Building Computer For Friend

[xXx-Tricky-xXx]

Hey, I have been out of the loop with the latest hardware for quite some time so when a buddy asked me for some help with building him a computer since in the past I have built quite a few (talking 3-5 years ago) I was a little hesitant but offered to anyway. Basically, I have selected 'I believe' compatible parts that should work well enough but I wanted to ask here since you all would know better than I would.

He is not really looking for an ultimate gaming machine but wants something that is going to run relatively fast and not require upgrading for as long as possible since he is very tech UN-savy and would not understand how to upgrade parts etc. I suppose he is a casual computer gamer but he also likes to work with graphics and animation stuff so I figured I would work on building him a moderate game machine.

Here is a light setup I picked out for everything he will need for 1000 dollars or under which includes the monitor and such. I am not 100% sure if everything here is going to work great together so I am hoping I could get as much advice or alternative reccomendation for parts as possible. I am also not so sure he even needs a machine quite as expensive as this so possible lower costing alternatives is also helpful.

PS. I left out the small stuff like keyboard/mouse, speakers, and cd/dvd drives which aren't really a big deal.

Thanks


Processor
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Memory
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory

Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Power Supply
Newegg.com - Antec EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Hard Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Case
Newegg.com - NZXT Guardian 921 CS-NT-GD921-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Monitor
Newegg.com - ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

 

[VishKapish]

You may want to swap out the PSU with this: PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W It's the same price (after rebates) and PC Power and Cooling is one of the best brands out there. However, it does say that the "Special Savings" ends tomorrow.

Also, I think that with $1000, you could upgrade to at least a Core2 Quad or a Phenom X4 and a better graphics card, but don't take my word for it, I'm still new at this.

 

[Slaymate]

I would also go with the PC Pwr. & Clg. power supply and I would buy this cpu instead. When he needs more speed you can get him a better heatsink and overclock the system a little

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I would change the motherboard to a Biostar TP45HP and the Video card to a HD 4850 which will give you the same performance while saving enough money to upgrade the cpu to a Q9550.

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TForce TP45HP LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

 

[eipnvn]

I also would recommend the HD 4850, I love it.