Custom Built comp for under $500

[j_ten_man]

I was wondering who can come up with the best deal for a custom built computer for $500 or less. I am planning on using the computer for photoshop (also SAI Tools which is like photoshop) and some media but nothing major. I will be playing some games on it as well but they are a few years old. Interested to see what people can come up with.

EDIT**********

I do not need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or OS.

[slapshot136]

do you need a mouse/keyboard/monitor/OS/dvd drive included in the 500 or not?

if not, then here:


CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.249799) : E6300 2.8 dual core - 84
Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.249799): ECS micro - 50
memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289) - 4gb ddr2 OCZ - 86
case+PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162) - 420W PSU, micro case - 70
graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121337) - ASUS 260 - 170
hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319) - WD black 640 - 75


-10 CPU/mobo combo
-12 mobo rebate
-20 mem rebate
-15 case/PSU rebate
-20 graphics card rebate

total is 525 before rebates, 458 after

use bing to offset tax+shipping

[j_ten_man]

do you need a mouse/keyboard/monitor/OS/dvd drive included in the 500 or not?

if not, then here:


CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.249799) : E6300 2.8 dual core - 84
Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.249799): ECS micro - 50
memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289) - 4gb ddr2 OCZ - 86
case+PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144162) - 420W PSU, micro case - 70
graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121337) - ASUS 260 - 170
hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319) - WD black 640 - 75


-10 CPU/mobo combo
-12 mobo rebate
-20 mem rebate
-15 case/PSU rebate
-20 graphics card rebate

total is 525 before rebates, 458 after

use bing to offset tax+shipping

This will be my first custom built computer, so pardon any stupid questions :).

Is it really worth it to spend that much more on the graphics card then to get maybe a slightly better motherboard, or go for a quad core cpu?

[damnyou]

This will be my first custom built computer, so pardon any stupid questions :).

Is it really worth it to spend that much more on the graphics card then to get maybe a slightly better motherboard, or go for a quad core cpu?

Well you can have a cheaper build

CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381

RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178222

other components can be looked into Hot deals section

[muhsheesuh]

Wow I didn't realize that memory in general has skyrocketed in price. I think I paid 45 bucks for my 4gb G.skill ddr2 ram a few months back but now it's at $75 (WTF)?

Use this thread to help: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=413558&t=553826

A lot of the more experience system builders frequent that thread so they will be able to help you out better. Also it looks like slapshot136 threw some random parts together. I would DEFINITELY NOT go with that build. You are right in thinking that you don't need a 260. Since you will only be playing older games you can get by with much cheaper.

This video card: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1566363
would have been great for your build. If you want to spend a little more go with a 9600GT or a hd 3850. Although I'm not sure what type of games you will be playing, it will more than likely be more power than you will need.

If you want intel go with at least a core 2 duo dual core. Although socket 775 is officially EOL now you can still build a good budget pc with it. However just keep in mind you won't be able to upgrade it in the future as no new CPUs will be released for that socket type. If you have a microcenter near you, you should consider the Intel i5.

[slapshot136]

as far as getting a cheaper graphics card and a better CPU, yes it's possible but a 2.8 dual core is plenty, since very few applications actually benefit from multiple cores, and a nice graphics card lets you max the resolution/settings on a game

also i based my build off this (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/core-2-overclock,review-31589.html)

and the memory isnt exactly low-quality either, it's fast and with low latency, you could easily find $40 memory that has higher latency or is slower

p.s. sry if im being a necromancer