///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
EDIT:

Final configuration:
CPU - INTEL Pentium Dual-Core E2160
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper TX2
MB - Gigabyte P35-DS3L
RAM - CORSAIR TWINX XMS2 DDR2 800MHz CL4-4-4-12
Gr. Card - BFG GF9600GT 512MB DDR3 OC
PSU - CORSAIR VX550, 550W
Case - Thermaltake VI1000BNS M9
HDD - from previous system (SB 7200 RPM 160Gb, Maxxtor 5400 RPM 40Gb)

Grand total: ~600$

If you can give some more tips/tricks/links/hints I'll be glad if you do, thanks for all the help.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Additional info - yeah I'm pretty much a beginner at this so don't hurt me too much . I'd like to hear your opinions (preferably practically tested ones), on how to improve this build overall. I'll be overclocking the CPU and the Graphics card (oh yeah advice on this is appreciated too - you guessed it - I've never done it before! ).

Thanks for all the tips guys, I really need help with this stuff.

Everything looks good and balanced as it is.

This 9600gt comes with aftermarket cooler and overclocks better. Not sure if it's worth the extra to you, since you're on budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127333

Happy building.

The PSU is nice, but if this is budget, Consider the Antec Sonata III Case/PSU combo.

It's often on sale and the PSU included as actually good, which is rare for PSU/CASE combos.

And with the money saved, get a E4000s chip instead of the old Pentium D.

enjoy the high detail!

Ya the E2160 isn't a bad chip at all. The only thing I saw that didn't seem as good as it could be is that you could get a better CPU cooler maybe. Not sure about that one. Everything else looks great.

Hmm, if I calculated it right from my currency into USD, it's about 10$ more expensive than the BFG. I'm trying to keep the price as low as possible with the highest possible value. Uhm, my point: is it worth it? (I heard from a friend that BFGs are great for overclocking, can't verify it though as I haven't tried it)

I have great experience with Corsair, so if it's not necessary to switch, I wanna keep it. I'm not very fond of case/psu combinations, so even if I'm on budget, I'm gonna invest a bit more to really ensure that it will perform as I want it to. Thanks for the advice though, I checked the case and it wasn't so bad, but I'm not sure that the PSU would be able to handle the OC-ed processor and gr. card.

I know from experience that 2MB and 1MB cache makes a hell of a lot difference in games, and a little off topic - is 4MB and 2MB cache so different too, in terms of performance in games? I chose the E2160, because I think it's the best for low-budget systems overall. It overclocks like hell, it's affordable, the only downside is the 1MB cache (but a better processor could cost twice as much as this one).

Umm it's a 9600, a 9800 would be (a little ) too expensive for a low-budget system. No probs mate, thanks anyway .

Could you make a suggestion for the possible replacement?



Thanks for the fast replies guys! I really appreciate it, keep 'em coming!

It was 9600gt, and unfortunately, 3870 perform about the same as 9600gt, but slightly more expensive.

Update guys - I've been looking up a fitting case for my system, and I believe I got a good one . Check it out - Thermaltake M9. Let me know what you think guys, because I can be wrong! (I'm not an expert case-wise). Thanks!

Looks good I got a HDT-S1283 for my e2160 and got it up to 3.0 ghz and will go higher later I'm using a p35 ds3l too check out
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uals-guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] erclocking

Thanks! Those links helped .

I'm still curious what you guys think about the Thermaltake M9 Case. Good/bad experiences anyone?

Okay . Probably the last question from me (don't kill me yet ): would you rather go for a cheaper THERMALTAKE VI1000BNS M9 case without a window or the more expensive THERMALTAKE VI1000BWS M9 with a window? The window's the only difference, otherwise they're the same cases. Does a window provide better air circulation / heat dissipation? I know it may be a stupid question but I really have no clue , thanks. Oh and another thing - do you think the cooling will be sufficient if I do high overclocking (CPU 3+GHz, GPU ~725Mhz (if possible))? Would you consider switching to a Thermaltake Ultra 120? Oh yeah, I don't like peak temperatures at my components, I'd like them to survive for a few years at least .

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Ok, seems like a fair reason . I edited the first message, you can find the finalized config there, thanks and see ya, this is Spirit signing off .

If I open my case the CPU temps go up around 6°C per core (load 49°C to 55°C).
The graphics card (passive cooling) goes up 15°C (idle 42°C to 57°C).
I don't even want to know how hot it gets in an open case during games.

Sidepanels are aluminium, the frame is made fo steel.
Decent airflow (in theory) is the key.

Chilly room. Aren't you cold?