Need some help on Xmas budget computer

[Ivan275]

Hi, I would like to get a computer in about a month and would like some input from people that know this stuff better then me. I currently have an ageing:

ESC K7VTA3 MotherBoard
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
512MB DDR PC2700
Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 128MB
WD 80GB ATA100 8MB Cache 7200RPM HD
?? 12GB ?? HD (sys backup)

I was thinking of spending about $500-620 on this but its looking to be a little over 100 then I wanted to spend on this (?mid lvl? gaming PC).
I'm currently thinking of something like this: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...Number=4581467
Total: $747.78 with tax and shipping ($717.78 total after vid-card rebate)

I do prefer AMD and Nvidia but I like $$$ alot more so, as long as it will out preform the competition while being cheaper I dont mind intel or ati.

I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions that are in a similar/lower price range?
Is there something on my list that totally sux and need changing?
Is there anything that wont get the best performance because of the other components?
Is there anything that I can downgrade on the system so the price is less and still have about the same performance?
If you had to cut out about $100 worth from this system what would you do?
Are 2x(512mb DDR) better then 1x(1gb DDR)?
Will my WinXP Pro run on this system or do I need 64bit version?

PS. I may do a little overclocking on this but not much.
I will be keeping my old DVD burner, FDD, keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer and scanner.

//Edit: ok lets replace "(?mid lvl? gaming PC)" with "the best gaming PC I can get for the $"

[glc]

Budget does not mean use low quality components. The power supply in that case is garbage. ULi chipsets are substandard. Wintec is questionable quality ram.

You aren't going to get a midlevel gaming PC for 600 bucks no matter what you choose. You need to get a better motherboard, a good power supply, better ram, and cut back on both the CPU and the video card to even get close and have a reliable machine.

[Azriel]

I'd hit NewEgg.com and put together a wishlist build. Also hit w00t.com daily to see if they have any of the parts you're looking for, usually pretty cheap

[DarkPacMan77]

yes, honestly, like glc stated, you would pretty much have to scrap that list in order to get a good mid level pc.

[LeftyAce]

I would agree, and can say from experience that the advice you'll get here should be followed; I built my first computer this summer and the only component I had problems with was the one that everyone here said was a bad idea (the motherboard :-)

[Ivan275]

I am razing the budget for this to about 700. And I did changed the vidcard and ram since first post, it's reflected in the same link. http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...Number=4581467


I'm think that going with this will be better?
BFG Tech GeForce 7900GS 256MB Is this a better brand?
G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 Is this a better brand?
or
OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 4-5-4-15 Which is better?

instead of
BIOSTAR GeForce 7900GS 256MB
WINTEC AMPX 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800

Is a motherboard with a build in video card a bad choice?
What mother board/chipset would you recommend for under $80 (I want DDR2 800, PCI Express x16, SATA 3Gb/s, COM and LPT ports...)

How do I learn what brands are crap, descent and good?
Any ideas on "Ultra V Series 500W Power Supply" http://www.ultraproducts.com/product...&productID=369

[telegramsam]

Start with an Intel Core 2 Duo. The E6300 (an absolutely EXCELLENT CPU) is around $180. That is dirt cheap for the performance you'll get out of it. Then find an ASUS or Intel board.

Either of those can get you support for DDR2 800, although DDR2 667 is nothing to cry about and less expensive.

Use the links to the manufacturer's websites to find compatible RAM.

THEN you can look into a video card if you're gaming.

Like all these guys said, and I've been down this road myself, do NOT buy cheap components and expect RAM and video cards to compensate for it.

[Ivan275]

OK this PC is basically all done except for ram.

Thanks...

[dogdude16]

i wouldn't trust the ultra PSU there is a good list here at pcmech of good and bad PSUs srry i dont have the link

[newbuilder14]

CPU: Core 2 Duo E6300
MOBO: Asus P5B
RAM: 2x512mb Corsair DDR2 667
HDD: Anything you want, SATA
VID: eVGA 7600gt
PSU: Xclio 450bl
Case of your choice
DVD: Liteon DVD burner

Should cost you a little about $700, but definately worth it.