Hello, I need some help building a new PC. I've never built one before but I have an okay understanding of which parts do what. The goal is to get as much gaming capability as possible for less than 650 dollars. Please tell me if this build is satisfactory or if anything should be changed.


Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100244L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Thanks in advance

-No need for a 650w
-You can find a 640gb with 32mb cache for same price
-If you want to save money, the CM centurion is a good case for half price
-I'd consider a faster processor unless you're planning on overclocking.

For $650 a few days ago I was able to come up with a lot more. Look around again.

It's a fine list of parts, but given your budget I think a bit more on the CPU, a bit less on the MB and maybe PSU might be in order.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135092
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

Hmm well, right now the EA650W looks like a good deal at 80 bucks.
Corsair makes a 450W that is very highly rated.... but that's cutting things close.

Antec EA500 if you really need to cut down cost to get the E7200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

The RAM is not real good, high voltages.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731
only a bit more... or look at G. skill or A-Data for lower prices, or Kingston. But get 1.8V.

Thanks for the reply, can you recommend a better processor?

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

ECS P43T-A2 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 NVIDIA SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100244L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

*Changed case to centurion and saved ten bucks.
**Changed mother board.
***Changed CPU to wolfdale.
****Changed PSU to EA500.
*****Changed RAM.

get case with psu inclueded

Oh, antec 300, I didn't see that it wasn't the 900. My bad.

I wouldn't get a case with psu included, for the most part, since those tend to be terrible.

If you're planning on staying with stock speed, remember that you can get a e8450 2.1GHz triple core processor from AMD for $15 less than that dual core 2.53Ghz you're thinking of, and if you do that, you can use the 780g series of motherboards. Up to you, though.

Would that offer a significant benefit? And I was considering overclocking, does my current CPU lend itself well to overclocking? Will I need more than the stock cooling system?

You can OC the E7200 fairly well. Stock cooling can often work for mild overclocks.

780g motherboards have built in graphics
their ok for a lot of games, but since you're getting the hd4850 you'll be able to play more demanding games at higher resolutions

I would check out this motherboard, I only say that because I don't know anything about elitegroup but this is THE motherboard for overclocking, everyone uses it, everyone recommends it, it is very highly rated by all

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337

the e7200 is excellent, it overclocks to 3.2 easily, you should have very little problem hitting 3.6

you could wait 2 weeks for the e5200 to come out, it is replacing the e2200, it will be about 15-20 cheaper than the e7200

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh79yg3TYxI

CPU could get Athlon X2 5400 BE for overclocking, ot the Phenom X3

Motherboards for AMD system with 780G price run from $80 - $100, But 790GX price run $100 - $150, the overclocking is better on 790GX, since it has the 750 south bridge and CrossfireX.

rest of the parts are OK

if you buy the 5400 be then you MUST spend at least 25 more on a fan or heatsink because the BE doesn't come with one
you can oc the e7200 to 3.2 with the fan that is included with it

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

ECS P43T-A2 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 NVIDIA SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100244L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

*Changed mobo

okay I think this will be my final build, any other suggestions?

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186020

dvd burner / player from here (these are the ones with free shipping)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rder=PRICE

I think you should get an Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L mobo. I have one in my built and it is great. Plus it is only $80. I don't use ATI cards though. So can't help you there.