Budget machine

[NoctisReitop]

I'm looking to build a budget machine. I have issues with buying low end stuff, so I'm looking to get second opinions. Here are my thoughts:

1.6 dual core
Elitegroup 650i mobo
Excelstor 160gb sata hdd
Transcend 1gb ddr2-800 memory
GeForce 7300GT 256mb
$247.00 for those.

or maybe these for a few more bucks?
Evga 680i
Crucial Ballistix 1gb ddr2-800 1gb
$281.00 for these instead of their cheaper counterparts

These are my quick ideas. I have a psu, sound card, keyboard, mouse etc, so those aren't to be considered.
The use is light gaming -- nothing new age. Examples: Diablo II, HL 2 and the many renditions, quake III, age of empires (the slew of them), some random free mmos, and other random things.
Budget, though it is flexible, I'm aiming for less than 200 dollars.
Let me know what you all think.

Other note. If I can get a good setup, I'd build a copy for someone else that would need a cheap case with acceptable air flow and a low tag. I don't really know where to start with that.

[Capper]

I won't recommend that ECS board. I reviewed it awhile back and there were voltage issues with the VDIMM......Its not a bad board per say, just not one I recommend.


Give me a budget, and I'll put together a recommendation for you

[NoctisReitop]

Best budget would be right under $200. But, I think $250 would be the most. If a more expensive recommendation is truly worthwhile, I can consider higher.
Hoping to hit 1gb ram, 256 mb graphics, p4 3.0 ghz or dual core equivalent (read the aforementioned dual core outperforms the p4).

[azianai]

I'd also recommend against that HD. If you check your local BB or CC, as much as they overprice, sometime they got deals in their weekly ads for Seagate or Western Digital around 40-50 dollars for 160gb.
Or spend the extra 4 dollars and get this:
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM
Also Tiger Direct has the E2180 for 59.99 after rebate.
Intel Pentium E2180 Processor HH80557PG0411M - 2.0GHz, 1MB Cache, 800MHz FSB, Allendale, Dual Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor at TigerDirect.com
But is OEM so no fan, so you can pick up a cheap fan or if you got one lying around

[NoctisReitop]

Originally Posted by azianai

I'd also recommend against that HD. ...

That brand is just all around bad? What's against them?

[Capper]

Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
Team Elite 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Memory
SAPPHIRE 100233L Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive

$292 with a $10 rebate

You can replace that motherboard with this eVGA 650i, which is an outstanding motherboard, but thats $307 with $30 worth of rebates.
EVGA 122-CK-NF66-T1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i Ultra ATX Intel Motherboard

Originally Posted by NoctisReitop

That brand is just all around bad? What's against them?

I'd always recommend sticking with the name brands....Hitachi, Seagate, Western Digital

[NoctisReitop]

Not that I doubt your judgement, but what makes you pick that particular graphics card, Capper?
I've never owned an ATI. My girlfriend had an ati in her old laptop and it served her quite well, but I have no experience personally.
Just wondering.

[Capper]

I hope you wouldn't doubt my judgement, it would kinda invalidate the entire site.
There are a couple different approaches to piecing together a system on a budget.

1. you can get one great or a couple good components, and skimp on the rest with the intentions of upgrading that single part later.

2. you don't really care about having a bad ass system, and just do basic computing, which means upgrading every few years is fine.

That 3450 is a decent card, will do some modest gaming, but more importantly is very inexpensive and can be easily upgraded when you have more funds or a need for something better.

[NoctisReitop]

Originally Posted by Capper

I hope you wouldn't doubt my judgement, it would kinda invalidate the entire site...

=p haha. Of course ; )

I just had a difficult time sorting through the mass of video cards that newegg had to offer. So many are so alike or different by only a margin. Just wanted to know what made the decision for you. Playing "pin the tail on the donkey" with those cards started to sound like a good idea to me. I take it that those e3450's have been used with much satisfaction?

[NoctisReitop]

Ok. Bringing up an old topic as to not create a new post on an old unresolved issue... And as mentioned, looking to build the best possible with the smallest damage to the wallet. Playing older games (call the most strenuous BF2). Trying to keep price range 200-300.

Intel e2160
WD Caviar 80Gb Sata (or would it be better to have an IDE?)
EVGA 256-P2-N445-LX GeForce 7300GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail(Similar choice is 8500gt)
OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) (I could stand to go with 1gb, but this has nice rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard (had a hefty rebate a couple days ago , might go with something else )

I'm the most unsure about the video card. There are so many that are so similar. Any bad choices here?