Question for a build under $500

tnt3k

tnt3k

2[H]4U
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Dec 3, 2006
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-- What your budget is (and whether it includes taxes, shipping charges, and/or other costs)
A total of $500 or less

-- Which parts you need within that budget
Motherboard
HD
PSU
Ram
Cooler

-- What the system is going to be used for
Gaming

-- All of the components that you already have and/or are planning on reusing
samsung t260hd

-- Which components you are considering getting (list out your components with model numbers/names along with links to the stores you're getting them from)
intel core2duo e8400 (used $110 max)
evga gtx260 core 216 (used $120 max)
Microcenter has dvd drives for 20 after tax around $22
Fry's has antec p182 for 70 so after tax around $75 (i had this for my first computer and its really quiet... i love it but i'd love any other case that is very quiet)

-- The question(s) you have -- or, the reason you made the thread in the first place
So i got around 175 left to break down for mobo, psu, ram, and hd. Is this possible if i'm shooting for a decent mobo and a psu that will support the 260 with enough ram to run things smoothly? Also i have no idea between the difference between a c0 step and the e0 step (which one is better?) Not sure how many watt psu i'll need for the 260 and i'm no pro with a mobo either =\ definately willing to buy parts used and utilizing a smaller HD. Any advice would be helpful! thanks!
 
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$141 AMD Phenom II X2 545 + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237632
$48 OCZ 2x2GB DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269
$75 WD6401AALS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=6401aals

$264 + PSU (budget = $175 + $110 from the E84 = $285). Can find some for cheaper esp the hd but not in any mood to do bargain hunting.

Or switch the P2 for a Regor for ~$20 less
$125 AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.240746
 
so whats the difference between a microatx mobo and a fullsize? will it allow for same overclock abilities?
 
Bare minimum for the GTX 260 (even then I wouldn't think the PSU would last long):
$50 - Antec Earthwatts 430W PSU

Optimal PSU:
$80 - Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W PSU
 
If you're going to go with a micro board in a micro case, keep in mind that you will not have as many options for aftermarket coolers due to size restraint, so that will probably hinder some overclocking abilities right there.
 
Lian li pc-v350/351 are suggested for that reason, it can fit most larger coolers.
 
TehJams said:
If you're going to go with a micro board in a micro case, keep in mind that you will not have as many options for aftermarket coolers due to size restraint, so that will probably hinder some overclocking abilities right there.
Click to expand...

not going with a micro case. p180 case is biiiig. does the size of the mobo affect overclocking ability?
 
As TehJams said: the size of the motherboard does not affect it's overclocking capability that much. There are many mATX mobos out there that OC just as well if not better than their ATX counterparts.
 
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