Building PC-$700-800

[Carrot v1.5]

Hey you guys, I've decided to build a PC. You may recognize me as Da mighty carrot, who I am. I was banned earlier today for double posting too much, I have learned the ways of the edit button.

Anyways, back on topic: I'm building a new PC for around $700-800 that will play BF2 on all high and all of that...

1. It would really help if you could recommend me some parts.
2. Are HP computers easy-to-upgrade?

This is what I've got so far, I'm not "building" a pc in this one, since it is cheaper not to if this works out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Pavilion-PC-A...QQcmdZViewItem

+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130017

How is that for a PC? The HP is a very cheap find, its got awesome stuff, but a sad GPU, I figure, if I put in an awesome GPU, I can take the girl for a ride...for less than 600 bucks...sweet!

[Fullforce]

Re: Building PC-$700-800

l wouldn't recomment you buy from eBay, especially computers which cost a lot and anything could be wrong with them that you don't know about.

[StevenNevets]

Re: Building PC-$700-800

exactly... don't buy off ebay

and for all high settings you would probobly need to build something for atleast $900

[megawhompertoo]

Re: Building PC-$700-800

Oh goody! Someone on a budget!

For maximum price/performance buy this refurbished HP for $369 (hp stands behind their refurbs pretty well):

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail~dpno~731826~Action~CROSSSELL.asp

and plug this 7900gt GPU into it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130032

Add one more gig of ram ($80, your choice), and you've got a BF2 monster, for around ~$650 plus shipping.

No, it's not dual-core...but it's from a real company that you can really send the d4mn thing back to if it doesn't work, and for the time being--you don't need dual core.

If you really want to save up for a dual core system, then stick with the 7600gt you picked. Personally, I'd go ultra-cheap for now, there's a $119 open-box x850xt on newegg that will play BF2 with very, very nice framerates on medium-high eyecandy (2xaa, 2xaf, view distance 100$, geometries high...terrain medium, lighting high, dynamic s/l off/low, 1280x1024...etc...these are my settings and I have an older p4 3.0E with an x800xtAIW and 1gb ram).

You're on the right track, though--for maximum bang for your buck right now, don't overlook premade systems that you can bump up a little. The major mfg's and retailers are dumping stock in prep for Conroe's launch and the recent (and upcoming) major price-cuts. I prefer to build from scratch--but it's dang hard to pass systems with such great potential, ESPECIALLY if you are budget conscious.