[Solved] Budget Designer/Student Build

I am looking for some advice. Currently I am thinking about building around a 3 core phenom and a radeon 4850 I have tried to put some lists together on Newegg but I get distracted by shiny new things so I end up with a total way above what I am looking for. I need some help balancing the performance and future upgradability against what my actual needs will be over the next year or 2.

I will be using this for school work and web/graphic design so lots of adobe software! I also have a nasty habit of opening too many programs so multitasking is a must. I plan on using Vista 64 and may very well be upgrading to 7 if a 64 bit version of that will be available (I am not really up to date on Windows 7 information)

The only peripheral I need to get is a good sharp monitor that will calibrate for color accuracy well. Size isn't too big of a deal for me So I don't need something huge 19" would be more then adequate.
I am also trying to keep the case to a relatively small size, I don't really have room for a giant tower. Midsize would be awesome

And now for the template! Thanks in advanced for any help.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By end of year

BUDGET RANGE: As far under $700 as reasonable Before / After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop, Dreamweaver, lots of multitasking, basic everyday internet usage. Very little if any gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: no speakers or input devices

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg tigerdirect open to others but Newegg is my favorite.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: I am most familiar and comfortable with AMD, ATI, and Asus, but I am willing to use anything that seems like a good fit, I believe in function over brand loyalty.

OVERCLOCKING: nothing insane but yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not a requirement

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 or better

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: System is being built to serve for school as I work on my BAS my emphasis is web design; I also plan on working on some graphic design courses. This is not intended to be a professional workstation, but I want it to be able to handle the programs necessary with as little frustration as possible. I currently only have a relatively low tier laptop so I can see this being problematic in the future.

and two more words: Cyber Monday. I got even better deals on some stuff Cyber Monday, and I didn't have to freeze my ass off waiting for brick and mortar stores to open up.

we get that too, just in the middle of July sometimes. Anyway, Cyber Monday is better in my opinion since the deals are all online, no risk of getting trampled by a heard of crazed shoppers trying to save $50 on guitar hero. I'd even bet this year the online deals on Black Friday will probably be better than most of the stuff that will be found in retail stores. And you have a better chance of actually snagging them before they are gone.

If you don't plan on moving your system around much, there really is no huge advantage of going with micro ATX or ATX. mATX boards are physically smaller, can't fit as much stuff on them, and as a result tend to be a tiny bit cheaper, that's really all that's different, they still are built from the same chipsets.

it depends on the micro ATX case manufacturer. micro ATX systems are fairly popular for Lan party machines, and some manufacturers have designed cases to support the trend. A nice Silverstone case, SGO 3 or SGO 4 I think, will do a fair job of fitting a micro ATX board with up to 2 large gfx cards easily, and still give halfway decent airflow. There's other choices out there too, though not something I've researched much.

As for mATX cases, one of my favorite is this cooler master:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 41%20elite

Nothing extra can be a good thing. No extra drive bays you'll never use that would only get in the way. Space for an extra fan in the front. Quiet. Looks good.

NP. I can tell you a 4670 runs a smaller monitor at max settings in WoW. I have a friend doing that, 1440x900.

Plus the bigger 4870 will have some serious power requirements and 400W might not be enough.

It's going to be pretty good as is, but you'll likely get 5-10% easily on the OC.

You'll have to monitor temps closely. Don't install any of the Asus junk....
ASUS PC Probe II
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
ASUS Update

(I pulled that off their site. None of that needs to be on your system.)

Ask in a new thread here about free virus scanners. Use HWMonitor.

HWMonitor

That will keep track of max temps when you OC.

It seems I may have a bit more breathing room in my budget should I just flesh this system out a bit more by adding ram and a GPU or make some changes... I was kind of looking at these components this would cost me less then 100 bucks more bring the RAM to DDR3 1600, the chipset to 790GX, add a bigger PSU and go up to a mid tower ATX form case.
Basically I am just wondering if I should go out of my way to go to DDR3 RAM or if DDR2 1066 will be fine enough for a while.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119203

Phenom II X4 945 Asus M4A79XTD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273338

Corsair 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145260

PSU OCZ 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022

I just am not sure if it would be worth it or if i should just keep the budget low, and just plan on replaceing the system entirely if it ever becomes too outmoded... I was kind of looking foward to using that micro ATX case though.

That is a pretty awesome looking case, i'll look into the PSU.. I am just not sure if I am just getting overexcited because now I found this and It seems like this would be a pretty awesome deal
AM3 board with a X4 955 BE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273337

I'd need a CPU cooler though, this look good?
Artic cooler Freezer 64
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185125
Newegg doesn't call out AM3 compatability but the website says it is compatable.

Like I said the hardest part for me is not picking parts just for cool factor and keeping things within just what i need.

***Edit with that MoBo I realized I guess i'd probably stick with something more along the lines of the 4670 if i need more power later I can alway upgrade.

I was thinking about maybe using a xigmatek
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Do you think that would fit better, I plan on eventually using all 4 RAM slots so I don't want to block them. The Xigmatek looks a little thinner then the sunbeam but i couldn't find sizes for the sunbeam.

also I think I'll switch to this combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.274550

as the MoBo is a GX so I can save 30 bucks in the long run by not buying a GPU just to get it to start up.

I've been searching the combos and discounts and i've got the total after shipping back down to about 740.00 which makes me happy. I was thinking about possibly just using the stock HSF for a while and not OC'ing to seriously untill I can get a decent HSF setup, but once I get it put together I don't really want to be pulling it apart again if i pick a HSF with a backplate or something.

And that's the best MB choice yet I think.