BleepingComputer.com: Want to buy a gaming pc (with small budget)

Hello! I would like to seek your advice on what type of gaming pc will suit my needs. Since I have small budget for this, it's difficult for me to choose the best gaming for me.

I have found this site and interested buying this computer. Would you recommend buying this? Is it a smart buy? What are the pros and cons of buying it? OpenPinoy.com-Brand New Intel Core 2 Duo


I'm also interested in building my own gaming PC but don't know where to start particularly in system building.


My budget for the new computer is: Php 17,000.00 for CPU only. I already have a monitor. (let's say 1 USD = Php49.00)

What are the primary uses for this computer (IE: mail, web browsing, programming, games, etc)? This PC will be used
for web browsing, games, playing video and music

What software do you intend on using on the computer? If possible Windows XP or Vista

Do you play games? If so, what type of games? Yes, Love to play facebook applications and for my brother, SF.

Do you tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time, or do you close every program when you are done using it? At least three programs running, mostly browsing the net and playing musics and videos.

Do you store a lot of pictures or music on the computer? Yes, but more on musics.

I hope you could help me..

Thanks,
Cel

At a 49:1 exchange rate, your budget would be about $347. I assume you mean this budget is for the computer as "CPU" is often used incorrectly to refer to the computer itself (without monitor, mouse, keyboard).
As for the computer shown...

Pros: Good processor, DVD-RW
Cons: low RAM, no OS, no video card, no sound card

I would recommend you just build one.

You can find instructions on how to build a computer here: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-t...-a-computer.htm

Case: Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case $29.99
MB: ASRock K10N78M AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $54.99
PSU: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-460-PMSR-A3 460W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply $34.97
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX $60.00
RAM: Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model PEP22G6400EL $30.99
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $39.49
GPU: ASUS EN9600GSO/DI/512MD3/V2 GeForce 9600 GSO 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $59.99
DVD: Pioneer CD/DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-118LBK LabelFlash Support $31.99
Front fan: Rosewill RFA-120-K 120mm Case Fan $4.49
OS: Ubuntu

The total is approximately $348 plus a $20 mail-in rebate.

*Note: I do not know whether Newegg will deliver to the Philippines. You may have to buy these elsewhere.

Hi!

Up to now I've been searching for the computer parts that you have suggested but it seems that some of those are not available here in the Philippines. It's kinda bit harder for me because of limited sources on where I could look for the right materials. But I think, I really need to increase my budget to build a decent computer. My budget would not be higher than P33,000.00. Is this enough? Exchange rate is Php47 to 1USD.

I have made my setup instead. I'm not sure if this will be compatible. If not, maybe you can also suggest better:

CPU Athlon II X2 240 (2.8G) 2mb 3,350.00
MOBO Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H VSL 4,970.00
RAM Kingston 2GB 667/800 ddr2 2,540.00
GPU ?
HDD Western Digital 320GB 7200rpm SATA 2,200.00
ODD Samsung 22x SH-S223F/B Sata 1,270.00
ATX CASE COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black 3,240.00
Power Supply Enermax 500w ELT500AWT 4,430.00
OS Windows 7 Home Premium full product 9,180.00 ?

It will be used same with the purpose that I have posted previously: Mainly for browsing, playing music and video, and playing SF for my brother.

I have seen this from this website using SRP Pricelist:
[post="http://www.pcx.com.ph/"]www.pcx.com.ph[/post]

Maybe, I still need to look for other stores here in the Philippines.
I've been reading from other forums, and they are recommending the emax-785g-fxn for motherboard. I think, this is available only here in the Philippines.
I don't have idea about the GPU. Do I really need to buy one now? Can I just add it later, since I only have a low budget for my PC. Also with the OS, I don't have idea of what OS is right for me.

Please, need your advice.


Thanks,
Cel

I think everything should work. You can get Windows 7 Home Premium for less than your listed price at that website. Just make sure to get 64-bit.
A GPU is not necessarily needed, but it's highly recommended if the computer is to be used for gaming at all. Something such as the HD4650 should be the minimum for your build.
Don't forget an extra SATA cable. That motherboard only comes with one, but both the HDD and ODD need one.

Ok. Thanks! What if I will change the ODD with IDE instead of SATA would that be fine?

Yes, if the motherboard includes an IDE cable/input.