First Computer Build looking to make cheaper / better

[newbuu2]

Hello! I've had my old computer for about five years now and it just recently crapped out on me, so I figured it was time to get a new one. This time I decided to build my own, that way I know exactly whats in it.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within a few weeks, waiting on income tax return BUDGET RANGE: $700 - $800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Internet, Music
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, Harddrive (Western Digital WD2000 250GB), Case (Raidmax Samurai), cdrom, floppy drive

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (primarily), Zipzoomfly
PARTS PREFERENCES: Trying to stick with AMD, Nvidia, and ASUS

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI/Crossfire yet, however, i would like to dabble into OCing

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024 x 768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Not too concerned about looks just performance and stability. But would also like suggestions on where to drop the cost ($699.95) where possible, while leaving upgrade options in the future. Also looking to run this on Vista 64-bit
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I've done a few days worth of researching, and this is what I've put together so far:

Motherboard: ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131361

Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Power-Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Graphics Card: EVGA 896-P3-1255-A1 Geforce GTX 260 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010016

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

 

[Jpain]

Hello

1. You might wanna get good heatsink... P II 720 X3 can OC like madman

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118004

 

[Helloworld_98]

Are you just outputting resolution at 1024x768 or is your monitor actually 1024x768?

Just asking because anything above a 4830/9800GT is overkill for that resolution.

 

[newbuu2]

Right now my monitor is limited to 1024x768, im gonna get a bigger one later on.

So other than that, is this a good setup?

 

[Jpain]

Hello

1. With 720 X3, and GTX 260 896MB good bargain setup. ( Smart )
more on Graphics Cards and resolutions...
http://www.guru3d.com/category/call_duty_4_pc/

 

[xthekidx]

You can definitely cut back on the mobo, you would save you a ton to go with a AM2+ mobo like the Asus UD4. I would also stick with ATI cards so you can xfire later on if you wanted. I'd get this one and then add another when you have a monitor that will take advantage of the firepower you get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236

Upgrade the PSU to this so you can xfire:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

 

[newbuu2]

Ok, I found another motherboard, about $90 cheaper.

ASUS M4A78 PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131362

ANd the GFX card to this one (the one i linked earlier is out of stock):

EVGA 896-P3-1260-TR GeForce GTX 260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130464

And I'll think i'll switch to that other PSU, xthekidx...

with those changes, the price is now $629.95

Now, is the performance that noticeable between the ATI Radeon 4870 and the GTX 260 that I'd want to get the ATI over the nVidia?

 

[xthekidx]

The performance difference is nil. The reason to get ATI is so that you can add another one later in xfire. You will not be able to add another Nvidia GPU later on so if you go with an Nvidia card now, it means you have to toss your card when you want to upgrade the graphics instead of adding another one.

 

[newbuu2]

The performance difference is nil. The reason to get ATI is so that you can add another one later in xfire. You will not be able to add another Nvidia GPU later on so if you go with an Nvidia card now, it means you have to toss your card when you want to upgrade the graphics instead of adding another one.

I see... I'm curious, why wouldn't I be able to use dual nVidia cards? The one i've chosen says "SLI ready", or is it due to my motherboard?

 

[xthekidx]

Its the chipset on your mobo. Your board only supports xfire, not sli. Nvidia decided not to support SLI on the P45 chipset so they could try making more money on their chipsets. You have to go with a 7 series mobo (which I highly discourage you from doing, they have lots of issues) or with an x58 if you want to use SLI, which will end up costing you $200-300 more than the P45 chipset.

 

[Helloworld_98]

well, even more after ddr3 kits and the I7 cpu.

Also looking at the bottom of the m4a78 page you linked to there is a combo deal for $257 which includes the mobo, a 710 and 4gb of 1066mhz ram.

 

[newbuu2]

Its the chipset on your mobo. Your board only supports xfire, not sli. Nvidia decided not to support SLI on the P45 chipset so they could try making more money on their chipsets. You have to go with a 7 series mobo (which I highly discourage you from doing, they have lots of issues) or with an x58 if you want to use SLI, which will end up costing you $200-300 more than the P45 chipset.

Ahhh, I see... Thanks! I supposed I'll get an ATI card, then...

Thanks!