Upgrading to New Computer- 20$ reward to winner!

[swensoch]

I have had my current computer for about 7 years. I built it back when I was in 7th grade and picked every component with precision taking over a year to make sure each part was perfect. Now the computer is out of date and I am out of the loop. I have not payed attention to new technology beyond processors and ram.

What I want to do: To build a computer on a budget for less than 320$ buying parts used and new off ebay, tigerdirect, newegg ect. I already have a sound card, harddrive, power supply, LCD monitors, fans, mouse, key board, cd/dvd drives and case material. I am making my own computer case(this is my favorite part).

What I want the computer to do: I want it to be able to run 2-3 monitors at a time so that I can have streaming news on one and stock updates on the other. (day trading type stuff). I dont really play games but being able to play basic old stuff like counterstrike would be nice.

Other: I would also like the computer to run DDR3 ram which seems like i wont have to upgrade for a while and I have seen it go pretty cheap now. Also is quad core necessary at this point? I heard there are some issues with it but I am not sure. Do I need 2 video cards? I would like to video card to be cheaper than 45$ if I have to buy 2. I already have a sound card, harddrive, and powersupply as I said above. I am impartial to intel or AMD. I have heard AMD offers more bang for the buck but Im not sure what to go with.

How you can help: Envision that you are me and have the same needs as I. What would you put inside it given my budget. (You can go over a little). Please explain why you chose each component and how it will help me.

I can see this taking someone who knows what there talking about 15 minutes or less to come up with a computer and to make it worth your while I will transfer 20$ to the poster I take the most advice from. I will PM the winner and they can respond with their paypal email.

Thanks in advance!!

[Imperion1]

Budget of $320 is really tight if going with DDR3 memory.
A quad core cpu and motherboard would put you at about $320. Memory and (2) video cards would put you well over.

AMD setup using dual core.
cpu
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops $79.00 free ship (dual core)

motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: JetWay JHA08-LF AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard$74.99 free ship (open box)

memory
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/2GR - Desktop Memory$35.99 free ship

video card
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards$69.99 ea, free ship. Doesn't block PCI slots.

Total for this with (2) video cards: $329.96 free shipping all from newegg.

AMD Quad Setup.
cpu
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops$139.99 free ship

motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: JetWay JHA08-LF AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard$74.99 free ship (open box)

memory
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/2GR - Desktop Memory$35.99 free ship

video card
Newegg.com - MSI N94GT-MD512 GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards$49.99ea free ship

total for this with (2) video cards: $350.95 free ship

If video card memory size doesn't matter too much, can get this 256mb for $28.99ea free ship
Newegg.com - MSI N8400GS-TD256 GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
This would make your price for the Quad core setup: $308.95 free ship

[swensoch]

But if I just plan on using 2 monitors I can just stick with 1 video card with 2 ports until I decide I want a 3rd monitor right?

[Imperion1]

Intel quad would also put you over budget.

Intel dual core setup:

motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: ASRock P45TURBOTWINS2000 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $78.99 plus ship (open box) Can use DDR2 or DDR3, not both at the same time.

cpu
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops$66.99 dual core, free ship

memory
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/2GR - Desktop Memory$35.99 free ship

Video card
Newegg.com - MSI N94GT-MD512 GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards$49.99 ea - free ship

total price for dual core Intel (2) video cards: $281.95, figure in about $15. shipping due to motherboard.

Quad Intel setup:

motherboard
Newegg.com - Open Box: ASRock P45TURBOTWINS2000 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $78.99 plus ship (open box) Can use DDR2 or DDR3, not both at the same time.

cpu
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops$159.99 free ship

memory
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/2GR - Desktop Memory$35.99 free ship

Video card
Newegg.com - MSI N94GT-MD512 GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards$49.99 ea - free ship

total price quad core setup: $374.99 + shipping (motherboard has ship cost)

With the 256mb video card: $332.95 + shipping (motherboard has ship cost)
Newegg.com - MSI N8400GS-TD256 GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards$28.99ea free ship

[Imperion1]

Yep, can use 1 video card for 2 monitors.

[Imperion1]

I'm not looking for any money in return either.

[pullmyfoot]

heres what I would get with $350, which includes my $20 'prize'. Just spend it on components bud . if this site charged for every computer component list we made for people we would have a few thousand bucks between us by now

Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Desktop Memory

this is for playing a game or two (it will even play Crisis on low settings at your resolution. ok it *might even*).
Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H467QT512P Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

this is for running that third monitor.
Newegg.com - Open Box: POWERCOLOR AX4350 256MD2-S Radeon HD 4350 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

If you spend a little more on your main graphics card you can get a pretty kick ass card which will play most games on med-high settings at your resolution.
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

lastly what PSU do you currently have? I wouldnt risk your new components on a sub-par one. What brand and wattage do you have now? Also, you dont really have to run the soundcard if you dont want to - the onboard on this motherboard is more than enough.