[Matt L]

I'm lookin to buy a computer around $650-700. It doesn't have to be hardcore. Just for listening to music, downloading some music, watching videos, and a little gaming [hardest game on the PC would probably be Halo PC but I won't go harder tahn that].

Can you please include the operating system, speaker, keyboard, mouse, tower and stuff like that because I don't have anything, and I'm very computer-dead. Means I'm dumb with making PCs lol.

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Normally people on here wouldn't put up an entire build for someone but I just picked out a build for my friend a few days ago that I think fit your needs well.

Antec Case/PSU - $130 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129158

Gigabyte MOBO - $76 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128034

AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200+ - $103 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103747

2x512MB OCZ gold RAM - $90 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227126

Seagate 320GB SATA - $95 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148215

Windows XP Home - $90 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116169

XFX Geforce 7600 GT - $160 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150213

Total: $744

Doesn't include keyboard or anything like that since that is much more a preference than the other things. To meet your budget I would build w/o the video card and put it in later when you can. This machine will play any game out there. Also I strongly advise against cutting costs by going with a cheaper MOBO or getting value RAM.

Edited by Titan8990, 01 April 2007 - 01:46 PM.

[Titan8990]

Normally people on here wouldn't put up an entire build for someone but I just picked out a build for my friend a few days ago that I think fit your needs well.

Antec Case/PSU - $130 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129158

Gigabyte MOBO - $76 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128034

AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200+ - $103 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103747

2x512MB OCZ gold RAM - $90 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227126

Seagate 320GB SATA - $95 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148215

Windows XP Home - $90 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116169

XFX Geforce 7600 GT - $160 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150213

Total: $744

Doesn't include keyboard or anything like that since that is much more a preference than the other things. To meet your budget I would build w/o the video card and put it in later when you can. This machine will play any game out there. Also I strongly advise against cutting costs by going with a cheaper MOBO or getting value RAM.

Edited by Titan8990, 01 April 2007 - 01:46 PM.

[cmpm]

or if you want cheaper, already built
but not as powerful as Titan's

http://www.gateway.c...t/529664728.php

[Titan8990]

I have never used pentium D but I am told by everyone that they are garabage. The Gateway there will need a RAM upgrade before I would even consider it useable especially with Windows Vista. That computer has onboard graphics and doesn't show any indication that it has a PCI-E x16 slot ready for upgrade. That gateway wouldn't run Halo.

Can't forget to mention that the PSU, RAM, and probably the mobo are likely all closest to the lowest quality as it gets...

I'm sorry but I really dislike prebuilts.

[cmpm]

or this one for more power and money
if you want one already built

http://www.tigerdire...e...=2&NoMapp=0

[cmpm]

I have a gateway pentium D with 128 built in graphics and it handles Halo just fine. So my kids tell me.
And I upgraded it with a 256 pci express video card for 80 bucks so it could handle a different game.

The intel core duo is better though.

Gateway uses some decent parts. Better then Dell in my opinion.

That one from tiger direct seems like a deal to me, plus it's 256 built in graphics and upgradeable, if you don't want to build it yourself, and the one from gateway, ask them by phone about the graphics memory. I'd bet it's 128.

Now the amdx2 is better then the intel processors but you have to pay for that also.

Edited by cmpm, 01 April 2007 - 03:01 PM.

[james_8970]

If thats your budget buy a built PC, because larger stores like bestbuy or dell buy products in bulk they get better deals on cheaper hardware. Till you hit the $800-900+, it's not your worthwhile to build. On another note, stay away from Pentium D's, they are chips that were quickly assembed to say that had build the first "dual core". It's not really a dual core....but anyways. Go with AMD, they have better price/performance ratios on the budget end since thats all they have to offer at the time being. Wait till april 9th, thats when AMD is rumoured to do some price slashing, but we are already seeing prices dropping on AMD's side, not to mention that thier motherboard are cheaper because the south bridge is intergraded into the processors itself.

Now the amdx2 is better then the intel processors but you have to pay for that also.

got a good laugh out of that....you are kidding right. Since July 2006 the Core2duo processors have been dealing licking left and right to AMD. AMD now only has low end processors, for budget build. Unless you want FX-70, 72, 74.....but anyone who buys that is an idiot, since they are crap.

Normally I'd say build yourself regardless of the budget since you can customize to your needs, but if your not comfortable doing it yourself to much can go wrong if you don't know what your doing.
James

Edited by james_8970, 01 April 2007 - 04:03 PM.

[cmpm]

hmmmm, guess everyone has an a-hole, i mean opinion...
i lol at your ability to communicate...james

[cmpm]

a reliable source to compare processors

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

[james_8970]

It's reliable and proving you wrong all in one punch.
First of all, how would a 600-1000$ (FX, the ones that attempt to compete) processor be a good purchase for a build that has a budget of $700.
Second of all, the FX (the ones you didn't mention) processors are quad core processors that require an expensive and complicated mobo, which costs $300+ by itself.
Third of all, the the X2, the processors you mentioned go up to the 6000+ look at all the charts, they don't come close towards the higher end Intel CPU's of the equivalent price, especially once you factor overclocking.
The FX processors (the ones that you didn't mention) are at the time being a stupid design when you can get the equivalent performing Intel processors for less. Don't look at just the price of the CPU, but the more expensive Mobo and PSU it'll require, not to mention the extra heat that will be generated. Remember the FX models are 2 complete separate dual core CPU's on one motherboard requiring twice the power creating twice the heat.
But remember you mentioned the X2 processors, the budget and old line of processors released from AMD. Yes there is a new one the 5400+ and 6000+ models but they are the same old architecture released quite a while back when AMD had the upper hand. Well in July of 2006 Intel showed them their back hand and the tables turned. While there are a new line of processors the FX that you failed to mention, they are by no means an economical way to build a computer, considering the quad core Intel design beats them in most runs and is MUCH less for a build. It's true that they have a greater upgrade path down the road when you'll be able to place two Barcelona CPU's on these expensive motherboards, but for 90%+ of us this won't be an option that is available to us due to the cost restraints and the lack of performance it gives in the present time. Also the Core2duo have greater potential due to their greater overclockablitliy.
Also when using benchmarks such as those, go by real world tests, such as games and programs. They are more accurate compared to synthetic benchmarks such as PCmarks or 3dmarks06.
Till barcelona is released Intel is the processor king.
James

P.S. lets get back on topic here, Matt L. are you comfortable enough to build a computer? Or do you want to get a prebuilt.

Edited by james_8970, 01 April 2007 - 07:05 PM.

[cmpm]

you made it about me james
i am not interested in helping you

at least i posted on topic and addressed the question and stayed near budget

i don't mind being wrong, don't bother me
like so what

seems to be a lot of arrogant ego maniacs in the computer world
so i don't do business with them

[james_8970]

Sorry if I came off mean, we all need to start somewhere and we all make mistakes, but calling me an a-hole was unnecessary. By the way I was saying that the "competitive" AMD processors arn't near his budget.
I'm not the OP
James

Edit: Now that thats out of our systems lets get back onto why this thread was created, Matt L. are you comfortable enough to build a computer? Or do you want to get a pre-built.

Edited by james_8970, 01 April 2007 - 07:53 PM.

[cmpm]

no problems james, i get the same way too

Matt, if you are still there here is a list of some more in your price range
Most are refurbished or open box, but tigerdirect backs up their stuff

http://www.tigerdire...a...99|&Recs=30

[Matt L]

Thanks. If there are anymore suggestions, please feel free to post them. I will consider all of my options soon. Thanks again.

Matt

[james_8970]

Could you please clarify whether or not you feel comfortable building it or not?
James