New pc build help needed

[geoffdavison]

so I saw Suvega's brain dump thread (Suvega's Brain dump thread. (Will be updated alot, just need a place to post all of this))

And in it he mentions that you can build a relatively powerful computer for around 500 bucks..... ok i'm intrigued by this..

I've got $1k coming to me but don't want to spend all of it building a new computer (ok actually I do.. my wife however has other ideas)

So what i'm looking for is a "relatively" powerful PC that i can build up for around 500...

any input would be appreciated..

[Rakadazan]

I can help, i really enjoy blueprinting computers and would love to help, first do you want a monitor? A monitor could run half that budget or more $150-$1000. Do you want a new keyboard and mouse? They can cost $50-$200.

Here is the basic computer and then we can fill in the blanks:

CPU - really personal preference here either AMD or Intel. I prefer AMD for gaming due to the floating point decimal system AMD uses, which calculates into more math for reading graphics, but a powerful video card would do most all the calculations now days. $50-$500
MotherBoard - Id get an up to date board with SLi and room for expansion. $50-$200
VideoCard - you could get a cheap low budget 7300gt card for $75 or go higher for an 8800gt or 9800gt, $300-$700.
Power Supply - i would get an SLi ready PSU around 500w-700w, $50-$200
RAM - id reccomend 2GB minimum upto 4GB, $50-$200.
Hard Drive - you can get a 300GB for about $75-$100, or you could get smaller but more of them running in RAID, $50-$75 each.
DvD player/burner - you could get a burner/player for around $40-$60
Operating System - I run XP32sp2 and dont have any problems but you could run Vista32, up to you. $75-$150
Case - something cool that you would be proud of. $50-$100
I will blueprint you a decent build, to look over and have others make recommendations. I will post it shortly.

[Kojii]

Wife aggro dont you just love it? Yeah I have the same problem!! Forking out on a PC to play WOW isnt her idea of spending the money wisely. 8|

[Maz]

CPU: Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad.
RAM: 4GB. PC2-6400 is cheap. Buy 2x2GB sticks to give you room to upgrade as the price premium over 4x1GB sticks is tiny.
Graphics Card: 512MB Nvidia 8800GT or 512MB Nvidia 8800GTS if you can push to it. Don't get the 320MB or 640MB version of the 8800GTS.
Wife: Best to get one that secretly thinks your geekiness is quite endearing and appreciates the fact that at least you're not down the pub.

[Kojii]

Don't get the 320MB or 640MB version of the 8800GTS.

Why not? Are they that bad?

512MB Nvidia 8800GT or 512MB Nvidia 8800GTS if you can push to it.
Can you suggest some other Videos cards they seem alittle too expensive

[Maz]

The 512MB Nvidia 8800GT and 512MB Nvidia 8800GTS are both built around the G92 core.

The 320MB Nvidia 8800GTS and 640MB Nvidia 8800GTS are both built around the older G80 core.

In terms of performance, the 512MB Nvidia 8800GT, 320MB Nvidia 8800GTS and 640MB Nvidia 8800GTS are about the same. The 512MB Nvidia 8800GTS is faster.

Also, the 8800GTS is supposed to be quieter because it has a bigger/slower fan.

More details here

[X2Guy]

Don't get the 320MB or 640MB version of the 8800GTS.

Why not? Are they that bad?

I have the 640mb 8800 gts, I Dual view 2 clients at max settings and get 100fps or better on both screens (samsung 226cw 22" lcd's). card runs at 45C. Being that wow is not that graphic demanding just get what your budget will allow.

[geoffdavison]

don't need monitor keyboard etc.. just need PC tower

edit:

Wife is usually good with the geeky stuff... she just doesn't "Get" spending money on electronics... this coming from the woman that must shop at Nordstroms........................................ ..........................................yeah.. i know

[NevadaGuy]

Suvega's Brain dump thread. (Will be updated alot, just need a place to post all of this)[/url])

And in it he mentions that you can build a relatively powerful computer for around 500 bucks..... ok i'm intrigued by this..

I've got $1k coming to me but don't want to spend all of it building a new computer (ok actually I do.. my wife however has other ideas)

So what i'm looking for is a "relatively" powerful PC that i can build up for around 500...

any input would be appreciated..

Realistically, how many copies of WoW are you going to run?

You probably already have a pc, cannibalize that if possible. If you can recycle the case/ps, keyboard, mouse, monitor, hard drive, CD player (do you really need a DVD burner/player) and Windoze you are way ahead of the game.

Take stock of what pieces you have, list them here and we can help.

IMHO, you don't need the biggest baddest video card.

[geoffdavison]

Guess i should have been a little more clear.. this is a new PC for my son to play on... not to multibox...