Budget build for brothers ideas and opinions.

[NamesDontMatter]

Alright so my brothers xbox 360 died (just like everyone elses did). So insted of giving in like most people do and getting their xbox360 fixed they decided to part it out. My parents were happy about that to, because ever since the xbox died my brothers fight a lot less between themselves. We already sold about half the games and made 150 dollars. I estimated selling everything for about $400 USD if not more.

Right now they have a.
Xclio case with 250mm(i think) side fan
X2 939 mobo + x2 3800 processor
3.5gb of memory DDR
8800 GT 512mb
and pretty decent hard drive storage space atm.
430watt antec truepower psu (what a champ its like 6 years old!)

So i was thinking to ditch the mobo/proc/memory, and probably PSU at least, for something new. But I'm having trouble deciding between AMD and Intel, I know AMD is hurting right now and I would like to help them(also their X3 phenoms are mighty cheap), but then I know Intel has performance crown atm. I want the best for my brothers. Also should I get them a second 8800 GT, or a new more updated Badass card. I know their current processor is really hurtin their gaming. What do you guys think? Also they run pretty low resolution atm 17" LCD 1280x1024 res, but they might upgrade in the future since 22" are getting so cheap, so I want it capable of handling the newest games pretty well.

What do you guys think?

 

[boredgunner]

If you want the best for your brothers stay away from AMD. The Intel Core 2 DUO E8400 is a good deal, if you can afford it with a good socket 775 motherboard. If not, the E7200 is a cheap but effective processor as well that overclocks well. New memory is a must. If your brothers really do upgrade the monitor to a larger resolution, I'd recommend upgrading that GPU to the best you can afford. The GTX 260 CORE 216 is a good deal, or you can get the 55nm version for $30 more. These cards require a good 500W PSU or better.

 

[spearman914]

If u OC then go Intel. No OC = AMD.

For AMD u can get a cheapy X3 8750/ G.Skill DDR2 1066 2 x 2 GBs or 2x1gb if u have 32-bit. Then finish up with this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138129

For Intel: Get a E5200 or E7200 if u can afford. A Asus P5q Pro and G.Skill DDR2 1066 2x2 or 2x1gbs

 

[mrhuggles]

im a big fan of the p35 boards, especialy for single videocard solutions with ddr2

extremely cheap, and the FSB can go further on them than anything else.

 

[spearman914]

im a big fan of the p35 boards, especialy for single videocard solutions with ddr2

extremely cheap, and the FSB can go further on them than anything else.

P45 is also a kickass chipset. Clocks a bit better but a little more expensive.

 

[NamesDontMatter]

Alright thanks for the input heres the way I'm thinking of going.

E5200 or E7200/E7300 if budget permits
HD 4870 (I really like my HD 4850 and the HD 4870 looks nice for what they need atm)
OCZ StealthXStream 500 or 600 watt (budget permitting)
Memory 2x2gb whatever I can get a really nice deal on
Asus P5Q Pro P45 mobo
A decent CPU heatsink

what do you guys think of that? I usually OC everything, so hopefully I can get the proc up to 3.5-4.0.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

P45 is also a kickass chipset. Clocks a bit better but a little more expensive.

I agree with you on that. I had an x38 motherboard from DFI that I thought would overclock my X3350 like hell but it didnt even crank out 3.6Ghz. Max I could get was 3.5. Got a P45 board and BAM! 24/7 3.8GHz overclock.