Is this a good gaming computer...for less than $700?

[johnk38]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within a couple days
BUDGET RANGE: US$650-750
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: games (CoD and other shooters), surfing the net, student use
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type most likely AMD, or if there's cheap intel
OVERCLOCKING: preferably no /
MONITOR RESOLUTION: not sure, it was a cheaper hanns g 19'

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have a premade list, just want some other people's opinion on it, and suggestions if possible.

DVD burner/drive:
SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

video/graphics card:
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190

Processor:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680
I don't plan on overclocking this, since it's already 3.1 ghz, which is fast, but for the sake of future games requiring faster cpu speeds, i read this is a great overclocker and has a possibility to unlock 4 cores. I'd probably buy an additional heatsink/fan if I do overclock it, but that won't be til a few years down the road, if I do at all, I read it's not good for the processor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205088.11-156-062
It's a combo deal that gives windows vista home premium 64-bit and a case that comes with power supply. Is 500w enough for this computer?

Case:
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

Does this look good? If you have any suggestions, show me a link at newegg.com please. Thanks...Oh and this isn't suppose to be a dominant gaming PC, just a fairly good one. Total comes to just under $700, so if you make a sugestion, keep it in that range.

 

[armi]

Very good build.

I'm not sure how much you're under budget but why don't you go with the Sapphire 4870 1GB? Its only $20 more... and it allows you to upgrade to a better monitor and not lose as much frames as the 9800GTX...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

500W might not be enough. Upgrade to 600W or higher. PSUs degrade in time and RAIDMAX isn't a top quality brand.

Consider:

A DDR3 MOBO
DDR3 RAM

It'll break your budget now but DDR2 RAM will eventually be replaced by DDR3 RAM and DDR2 RAM will only get more expensive.

 

[Proximon]

Your RAM is CL 9. You can get CL 7:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

You really can't use a Raidmax PSU. You can get an education about PSUs in my guide at the top of the forum if you like.

You can match the performance of that video card for less though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

 

[Greg_77]

The ati 4850 is just as powerful as the 9800gtx+ in most games, so at a cheaper price you might as well get the 4850. I would replace that powersupply with something from PC power and cooling, antec, corsair, or a few others that I forgot :~ A good power supply won't burn out your computer like a bad one could. It isn't worth it being cheap with the psu.

 

[hellraiser06]

Get a 4850. Wont affect the performance and is cheaper than 9800 GTX+.
With the money saved, get a 550 W power supply MINIMUM from Corsair, PC P&C, Antec, Seasonic, OCZ etc.
If you decide to go for cooler master though, make sure you get real power. Avoid Extremem power at all costs as it is known to bring several systems down and is VERY unreliable.

I would highly recommend this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

Its modular, and ample for your needs...

Good luck gaming.