PC Gaming is Expensive?!?!?

PC gaming in general is becoming cheaper and cheaper, with more and more new technogolgy coming, its keep the prices down for us. This July it will get even cheaper with price cuts coming from Intel, and AMD coming with it contender to the C2D.

Even before then, you get a highly powered PC that can play today's hottest games, and not break the bank.

CHENMING CMUI-601AEB-W Black 1.0mm SECC Server Computer Case - $50.99 (Chenming AE-601 Review)
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $62.99 (ASUS P5B: New BIOS Adds Unlocking & Improved Overclocking)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16, 320-P2-N811-AR - $270.99
Antec TruePowerTrio 550W Power Supply - $64.99
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 1.8GHz 800MHz 2MB LGA775 CPU, OEM - $104.03 (Intel Core 2 Duo E4300: Affordable and Highly Overclockable)
GIGABYTE GH-PDU21-MF Ball CPU Cooler - $9.99 (Gigabyte G-Power Pro GH-PDU21-MF Heatsink Review)
BUFFALO Select 1GB DDR2-667 CL5 Desktop Memory Retail D2U667C1GBR x2- $48.98 (This is 2gb's, hence the x2)

Seagate 250GB Ultra DMA/100 16MB Buffer - $49.99

MadDog Black 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - $25.99

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit-$111.99

Mouse and Keyboard of your liking-$60

For Alittle over $850 dollars, you can get a complete gaming rig, that can play all todays, and tomorrows games, and allow you to burn DVD's, go on the internet and do whatever else you want to do on PC :)

IMO That proccessor sucks for running todays hottest and latest games. And I thought the 8800 GTS was 640mbctmab

It overclocks, very well with that motherboard, and cooler.

That processor doesn't suck either :/ 

I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's, do all the stuff you normally do on a PC like visit this site and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

Also, with that PC you can play the most AAAE, AAA, AAE, AA on one system. 

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.projectpat2007

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

PC gaming in general is becoming cheaper and cheaper, with more and more new technogolgy coming, its keep the prices down for us. This July it will get even cheaper with price cuts coming from Intel, and AMD coming with it contender to the C2D.

Even before then, you get a highly powered PC that can play today's hottest games, and not break the bank.

CHENMING CMUI-601AEB-W Black 1.0mm SECC Server Computer Case - $50.99 (Chenming AE-601 Review)
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $62.99 (ASUS P5B: New BIOS Adds Unlocking & Improved Overclocking)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16, 320-P2-N811-AR - $270.99
Antec TruePowerTrio 550W Power Supply - $64.99
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 1.8GHz 800MHz 2MB LGA775 CPU, OEM - $104.03 (Intel Core 2 Duo E4300: Affordable and Highly Overclockable)
GIGABYTE GH-PDU21-MF Ball CPU Cooler - $9.99 (Gigabyte G-Power Pro GH-PDU21-MF Heatsink Review)
BUFFALO Select 1GB DDR2-667 CL5 Desktop Memory Retail D2U667C1GBR x2- $48.98 (This is 2gb's, hence the x2)

Seagate 250GB Ultra DMA/100 16MB Buffer - $49.99

 

MadDog Black 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - $25.99

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit-$111.99

Mouse and Keyboard of your liking-$60

 

For Alittle over $850 dollars, you can get a complete gaming rig, that can play all todays, and tomorrows games, and allow you to burn DVD's, go on the internet and do whatever else you want to do on PC :)

 

 

 

projectpat2007

PC gaming is expensive and anyoen that says otherwise is lying. The only way it  will be cheap is if you are playing at the lowest resolution and the lowest settings.

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all? 

Get this RAM instead and you have yourself a great computer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231065
Einhanderkiller

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA23796

That uses Micron D9, which is much better than the IC's that uses.

Also, that PC is still great..read this Intel Core 2: Is high speed memory worth its price?

Check out this Graph, Also http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/IntelCore2Ishighspeedmemoryworththecost-jmke-13146.png

Almost no difference ;)

and the ram in the orginal post is faster :)

[QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.projectpat2007

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all? 

Finally someone who has sense enough to incorporate the price of the OS into the final cost! :)PikaPichu

Agreed, though I just got Windows Vista Business from MSDN for $25.25 shipped. For $240 I'm upgrading my existing PC with an Intel mobo, 2 gigs of DDR2, and a Core 2 Duo E4300 in June. Those things overclock to around 3ghz on stock cooling, pretty nifty.

