I need a computer that would run the latest games like HL2 or Counter Strike Source in highest quality for around $350. I am not sure what kinid of computer I would find like that so i need your help :) Don't worry about the Graphic card as i already have one AGP card not in use.

You want to build a whole computer, not to mention a GAMING computer that'll run the source engine on max, for $350? The CPU alone will be $250. I'd get an Intel Core 2 Duo E6300. Im a big AMD guy but these Core >2< Duos cant be beat for their price and performance.

lol 350 bucks?? if Everyone cud build a good gamin pc with this price then they wud stop makin pcs,lol
if u want to build a good gamin pc with only 350 bucks, go get u a Xbox360

ALex~

Can you salvage any parts from your old computer? Pehaps you can upgrade it for under $500.

Regards,

Korrupt

lol damn...

I need a computer that would run the latest games like HL2 or Counter Strike Source in highest quality for around $350. I am not sure what kinid of computer I would find like that so i need your help :) Don't worry about the Graphic card as i already have one AGP card not in use.

looking at the specs you have for your future PC if you plan on using the Radeon for your Vid card in the new system then forget it that wont cut it if your planning on wanting to play on the highest quality, as mentioned you aint going to be able to build the PC you want for $350 the Cpu and Vid card alone would cost more than that.

I don't want to pile it on but if any of the components you want to use in your future system are in your sig (like the graphics card), none will achieve your goal of running the latest games at the highest quality. Your smallish hard drive will be okay but small.

Edit: Sorry, Darth_Terra1, you said the same thing about the graphics card and I didn't notice right away.

Yeah if you can use ur current PC parts, maybe you can use:

Case
Powersupply
VC
CDROM
HDD

So all you need is mobo, ram, and cpu
$250 cpu (be sure to get RETAIL)
$90 ram (1gig)
and $100 mobo
$15 shipping

Thats coming out pretty good. Depending on your videocard, it will make or break the ice that factors you playing the HL2 engine on max settings. If its an AGP card, chances are you wont be able to, unless its a 6800GT AGP (What I used to have until it went blah i break now).

Ok since it's so expensive for High Detail, lets try Medium Detail or even Low Detail, I don't really care. I just want the games to be playable!

If you want a GAMING computer, you're going to need to do two things:
1) Raise your budget to at least $450
2) Recycle or re-use SOMETHING from your existing system.

Keyboard, mouse, monitor and OS would be the barebones minimum you would want to re-use with your new system in order to save money.

At this stage, you could build a very decent gaming computer that can play many games in low to medium settings well, plus be expandable in the future for more complex/taxing games.

I can definately put you a parts list together for a good, AM2 system that is fully future upgradable and will play Source engine games decently for around $350-$400 + tax and shipping.. but it would be without an Operating System, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.etc.

If you want a GAMING computer, you're going to need to do two things:
1) Raise your budget to at least $450
2) Recycle or re-use SOMETHING from your existing system.

Keyboard, mouse, monitor and OS would be the barebones minimum you would want to re-use with your new system in order to save money.

At this stage, you could build a very decent gaming computer that can play many games in low to medium settings well, plus be expandable in the future for more complex/taxing games.

I can definately put you a parts list together for a good, AM2 system that is fully future upgradable and will play Source engine games decently for around $350-$400 + tax and shipping.. but it would be without an Operating System, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.etc.Ok do that for me. I already have a monitor and keyboard and all that stuff. And i have a Windows XP Pro cd

Antec Sonata-II case, 450W power supply - $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

Asus M2N-MX NForce 6150 chipset with integrated Geforce 6100 - $76.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131040

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ - $47.00
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819104301

OCZ DDR2-800, 2x512mb for 1gig dual-channel - $99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227126

Western Digital SATA 80gb drive - $43.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822135106

Pioneer DVD/RW Dual Layer drive - $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827129001
========================
Total: $389.78 (without tax/shipping)

This system has an additional 2-slots for additional memory down the road should you choose to go 2 gigs. It's an AM2 with dual-channel DDR2-800 so you can add a faster Athlon should the need arise. It has a PCI-Express x 16 slot should you wish to add more 3d power than the integrated Geforce 6100.

As a game system, it will play most dx8.0 and dx9.0 games reasonably well, with the integrated Geforce + 1 gig of memory and Sempron 64 processor.

Can he not re-use his PSU and get a CPU for $130?

Ill sell you my 5500Fx for a vid card lol, it plays CSS on Mid-Low at 40fps