need advice/recommendations for budget build($500 budget)

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krazyq

krazy Techie
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hey guys..and girls(if so)
im building my gf a pc for valentines day...
make things short, im debating between intel or amd.
so far this is what i got

cpu: e2180
mobo:ds3l, but i wnat something cheaper since i wont be overclocking
ram: got 3 so far
Newegg.com - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
or
Newegg.com - A-DATA Extreme Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
psu:
Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 450R ATX12V 450W Power Supply 100 - 240 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail
gpu:
she might not need it so intg will do, but i might just try finding a used 7600gt
hdd: i got a 320 seagate sata
dvd burner:
not sure yet...
shes got a 19"acer ws monitor
case:
looking for one with side window(she wants it to be colorful, so atleast 3 led fans)

i think thats it.
my budget is 500 so i think i should be good.
what do you guys think?
 

she watches a lot of movies and she may play a game once in a while...so i might just get the one without intg graphics.
thanks maroon.
what do you think of the rest though?
which ram is the best choice?
 
I would say go Corsair on the memory.... $25 after MIR is a STEAL for 2 Gigs.

CPU: Intel Pentium E2180 - $89
Motherboard: DFI INFINITY P965-S - $80
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB DDR2 800 - $50 ($25 after MIR)
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX - $80 ($70 after MIR)
GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon X1650PRO - $57
Optical: LITE-ON DVD+/-RW SATA - $35
Case: Antec Nine Hundred - $120 ($80 after MIR)

Total: $511 ($436 after MIR's, but before shipping)

I'm sure someone won't like this idea..... but you could take the Antec Nine Hundred case, and dis-assemble it like I did with mine. Take off all the plastic trim, and paint the OUTSIDE of the chassis flat black (mostly the back of the chassis where the Mobo Shield is and the PCI slots), and then do a hot pink on the innards..... I think it would look pretty cool (for a chic gamer)...
 
I can't say with 100% certainty, but I think the P31 chipset in that Gigabyte board is newer than the 965. I only joined the Intel game at the advent of the X38...... the P35 preceeds the X38, and I would assume the P31 was behind that following the 9hundred series.... not sure though. It DOES have a faster FSB on it....

On the flip side... the Gigbyte only has 1 PCIx16 slot, and only 2 memory slots.... have to think if future upgradeability is of concern.
 
I can't say with 100% certainty, but I think the P31 chipset in that Gigabyte board is newer than the 965. I only joined the Intel game at the advent of the X38...... the P35 preceeds the X38, and I would assume the P31 was behind that following the 9hundred series.... not sure though. It DOES have a faster FSB on it....

alright, ill guess ill go with the p31 and the 1650 pro.
now for cases...this is what im i have my mind set on so far.
http://www.techist.com/forums/f75/n...s-budget-build-500-budget-164879/#post1286540
or
Newegg.com - XION Onyx XON-303 Black/Blue Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
 
Here is a build a id not too long ago for $600 with everything (and I mean everything) it's pretty well loaded with a 19" monitor. Subtract monitor and add a $80 graphics card and you got a really good OC'able computer for exactly $500:

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=4335129

[EDIT] Looks like it didn't go public. Here are the individual items:

Basic
Case ($30): Newegg.com - hec 6K28BB8F Black 0.8mm SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
Processor ($60): Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz
Ram ($34): Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Hard Drive ($50): Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM
MOBO : Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Micro ATX
PSU ($60): Newegg.com - Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply
Optical ($30): Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black DVD-RW/CD-RW
GPU ($80): your choice

Leftovers
Cabling x 2 ($6): Newegg.com - OKGEAR 18" SATA II Cable Model GC18ARM12 - Retail
Input Devices ($30): Newegg.com - Logitech 967561-0403 BlackCordless Standard Desktop EX110 + Mouse
Grease ($6): Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Case Fans x 3 ($6): Newegg.com - MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case Fan - Retail

Total
Around ~$500 :D
 
well ill be stickin with intel and that case you suggested is soooo tiny.
thanks for the suggestions though.
 
Oh, for some reason I thought you said something about space requirements, but I probably just imagined it. :p
 
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