[Solved] $500-$600 AMD Budget Multimedia System.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:

Soon! My current CPU keeps overheating, I have a large standing fan duct-taped to the side with the door off, and still locks after a few hours ! (it's years old and not worth investing in to keep running except maybe later for a media PC or something.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:

Mostly Internet, Movies, Burning and converting video, music, Some gaming but nothing requiring mega graphics - would like to have the option later though with a simple GPU upgrade.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse,Keyboard, Monitor. I have a crap gateway restore disk WITH windows XP Media Center, not sure if I can use it on new PC?

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:

New Egg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

U.S.

PARTS PREFERENCES:

Thinking of AMD X3 with BioStar TForceTA790GX for performance and onboard GPU (at least initially for cost reasons).

OVERCLOCKING: Yes OR CROSSFIRE: Possibly later on. Not initially.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like it to be quiet, will not be moved around alot. I'm worried about waiting and ending up stuck without a CPU for awhile! Only have around $400 at the moment and I am alaso worried about paying for Vista possibly when 7 is around the corner. was thinking of something along the following lines but the cost is a bit high.



AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX $119.99

Arghhh jumped $15 since yesterday!

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard $104.99


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM $64.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ $85.99

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC

Antec VSK-2000 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$104.95 combo.

Total of $51.00 instant savings in combo deals.

Total before Shipping or OS - - - $479.95



Thats the total NOT counting an OS. Anyone see a spot I could shave off some bucks without losing alot? Or anyone have an idea on my OS problem? Thanks in advance.

Scott

Thanks skora for the response. Everything I've read has appointed the X3 as the best for the money if you intend to OC. While not a big gamer I've been OC'ing since my first SLOT A Athlon and would expect to get 3.4-3.5, if so wouldn't that make the X3 perform much better for the majority of apps? I would appreciate your response as my knowledge of the new cpu's is a little limited but the low clock speed on the quad and the limited ability to O/C make me worry a little about it's longevity. Also, I'm a little lost on the PS I would need, but I would like to future proff it by getting at least a 500. Also.. HD size isn't an issue as I have a 1TB external already and that will last me awhile by itself.

Thanks again

Also! Not sure how much the Memory effects O/C these days. Would the cheaper higiher latency mem still allow for stable O/C?

Thanks for the Response Skora. Your talking me into the Quad-Core. I've read good things about it, I heard so many great things about the X3 I never really looked into the X4. As far as cost goes on the MOBO and CPU I will gladly pay a little more for if it's a good value and make up the money elsewhere.

Sorry about the confusing price range- I am shooting for $500-600 but have $400 saved. If I find something I'm happy with for $400 I would get it, but I'm thinking I'll need to get in the 500-600 range to get what I want, which is a fast cpu for multitasking and video, with decent enough graphics to to basic gaming that will also be to last me 4 or 5 years with standard upgrades. So I will wait and save if necessary to get a good CPU, PS, and MoBo.

I haven't even thought about the DVD-Burner I have now since I was going to turn the old PC into a Medai Center eventually, but I can worry about that later on. I looked it up and I have a LITE-ON SHW-1635S DVD+R Dual Layer IDE. Will the IDE be a big problem?

Also would like to ask, whats the best MoBo you could recommend for the Quad, with very good Onboard Graphics and HDMI? As I mentioned earlier I don't mind paying $100 or so for the MoBo. I always tried in the past to always buy quality, highly upgradeable MoBo's and PS in the past and it worked well for me.

Thanks again in advance.

Thanks for the response.
My Monitor is an old 20 in Samsung with a Max Res of 1280 X 1024. Very low but again, something I'll be upgrading within a few months of buying the computer. I am suprised a $40 card can compromise a big upgrade from the onboard card on that config. I don't know much about gaming though, I've never spent the cash for a big time video card, but I was thinking anything decent would cost me $100 +. being able to use the onboard video just until I can add on later is perfectly fine. I don't game alot, I just intend to upgrade later on to do so.. As long as the system im making here has no other bottlenecks I'll be set to add that part on at a later time.

That Cooler looks really nice for the cash, but looks monstrous! One question about it though, you mention the noise level. How bad is it at it's average RPM's? My PC is set in a den right next to my Living room, and I will be going back later one and installing foam and low Db fans. If it is very loud I would probably hold out for one a little quieter.

Thanks for all the info, I'm thinking of going with the exact set-up you mentioned - the video card. Think I'll be able to swing that next pay day