Looking to build a new Core 2 Duo for $800'ish. How's this?

should do the trick

i dont know what is the best hardware, but i would say it looks good, especially since newegg has that combo deal right now for $20 off when you get the processor and motherboard together.

Don't order until you answer my questions and I can respond.....seriously

Questions
1. Do you plan on overclocking you CPU?
2. By some gaming what do you mean....what games and at what resolution
3. What PSU are you using now?

Initial Reccomendations
1. Get a Nvidia eVGA 7900gs $150 - $20 MIR at Newegg
or get the ATI 1900gt for $130 at Newegg both will be better than the x1600 you listed.

2. I don't like your motherboard choice, especially not at $170. I would get the gigabyte DS3 for $120 @ Newegg. Chipset is 965 but I trust Gigabyte mare than MSI and you save $50.

3. Tons of RAM choices just stick to namebrands, Newegg has 1GB sticks of DDR2 800 for around $75 each (I think it was Patriot). If you plan on big overclocks then tell me and I can reccomend some better RAM. (Buffalo Firestix are supposed to be great but hard to find in stock)

4. E6300 should be fine, if you plan on overclocking I reccomend the E6400 which has a 9 multiplier (E6300 only has a 7) multi of 9 will give you much better overclock.

5. That harddrive should work fine, though the 7200.10 Seagate 320gb drives are really good and are under $100 at Newegg now.

6. Make sure you get a good powersupply, if it goes bad on you it can ruin your entire pc. I reccomend jonnyGURU.com to find a good PSU. (or just get the Corsair 520w for around $100 shipped from zipzoomfly.com)

I will be able to help more when you answer my questions.

CPU=E6300 for $183
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005

Mobo=Gigabyte DS3 for $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128012

RAM=1GB Patriot DDR2 $70.99 x2 = $141.98

GPU=(You have some choices here depending on your current budget, if you have the money now go ahead and get the 8800gts 320mb version so in a year or two when DX10 games are out and you have switched to Vista you will have a DX10 compatible GPU. If you don't have the funds now I would suggest the 7900gs eVGA card for $150, I suggest eVGA b/c they have a 90 day step up program, where basically within 90 days you can send them your 7900gs and step up to a better card and all you have to do is pay the difference, so if you don't have money now the step program can be great.)

eVGA 7900gs $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130056

eVGA 8800gts 320mb $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082

HD=Seagate 7200.10 320gb SATA $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

DVD Drive= Samsung DVD-RW SATA $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151141

PSU=(you have plenty of choices here also, if you plan to upgrade to more HD's and a powerful GPU like the 8800 series or even the new R600 line from ATI [when they come out] then I would suggest the Corsair 520w or 620w depending on budget [the 520 should be fine] if you want to save some $ here then I suggest the XCLIO 500w [this would even work if you get the 8800gts]

Corsair $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001

XCLIO $51.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189005

Case= Very subjective here if you plan on getting a Small Form Factor (SFF) case then check out the Ultra Micro Fly [they don't sell it on newegg, don't be fooled by the cheaper [not as good] apevia Q-Pack b/c it won't hold a standard size ATX powersupply] If you want a standard mid-tower the the Centurion Line from Cooler Master is very affordable and good quality for the price.

Coolermaster $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
(notice this case doesn't come w/ fans so you need to buy 2x120mm fans to install, Yate Loon makes nice quiet fans and coolermaster fans are also good [not their cheap ones, buy the expensive ones b/c they push more air and make less noise]

Price w/ expensive parts = about $1026 (cheaper prices can be found other than newegg and there are some rebates I didn't factor in)

Price w/ less expensive parts = about $821 (same applies for rebates and cheaper e-tailers on some parts)

Use froogle for cheaper prices though buying everything from Newegg is easier and probably more reliable than some other e-tailers.

Let me know if you have any questions or if the total price is too much I can reccomend some cheaper parts for you.

I must say that either of the abover builds would be great, since you don't plan to overclock and if your budget allows then I would think about getting the E6600 CPU. Also look into getting an aftermarket HSF for the CPU if you want a quiet system b/c stock HSF's are LOUD!


Lastly I listed parts for a complete build b/c you mentioned selling your current PC. Have fun and enjoy the new pc when you build it!

NOTE:I mentioned that you could get a SFF case, but I forgot the important point that you need to get a mATX mobo (9.6"x9.6") so it will fit.

muy bueno for the budget

YOU ****ING PAYING 170$ FOR A MSI MOTHERBOARD HOLY SHIT. MSI gpu's are good, but there mother boards are beyone epic shit/failure. Go DFI, Gigabyte, or hell even ASUS

if you are not going to do much overclock... I would also suggest use the Pentium Dual Core 945 processor... 3.4ghz 2M on each core

Everything looks like it should go well together, the x1900gt is at a great price point right now.

The case should be sufficient and so should the 420w PSU, though I would highly reccomend thinking about getting a proven PSU, most of the time included PSU suck, I looked up this one and it has a one 12v rail @ 19a so I guess it will work with this setup but I wouldn't add much more hardware to the pc. IDK it will work but just be prepared to RMA it or just drop another $50 in a few months, I hope you don't have to though.

Yes you can just get a VGA-DVI adapter to hold you over, they are usually included in Video card purchase.

Hope you enjoy the new PC

Awsome build man, but you might as well as wait for the X2000 there really right around the corner. Do what you want, but If I where you I'd go with a 7600, and wait 2 weeks not even for ATI's DX10 cards

ever think of waiting for the Q3 price cuts? the 8800's will be cheaper by then also..

2k! in taxes......where and heck are you from?

Edit: Ok is see Seattle...lol, you didn't mean 2k! in taxes on the pc hardware, prob your state and fed combined.....ic now, you had me worried there for a minute.

ha ha, even the socialist european countries don't charge 200+% in VAT, yet...