$800-900 Multitasking PC/First Build

[Shizrn]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Looking to buy in a week or less.

BUDGET RANGE: $800-$900 shipped

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Most important is multitasking and not worrying about bogging down the system at all. Not a heavy pc gamer but would like to at least be able to run some quality games at a decent level. Don't need a beastly graphics card but 1080p video playback is a must.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need almost everything including a good mouse and keyboard.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg or better deal

OVERCLOCKING: Yes but never done it before. From what I've read, the CPU and mobo I picked should be pretty flexible for this.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

This is my first build but I want mostly quality parts. Not cheap stuff that won't last. All suggestions/alternatives welcome. I've put this together based on other builds I've seen here in this price range. Feel free to point out any potential problems and/or improvements possible. Also, is there anything I'm forgetting to add that I need for a new pc?

Here is what I have on my list so far:

CPU and MOBO combo: $316.98
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.239849

Case and Power Supply Combo: $154.97
Not sure about this power supply but I kinda like the case. Plus there's a combo discount of $15 and a total of $50 in rebates. It has the slide in mobo feature and the drive bays have some sort of snap in system that seems easy for adding drives. I'm very open to using different tower and I really need some help picking out the best power supply for this mobo/cpu.
RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231402
or
Actually after more browsing I like this case a lot also and would just need a power supply for it:
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

Logitech EX 110 Black $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126174

Graphics Card:
Not sure what would be best for me. What are some of the best in the $100-150 price range?

Also: Should I get a separate heat sink for the cpu? Which one is the best?


Total so far: $733.85

 

[batuchka]

Hmm so would this budget include a 1080p LCD as well? I am unsure what kind of games u play but for that price range perhaps an XFX 1GB HD4870 would be within budget

 

[Shizrn]

I have a 24" 1080p viewsonic with HDMI that I really haven't put to any good use yet. Looking to do so.

 

[gkay09]

I would suggest this setup instead of that one...

AMD X4 955 + OCZ 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237844

Mobo - I doubt you would use 2 PCIe slots...
A very good mobo like this one is more than suffice and saves you money (It doesnt compromise on quality)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397

PSU -
Antec EA 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

Graphics card -
XFX HD 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

 

[Shizrn]

Thanks for the quick feedback guys.

I have a few questions.
I'm going to be using a PCI Sata card for one slot so not sure but I may need the second slot in the future. After the Combo from mobo and cpu and rebate savings the Asus mobo comes to $101.98 and the Gigabyte mobo is $89.99. Is the $12 savings worth it? I'm not sure which board is better but the micro ATX could also be somewhat small and harder to get my big hands on inside the case. Those Gigabyte boards look cool as hell though and I know they're solid. Is there another Gigabyte mobo in that range I could look at?
Also, I will be fine using Windows 7 Ultimate with this right?

 

[gkay09]

@Shizrn I had by mistake linked the same board twice...

Here are other good options...Both are ATX boards...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

But if you are getting that ASUS 790G for just $12 more, then stick with it...
But you do get combos with the Gigabyte and that alternative ASUS board that I had linked above too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.233570
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.234361

And do you really want the business features of the Ultimate?? Wont the Home Premium be suffice...
Well its your choice about the OS...but make sure you get a 64-Bit version...

 

[Onus]

Thumbs are missing again, but +1 @gkay09 (mostly his first post).
You do NOT want a Raidmax PSU. In their case, the "max" is a reference to the size of the pyrotechnic display or the number of other parts it will take with it when it croaks. Furthermore, regardless of overall quality, the little red voltage switch is a giveaway that the design is older, and not efficient. Whatever you select, get full range Active PFC (no little switch) and 80+ certification.
On a budget, an Earthwatts 500 is a great choice. It's a comfortable size, that won't be stressed by this build. If I were the one building this machine though, I would probably choose an Antec TruePower New 550W PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020 for even higher stability and efficiency. It is 80+ bronze certified, semi-modular, and has lots of connectors; with a PCI SATA card, I'm assuming you'll be running a lot of drives. For $80, this PSU offers a lot.
For the graphics card, since you say you won't be playing a lot of games, my first thought is to get a 4670, but with a 1920x1080 resolution, and your saying that you will be playing SOME games, perhaps a 1GB HD4850 would be a better choice.

 

[Shizrn]

Ok getting very close. Is one of these psu's outright better than the other at the same price of $79.99 with free shipping?
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Been reading reviews and specs for the last 10 hours and I think that I'm just going to splurge a little and get the card suggested by gkay09 from the beggining of my thread. Although the Radeon HD 4870 is way more card than I need, it's only a few dollars more than the good 4850's and it's got me itching to play some games again. I'm pretty pumped now. I'm not done yet but thanks a lot to both of you guys. I hope I can get through my build and then overclocking with the help of these forums and tutorials here.

 

[Onus]

The Truepower is a little better in terms of efficiency and overall quality. The Earthwatts is more powerful, and still a very good PSU. For a single 4870, either is powerful enough, so I'd probably go for the Truepower for the higher efficiency.

 

[gkay09]

^+1...
The 550W is more than suffice for HD 4870...Actually it can even power the HD 4890 with ease...
And currently there is a $10 off with that PSU...
Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W
$10 off with promo code ANTECAUG, limited offer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020

And am sure you can find many articles and help from other forum members for an easy and successful build...
Good luck...