A $700 build should suffice just fine... if you shop around, and bargain hunt, $500. if you have a microcenter nearby, you can get some really good cpu deals... The other parts are typically pricier, but best deals on cpu by far. It's important not to over build much more than you need, otherwise you are just throwing money away. A good motherboard/cpu combo will outlast 2-3 video cards, and vid cards prices drop much faster. Spend money on psu/mobo/cup... They last the longest.