I will list the part, price, and link here..
CPU $200
AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, Newcastle core
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-488&depa=1

MOBO $105
MSI nForce3 250 Chipset "K8N Neo Platinum"
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-457&depa=1

CPU FAN $47
ZALMAN
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-113&depa=1


RAM $138
Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200
VS1GBKIT400
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-440&depa=1

Total comes out to be $490... any thoughts on these components? anyone got a better layout with this budget?

 

I think you could save 10-15% off those prices, but that looks pretty good. Check out Froogle on all those parts. I'm partial to Asus motherboards and Crucial.com RAM (although Corsair is excellent).

Also, I'm a huge fan of retail boxed CPUs that come with an optimized fan and a warranty (and they should cost less than $50 more and you get the warranty which can come in handy). I've built maybe 50-75 PCs and after a while I just got fed up with cheap or noisy fans and sketchy chips and only would work on retail boxed chips. It made working on those PCs much, much easier and more reliable in the long run.

CPU for $170:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...CMP=OTC-FROOGLE

 

Amen to that.

 

well... im gonna OC my cpu so.. retail fan and warranty would do me no good.. aniways i've decided on A64 3200+ "939" with MSI K8N Neo2!
and should i go with this ram?
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-156-024&depa=0

 

if u gonna oc... that ram wont do jack for the oc... get some real ram for oc


kingston hyperx pc3200..

 

Why would you overclock a chip anymore? I've done plenty, but the cost savings used to be the reason to do it. It no longer exists. Keep your computer stable and just replace your CPU more frequently.

 

There is absolutely no need to overclock a new cpu, especially the one you are getting. You are just going to kill its life. If you really need power, then get a dual CPU mobo.

 

Check to see what RAM is good for that MoBo to acheive a good OC.
Go search here www.hardforum.com, but use the search button, I think there are multiple threads on that Mobo.

I have the K8Neo Platinum (not the 2, the 754 board) and I am going to get Corsair XMS series 3200 ram. Going with Atlon 64 3200+.

Also, what hard drive(s) are you going to get, thats a SATA board, so make sure if you get SATA HDDs they are native SATA, or your just wasting your money.

As for the cooler, good choice, I am getting the same one. Also make sure you order thermal paste, or you will have all your parts and have to wait on it.

One more thing, please dont tell me your putting together such a nice system and are going to use a crappy power supply. Those things kill Mobos, and usually take alot more with it when they go. I recommend the Antec True 430, it has SATA adapters built in and a nice 26A on the 12 rail. (although newegg.com pics and stats say its 20A, when you get the box its 26A).

Good luck, and any more questions feel free to ask.

 

Whoa, just noticed. You have the 754 chip listed, but the K8N Neo 2 (thats a 939 board and a 754 chip, they no worky together).

Get a 3200+ 939 ($225 at the egg)

 

The 3500+ I hear is the best performance for dollar on the current market.