First Time PC rebuild

Well, I think you have the wrong processor (quad) and memory (DDR3) for your purposes. But I don't do AMD, so we'll have to wait for someone who does to pair up a mobo and cpu that will drive your entertainment (and gaming) system.

To power gaming, you will want more cpu than for just entertainment, and more graphics power to drive what is essentially a 1920x1080 screen. That poses a problem because those graphics cards get pricey, and your little 350W psu won't drive them.

As an example, from this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,239...
the best gaming cpus at your price point are the Phenom II X3 720, or the Intel E7500, both $120 at Newegg. On the Intel side you would use a $70 mobo, maybe $40 memory (2GB is plenty with XP).

For graphics, from this chart:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,...
you would want an HD4850 ($100) or 4870 ($127) depending (check the article).

And you would need 450W to 500W psu. A high quality psu in that range runs $75-$95.

There is a small chance that your 350W (perhaps needing some inexpensive wire adapters) might power the 4850. However, if you were to go this route you would need to be prepared to buy another psu just in case.

Give it some thought. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your response. Researching "Bang for the buck" right now. Considering the age of the components I"m integrating I migh opt for a Dual core upgrade which would probably handle the HD aspect of the upgrade. but leave me a little short on the gaming? But it would be about a $ 100 cheaper. Really looking to put together the best system between $200-$400. Again thanks!

Well, let's see:

There's a combo deal at Newegg on the e7500 and Thermaltake Litepower W0293RU 450W for $175. I found a favorable, specific review for this psu:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/730

Mobo ($70), Memory ($40), 4850 ($100) = $210

$210 + $175 = $385. So maybe it can be done.

The GA-MA790GP-UD4H is a DDR2 motherboard (technically an AM2+)

that board and chip is what i just got, its good, works well together
but upgrade your power supply to 500-600 and get the new ati cards coming out about now

Triple channel memory is for i7 if you get a ddr3 board you need dual channel ddr3 kit.

Which combo were you referring to? Dual or Tri? Heres what I'm looking @ so far...

Dual channel: Intel
Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7500 - Retail
Thermaltake Litepower W0293RU 450W ATX12V 2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Combo price 175.00
HIS H485FM512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -103.00 After rebate
GIGABYTE GA-P31-ES3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($60.00) Want SPDIF connection
Total: $361.00 Includes shipping

Tri channel: AMD
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
Rosewill Green Series RG430-2 430W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified,Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7" Power sup
Combo Price:154.00
HIS H485FM512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -103.00 After rebate
Kingston ValueRAM 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9/2G - Retail
$47.00
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$70.00 after rebate
Total: 374.00 Does not include shipping

Obviously there are varaiations to each of these packages. Both packages could be made to be just about the same price with a little tweaking. So the question is Dual core VS. Tri core??
Any advice/comments on either of these configurations would be appreciated.

i decided to go 4 the amd quad core p2 955x4 the price was so close, wth.
ps dont get the 4xxx cards the 5xxx cards are here now just wait a few more days

Dual or Tri . . . its the age old question lol. Tom's rates them a good match for gaming. The 7500 will be faster until 3 cores are pushed. So its a question of which you are more comfortable with.

The one problem I see in the AMD build is the psu. I cannot find a competent review (or any third party review) of that model or series. And Rosewill power supplies are all over the lot quality-wise. Unless you can find a review, I'd recommend a better psu.

With all the other parts you've got recommendations that don't just come from owners who have experience with one part lol.

PhII 545 / Gigabyte 785g AM3: $177

Corsair 450w Power Supply: $75
($55 after rebate - save another $5 with promo code EMCLXLW33 valid till 09/14/2009)

Mobo has Realtek ALC889A w/optical out, eSATA & firewire. You can run your HD off the IGP until you decide on your video card. You need the 889A audio chip for content protection whenever it is enabled. It should be easy to bump the 545 as much as 20% with stock cooling (and/or unlock the Phenom cores).

A 2Gb stick of Crucial DDR3 1333 is $40 --- I'd suggest a vid card with 1Gb memory since you will be gaming at 19x10. The XFX HD 4850 1Gb is $125 with free shipping - it's a dual slot card. The HD 4870 1Gb by XFX is only $20 more and would suit you well ...

Thank you for all the valuable information. So many options/possabilities for just about any budget. I did a quick price out on a totally quick and dirty configuration that was very cheap. Just forked out three bills to fix my truck (starter went out). I will do the research and see, but in the meantime wondering what the general consensus was on AMD dual core? Heres what I priced

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
COMBO PRICE: 120.00

G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6S-2GBMQ - Retail
Price:31.00
Total=151.00
Onboard graphics would get me up and running as "wise cracker" pointed out. Leaving me to figure out a graphics card down the line
Would i be able to reuse my 350W power supply with this configuration?? With Graphics card??
Would this CPU be able to Handle HD?

I know if I add a graphics card and power supply I might as well just spend an extra hundred and get the phenom x3 or intel dual core chip. But on the flipside I could upgrade again down the line, pull the graphics card leaving a decent system to give to my parents in a year or so. Your knowledge and opinions are greatly appreciated. I'm also going to price out a little higher end system as well when I get a minute.

as 2-3 off us have said ....

350w is very small get one from 500w+

It's not a question of the size ---- but the age of the power supply.

A 350w power supply is fine for a HTPC. The AMD 785g chipset is very energy efficient. At full load (without a video card) your system will pull less than 200w.

BUT the 350w power supply is at the end of its lifespan and is subject to failure at any time. There is a possibility that such a failure may damage your new components.

For temporary use I'm sure you will be fine but for your next upgrade you should consider a new PSU more suited for your needs ---- including the demands of your new video card (an HD 4850 pulls around 110w) and an 8-pin (or 4+4 pin) CPU power connector (commonly found under the 'EPS' designation).

As long as your psu privdes clean power at its ratings, it will:

1) Power a PC with onboard graphics,
2) Power a PC with a "small" graphics card selected to fit into its cpabilities.

A 400W psu will support most graphics cards, and a 500W will support any graphics CARD.

The concern everyone is expressing is the age of your psu, and the point in its life when you are asking it to strain. Here's the deal:

Say you buy a small graphics card. In a month or sooner, your PC begins to do some strange things. After a long diagnosis here, we figure out that its your psu failing. Happens here a *lot*. Now you will buy a psu of what size? And you will stick with the small graphics card, or buy a better one.

They are trying to avoid you going down a path where you continually buy stuff that isn't optimal, to guard against a psu failure, which may or may not happen.

As long as you understand the risks of this path, its your money, your call.