Please help me cut costs on this build, and any other advice

just read from another post

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DDR3 has higher latencies than DDR2, DDR2 has higher latencies than DDR1.

This is offset by the higher throughput, as DDR has 2 operations per cycle, DDR2 has 4 operations per cycle and DDR3 has 8 operations per cycle.

So DDR3/800 is actually running 100MHz, DDR2/400 is running 100MHz, DDR/200 is running 100MHz and SDR/100 is running 100MHz. That's why MHz is not used in this context, but MT/s or GT/s; hence DDR3/800 where 800 is the number of transfers per second, not clockcycles.

In short, DDR3 needs to have a clear advantage in GT/s before it can 'overcome' the penalty of higher latencies. It has a 'break-even point' where performance is about the same, and where it starts becoming faster. Generally, you will never notice the difference. But you might notice the difference in quanity of RAM, because it can reduce the need for disk I/O which you do notice.

Just don't get yourself dragged in all the marketing and things the companies want you to believe in. Besides RAM is the least important component to consider for overall systems performance. Even a 100% increase in memory throughput will only yield about 5%-10% of overall systems performance increase. That's nothing compared to the 30000% increase in IOps performance when considering SSD versus HDD, which translates to about 1000% increase in overall systems performance in disk-bound workloads.

http://images.tweaktown.com/content/1/7/1782_3.gif

graph says all; though ofcourse there is faster DDR3 memory. But IMO not worth the money. One good argument for DDR3 is that its getting cheaper than DDR2 in the (near) future, so if you bought to few RAM today you can upgrade DDR3 for less money in the future than DDR2, which will become very expensive because of low production volumes, like DDR1 is today.
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that was from a guy called sub mesa. so then.. would it be cheaper and better to get ddr2 memory? and in turn, cheaper mobo because since I would be using ddr2 memory, the mobo wouldn't have to be an am3 mobo(even though I am using phenom II)?

You did not specify the purpose of the system.
If it was me, I would put a much more simpler video card as I rarely play games anyway (something under $80).
The rest is fine.

Yeah the video card was always the hardest decision for me. I guess it's way too good for what I will be using it for. I will be doing basic gaming, mainly blizzard games, and I am not one to maximize settings in games either. I will be video editing, but just for fun. Besides that, all of the basics, like surfing the web, watching movies, homework, etc.

get the haf 922 instead

The only thing I don't like about the haf 922 compared to the haf 932 is that there is no room behind the mobo to shove the wires. is that a big deal though?

you got one hdd so that plus power connectors on your psu going round is only bout 10 cables , 20 cables hardly make a haf 922 look full

Even though the 5770 has newer technology, the price to performance is terrible right now. A $100 4850 will not only save you $70, but it will also outperform the 5770 in most games at your resolution. Just check out Toms recent review on the 5770...overall performance is really weak on those cards for the price. It is POSSIBLE that will change as directx 11 games come out, but still not really worth paying 70% more for.

You could drop the Phenom 720 for the Athlon II 435. It matches, comes VERY close, or beats the Phenom in almost everything, for ~$40 less.

The 5770 is 40nm, so it would overclock VERY well (judging from HD4770 overclocking, anyways). But if you're not into that, I'd step down to the HD4870 or 4850 (1GB versions of both).

thanks i've decided to get the 4850, because I am not too much of a gamer anyway.

I am new to the world of overclocking, so I want to get some experience with basic overclocking before I start purchasing with overclocking in mind. Thanks for the advice anyways though.

So I've learned quite a bit in this post (and others). I learned that the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 isn't so big anymore, and that it's far from the most important thing in your computer. I've also learned how to read (the "how to ask for advice" post). Many ppl have suggested certain components to swap out, and the overall price for my build already went down a quick 200$ in one day! Here is what I have come up with:
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: first week of december BUDGET RANGE: 800-1200 (including shipping/tax)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surfing the web, basic gaming (don't mind reducing settings A BIT), basic video editing for fun, homework, music, etc. All the basics that only take a calculator's processing power.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need everything a computer could possibly have

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca, maybe tigerdirect.ca if you can find something cheaper there than at newegg (hey it happens) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would prefer to use AMD and ATI just because I am not a fanboy whatsoever for any companies (PS3 FTW!!), but because I heard that the price/performance ratio is pretty good

OVERCLOCKING: MAYBE in the future but I have no experience SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: haven't bought the monitor and haven't given any thought to a specific resolution, but my budget for the monitor (included in my budget up there ^^) is about 200$

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am thinking about getting a second monitor in the future, but I would only use one for gaming, so I don't think that affects anything? I don't multitask TOO much, but I would really like to be able to run iTunes at the same time as Sony Vegas at the same time as After Effects (that's the most multitasking I can think I would be doing at any moment). I am not too much of a gamer (for pc) and I don't mind not using max settings (within reason). I mostly only play blizzard games. Can't think of too much more. OH YEAH: I NEED the G9x and the G11. I know they are quite expensive, but oh man there are some things more important than money and they look just awesome.
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Here is what I have so far:

CPU and MOBO combo:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

GPU:
HIS H485FM1GH Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU:
Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-SB 450W ATX V2.2 Power Supply - Retail

Case:
COOLER MASTER HAF 922

Monitor:
ASUS VH202T-P Glossy black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 Built in Speakers w/ Aspect Control - Retail

CD/DVD Burner:
just a basic 30 buck drive

Keyboard/Mouse:
cheapest keyboard/mouse deal there is
I would be getting the g11 and the g9x about a month after this purchase, because I need a cheap keyboard and mouse for my laptop anyways

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so that totals to 980 counting shipping and tax. thats just barely my budget if I take into account the fact that I will be buying a 110$ mouse and an 80$ keyboard soon after. so any advice at ALL would be greatly apreciated. thanks again.

I noticed you said that you "need everything a computer could possibly have" , but don't see an OS listed in your bulid, don't forget!