I'm not upgrading for gaming though, at least, not yet... I want Bioshock, and I'd love to go back to Oblivion, but I think I'd rather pick up a 360 than put $200 towards a graphics card, it just has more games I'm interested in right now - I don't want to miss Blue Dragon, Too Human, Mass Effect, and Halo 3. 

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC. 

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Finally someone who has sense enough to incorporate the price of the OS into the final cost! :)subrosian

Agreed, though I just got Windows Vista Business from MSDN for $25.25 shipped. For $240 I'm upgrading my existing PC with an Intel mobo, 2 gigs of DDR2, and a Core 2 Duo E4300 in June. Those things overclock to around 3ghz on stock cooling, pretty nifty.

I'm not upgrading for gaming though, at least, not yet... I want Bioshock, and I'd love to go back to Oblivion, but I think I'd rather pick up a 360 than put $200 towards a graphics card, it just has more games I'm interested in right now - I don't want to miss Blue Dragon, Too Human, Mass Effect, and Halo 3.

Yep, all those parts I listed overclock great..a E4300 overclock to 3ghz is super fast :)

After those 4 games what is there?

[QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.projectpat2007

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC. 

PC gaming in general is becoming cheaper and cheaper, with more and more new technogolgy coming, its keep the prices down for us. This July it will get even cheaper with price cuts coming from Intel, and AMD coming with it contender to the C2D.

Even before then, you get a highly powered PC that can play today's hottest games, and not break the bank.

CHENMING CMUI-601AEB-W Black 1.0mm SECC Server Computer Case - $50.99 (Chenming AE-601 Review)
ASUS P5B LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - $62.99 (ASUS P5B: New BIOS Adds Unlocking & Improved Overclocking)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16, 320-P2-N811-AR - $270.99
Antec TruePowerTrio 550W Power Supply - $64.99
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 1.8GHz 800MHz 2MB LGA775 CPU, OEM - $104.03 (Intel Core 2 Duo E4300: Affordable and Highly Overclockable)
GIGABYTE GH-PDU21-MF Ball CPU Cooler - $9.99 (Gigabyte G-Power Pro GH-PDU21-MF Heatsink Review)
BUFFALO Select 1GB DDR2-667 CL5 Desktop Memory Retail D2U667C1GBR x2- $48.98 (This is 2gb's, hence the x2)

Seagate 250GB Ultra DMA/100 16MB Buffer - $49.99

 

MadDog Black 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - $25.99

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit-$111.99

Mouse and Keyboard of your liking-$60

 

For Alittle over $850 dollars, you can get a complete gaming rig, that can play all todays, and tomorrows games, and allow you to burn DVD's, go on the internet and do whatever else you want to do on PC :)

 

 

 

projectpat2007

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC.

But you lose so much money by selling those games..you buy them for $60 bucks and then you sell them back for $18? It's a horrible rip-off. Renting games is usefull though :)

I would rather have the most AAAE, AAA, AAE, AA titles myself..more quality games and I save money by not having to get a console and a PC!!!

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC. 

[QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.mastershake575

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC.

Yep, ever year we get the most AAAE's, and AAE's!!!! Also we get the most AAA's, and AA's!!!

IMO That proccessor sucks for running todays hottest and latest games. And I thought the 8800 GTS was 640mbctmab

there are 2 versions, the 640mb is useful when playing at high rez. 

[QUOTE="ctmab"]IMO That proccessor sucks for running todays hottest and latest games. And I thought the 8800 GTS was 640mbcoolmonkeykid

there are 2 versions, the 640mb is useful when playing at high rez.

Yeah like anything at or above 1680X1050, its better to go with the 640mb version, if you game below that your fine with the 320mb version.

yeah but alot of 360 exclusives come to the pc like bioshock, lost planet and gears of wars but even the multiplatform games like the tom clancy series, oblivion, command and conquer all go to the pc with better graphics and controlls and also the pc  stills has its share of exclusivesmastershake575

To ProjectPat: But I can get some value back from games that I can sell back. For example sequels. Right now my favourite multiplayer game on the 360 is Rainbow Six Vegas. However assuming the sequel is any good, the community for R6:V is going to die. For the PC I'm stuck with it, however I can do a "trade 3 get it free" deal for a new game at a place like Blockbuster (who'll take anything they can get their hands on) and get a $60 game simply by getting rid of games I don't play anymore.

