Advice on new-built system?

[victorisone]

I have a couple 5+-year-old desktop computers. My father and I are looking to gut them and build a new, up-to-date system from the bottom up.

Assuming we have a case, optical drives, screen, speakers, mouse, keyboard, and OS, I am asking for recommendations on the rest of the parts.

Please give recommendations at one or more of the following budget maximums:

$300

$400

$500

Thank you for your time,
Viktor

[not important]

Intel or AMD? What will the PC be primarily used for?
This thread has a lot of info and pricing within your budget.

[jdeb]

what is your case? does it accommodate atx form factor, micro atx, etc..?

[victorisone]

No preference as to processor. I think you may have dropped a hyperlink somewhere, Not Important...

Primary usage for gaming, as my 2-year-old Alienware laptop cannot stand up to minimum settings on new games anymore (e.g. CoD:WaW or L4D).

As for the case, jdeb, they are ancient and I have not had a look inside them for years. I can say in all honesty that as long as one does not mind having a few components floating around, and not screwed down, then anything can technically fit. :P

My dad and I are new to custom-building PCs, so I do not know what parts "atx" refers to. This is a learning/bonding experience for us. Which is why I came to the experts at these forums...

Thanks for the replies,
Viktor

[glc]

Even $500 won't get you a build that will game as well as a 2 year old Alienware laptop. I think you need to up your budget, and plan on building from the ground up, a 5+ year old system won't have any parts that are feasibly reusable except possibly an optical drive. Even that isn't worth it with new DVD burners going for less than $30. A new case would also be best, because even if you reuse a case, it won't have a suitable power supply for a new system. Your peripherals should be okay to reuse - you just need a new case and everything that goes inside it.

[victorisone]

Ok, given that the PC is not intended for modern gaming, what's the best sort of system I can get given the budget?

[not important]

Originally Posted by victorisone No preference as to processor. I think you may have dropped a hyperlink somewhere, Not Important...

I was referring to the thread you are posting in. but heres the link anyway. http://forum.pcmech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43
There are a number of build suggestions located here.
This is a great $300 build minus the OS.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=204087

[victorisone]

Thank you for the links, as they are very informative! I will look over the various builds to be found with him.