The Ultimate $2000 PC - #1, August

[yurimxpxman]

My dad mentioned that he might give me $2000 to build a new PC after I graduate. I'm curious to see how much this PC changes throughout the months. So I'm going to post a thread like this each month until I graduate.

Here's what I'm looking for in my PC; let's see what we can come up with for my budget:

• SLI (Probably not quad, but this may change by Spring)
  
• Dual-core CPU
  
• Really nice widescreen LCD
  
• As much RAM as I can pack into a motherboard (x64 here I come! :))

Here's what I have so far; I will update this after I get some suggestions:

• CPU
  $149 - AMD AM2 x2 Athlon 64 3800+
  
• Motherboard
  $199.99 - ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
  
• Memory
  $359.98 - 2x 1GB Crucial Technology Ballistix DDR2 800 (Why couldn't I find 1GB XMS DDR2 800 sticks??)
  
• HDDs
  $169.99 - WD Raptor 74GB
  
  $279.99 - Seagate Barracuda 500GB
  
• Graphics Cards
  $529.98 - 2x eVGA GeForce 7900GT w/ 256MB Frame Buffer (When I actually build my PC, I'm going to get a DX10 card. This is just here as a current-day substitute :))
  
• Case
  $65.99 - NZXT Gaurdian Black (This is actually the case I wanted to buy for my current rig, but they were all sold out :()
  
• Optical Drive
  $36.99 - Lite-On 16x DVD±RW w/ LightScribe
  
• Input
  $34.99 - Ideazon Merc (Paul reviewed this one :D)
  
  $26.99 - Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 Black (Has the precision toggle... yummy! :D That's exactly what I've been wanting 8))
  
• PSU
  $139.99 - FSP Group 600 Watts SLI-ready
  

Total: $1993.88

That leaves $6.12 from my $2k budget. Not much room for shipping and a new monitor

I'm hoping that I'll get some things, such as a case, to review for HL, but I can't imagine getting enough freebies to buy the $300 monitor I wanted :cry: I wouldn't mind settling for a decent CRT though, as long as it's at least 17". I may be able to get a free one from someone that's buying a new OEM PC.

What do ya'll think?

[polobunny]

Get a 74gb/36gb instead of a 150gb Raptor, collect your $40.00 of mail in rebate for the video cards and get maybe a less expensive sound card and I think you could fit a nice display in there.

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Get a 74gb/36gb instead of a 150gb Raptor, collect your $40.00 of mail in rebate for the video cards and get maybe a less expensive sound card and I think you could fit a nice display in there.

I'll probably end up going down to a 74GB Raptor like you said (36GB can't even hold my program files! :P), and I'm not an audiophile, so I was considering using onboard audio anyway. But as for the graphics cards, I'll have to see what kind of deals they have when I build it this Spring.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by yurimxpxman

I'll probably end up going down to a 74GB Raptor like you said (36GB can't even hold my program files! :P), and I'm not an audiophile, so I was considering using onboard audio anyway. But as for the graphics cards, I'll have to see what kind of deals they have when I build it this Spring.

Well at the moment, they really do offer a $20.00 MIR on each one, so yeah you'd be saving that at least, if you were really buying this computer just now.

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Well at the moment, they really do offer a $20.00 MIR on each one, so yeah you'd be saving that at least, if you were really buying this computer just now.

I wish I was buying it now :P

[yurimxpxman]

Ok, so I made those changes, and it now leaves $226.10 leftover. That's not quite enough for a decent LCD, but I may be able to make up for the rest with some odd jobs, like the library website I administrate.

[Capper]

uh, you really should check out our "Recommended Hardware" page...pretty good stuff there.
http://hardwarelogic.com/news/125/AR...005-12-05.html

[Lead Head]

Look for a different motherboard, ASUS hasn't been to great with their AMD offerings...

[yurimxpxman]

Oops! I forgot to include a power supply! I don't think it'll run very well without one And after looking at the recommended hardware list, I think this PSU may be a good choice.

I'm also changing the 750GB drive to 500GB to save $120, and that's nearly enough to pay for the $139.99 PSU.

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

Look for a different motherboard, ASUS hasn't been to great with their AMD offerings...

You really think so? I've heard nothing but good things about them. Perhaps a DFI one instead.