Mid Ranged Gaming Build <650

[cereeal]

I'm going to be building a new computer that will be able to handle most games out now (anywhere from Half Life to GTA IV) with relatively high settings (hopefully at least) and be able to handle newer games in the future (probably keep it for a few years).

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month, however, I'd like to maximize on any Black Friday deals so some/most parts within the next few days.

BUDGET RANGE: Less than $650

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Everyday use (surfing the internet, watching movies, listening to music, doing school work, etc.)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS, Optical Drive (will use the one in my current computer for now)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com though not absolutely necessary

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference but look below for my thoughts

OVERCLOCKING: Not initially but definitely at some point

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not necessary but if it allows for better upgradability for future than yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently 1440x900 but look at below comments

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
About my current monitor, it's a 19" 1440x900 but it only has a VGA port so I personally thought it would be necessary to upgrade but if it's not I would definitely keep it.

After researching for a bit (with little knowledge of building computers), I have two things that I thought were good, but again, I have little knowledge;

XFX HD-489X-ZSFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438&cm_re=hd_4890-_-14-150-438-_-Product

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
COMBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.295699

Those two are most definitely not necessary, but would like feedback on it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[gkay09]

^ That CPU + Mobo combo is a steal...
But for the graphic cards, maybe the HD 5770 is a better option -
Reason -
1. It is a DirectX 11 card, hence you wouldnt have to upgrade later on to utilize DirectX 11 features...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-5770-overclocking,2473.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150457

2. It has enough power to drive your monitor resolution without any major issues...So later on when you upgrade your monitor, add 1 more in crossfire, which would perform very well at higher resolutions...

As for the rest of the components,
HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&cm_re=wd_black_640-_-22-136-319-_-Product

RAM - You would have to set the timings in the BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

CASE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

CPU cooler - If you want to get the most out of your CPU ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185096
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

 

[batuchka]

WD 640 black on black friday special

 

[enzo matrix]

Personally I would get the 4890. It's more powerful than the 5770 (which is about as good as the 4870).

The disadvantage is that it uses more power and yes, doesn't support DX11. However, I doubt this will be an issue in the next year or two before DX11 starts to be used for more games. This is of course my opinion though because if I were buying a graphics card now, I would be upgrading by that time. You just gotta ask yourself though: more performance? or dx11?

 

[cereeal]

Yea looking at this (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-balanced-platform,2469.html) review of the 4890 made me pretty excited that I would be able to achieve relatively close results to that, so is DX11 worth it enough to get the 5770 if i were to upgrade my video card in say two years?

 

[Rustyy117]

Just get a 5770 now then in a years time add a second and bobs ur uncle, fanny's your ant you've got roughly 5870 performance.

 

[cereeal]

Well after a bit of research, I've decided I'm just gonna go with the HD 4890. So, would the lists that gkay09 and batuchka gave correlate with a HD 4890?

Also, thanks for your help everyone.

 

[batuchka]

Hell ya and good choice by the way!

 

[cereeal]

Alright thanks batuchka

One more quick question though, could I replace the RAM the two of you listed for

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GB2G9-AG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409

?

Thanks again!

 

[batuchka]

Ya sure why not ^^ You are wlecomed

 

[gkay09]

@cereeal That Adata RAM is good but I guess it was on sale and is sold out now...Most probably you should have bought it havent you ?

 

[sonic-boom]

This ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=ripjaws-_-20-231-303-_-Product