpu/mobo/ram/vid card combo; price range $300. keep in mind i don't need the best, just a moderate pc capable of playing ut2k4.

TIA,
dave

 

[MTB2Live Live4Comps]

for 300 bucks? what hardware do you already have? you're going to be wanting to buy this as late as possible, and all parts used. even then, chances of you breaking 300 are extremely high. with a lot of digging and searching and good deals, it could potentially be done, but not easily.

 

[pcpunk]

Originally posted by MTB2Live,Live4Comps
for 300 bucks? what hardware do you already have? you're going to be wanting to buy this as late as possible, and all parts used. even then, chances of you breaking 300 are extremely high. with a lot of digging and searching and good deals, it could potentially be done, but not easily.

300 bucks is the most i want to spend. but i can probably spend 100 or 200 more.


my current setup is too embarassing, which is why i don't put it as my sig.
almost stock emachines etower 550i:
celly 500mhz
256mb sdram
4x cdrw
WD 20GB HD
GeForce 2 MX
BASICALLY CRAP!!!!
I do love my viewsonic a70f+ monitor though

 

[bobsaget]

Here are some products that I would probably choose...

AMD Athlon 2100+ - w/heatsink and fan = $57.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-383&catalog=343&depa=1

Asus A7N8X-X motherboard = $71.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-468&depa=1

Kingston 512mb pc2700 = $75.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-207-015&catalog=147&depa=1

FX5600XT video card = $98.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-059&catalog=48&depa=1
There are many good $100 video cards out there. Just pick one that has good reviews and sounds best to you.

Grand Total = $302.98

I'm hoping you have a spare case, cd drive, OS, and a couple case fans.

I have a friend that has a computer that is similar to this one. He told me that UT2003 works great at high resolutions with all of the settings turned up. I'm guessing that UT2004 should be great on this machine too.

Good luck!

 

[pcpunk]

Thanks bobsaget and MTB2Live,Live4Comps for replying...

This is what I came up with, I need your opinions and keep in mind I just want a budget pc able to play ut2k4 and/or hl 2.

Processor:
ASUS nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7N8X" -RETAIL(New Version, now support AMD Barton 400MHz
$84.99 @ newegg.com

CPU:
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
$80.00 @ newegg.com

Ram:
Kingston ValueRAM Dual Kits 184 Pin 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-3200
$88.00 @ newegg.com

DVD/CD Burner:
TDK 4x DVD/CD RW
$99.99 @ Fry’s

Floppy Drive:
Black Floppy Drive
$10.00 or less @ Fry’s

Video Card:
VisionTek Xtasy 9200 SE 128MB AGP Video Card
Brand/Model: VST 9200SE128AGP
$79.99 after $10 savings @ Circuit City
(not positive about this after reading KickAssCop’s thread in the video card section)

HD:
My own 20gb for now.
Free

Case:
Antec Sonata
Already Purchased…still in box.

Subtotal without tax and/or shipping: 442.97

 

[CVNet1]

You'd be better off with a Geforce 3 than a 9200SE. Or you could get yourself a GF4 TI4200 for around 80$ used on forums. Personally if I were you, I'd ditch the floppy for now (or scavange a floppy from another computer if really needed) and grab a 9600np/pro or a 5700.
here's a link to a 9600np at the egg.

And Here's another link to a 5700 for a just a few dollars more.