Building first-ever rig

[bramma]

Well, I've recently moved out of my parents house and I am now trying to build myself a computer. I've been using different sites so far, and this is what I have came up with. Keep in mind that this computer will be used mainly for mmorpg games like everquest. I also don't have anything to carry over from another computer, so I will need a monitor and an operating system, and I am trying to do it all for under $800 dollars. Well, this is what I have so far...

Case: Antec solution series Super mid tower case with 350W Smartpower power supply 'SLK3700AMB) $69

CPU: AMD Athlon Xp 2500 333 fsb, 512K Cache processor $80

Motherboard: Epox 8rda3+ $96

Ram:Kingston ValueRAM 184 PIN 256 MB DDR PC-2700 $48

Sound: Built into motherboard. Figure I can get a cheap set of speakrs for $15 to $20 bucks.

Video Card: Powercolor ATI Radeon 9600 PRO Video card, 128 MB DDR, 128 bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8x AGP, model R96A-C3N" $124

Hard Drive:Samsung 80 GB 7200 RPM hard erive, oem $68

Also, I may need a case fan or two for cooling, because I'm not sure if this case comes with enough to keep the system cool.

Optical drives: Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW drive, model LTR-52327S $33

Floppy Drive: OEM drive from newegg $10

Keyboard: Saw a nice cordless at walmart for $30

Monitor: Samsung 753DF-T/T 17" Dynaflat crt monitor $169

Operating system: at a loss for this one. Was looking for a lost-cost solution for windows xp. But retail, it is about $150

Extra IDE Cable for hard drive: $5 at dealsonic.com

Antistatic wrist strap: $7 at dealsonic.com

Right now, this comes to about $900. I really need to squeeze it in under $800. So, any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also, let me know if all of these components are compatible.

[Erik]

If you are a student you can get Windows XP for $84 from NewEgg. Although it is only a upgrade version, so you will still need another Windows CD to install.

[saphalline]

XP Home full version can be had on Newegg for under $100, so that may be your best bet. I usually recommend XP Pro for most people because the extra $50 are well worth it, but you are on a really tight budget, so...

To get things down in price, pull back on the processor. I know it hurts but you really don't have much choice. The 2000+ retail is only $57. You can upgrade later.

Also, do you really need that much graphical power? eVGA has a nice 128MB (128-bit DDR) GeForce FX 5200 for only $74. Again, you can upgrade later.

With those savings, you should be under $800. However, if I were you, I'd wait and save up some money. Those parts you listed look great and you wouldn't have to upgrade in 6 months like you would if you took my "money-saving tips" I gave you above. The only thing I would change is to boost the RAM to at least 512MB (or 1GB if you can) and move up to WinXP Pro. Online games in general suck up RAM like crazy and the extra networking benefits of XP Pro will also serve you well.

Just some thoughts, but I think $800 for a complete gaming system just can't be done. Not if you want optimal performance without needing to upgrade soon.

[cyber_surfer]

If a cordless mouse comes along with that cordless keyboard it probably would not be the greatest for gaming.
I purchased XP Home OEM (Newegg) for $87 on june 22.
Suggest round cables for IDE $5 +- at Cyberguys
I'd drop the floppy until you find you can't get along without it. I never have needed any I have.
Seagate 80GB HD regularly available for $49 after $50 rebate at either CompUSA, Bestbuy, Staples or Circuit City (just watch the ads).
DO you need Firewire and Sata? You could probably find a MB at newegg for $30-40 less with the nVIDIA chipset and Dual Channel Memory.
PC3200 Memory at Crucial $52.50 (256MB). You need two to run XP and benefit from Dual Channel Memory.

[HeadachesAbound]

Just my 2 cents. Comes to a little over $580 and doesn't cover everything (cd-rom, kybrd, mouse, monitor, speakers, and maybe a couple of other things). You might need to check the requirements for your games and make sure you meet the recommended specs and maybe even exceed them.

This will give you an Athlon xp 2000+ with 1GB of RAM. I currently run something similar and play quite a few games and do alot of digital video and music without any real issues.

It's all from NewEgg.

GIGABYTE "GA-7VT600 1394" KT600 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
Model#: GA-7VT600 1394
Item#: N82E16813128197
Price: $64.00

Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
Model# KVR400X64C3A/512
Item # N82E16820141424
Price: $79.00 (Get 2 of these)

Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a - OEM
Model# E85-02179
Item # N82E16837102143
Price: #135.00

Aspire X-Dreamer II(Black) ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, With Window, Model "ATXB4KLW-BK/350"
Model# ATXB4KLW-BK/350W
Item # N82E16811144026
Price : $49.99

AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail
Model# AXDA2000BOX
Item # N82E16819103383
Price : $57.00

ECS ATI RADEON 9200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/VIVO, 8X AGP, Model "R9200-128DV" -RETAIL
Model# R9200-128DV
Item # N82E16814134108
Price : $50.00

Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800JB, OEM Drive Only
Model# WD800JB
Item # N82E16822144122
Price : $65.95