I don't know what to do... Help me?

[klunuts]

Kay so I've come up with one rig, but I don't know which CPU/mobo to pick! I will be playing games like supreme commander, crysis (the original and WH and wars), spore, etc. on a resolution of 1024x768 (soon to be a 1280x1024).

I will also do other things such as web surfing, and I'll be running windows vista home premium 32-bit, eventually windows 7 home premium 32-bit.

This is the rig (minus the CPU and mobo):
2gb DDR2 667 RAM - $23
2gb DDR2 667 RAM i already own - free
WD 320gb 7200rpm HDD - $50
XFX HD 4870 1GB - $145

THEN I could either go with:
Intel e7400 - $110
ASUS P5QL/EPU - $80
bringing the total to: $408

OR

I could go with:
Phenom II x2 550 BE - $103
and a mobo with a SB710/SB750 - $75~100
bringing the total to: $396~421

So my first question is is it better to go with the e7400 stock, or is it better to go with the 550 BE stock?
my second question is is it worth it to buy the 550 BE and open the other cores, or will it have no impact on gaming?

sorry if this is confusing or anything, and thanks for any and all answers

 

[klunuts]

oops i forgot to add that i'm buying a antec 900 w/ 650W PSU... it's one of their earthwatts ones i think.

 

[Mousemonkey]

As there is no guarantee that the 550 has extra cores to unlock or that they would be usable if they were, I would go for the Inhell rig or choose a better AMD CPU.

 

[gkay09]

^ +1...
If you ask me I would spend less on the case and PSU and get a better CPU...

Antec 300 - $60
OCZ Mod 500W - $60
So spend the rest on a better CPU...

 

[xaira]

^+1

 

[klunuts]

yeah but i wanna be as future proof as possible at my budget, that's why i'm going with the 4870 1gb.

 

[ulysses35]

While you are at it.... a 64bit Operating system otherwise you ownt get to use all the 4gb DDR2

 

[Onus]

^+1. The HD3300 IGP on the 790GX is capable of some gaming, especially at your low resolution. You may or may not succeed in unlocking another core on the 720BE (or two on the 550BE), and it may or may not be stable. If you want three (or four) cores, buy them at the outset.
The case/PSU you're looking at are nice, but overkill as gkay suggests. Get those only if you anticipate keeping them for years, through upgrades. Otherwise, an Antec Earthwatts 500W or Truepower New 550W PSU is sufficient for a single card. I believe the Antec Sonata III still comes with the EA-500; that's the case/PSU I got for my wife, and it has been solid for the last 1.5-2 years, and quiet.