First computer build. Need some help

[jkpx07]

Hello. I am currently thinking of building a computer for the first time since the one I am using is really old. Could you guys give me some suggestions on a computer build? I would like to keep the price within $500 - 600. I will most likely use this computer for school and some casual gaming. For games I would like for it to run some of the newer and future games decently.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Hopefully in a few days

BUDGET RANGE: US$500-600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, school

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, amazon.com, tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use an AMD CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x900 (widescreen)


This is a computer build that I put together. I am not sure if all these parts are compatible with one another. If you guys have any suggestions or a better computer build for the money that would be great. Thanks.

Optical Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Case Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

HD Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Mobo Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Video Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

PSU Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Power Supplies

Ram Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK - Desktop Memory

CPU Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Processors - Desktops

 

[Proximon]

RAM not compatible with the board, PSU slight overkill, otherwise fine

Ah nice price on the PSU, go with it.

Antec Illusion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=Antec%20illusion

Correct motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376


This would be a better drive:
Caviar Blue 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

 

[batuchka]

95W Quad, HD4870, 80+ certified modular PSU all under $600 possible

 

[Outlander_04]

Pt ddr2 is not compatitable with an AM3 motherboard , but instead of buying the AM2 mb if you can afford to do so then substitute DDR3 ram into the build . A good 2 x2 gig kit will be about $80 .
If you down grade the psu a suggested you would have the budget for
Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220333

I disagree with the hard drive substitution Proximon is suggesting . The samsung F3 500 gig is a single platter drive that has probably the highest performance of any conventional sata hard drive . Its also cheap which is about as good as it gets IMO

 

[batuchka]

Wow good spot Outlander: didn't see TS going with an AM3 770 Gigabyte hehe

 

[jkpx07]

95W Quad, HD4870, 80+ certified modular PSU all under $600 possible
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/1299.jpg

Wouldn't that AM2 motherboard not be compatible with an AM3 cpu?

 

[batuchka]

Thats an AM2+ motherboard actually and an AM3 chip has its Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) on chip itself able to talk to both DDR2 and DDR3 Here is the CPU support list for confirmation hehe
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2978#anchor_os

 

[Outlander_04]

Batuchkas build all works and is amazing value . Its also more powerful than the other suggestions we all made thanks to the quad core processor and 4870 . It would be better multitasker too

Maybe theres a way to compromise and still keep under $600 and have an AM3 build . We know that in gaming the forth core doesnt contribute much so theres no performance hit in that scenario by using an X3 .
Theres an article in the cpu section called something like " how many cores do you really need "


AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz + COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB $153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.244566

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD $31

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB $50

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 $70

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $80

POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131148

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

$514 [ after rebates ] and you get a free game

If you really wanted the antec 300 , then dont get the case/cpu combo and buy them seperately

If you really want a the 945 quad it fits in a $600 budget too