Question : Problem: Best gaming PC for under $600

Hi, recently I just accumulated enough money after months of saving to get myself a new PC to play new games.  Currently I run a 400 mhz, 13 gb, 6 year old computer.  It's completely useless trying to run any new games off of it.  

So anyway, I have about 600 dollars and am looking for the best deal for a gaming computer.  Currently the most important thing that I want in the computer is that it can play the Massively Multiplayer Online RPG, Final Fantasy 11 for PC, without a hitch.

Here are the specifications for Final Fantasy 11:
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/beginners/win/

Now, someone recommended the following computer to me: http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishHistoryReview.asp?position=HISTORY&submit=VIEW&ID=543592

It seems great but I'm not sure on a few things.  For one, I don't know how much the hard drive holds and I'm not sure if it comes with Windows XP or not.  I don't know if there are better prices out there too, so I gotta check first.

Anyway, newegg.com seems like a great place to get a good PC for cheap.  However, I have no experience picking part-for-part the components of a computer.  So I really have no clue what parts like the fans and fan control panel are used for.  I found another computer with a GeForce4 MX with 64 MB video memory and people said that that's not that great.

NOTE: I don't need a computer from newegg.  It just looked like a nice place to start.  So feel free to make any other offers.

Anyway, these are a few of the things that I need on the computer:
-At least 80 gb of hard drive space
-A decent graphics card.  This is a MUST!
-Decent processor speed (someone recommend "barton +2500" but I don't know what that is)
-Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers are optional.  I can just use the ones I'm using now.
-A cd/dvd drive.  Doesn't have to be a burner, I have a CD burner I can use.
-Windows XP Home or Professional must be on it.
-Preferably the price to stay below 600 dollars

Well thank you for taking the time to read this.  If I get a few responses, I'll give the credit to what looks like the best deal.

Respond to this message if you need any further information.

-Kronikle

Answer : Problem: Best gaming PC for under $600

You have the mobo link.  KX18D Pro!

I recommend the plain PowMax case.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-011&catalog=7&depa=1
The plain version, of course.
Or you can get any case you like!  Put in one of these PSUs:
red: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-003&depa=1
yellow:  http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-004&depa=1
Basically, newegg has many cases without power supplies and even a few cases with bad ones.  So, pick a design you like with either no PSU or a PSU with low amps, order that and one of the PSUs above, and enjoy!  That's only for the look, of course, and I'd rather have the plain PowMax case, since it looks pretty nice and there's only a single shipping charge.  I'm trying to do this as a favor so that you may have options, no so that you are confused.

9600XT, $151 and free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-326&depa=1
500MHz GPU and 600MHz ram

DVD player/CD burner
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-025&catalog=5&depa=1

floppy drive
http://www.ussa.com/ussaonline/product.asp?pf%5Fid=100%2D107%2D1001408
If this doesn't arrive at the same time as your newegg parts, don't worry.  YOu don't need a floppy drive immediately.

Pick any ram from
Comment from radomirthegreat
Date: 01/30/2004 08:49PM PST

CPU cooler
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-110-006&depa=1

http://www.portatech.com/catalog/viewitem.asp?ID=7350
Get just the CPU and nothing else.  $74 + 4.96 for shipping and handling.

80GB hard drive with 8MBs of cache:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=1

Have I missed anything?  What a PC!  Cooling needs with rounded IDE cables from www.nexfan.com are always great!  Get rounded IDE cables or LED fans, but flat IDE cables are included with your motherboard, and you can be happy with any 80mm case fan.  Check out www.pricewatch.com, then look for 80mm fans in the "fans" section.  That changes nearly every day.

Good luck!

Thank you,
Radomir Jordanovic