IMO That proccessor sucks for running todays hottest and latest games. And I thought the 8800 GTS was 640mbctmab

[QUOTE="mastershake575"] yeah but alot of 360 exclusives come to the pc like bioshock, lost planet and gears of wars but even the multiplatform games like the tom clancy series, oblivion, command and conquer all go to the pc with better graphics and controlls and also the pc stills has its share of exclusivespundog

To ProjectPat: But I can get some value back from games that I can sell back. For example sequels. Right now my favourite multiplayer game on the 360 is Rainbow Six Vegas. However assuming the sequel is any good, the community for R6:V is going to die. For the PC I'm stuck with it, however I can do a "trade 3 get it free" deal for a new game at a place like Blockbuster (who'll take anything they can get their hands on) and get a $60 game simply by getting rid of games I don't play anymore.

Thats the thing with PC games, you play them longer.

If I go play COD2 for the PC right now, the servers are packed, just like they were when the games got first releashed. No I go play COD2 for the 360 right now, and the servers are dead, no one is playing. You would go trade that games, while I would continue to play and get my moneys worth.

The thing with PC games, is that after the sequel comes out, the community doesn't die. COD1 online is still super strong, and is played all the time, while GRAW 1 on the 360 online is dead, and everybody moved on to GRAW 2. 

[QUOTE="pundog"]

[QUOTE="mastershake575"] yeah but alot of 360 exclusives come to the pc like bioshock, lost planet and gears of wars but even the multiplatform games like the tom clancy series, oblivion, command and conquer all go to the pc with better graphics and controlls and also the pc stills has its share of exclusivesprojectpat2007

To ProjectPat: But I can get some value back from games that I can sell back. For example sequels. Right now my favourite multiplayer game on the 360 is Rainbow Six Vegas. However assuming the sequel is any good, the community for R6:V is going to die. For the PC I'm stuck with it, however I can do a "trade 3 get it free" deal for a new game at a place like Blockbuster (who'll take anything they can get their hands on) and get a $60 game simply by getting rid of games I don't play anymore.

Thats the thing with PC games, you play them longer.

If I go play COD2 for the PC right now, the servers are packed, just like they were when the games got first releashed. No I go play COD2 for the 360 right now, and the servers are dead, no one is playing. You would go trade that games, while I would continue to play and get my moneys worth.

The thing with PC games, is that after the sequel comes out, the community doesn't die. COD1 online is still super strong, and is played all the time, while GRAW 1 on the 360 online is dead, and everybody moved on to GRAW 2.

same with CS and starcraft. 

[QUOTE="subrosian"]

[QUOTE="PikaPichu"]Finally someone who has sense enough to incorporate the price of the OS into the final cost! :)projectpat2007

Agreed, though I just got Windows Vista Business from MSDN for $25.25 shipped. For $240 I'm upgrading my existing PC with an Intel mobo, 2 gigs of DDR2, and a Core 2 Duo E4300 in June. Those things overclock to around 3ghz on stock cooling, pretty nifty.

I'm not upgrading for gaming though, at least, not yet... I want Bioshock, and I'd love to go back to Oblivion, but I think I'd rather pick up a 360 than put $200 towards a graphics card, it just has more games I'm interested in right now - I don't want to miss Blue Dragon, Too Human, Mass Effect, and Halo 3.

Yep, all those parts I listed overclock great..a E4300 overclock to 3ghz is super fast :)

After those 4 games what is there?

For me personally? I'm looking forward to Lost Odyssey in late 2007 / early 2008, Halo Wars, Alan Wake, and Project Gotham Racing 4. I'll be a bit curious about Remnant as well...

After that point? I'll likely own a second platform, possibly a PS3 for Final Fantasy XIII, but we'll see. My GPU will get upgraded eventually, I mean, I'm getting a new monitor for my PC eventually too, to compliment my HDTV, but there's only so much money at a time, and it's gotta go a lot of places.

Plus my 27" 720p HDTV and 5.1 surround system have been dying for something to stretch their legs on... Too Human is going to be that something.

If you don't mind doing a bit of looking around you can find some awesome prices. I picked up an X1900XT 512MB PCIe two days ago for $80, already got it over-clocked to XTX speeds. Hey, look...dual-core S939 CPU for $83. Seriously, just do a bit of work and you can get some incredible prices. It won't be anything that was released yesterday, but would YOU argue with a X1900XT for $80? br0kenrabbit

The E4300 which is $20 dollars more is the more logical pick, its more future proof ,as is the platform, and the memory is much cheaper for it. 

Here... have one for $610.

An Intel LGA 775 mobo $85.99
An Intel Pentium D LGA 775 CPU $59.99
A EVGA Nvidia 7600 GS $84.99
2GB PC2-6400 RAM $82.99
120GB SATA HDD $52.99
500W PSU $49.99
Case $24.99
12x DVD+/-R combo drive $33.99
19" CRT monitor $99.99
Windows Vista 32Bit Basic $94.99

Total: $610.91 USD!foxhound_fox

The thing is could that play Crisis or how about any game 3 years down the road from now?

