OK, since getting a netbook to replace my defunct Dell laptop I have been unable to play TF2. Those of you that also play know this is unacceptable. I don't have any money, but I have an overbearing desire to play TF2 again. Therefore I need help building a computer that can play TF2, but do it as cheaply as possible. I don't know a thing about the current hardware though, so I don't know what works with what, what doesn't, and what is crap. Help!

These are overkill for TF2 but will give you room to play something else more recent/demanding if you so feel like it:

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103678

Vid card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143161
Or if you want to go a little higher: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

The rest: pick cheap parts as needed.

Radeon HD 4850's can be found for about $85 these days, if you catch the right deal.

I'm playing HL2 Ep2 on a 4650 now and it runs fine. I do miss my 4870, though.

I played TF2 nicely with an ATI X300. Just put things on low.

Source games tend to be lenient on older computer specs.

Yeah dude I'm running TF2/Portal/L4D/HL2 on all high on an OC'd 8500GT haha. HL2 runs at over 60fps maxed out w/out the OC (as it should).

I wish I could buy a kit that has all the parts I need, all I have to do is put it together. I don't know all the little stuff I might need like fans, wiring (probably not needed) etc.

Pommy, what motherboard would work for that processor and vid card? Sound card isn't a big deal but I guess the HD I get would depend on the motherboard?

Any AM2/AM2+ motherboard would work.

The mobo just has to match the processor and fit in the case.

This is what you need:
Processor
Vid Card
RAM (DDR2 unless you have a DDR3 mobo, but why would you if you're trying to keep things cheap?)
Motherboard
Hard Drive
Case
PSU (Don't skimp out on this)

Optional:
Heatsink (not optional if the processor doesn't come with one)
Fans
Wifi adapter

Some recommendations (these aren't the *cheapest* parts out there, just what I think has solid performance / bang-for-buck. You don't have to listen to me)

Hard drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300

A computer with these parts w/ reasonable prices on the remaining parts will run you roughly $400-600 before tax/shipping.

If you're patient, terabyte hard drives can be found in the ~$80 range, and 4Gb of DDR2 in the $20 range.

Radeon HD 4850 for $85

Yea there are always good deals on hard drives and RAM ... the ones I suggested above are just ones that might have slightly more performance (the RAM has good timings and the hard drive is decently fast)

Christ this stuff is confusing. I wish NewEgg had a system builder or something. But I guess most people that use the site know what the hell they're doing. Now I know why my girlfriend hates when I try to explain car stuff to her.

Well whaddya know, here's a deal on that exact hard drive I was linking!

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?&t=1348925

This may work... but I wouldnt recommend it.

What kind of price range are you looking at? Do you need a monitor?