Please approve/advise on my first build (mid-level gaming)

[dstrain]

I've gotten some great advice and suggestions both in my earlier thread and just by reading some other threads. I'm now ready to present my first listing of parts for your critiques.

The list is a mix of new and reused parts to make a system to play the occasional BF2, COD2, etc. It's still straining my very limited budget, so if there's anything on there that I can shave costs on, without sacrificing too much performance, please let me know.

What do you think?

Case/PSU: Antec Lifestyle Sonata II - $99.00

Mobo: ASUS A8N5X - $83.99

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice - $163.00 or AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego - $213.00

HDD: Western Digital WD3200 Caviar SE 320GB Hard Drive - Free (reusing)

RAM: Mushkin SP3200 1GB stick - $78.99

A friend has given me one of these sticks for free. Thought I'd add another, but not sure if it matters if I get same brand.

CD/DVD: NEC ND-3520A 16x DVD-RW - Free (reuse)

Sound Card: SoundBlaster 16 (I think) - Free (reuse)

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100106-RD Radeon X850XT - $169.00 or
eVGA GeForce 6800GS - $184.00

Monitor: An older Dell 17" Digital/Analog Flat Panel Monitor - Free (reuse)

OS: WinXP Pro - Free (reuse)

[freakitchen]

That's a nice build.

I'd agree with adding an identical stick of the Mushkin RAM to make 1GB, you'll need it for dual channel operation.

I'd actually take the 3700+ processor. It's in the 'sweet spot' in terms of price vs performance, but of course it depends on your budget.

FK

[MakeYourslf2012]

Looks like a good build

Its best to stay with the same brand of RAM if your buying another stick.

If you have the money, I suggest you opt for the 3700+ and a less expensive video card.

[jfk]

I'd spend the extra $50 and take the 3700+. It's probably a toss-up on the video cards. They are very similar in performance. If you play a lot of OpenGL games, I'd take the NVIDIA. If you play a lot of shader intensive games, the ATI would get the nod. If you want to use the $15 saved and apply it to the processor, take the ATI.

Depending on the age of the monitor, it's technology might be such that the response time is slow enough to create ghosting. Only way to know is to try it out.

Substitute the 1 gig stick of ram for a 2X512 kit and take advantage of dual channel ram, and it's 3-5% increase in performance.

*********Never mind, I just reread your post and realize your adding this to an existing stick. That will be fine. Check the ASUS site to guarantee compatability.