Building a Gaming Rig with $700 Budget

[faideelah]

This is the first time that I am going to be building a new computer and I have no idea where to start. Can someone help me figure out a build for the computer?

Also, would running 2 250 GB Hard drives for Raid 0 help with gaming alot? Or is it more viable to just go with one HDD and upgrade other parts of the computer?

 

[Apokalipse]

What do you need it to include? monitor, keyboard, mouse? or just the tower and everything in it?

*edit*
Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P + 4GB DDR2-1066
Phenom II 955
XFX 4870 1GB
PCP&C 420W
Seagate 500GB 7200.12

that comes to under $600. It doesn't include a case.

 

[faideelah]

I just need the tower and everything else inside it. I'll be reusing my keyboard/speakers/mouse.

My monitor does not have DVI. Would that be a problem for newer graphic cards?

Techgage - Dell 19" UltraSharp E196FP LCD Monitor

That is the monitor I am currently using.

 

[philbar71]

that XFX 4870 will include a DVI to VGA adapter.

 

[veg1992]

I just need the tower and everything else inside it. I'll be reusing my keyboard/speakers/mouse.

My monitor does not have DVI. Would that be a problem for newer graphic cards?

Techgage - Dell 19" UltraSharp E196FP LCD Monitor

That is the monitor I am currently using.

That is no issue, all GPU's now come with a DVI to VGA connector (converter).

You can also get a decent case and still have some budget room.

 

[faideelah]

That is no issue, all GPU's now come with a DVI to VGA connector (converter).

You can also get a decent case and still have some budget room.

That's good to hear. I was worried that I would have to blow $150 on a new monitor I'm thinking of adding a sound card to my rig, but I have no experience with sound cards and do not know which is good or not. Could someone refer me to a decent sound card?

 

[Muffin Man]

not worth it unless you have good speakers to back it up. mobo comes with good onboard sound.

 

[faideelah]

Okay, then that means more money for the other parts . Would I need a PSU with more power if I wanted to upgrade in the future?

 

[philbar71]

^ depends on what you want to upgrade.

 

[faideelah]

I would mostly just upgrade the video card when it cannot run current games, but I don't think that'll happen for a while. I'm also thinking of adding another HDD in the future for RAID 0.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

I'm sort of leaning towards this case. My friend currently has this and I think it's pretty nice.