Hey guys, I want to build a desktop to replace my aging laptop.

Is it possible to get a halfway decent (can be older model) Motherboard, CPU, and GPU for about 50-75 each?

I'm looking at going AMD/ATI

I'm trying to keep this project as close to 500 dollars as possible, (before getting the monitor) and really just want something that will play ROF and DCS A-10 decently

Oh and as for the monitor, is there anything I should look for? I will obviously be bringing the base for the Track IR to see if it fits but other then that I am at a loss

I think mine (see below) came in around $700 or so for case, cooling, mobo, cpu, memory, gpu and power supply. Already had the rest. Nice system if I do say so myself, not much point in anything more expensive unless you just want to spend more on the graphics card or have some non-gaming intensive use for the cpu. You could get by just fine with half the memory to knock some off. I already had W7 to install and didn't need to re-buy that.
Use what you can from your current build and upgrade later on if you need to, to stay in budget.

NewEgg and Tiger usually have AMD or Pentium Combo Deals for under $300.

Intel usually runs higher, but thats expeted, as AMD doesnt really have anything to match them in this generation.

You can Get a 4Core AMD, 2GB of Ram and A Mobo for as low as $199, and less if you do mail in rebates.

The lowest I saw an Intel was prolly $250.



So:

$294- $95 Instant Discount = $199,
$164 After $35 M.I.Rebate, Which is Cheaper than the Chip itself as PhenomII X6 Prices are Going up (As FX 6 Cores have lower Benches).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4926128&Sku=M69-0808

-MSI 760GM-P23 (FX) AMD Socket AM3+ Motherboard
-AMD Phenom II X6 1045T (2.7GHz)
-Kingston HyperX Red 8GB Memory Module
-AMD BE EPIC PROMO SHIRT

The GPU will Run you $175-250 for a Decent one. (7800 or 660ti)


TigerDirect Bundle Page:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=14

Ok thanks guys. Is now the best time to buy? Or am I better off waiting till after this absurd season

And windows 8 or 7?

Win 7 64.
Great time, lots of sales going on. Get on the newegg and tigerdirect email lists, they send the best deals out to subscribers. They don't sell it out from what I can tell. Watch Amazon too.

Tom's Hardware just did a 500 buck PC build.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-do-it-yourself-computer,3364.html

i used the Rosewill case on my brother's system 2 years ago.. and it's got some issues..


-USB Ports on the front are very cheap, and put interference into the front headphone/mic jacks , which are also, cheap.

-LEDs are Crazy Bright, if you live in a heavy Air Traffic Area, put some Electrical tape over them or you'll have planes landing in your yard.

For the Front Being Open Mesh, it still has restrictive Airflow. Even with 2x 120mm fans on the Side.

I just bought an AMD FX-8320 Vishera for $170.00 and free shipping from Newegg. They definitely have deals going on; just be sure to check every day

I've got a Rosewill Challenger that I've liked well enough.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Not much different than that one, but being larger it relocates the PS to the bottom and adds a large fan in the top.
I did use the LED fan in a pinch, but moved it to the rear of the case. Really don't need a fan on the front with this case, it mainly just blows on the hard drives, which aren't running hot anyway. Removing that fan cuts the noise even more. Most other fans I swapped out, but the originals were ok.
I'd thought I'd use this case on my budget and upgrade later, but I just can't find a good excuse to do so.

Select Cases are 20% off on newegg through 12/19 w/ Promo Code: EMCJHJF73, Gonna be grabbing me another HAF922 for $80

question about the case, it says it only has 4 USB slots. is it possible to get more?

Im gonna need at least 6 to not have to use a USB extender thing

you'll have 4 in front, the rest will be on the back of the mainboard.

What about sound card?

As I understand it, the Mobo handles sound?

Should I get a sound card?

Depends, I've used the on-board sound with my last 3 builds and it suits me fine; but if you want the absolute best quality and/or do sound editing, then yes, you will probably want to get a card. I've heard the Creative X-Fi cards are good, but don't know personally.

Whether or not to get a sound card depends largely on your speakers. If they're typical desk speaker, then it would probably be a waste. I like mine, but at first I was using them with a pc for home theater type use and it made a huge difference with the surround set up and general sound quality. If just for gaming, it might not be as useful.

I have a THX Certified 5.1 surround system, I NEED a sound card lol. Onboard just sounds like crap. in fact I'm going to get a new sound card to replace my 8+ year old Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS in the near future. I've heard really good things about Creative's Z series and their last-gen PCIe X-Fi series. I need optical out and in though for my home theater system I connect to at times. I've also heard good things about HT Omega's and ASUS's cards, but they both have some software bugs or omissions at the moment that I would find really annoying.

The Creative Sound Blaster Zx and Z also have beam-forming mics that come with the card, and the Zx even has a control "hub" with the mic built-in where you can connect things like headphones and such. I've heard it works really well.

X-Fi Extreme Gamer/Music Cards are $20 or so on ebay, better than Current Gen Stuff by far,

used or OEMs pulled from Phased out Dell Systems mostly.