Attempting ~$500 Budget Build

[Jake_HT]

Just another vote for the ATI 4830. Most performance per dollar according to futuremark stats! Great bang for the buck video card.

[ImmaPC]

Good choice for the RAM, 8GB for $80 is actually pretty good, even if it is valueram. For your applications, you won't need high-performance, high-speed, hot RAM anyway. The most you would need in the way of cooling them is have a fan on top of them or something, but hey, that's only optional.

For your applications, the ECS P45 board you chose is good, but you don't really need P45, you could get a G31, 610i, or 630i and save some money if you like. Unless you are planning on running a dual-GPU setup in the future (in which case the PSU you got would be fine assuming it's fairly low-end like 9800GT/4830). The best one there is the G31, apparently you can get your E5200 to 4GHZ easy on that thing. >.>

I think if you really want to save money you can go for an AMD build, get an AM2+/AM3 board so that you can upgrade to a Phenom II later if you get the cash. For now, Fix an Athlon X2 7750 AM2+ on it, or Athlon X2 6000+, or 5600+, or 5400+, and save a bit of cash there.

I also noticed that you didn't make a reservation for a HSF in there! As always, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 comes to mind (for $40 you can't go wrong), or OCZ Vendetta II (for $30 and BETTER performance than the Xigmatek, you REALLY can't go wrong).

As for the GPU, a 9800GT will serve you fine, unless you're really strapped for cash and get a 9600GT. However, AMD's roughly equivalent offerings are better than Nvidia's for less price. On the low end side competing with the 9600GT, there's the 4670, and competing with the 9800GT (and beating it frame for frame), the 4830. If you get upgrade itches, or are willing to spend just a bit extra money, the 9800GTX+ comes to mind, and for $180 you can't go wrong. Directly competing with the 9800GTX+, (and being beat by it), the 4850 comes into play.

[bovine.baron]

Thanks for all the in-depth advice, ImmaPC! I did mention I wanted the option to upgrade in the future hence why I got all p43/45 suggestions but now that you mention it, it's probably a lost cause with the pace of technology these days. After some looking around, I've decided on a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, and there's even an open box one at NCIX I can cheap out even more on!

I should have mentioned this but my birthday is coming up and my parents are bugging me every five minutes for what I want (I feel bad since they already pitched in a hundred-fifty on this build but they insist) and I've been planning to ask them to pay for an one of the two HSFs you mentioned (whichever I can find cheaper) and bolt-thru kit. At $40-50, it'd be the cheapest component I can ask them to help with so I won't feel like too much of a freeloader.

[ImmaPC]

Right. Or, you could get them to get the 2nd least expensive component (which I think can be the CPU or mobo, usually 2nd MOST expensive part) =D

But good on you for not being a freeloader. You are going to pay them back sometime, right? =D

[bovine.baron]

Yeah, though it might be tough since they're so proud. I guess I'll just have to leave small bills in their rooms they'll think they forgot until it's paid off =P

[bovine.baron]

Originally Posted by bovine.baron

I've decided on a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, and there's even an open box one at NCIX I can cheap out even more on!

Originally Posted by NCIX Representative

Hello Bernadette

We just checked with our warehouse, and the open box motherboard does not actually exist. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Jack Sui
NCIX Burnaby Branch

So much for that idea.

[JD]

You might be able to get a used motherboard off somebody on here instead. Still save some money I guess.

[ImmaPC]

I would just get a new one like the one you originally planned and be done with it. It won't be that much more expensive than a used one, and its BRAND NEW.