ASUS P5KPL-AM LGA 775 G31 + Q8200 @2.33 GHz @$348
4GB Kingston RAM DDR2-800 @ $80
OR for $2 more you can get Team Elite DDR2-800MHz 4GB Kit
Seagate 500GB HDD 32MB Cache @ $88
Vantec ION2+ 500W PSU @ $79 (My current PSU)
GECUBE HD4770 @ $149 ( My future card, once it is in stock)
LG SATA DVDRW 22X @ $37
PC Casing (Well, it depends, anyway) @ $80
Total cost: $861/ $863
OR
Switch mobo/CPU for:
ASUS M2N68-AM Plus + AMD Phenom X4 9650 @ 2.3GHz for $283
Total: $796/$798
For $600, a dual core would have been needed, and dual-cores are
the minimum, no matter if they run at 4GHz or 2.5GHz.
I wouldn't go for AMD's option right now. They got owned by an
Intel C2D CPU, but they meet GTA IV recommended settings. Phenom
II's are awesome, but VERY expensive.
Much better deal than what many shops offer, though you will
have to install the components yourself. As soon as they stock the
HD4770, I will be making some how-to videos on YouTube, so don't
worry if you are a newbie or novice.
P.S: You could compromise on the GPU a bit.Just make sure that
if it is NVidia, no less than 32 shaders, and if ATi, no less than
160 shaders. However, the HD4770 is the new performance/price king.
More powerful than the 9800GT ($200+) but yet cheaper.