Building a $500 gaming rig... check my list please :)

[g.ram]

Hi everyone,

I am building a $500 budget gaming rig, it has always been a dream of mine.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I will be using this computer to do school work, surf the internet etc., however I also want to use this computer to play games such as (Counter-strike Source, LFS (a racing sim.) etc.) I am not looking to play the most recent games that require HIGH end computers to play, but just to have a computer that has decent performance.

Here is my list of parts that I have selected:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 Dual Core Processor AM3 3.1GHZ 2MB L2 Cache 65W 45NM Retail Box
------------------------Link to CPU---94.99

Mobo: ASUS M4A79XTD Evo ATX AM3 790X DDR3 2XPCI-E16 2XPCI-E 2XPCI CrossFireX SATA Audio GBLAN Motherboard
------------------------Link to Mobo---100.67

RAM: Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9A 4GB 2X2GB PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Memory Kit
------------------------Link to RAM---55.14

Video card: ASUS GeForce GTS 450 TOP Fermi 925MHZ 1024MB GDDR5 DVI VGA Mini-HDMI PCI-E DX11 Video Card
------------------------Link to Video Card---158.70

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 500W ATX12V V2.2 24PIN Power Supply with 120MM Fan
------------------------Link to PSU---59.99

Case: ASUS TA-M11 ATX Mid Tower Case BLACK/SILVER Front Audio USB No PSU Included
------------------------Link to Case---45.99
--------------
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit)
HDD: Using from previous computer.
Sound Card: M-Auido FastTrackPro external USB soundcard
Primary Optical:Using from previous computer.
Monitor: INSIGNIA 26" TV (Generic PnP Monitor)
Keyboard:Using from previous computer.
Mouse: Using from previous computer.


Sub Total: $515.48

What do you guys think?
Will this work well for what I want it to do?
Any suggestions/additions or things to change?
Any other things to consider?

Thanks a bunch everyone!

[pam123]

Yes it will.
I'd be willing to stretch a bit for a psu with more "umph" ,say 650 watts.
That would give you some upgrade space a few years from now but if the budget won't stretch that far you still have a nice rig as is.

[g.ram]

Originally Posted by pam123 Yes it will. I'd be willing to stretch a bit for a psu with more "umph" ,say 650 watts. That would give you some upgrade space a few years from now but if the budget won't stretch that far you still have a nice rig as is.

Thank you for your reply!

[jdeb]

NCIX.com - Buy Corsair Professional HX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - Corsair - CMPSU-650HX - in Canada

[glc]

I'd stick with Corsair (all but the CX series), Seasonic, or Antec (Earthwatts) PSU's, and if you can afford it, upgrade that video card to a GTX460.

[ladiesman2927]

I don't know if cpu prices in Canada are different, but 95 CAD for that 255 seems a bit ridiculous. I got my 245 for $60 USD off newegg

[g.ram]

Originally Posted by glc I'd stick with Corsair (all but the CX series), Seasonic, or Antec (Earthwatts) PSU's, and if you can afford it, upgrade that video card to a GTX460.

Okay, yeah I for sure will, I looked up the GTX460 after reading your post and it is worth the investment, its much better than the GTS I was looking at.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by ladiesman2927 I don't know if cpu prices in Canada are different, but 95 CAD for that 255 seems a bit ridiculous. I got my 245 for $60 USD off newegg

I will take a look into this and compare prices.

Thanks for all the replies! They are very helpful so far!!!
I'm getting excited to do this!

[glc]

All components are more expensive in Canada due to import duties and taxes.