Deciding on 2 AMD Gaming Builds

I have a dying Athlon 64 x2 and have been patiently waiting for Windows 7 to be released to build a new computer. I already have a keyboard, mouse, moniter, and dvd-rw drive, and graphics card (it's an old Nvidia 9500GT, but it's handling everything I play fine for now, waiting until January to upgrade the GPU).

I'm looking to purchase the parts and set it up the same week windows 7 gets released. I would like it to be under $1000, and if it was under $800, even better. The main use for the system is going to be gaming and programming. I more the likely will never get an SLI/Crossfire set up. I'm going with the AMD Phenom II x4. If anyone can recommend better parts, or just give me additional information, that would be great, this is my first attempt at a custom build. Here are two builds I'm thinking about getting (feel free to mix n match my parts to give me the best options).

Or you can skip my story and just read this.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 10/22/09

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, programming homework, music, internet - all at the same time

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: GPU, keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor, DVD-RW drive,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD - no other preference just trusted parts

OVERCLOCKING: I doubt it SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680 x 1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have an nvidia 9500gt card right now, would like to upgrade that in december/january to something in the $300 price range then. I need this system to be future-proof for about 2 years.



Build number 1:

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product


AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product


PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341011


I'll be using 8 gigs
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231276


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284


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Build number 2 (more budget friendly):


GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392


AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product


Using 8 gigs of ram
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231190


Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136283


CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005


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Despite which build or combo of the two I go with, I'll be using one of these cases

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156078

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133074

Version of windows 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116758

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If someone could recommend a heatsink and fan for the processor/mobo combination that would be great too.

Thanks for any help or advice!

Since your not going to OCing, this heatsink should work just fine for you
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Otherwise either build looks fine.

Personally, I would get the 955 and save the money, but still get the asus mobo. Since your not going to multi-gpu, you could get away with the smaller psu, but getting the larger one allows for future expansion, so that's up to you.

Save money on the 955 instead of the 965. If you want you can overclock it from 3.2 to 3.4 and get the same result.
For your power supply the real x-factor is the future video card. You said no crossfire and the monitor is a medium resolution, so you might be looking at something mid-range like the radeon 4870 or the equivalent in the newer models. You would probably be OK with a 550 or 600 watt PSU. Corsair is a good brand.
One comment on video. The AMD 790 or the newer 785 models have onboard video almost as good as the nvidia 9500gt. Might be an option to keep the build simple.

I'll add my voice to the chorus advising that the 955 is a better choice than the 965; you say you probably won't, but it should be a super-easy OC to match the 965, so why pay more?
For budget-friendliness, consider the Antec 300, Antec Illusion 300 (comes with more fans) or Antec 200 cases. Coolermaster CM-RC690 is another similar case with excellent airflow.
Corsair and PC P&C are both good PSUs, but also take a look at the Antec Truepower 550W PSU. It is large enough for your stated requirements (will run a 5870), is semi-modular to keep down cable clutter and improve airflow, and is 80+ bronze (vs. 80+ for the Corsair or PC P&C).