Looking for budget build

[maddaniel100]

One of the guys at my gf's work asked me about the rough cost of building a new pc. His real goal is to only play oblivion (but i think he would start playing pc games upgrading from a p4 with 256 mb of ram on xp). With the build I am aiming for around AU$1000. The reworked idea build comes to $1005 (did use a different site, which is why some of the non essential parts changed).

Reworked idea from feedback:
Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AMD 770/SB700 Chipset DDR2 1200+ Gigabit LAN HiDef Audio SATA-2 RAID
AMD Athlon64 x2 7750 BLACK EDITION 2.7Ghz 3MB Total Cache AM2 RETAIL BOX
ANTEC (USA) 500watt EARTHWATTS ATX Energy Efficient
SAPPHIRE HD4850 512meg DDR3 HDMI Adapter Dual DVI HDTV-Out
ANTEC THREE HUNDRED HardCore Gaming Case Black Maximum Cooling NO POWER
KINGSTON Twin Pack HYPER X 2x2 gig (4gig) DDR2 1066Mhz CL5 (PC2-8500 CL5)
PIONEER DVR-217BK SATA 20x DVDSL 12x DVDDL Burner BLACK OEM NERO 8 Software
SAMSUNG 500 gig SATA-2 16meg Cache 7200rpm Model: HD501LJ


Original idea
CoolerMaster Centurion RC330 Elite Black with No Power Supply(RC-330-KKN1
Antec ATX EarthWatts 650W
Intel ATX E7400 CORE 2 DUO 2.8G 3MBCache 1066FSB LGA775
Samsung 500G SATAII
Corsair DDR2 Twin2X 4096 6400C5 4Gb
Asus P5N73-AM S775, nF610i, FSB1333, DDR2, PCIEx16, RAID, LAN, mATX
Asus 9600GT Silent 512Mb PCI Express
Pioneer DVR-216BK 20x Dual Black OEM with software - SATA

What would be good advice for a budget/close to budge build, that will be good for a while. For his purposes I am thinking I have gone overboard with a few components (Also not sure if they're all compatible) and I didn't look too hard at the case.

 

[nafets]

For a "gaming" PC of any budget, your main concern should be the CPU/motherboard and GPU.

(I personally think) a 9600GT isn't going to cut it, for present and short/mid-term future viability.

A minimum baseline would be a 9800GT/GTS250 or an HD4830/HD4850.

Less than the above baseline can be applicable based on the size of the monitor he would be using (IE....what resolution is he gaming at?). So it's debatable.

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There's minor savings in a change of PSU choice. There's no need to go over ~450-500W for a single GPU, dual-core CPU (marginally OC'ed) setup. A smaller decent quality PSU would do fine. Don't get sucked in with excessive PSU wattage hype. Sure, if you find a larger wattage, quality PSU at a good price, don't pass it up.

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A slight/moderate OC on the CPU would do wonders for performance and will help overcome the "budget" nature of the E7400. For this reason, it's (personally) recommended to stick with a solid P45 motherboard, and steer clear of a mATX/Nvidia onboard chipset solution.

I'm not sure how availability is over there, but I'd only settle with your current choice if the costs of moving to a reasonably priced P45 board is exceedingly higher than the mATX pick.

On the other side of things AMD has a very good contender in the very price area you're considering, with the Phenom II X3 710. OC'ing would still be a good option and with the right 790GX+SB750 board it would be an excellent alternative to the Intel side.

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This advice is all relative to the "budget" cost you're accounting for, of which I have no idea. Most everything else you chose looks to fit quite well in line for the possible price area you are looking at. Your main concerns are really the CPU, GPU, and motherboard. The other items can be nit-picked here and there but won't make or break the system.

And that's my $0.02...

 

[Mussels]

I also seriously suggest a 4850 or 8800GT.

I play FO3 a lot which is based on the oblivion engine, and most definately was my 8800GT borderline at times. Slower, would hinder the experience.

Remember (s)he doesnt need an enthusiast/OC board, or high end ram, or anything like that. Spend the money where it counts - CPU, ram (size), and video card.

 

[FilipM]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376 Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244 with Phenom 9600

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103300 X2 7750 BE

will be cheaper, id probably go with the dual core one, performance is great as far as I've seen from reviews.

and if it can be an active cooled card, get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127406

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

 

[maddaniel100]

cheers guys. I'll look into it for cost. He is probably not looking at spending more than AU$1000.

 

[Assassin48]

I have a 9950 and zalman 9700nt ill give you a good price
check out my thread its in my sig

 

[maddaniel100]

I've updated the possible build. Would anymore changed be required, or would that one suit the requirements stated in my first post?

BTW Assassin thanks for the offer, but i'm still not sure what parts i'm going with.

 

[n-ster]

700~800$AU IMO can cut it... get the 4830, x2 7750 or a Exxxx, some cheap board, some 30~40$AU DVD burner, and you can go Overkill on the PSU if you want so that he can upgrade later if he ever falls in the evil of gaming the newer games (CURSE YOU CRYSIS, CURSE YOU FALLOUT 3!) for example a corsair or PCP&P 600~750W... or a simple 400~500W (corsair or PCP&P is a plus in this case)... You can get a s1283 as a cooler too... DON'T FORGET THERMAL PASTE! (AS5 or TX-2 or MX-2 or Ceramique are good)

 

[Assassin48]

I've updated the possible build. Would anymore changed be required, or would that one suit the requirements stated in my first post?

BTW Assassin thanks for the offer, but i'm still not sure what parts i'm going with.

I can give you the
9950
Zalman 9700

and ill throw in a free dvd/cd burner since it will be in a big box anyways