Help out with a dorm room gaming PC on the super cheap

[GoHounds]

I haven't built a computer since the 7th grade (I remember I brought it into my science class). It was when the P4 2.4@800Mhz FSB, 1GB of RAM, and a 120gb hard drive was the bee's knees. But I'm a little behind as to what specs and models are considered "good".

Anyway, I have a Macbook now (the RAM and HD a little souped up, but with an integrated graphics card) and can't do any gaming.

My buddies with Windows laptops have been playing Americas Army, which I used to play when I had my old computer. So I'm thinking I need a computer SOLELY for the purpose of playing this addicting game. I already have a monitor, copy of Windows XP, optical drives, and peripherals.

I want to do this as cheaply as possible. The "recommended" specs are:

Supported OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP SP2/Vista Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual Core Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: Direct X 9.0c compliant, Shader 3.0 enabled video card with 512MB RAM (NVIDIA 7950 or better/ATI X1950 or better) DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c Sound: Creative EAX 4.0 compliant sound card (Audigy 2, X-Fi series) Hard Drive: 5 GB of Available Hard Disk Space Input: Keyboard and mouse Multiplayer: Broadband Internet connection

Just pulling stuff off Newegg.

PSU: Please tell me what kind of wattage I'll need. Looking for MicroATX (cheapppppp).

MB: Asus P5KPL-AM

CPU: Pentium Dual Core 2.8

GPU: EVGA GeForce 8400

RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR2 1066 (2x2GB)

HD: Seagate 80gb--SATA

How does that look? I think I can dig up a working DVD reader and wires, etc, and I already have an old case.

-Suggestions on the cheapest possible PSU? I have had good experiences with Antec and Thermaltake.
-Can I go cheaper on the motherboard/CPU, maybe in exchange for a better video card?

Thanks in advance for replies.

[rwest]

For a gamer as cheap as possible, drop the memory to this :

Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD2U800B1G5-DRH
and put the $40 bucks saved on the video card.

There's not enough benefit from 1066 ram to support doubling your cost in a build like this. Same goes for the 4gig. Xp works just fine with 2gig.

[glc]

Don't buy open box motherboards. Spend a bit more and exceed the recommendations.

Newegg.com - ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80571E6500

Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model VS4GBKIT800D2 G

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - PowerColor AX4850 512MD3-HV3 Radeon HD 4850 V3 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Assuming your case will fit a standard ATX PSU:

Newegg.com - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply

[GoHounds]

Edit: nevermind. glc, I'm going to go with your setup. I'll report back when it's up and running.

Thanks!

[GoHounds]

One last thing: What would be a comparable nvidia card? If I ever plan on installing linux on this computer, I'd like to be dealing with the easier chipset (a mistake I made with my last build).

[glc]

Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTS250/DI/512MD3/WW GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

[GoHounds]

Thank you sir.