First Time Budget Build Help

[DonMakeVeli]

Hi Guys,

Well I need help putting together a budget build with cap of $800 USD.
I've been looking at dells and i've come up wit this.

Dimension 4700
Pentium® 4 Processor 530 with HT Technology (3.00GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
80GB HD
256MB Mem

What i wanted to know was if i could BUILD a computer that is comparable to this dell system because i would rather get the experience of building a comp for the first time.
If I did go with the option of building a comp, It would be used mainly for school work(projects, papers, etc. ) and light graphic work( Photoshop, Imageready, Paint Shop Pro, etc. ) and also some light gaming.

My decision is also based on upgradeability.
For the BUILD, I dont have any thing, BUT as of right now DONT NEED graphic, sound card, or hard drive(i have 160gb WD i could use).

To compare to the Dell PC. I've been looking at various parts for the build.

AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - Retail 128
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-452&depa=1

ASUS "K8N-E Deluxe" NVIDIA nForce3 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL 131
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-498&depa=1

Enlight ATX 420W P4 Power Supply, Model "EN-8420934" -RETAIL 49
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-604&depa=1

Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retailx2 160
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-026&depa=1

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK W/SW, OEM with software 70
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-029&depa=1

Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack 40
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-932&depa=1

Atech USB Digital Card Reader/Writer(Black) INTERNAL/EXTERNAL, Model PRO-9 Black 40
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...176-815&depa=1

NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM 10
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-005&depa=1

RAIDMAX Black 10-bay Case with 420W Power Supply, Model "ATX-822WBP" -RETAIL 55
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...156-140&depa=1

so far its come up to about $680 USD

I have a 160 gb hd, so dont need one.

I still need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and some ok speakers.( Would it be better to buy locally?)

Any Suggestions? And also, is this build going to be better than the Dell PC?

[bravotsx]

that system seems pretty good, but you are somewhat mistaken when it comes to the graphics card. unless the motherboard has integrated video, you will need a graphics card of some sort...otherwise you can't even plug in your moniter!!

graphics cards are required unless you have one integrated on the motherboard...but those solutions are generally quite lackluster.

most motherboards come with onboard sound, so you are covered there.

i would suggest you go with s939..the procs are now very cheap, and very good...also they allow you to use dual channel memory.
3000+ s939 winchester $155, retail box w/ hsf
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...103-501&DEPA=1

ASUS A8v Deluxe $130
the a8v although a little older, is one of the best s939 mobo's out there....great reviews, and a great overclocker. i use one too
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-510&depa=1

since you said you'd only do light gaming, i'd suggest a 128-bit radeon 9550, can easily be oc'd up to 9600 pro performance for $80. best part is you can use it for a dual moniter setup.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...121-511&depa=1

and now since you you have a dual channel capable computer, might as well get a dual channel kit for ram! corsair valueselect cas 2.5 1gb kit $144
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-440&depa=1
for a bit more, you can get some "enthusiast memory"
PDP 2-3-2-6 1gb kit w/ heatspreaders $184
athlon 64's do best with low latency memory, so in the long haul, if you use some faster memory, you will be able to maximize your computer's performance.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-440&depa=1

for speakers, check out amazon.com Logitech z-3's
40w rms, 2.1, wood grain $34.99 - 10 rebate = 24.99, shipped free, no tax is most states
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846

keyboard, you can get just a generic one, for a mouse it depends on what you want to do.

I was originally going to recommend a better psu w/ that case, but if you added up the cost, it would be cheaper to go with a good case/psu combo.
here is an antec performance case w/ a 430w truepower psu, 12v @ 20 amps is good too.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-115&depa=1

although this stuff is a more expensive, you're still gonna stay within 10% of your budget also you don't want to skimp on a psu..it powers everything you gots. also a good mobo is key...everything plugs into it. the ram is a good investment just because you can maximize your processor's potential.

next down the line haha would be a good hsf, but that would totally blow your budget....but you could probably OC that 3000+ winchester up to 2.4GHz without a sweat...and the newcastle core at 2.4ghz gives you a 3800+, which costs over $500

all you'd need to add to that rig to get there is maybe a xp-90 by thermalright

[DonMakeVeli]

Alrite, took your suggestions into consideration and this is what i have now.

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail 155
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-501&depa=1

ASUS "A8V Deluxe" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL 135
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-510&depa=1

Enlight ATX 420W P4 Power Supply, Model "EN-8420934" -RETAIL 49
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-604&depa=1

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM 150
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-440&depa=1

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black, Model ND-3500A BK W/SW, OEM with software 70
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-029&depa=1

Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack 40
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...106-932&depa=1

Atech USB Digital Card Reader/Writer(Black) INTERNAL/EXTERNAL, Model PRO-9 Black 40
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...176-815&depa=1

NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM 10
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-005&depa=1

RAIDMAX Black 10-bay Case with 420W Power Supply, Model "ATX-822WBP" -RETAIL 55
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...156-140&depa=1

This totals about $700 USD. My budget is set at $800.

I'll be buying the Monitor, Keyboard/Mouse, Speakers locally.
So that leaves about $100 to get vid card, or if you guys see where i could use better performance parts.
Still havent decided on graphics card. But was wondering does that mobo have integrated video or not?

[bravotsx]

that mobo does not have integrated video..click on the pictures to see the ports in the back.

also i updated my previous post...added different case suggestion