Your best shot at a budget system, bring it on

[Paintballer]

Yes, another one of these threads, but this one is a bit different. The difference is that I have no problem finding a computer that can fit into my price range (~$1,500-$1,600US)... I just want to see what you people can do on a lower budget. It is definately possible, so just make the best computer setup you can with the hardware goals listed below. I have been out of the hardware scene for a couple months, and was just wondering if any of you know of some recent setups. Pretty much, I'm willing to spend up to $1,600US, but would like to save some money since this is all graduation money I'm dealing with and I could really stand to pre-pay at least a couple car payments before college in the fall .

What I need:
17" LCD (8ms)
AMD 64 based system (socket 939) 1mb L2
At least 1GB RAM
At least 150GB HD
6800GT 256mb PCI Express
A nice wireless keyboard/mouse combo

Don't worry about the case or PSU, I've got that covered. If you want to sacrifice something to save some $$$, go for it, I'm willing to hear every idea. If there's something I left out in haste, let me know .

BTW: This is kind of a lot to ask, I know, but if you want to help me out you can; if you don't want to, fine by me.
Thanks in advance.
EDIT: I'm dealing with newegg.com for all this.

 

[Kyorisu]

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3000+,1.8ghz 512KB L2 cache
Mobo - Nvidia nForce4 chipset - Dual channel DDR:7.1 audio, USB2.0; 2x Gigabit Ethernet; SATA RAID; 2x PCI express
Ram - 1GB 4000mhz DDR
GFX Card - NVIDIA 6600GT - PCI-E 128mb
Monitor - 17inch LCD - 1024x768 @ 85hertz minimum
HDD - 2x200GB SATA - 7200rpm; ATA/150;8mb cache
Mouse - Optical wheel
Keyboard - Enhanced - Ergonomic or extra functions

Total : $1,519.97 USD

It's really worth getting better storage and 400GB should suffice.

 

[Shamrock]

Hard Drive $80:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144203

Monitor $205.99 After $20 Mail-In Rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824198001

AMD 64 CPU $481.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103529

Motherboard $172 After $6 Mail-In Rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130487

Ram $191:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145523

Video Card $345 After $14 Mail-In Rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130215

Keyboard/Mouse Wireless Combo $113.98:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126169

Grand Total
$1587.97 w/o shipping and handling fees.

 

[Rupertvdb]

that's pretty awesome, the storage is insane! Wouldn't be that cheap in the UK

 

[Glirk Dient]

Save some money...don't go SLI.

Other than that everything looks fine. I will take a closer look if I find some more time.

 

[JellyWorld]

holy crap US$1600 isn't budget.

 

[Glirk Dient]

It is for the parts he has requested.

 

[Paintballer]

holy crap US$1600 isn't budget.

EDIT:
I have found the solution, just look at my wishlist:
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...ID=1558488&WishListTitle=Blazin Budget System

$1,100 Shipped: 3400+ Socket 754, 1gb Geil ValueRam, 160Gb Barracuda, DFI UT 250GB, 6800GT 256mb AGP, 17" Viewsonic 8ms LCD, Xaser III Case.

I believe that this must be the perfect balance between affordability and performance. Thanks everyone, I think I'm about to order this.

 

[bosox188]

Socket 939 is better though, and definitely more future proof.

 

[OmegaX]

Monitor - 17inch TFT LCD = $195
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz = $260
RAM - PC3200 1GB RAM = $68
Harddrive - White Label Magnetic Data Tech 200GB = $89
Video Card - GEFORCE 6800 GT 256MB DDR PCI-EXPRESS = $358
Keyboard/Mouse combo = $100
Total = $1,070

Prices courtesy of http://www.pricewatch.com/
I think this is a little better then your setup

 

[bosox188]

Monitor - 17inch TFT LCD = $195
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz = $260
RAM - PC3200 1GB RAM = $68
Harddrive - White Label Magnetic Data Tech 200GB = $89
Video Card - GEFORCE 6800 GT 256MB DDR PCI-EXPRESS = $358
Keyboard/Mouse combo = $100
Total = $1,070

Prices courtesy of http://www.pricewatch.com/
I think this is a little better then your setup

That $68 1gb ram must be some bad generic crap, and you forgot the motherboard.

 

[OmegaX]

You don't need a motherboard :E . And as for the RAM, its fine as long as it works.

 

[BF2slut]

And as for the RAM, its fine as long as it works.

..No it's not. tsk tsk

 

[Shamrock]

Monitor - 17inch TFT LCD = $195
Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz = $260
RAM - PC3200 1GB RAM = $68
Harddrive - White Label Magnetic Data Tech 200GB = $89
Video Card - GEFORCE 6800 GT 256MB DDR PCI-EXPRESS = $358
Keyboard/Mouse combo = $100
Total = $1,070

Prices courtesy of http://www.pricewatch.com/
I think this is a little better then your setup

You sir have forgot a motherboard.

 

[X-FacToR]

I'd help yeah out but don't care much for amd or nvidia to put effort into it.

 

[sinkoman]

I don't feel too much like putting together a compilation of system parts atm, but I can definetly recomend you a dual channel kit of OCZ Value Ram, basically Unbinned VX5 sticks, an xp-90 (heat sink), and a Gigabyte K8N-Ultra939.

 

[Kyorisu]

I still say you'll need more HDD space.

 

[sinkoman]

I still say you'll need more HDD space.

No need. My 36 gig raptor and my 80 gig caviar are all I need. Tons of space for me. I'm sure he wont need any more.

 

[Pesmerga]

I'd help yeah out but don't care much for amd or nvidia to put effort into it.

Then don't POST?

CPU : AMD 64 3000+ Winchester
Mobo : Asus A8V Deluxe
HDD : Meh, you can find one, SATA 150+gig
GFX : 6800gt 128mb AGP
RAM : 2x512mb CORSAIR (CORSAIR is a MUST)
Mouse/Keyboard/Case/ combo : $80
PSU : 400 or more w Antec/Thermaltake
Monitor : 17" LCD (I would reccomend CRT, cheaper, more reliable, not a huge difference with LCD unless you're saving desk space)
Sound : Onboard mobo, works fine for me so far.

Assuming you take my advise on the CRT monitor, that comes to about $900 because of the 6800gt.

 

[sinkoman]

Just curious, why is Corsair a "Must"?

 

[Pesmerga]

Because it's reliable, fast, and cheap memory.

 

[Shamrock]

Go get a DualCore AMD chip.. They are the best out right now.

 

[holydeadpenguins]

Go get a DualCore AMD chip.. They are the best out right now.

Yeah they will make your whole computing experience much smoother.

 

[bosox188]

Go get a DualCore AMD chip.. They are the best out right now.

He only has $1,500 to spend, he probably can't afford a dual core.

 

[duffers20]

Dual core chips are going for about £750! so i don't think they are in his budget!

 

[Paintballer]

yeah, i kind of want to be able to afford some other stuff

I really won't be using the computer too much, I was just wondering if anyone could come up with some crazy deals.

Thanks everyone

 

[Shamrock]

He has $1600 to spend.. I assembled a computer on Newegg.com with dual core processing capabilities for under $1600.

 

[Paintballer]

I was willing to spend 1600, but looking to spend less. Now I can spend 1100, and get about the same performance. BTW, if you put together a dual core system for 1600, you must have compromised something that I would have rathre had than the dual core capabilities. 1100 includes everything I need, including case and LCD.