Cheap Semi-Gaming PC (less than 500 or so)

[haha4646]

is it worth it to skimp on the graphics card say get this:
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card - Retail

 

[b1gapl]

That would be good too. The x1950xt though, is worth the extra $50-60 more...but I see you're on a budget. The 7900GS can still play games decently....and even better when overclocked.

 

[zmatt]

Yeah my 7900GS can max out any source engine based game. It's ability as a midrange graphics card is pretty good IMO.

 

[rx7i2]

I say go for the 7900gs if your budget's that tight..If you still don't have enough for that, do what I did and get the x1900gt for just $105. Connect3D Radeon X1900 GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 w/ Dual DVI + VIVO HDCP Retail at ZipZoomfly
It's a great card for the money, and overclocks fairly well too, I'm at 580/1602 with this thing stock

 

[b1gapl]

...and for about $110 after MIR, you can't go wrong, with the 7900GS.

 

[Sora]

yep the 7900GS is an excellent card for the price

 

[nylax4]

Don't buy that refurbished 3600 X2, it is $52 and then $5 shipping bringing it to $57 and the new version is $59. $2 more for brand new and $57 open box/refurbished.

edit:
I'm considering a similar build -
Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 250GB 16MB
Mobo: the $49 Biostar ATX AM2
PSU: Fortron Source 400w
RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB DDR2 800
GPU: XFX 8600GT (still undecided about the video card, tough decision if I want DX9 or DX10, Vista or XP)

Price comes to about $500-530.

 

[Sora]

Don't buy that refurbished 3600 X2, it is $52 and then $5 shipping bringing it to $57 and the new version is $59. $2 more for brand new and $57 open box/refurbished.

edit:
I'm considering a similar build -
Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 250GB 16MB
Mobo: the $49 Biostar ATX AM2
PSU: Fortron Source 400w
RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB DDR2 800
GPU: XFX 8600GT (still undecided about the video card, tough decision if I want DX9 or DX10, Vista or XP)

Price comes to about $500-530.

open box is not the same thing as refurbished...

 

[nylax4]

Still new for $2 more.

 

[veg1992]

Don't buy that refurbished 3600 X2, it is $52 and then $5 shipping bringing it to $57 and the new version is $59. $2 more for brand new and $57 open box/refurbished.

edit:
I'm considering a similar build -
Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 250GB 16MB
Mobo: the $49 Biostar ATX AM2
PSU: Fortron Source 400w
RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB DDR2 800
GPU: XFX 8600GT (still undecided about the video card, tough decision if I want DX9 or DX10, Vista or XP)

Price comes to about $500-530.

open box doesn't mean its reburbished....