For example I spend around $1500 for a custom gaming PC a year ago, and though I could play everything then I find myself unable to play some new games like Lost Planet.

I agree that PC gaming is more expensive then console when you first start out, but not when you just need to upgrade. All I need for my PC to play Lost Planet is a more powerful CPU and a little more powerful video card both less then $600 and I'm set for the next couple of years.

IMO That proccessor sucks for running todays hottest and latest games. And I thought the 8800 GTS was 640mbctmab

You must not know much about CPU's then. The E4300 is AMAZING and OC'ing. You can get it to amazingly fast speeds easily. It truely is the best bang for your buck CPU. 

I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

How's paying for XBL? How's that HDTV (Monitor's are MUCH cheaper and most people already have them, while most don't have HDTV's, since their relitivley new), how's all the extra controllers+accessories, how's paying more money for games? It EASILY evens out....... 

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"][QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]I've said it before, for a person who is not currently into PC gaming buying a PC is more expensive than buying a console. That $850 is 2x as much as I payed for my 360 and there aren't a ton of PC games that I'm interested in that aren't coming to the 360 anyway.pundog

The thing is we don't pay $60 per game, pay for internet gaming.

That adds up, and that PC can burn DVD's, CD's and its harddrive is over 12 times larger than the one in your 360.

So you spent more for your PC, and Xbox 360 combined than you would getting 1 thing that does it all?

PC ($860) + 25 games ($50)= $2110

Xbox 360 ($400) + 25 games ($60) + 4 years of Xbox live ($200)= $2100

About the same price, and the PC will produce better graphics, sound, and you can do whatever else you can do on your PC.

I can sell my games too (not that I would, PC games have much more depth that console games, so they last much longer), from time to time I will sell my games though. I can also sell all of my old parts, or if I'm getting a totally new PC sell it, making a new PC half the cost....... 

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]If you don't mind doing a bit of looking around you can find some awesome prices. I picked up an X1900XT 512MB PCIe two days ago for $80, already got it over-clocked to XTX speeds. Hey, look...dual-core S939 CPU for $83. Seriously, just do a bit of work and you can get some incredible prices. It won't be anything that was released yesterday, but would YOU argue with a X1900XT for $80? projectpat2007

The E4300 which is $20 dollars more is the more logical pick, its more future proof ,as is the platform, and the memory is much cheaper for it.

[QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]If you don't mind doing a bit of looking around you can find some awesome prices. I picked up an X1900XT 512MB PCIe two days ago for $80, already got it over-clocked to XTX speeds. Hey, look...dual-core S939 CPU for $83. Seriously, just do a bit of work and you can get some incredible prices. It won't be anything that was released yesterday, but would YOU argue with a X1900XT for $80? br0kenrabbit

The E4300 which is $20 dollars more is the more logical pick, its more future proof ,as is the platform, and the memory is much cheaper for it.

See when I said future proof I ment, that that platform, LGA 775, is stilling being used and new CPU's are being made for it, while S939 is dead..lol (I am on S939, Opty 165 @3ghz 1.52v's) 

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"][QUOTE="projectpat2007"]

[QUOTE="br0kenrabbit"]If you don't mind doing a bit of looking around you can find some awesome prices. I picked up an X1900XT 512MB PCIe two days ago for $80, already got it over-clocked to XTX speeds. Hey, look...dual-core S939 CPU for $83. Seriously, just do a bit of work and you can get some incredible prices. It won't be anything that was released yesterday, but would YOU argue with a X1900XT for $80? projectpat2007

The E4300 which is $20 dollars more is the more logical pick, its more future proof ,as is the platform, and the memory is much cheaper for it.

See when I said future proof I ment, that that platform, LGA 775, is stilling being used and new CPU's are being made for it, while S939 is dead..lol (I am on S939, Opty 165 @3ghz 1.52v's)

AMD platforms really suck right now, and I'm an AMD fan. There aren't a lot of decent socket AM2 motherboards on the market, and the E4300 outperforms every Athlon 64 x2 under $200 on the market, all for $115 shipped. The easy overclockability, even paired with inexpensive DDR2-667. If you use DDR2-800 and aftermarket cooling, you can really push it, but I personally think that's silly, you're better off saving the extra $65 or so and putting it towards a better GPU.

In any case, AMD at least has the best "under $200" GPU on the market right now - the Radeon x1950xt runs circles around the Geforce 8600 and Geforce 7950...