Budget system $400-$600

[gecko666]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in 2 weeks to a month

BUDGET RANGE: $400-$600 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Just general usage mostly (web surfing, MS Office, downloading), I watch a lot of movies (in HD), not much gaming

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

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, although wouldn't mind another place

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Quiet and cool running


Basically the last system I built was almost a year ago, I've been so busy and out of touch with the IT world that I don't know what's good anymore so I am open to all suggestions. I know the price range is not kinda wide, but as cheap as possible is good, won't cheap out too much though if it affects the performance a lot.

 

[Niklas_13]

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$32.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188



Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant $69.95
$54.95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042



SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
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-$5.00 Instant $54.99
$49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181



CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$79.99
$69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003



G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231189
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189




ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131366
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
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AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103649
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$15.99 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$264.98
$233.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254078
Subtotal: $526.90

 

[proro1974]

you have a fry's or microcenter nearby?

 

[gecko666]

@niklas_13: Should I really go with an onboard GPU? I mean I don't game much, but I do check out new games that interest me. Also no HDD is needed as per 1st post.

proro1974: Don't think so. I just moved to NYC and I checked the websites and seems like neither fry's nor microcenter are around.

 

[Niklas_13]

Well if you like to game a little, do this

mobo/cpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850

gpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102825

and drop the HDD

puts you @ 580

 

[gecko666]

I've been reading a bit about processors and I have a question:
Should I stretch my budget some and aim for i5 instead? How much of a stretch would it be?

 

[Niklas_13]

You could buy this como http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view for 420

It would set you back another 100 bucks

Remember you can always spend more or less but the key is to get the best you can for your budget. The i5 setup would be better but do you need it or is it going to sit there unused and wasted.

 

[gecko666]

You could buy this como http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view for 420

It would set you back another 100 bucks

Remember you can always spend more or less but the key is to get the best you can for your budget. The i5 setup would be better but do you need it or is it going to sit there unused and wasted.

Yeah I understand the point. It's just the more I read about the new stuff that's come out and that is to come out the more I want to get the better parts for my build.
Although I listed my use to be on the rather light side this will be my main and only computer.
Another thing is that it seems to me that going with Intel is a better choice considering what they have in stock for the future. Anyway thanks for the suggestions but I'll have to think through a bit before I decide.

 

[Niklas_13]

NP If you do go with the i5 and that HD4870 you will want to upgrade that PSU to a 550W