New Computer--First Time Building x2

[12Stones]

Here is my problem--

I want the best computer I can get that is $600 or less.  I want at least a gig of ram (for graphics design and music development purposes).  The main purpose of the computer will be music composing (so i'll need a sound card over a graphics card, but I still want the best bang for my buck graphics card).

I thought about a mac, but then I thought about shooting myself..  I want to play games.  The main uses of the system will be plugging in my guitar and using guitar rig, and creating synthesized sound.  Everything else is secondary.  

I took A+ in highschool, so I can get everything put together..  the only problem is I know absolutely nothing about the current market of technology.  I don't know anything about A86 socket whatever motherboards, or PC whatever graphics cards.  I know enough to get by, and I know how to use google to figure out what I need to know, but as far as value and good prices, I know nothing.

Here are the lowest specs I want:

Memory: 1024mb
Proc speed: Not sure
Graphics Card: 128+
Sound Card: Better than default Audigy
Mobo:  AUEOHGLHLG  8.0 Socket 900..  AKA NO IDEA.

Can you even find a laptop with 1gig of memory for less than $600?  I didn't think so.

Whoever finds the best deal with those specs will get $50 cash money from me if I can't find anything better myself..

[Particle]

$600?  Heh.

Try and find one of those budget walmart computers.  That's about all you're going to get for under $600.

[KoRo]

Costco supposedly sells those too.

[Darwin]

Disagreeing here.  I'd prefer building a $600 machine over buying an OEM, so long as you have free access to your OS of choice.

I believe when I first built my computer, I spent around the ballpark of $600, and that was because my graphics card of choice ran a pretty penny at the time.

[Particle]

A decent video card and monitor will run $600 by themselves.

[Darwin]

I think my costs for my system were:

Motherboard:  Gigabyte socket 478 motherboard:  $100
Processor:  Pentium 4 2.4C 800mhz FSB (which overclocked easily to 3.2ghz):  $175 i believe
Memory:  OCZ dual channel 512mb PC3200:  $80 (you can now get 1gb easily for that price or less)
Video card: ATI 9800XT: got lucky and was able to get it for $180 at the time
Case: $50?
Power Supply: $45 (which i upgraded after two 1/2 years)

So that came to around $630, since I already had a hard drive, my OS, and a CD drive at the time.

------------------------------------------------

Now, lets see what we can get at comparable prices today, eh?


Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ AM2 processor -- overclock it:  $150.00 newegg

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-M55SLI-S4 Socket AM2 -- has sli, great reviews: <$100 newegg -- if that is too much, you can find ones for even lower

Video Card:
Nvidia GeForce 7600GS PCI express -- take your pick of a good manufacturer: around $150 newegg

Memory:
CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) -- dual channel too: <$100 newegg

So now we are up to $500.00.  At this point, I'll leave you to decide on your case, power supply, sound card, hard drive, and other things you might need.  Hopefully, you can make things easier on yourself by taking some components out of an older system (recommend AGAINST doing this with the power supply though, unless it is high in quality) and use accesories from older computers as well (keyboard, monitor, speakers, etc).  

Yes, it does seem that you will be going over the $600.00 limit to build yourself a quality homebuilt system, but don't lose heart!  Home built systems, in my opinion, trounce everyday manufacturers like Dell and HP in terms of quality parts and performance.

[12Stones]

Thanks for the help..  definately found some new options.

[12Stones]

Well, I've decided to splurge a little..  i'm going to buy a laptop.

I'm willing to spend around 1200 for a "gaming" laptop (if there is such a thing).  I found a link on newegg for IBUYPOWER.com and have been looking at their laptops, but i'm not sure if there are any better deals around.

These are the specs I got out of ibuypower for 1200:

Intel® Core Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/2M Cache/677FSB)
I could upgrade that to 2.0 or 2.16 for 50 or 150, but thought it wouldn't be worth it.  Also, how does this processor stand next to the AMD Mobile Turion-64 MT-40 CPU?  AMD processors confuse me because i'm used to categorizing by mhz/ghz.

1024MB(1024MB X1) DDR2-533 PC4200
I selected "major brand" but should I go with corsair for $15 more or will it matter?

Mobility 256mb ATI Radeon X1600 PCI-Express 3D Video
I have no idea about the mobility lines..  I won't need hardcore graphics but i'd like to run HL: Source quality games with decent settings.

60 GB 5400rpm Serial-ATA-150 Super Slim Notebook Hard Drive
60 is fine with me.  I can always go external if I need more.

Those are the main things, but it also includes:

DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW combo drive
Built in 10/100/1000 nic
Built in 3 in 1 media card read/write
XP Media Center Edition
Firewire port
3 USB ports
1 Year Tech Support

I know you guys don't like prebuilt computers, but I seriously doubt i'm going to attempt building a laptop.  Any other suggestions or places with better prices/hardware?