Help a newbie out

[nuithoth]

About to buy my first new computer in about a decade, and to say the least, I'm not really sure what I'm doing. I was hoping to get some help from some of the more experienced users and see what they think of the components I've selected so far from newegg.com. Keep in mind I'm hoping that these components will be able to play Crysis on "XP" at a playable framerate using the hacked "Very High" settings on DX 9. I'm also hoping that the case listed will provide adequate cooling for the video card (I've read that it heats up fast). Before I list off the components, I wanted to know if the X2 5400+ is adequate for the HD 4890. I've read if you don't have the right processor your GPU will bottleneck, and it seems like a lot of Crysis users seem to think dual-core is the way to go since Crysis is optimized for it. Well there's my spiel. Any and all suggestions and help appreciated. Thanks in advance for any info.

EDIT: I forgot to add that I'm more than a bit flustered over which GPU to go with. While I've read about the great OC potential of the 4890, its heating issues bother me. I've also been looking at a Sapphire Vapor-X 4870 that has a great cooling solution but newegg doesn't list it as having a warranty (the 4890 has a double lifetime and one user claimed even if you OC it they'll replace it, which I find hard to believe). I've been reading mixed benchmarks from both cards. Some say the 4870 plays Crysis on very high at playable frame rates whereas others say it isn't playable at all. Some help here too would be mucho appreciated.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy -$32.50 Instant $139.99
$107.49

Seagate ST3500641AS-RK 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail
Item #: N82E16822148221
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $59.99

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131363
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$10.00 Instant $199.99
$189.99

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150359
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy -$55.00 Instant $249.99
$194.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$60.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card $179.99
$119.99

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy -$40.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card $139.99
$99.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Brisbane 2.8GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5400DOBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103235
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

I'll probably be buying these components sometime around Thursday and want to make sure I'm not going to be getting a processor, motherboard, or GPU that's going to nix my chances for being able to play Crysis on very high (keep in mind it's on XP and I'll probably attempt to OC the 4890 and will also be using a custom config. file for my setup [read about a mod on the crysis forums]. I'm sure you get plenty of these a day so I commend anyone who has the patience to give me some advice. Thanks again!

EDIT: The above configuration from newegg reflects the ceiling of my budget for the setup.

 

[RazberyBandit]

That specific Seagate hard drive can only be purchased in a "Combo." Unless you need a copy of Windows, you should grab a Seagate ST3500418AS or one of the WD Caviar SE16 models instead. For even better performance, go with a Caviar Green or Black.

That CPU will not work in an AM3 motherboard. I suggest the Phenom II X2 550 or Phenom II X3 720 instead.

You do NOT need Triple-Channel memory. Get a 2x2GB kit instead. Phenom II's are limited in DDR3 speed compared to Intel i7's, so nothing over 1600 is necessary.

The motherboard is overkill unless you absolutely, without a doubt, intend to run Crossfire in the future. The 790FX is designed specifically to support PCIe 16x16 Crossfire, 16x8x8 Triple Crossfire, and 8x8x8x8 Quadruple Crossfire. 790X and 790GX motherboards support 8x8 Crossfire. You can save some money here to make up for the difference in the cost of the necessary, Socket AM3 CPU.

Case is nice, but the much less expensive Antec 300 is a wonderful case for anyone looking for solid design and performance on a tight budget.

 

[marco324]

yea look for combo deals there are some good ones and amd is duel channel 2 or 4
matching pairs and like RazberyBandit said look for amd am3 cpu's in newegg search thing on the left bottom get the best you can afford

 

[Herr_Koos]

You really need to buy a better CPU than the X2. I have a 5600+ and it is woefully out of date now. Get at least a Phenom II X3, they are brilliant value for money right now.

 

[RazberyBandit]

You really need to buy a better CPU than the X2. I have a 5600+ and it is woefully out of date now. Get at least a Phenom II X3, they are brilliant value for money right now.

He doesn't just need a better one, he needs one that will actually FIT an AM3 motherboard if he indeed gets an AM3 socket one.

 

[jj463rd]

Indeed the original poster has chosen a AM2 CPU that won't work in an AM3 Motherboard.It would be a mistake. That ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard that you chose has a combo deal over at newegg with the Phenom II X4 955 BE CPU with around $85 off.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581
So basically with that combo deal you can get the 3.2 Ghz (Quad Core) Phenom II X4 955 for about the same price as the 2.8 Ghz (Triple Core) Phenom II X3 720 CPU so it would make no sense at all to choose a Phenom II X3 720 in this circumstance.Why pay the same price for a lesser capable CPU.
However you might like this better.This motherboard is newer with no need to update the BIOS for the Phenom II X4 955 BE CPU.Under the reviews for that ASUS board you can see a few people (inexperienced) who don't know how to update BIOS.Many people prefer this one to that older ASUS AM3+ 790FX motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212202
This one is $70 off but $5 cheaper than the ASUS+955 combo.

 

[Herr_Koos]

He doesn't just need a better one, he needs one that will actually FIT an AM3 motherboard if he indeed gets an AM3 socket one.

Well... That goes without saying, really. But yes, you are correct.

 

[Wisecracker]

The Asus 790FX AM3 / Phenom 955 looks really nice.

6GB (3 x 2GB) of DDR3 will be fine. For each 10% you increase the IMC/NB speed, memory bandwidth will increase 3-4% and latency will decrease 3-4%. A 20% increase in the IMC/NB at stock volts (to 2400MHz) should be a slam dunk.

I'm not sure about your OCZ but IIRC this G.Skill 6GB (3 x 2GB) Kit is on the Asus QVL list.

It must be good because it has gone up in price $10 :lol