Critique Request- LF Advice on First Budget Gaming Build

[NavySWO91]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Ready to pull the trigger

BUDGET RANGE: $750 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, video processing (VHS to DVD kinda stuff), standard Office work, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
keyboard,
mouse,
speakers,
monitor (already have a SAMSUNG TOC T260HD Rose Black 25.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 10000:1(1000:1) Build in TV Tuner & Dolby Digital Surround Sound http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001281&Tpk=samsung%20lcd)
Case
PSU
(have a new ANTEC Sonata III with a 500W Power supply)

PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't have one; looking for bang for the buck

OVERCLOCKING: Willing

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200, see above link

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I need (?...want?) a new computer. I saw this HP Firebird 802
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107875&Tpk=firebird%20802
on newegg and was tempted. Before purchasing though, I wanted to see what I could put together my self that could be close but offers some flexibility. I have never built one myself and have always wanted to. I have some experience with upgrades and computer "guts" and felt that perhaps it was time to build one.

I already have a (new) ANTEC Sonata III with a 500W Power supply and a monitor (see above). Keyboard, mouse, speakers can all be reused.

Below are the parts I have put together. I am seeking everyone's advice/opinions on where I am going wrong ("You idiot!") or where I can do better (price/performance)

My Total (with combo packages and including tax and shipping is $720.60 (with rebates $705.60)

Thanks in advance!!


AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
(thought here is that I may get ambitious and try unlocking/overclocking?)

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128398
(bundled with above; appeals to me because memory is expandable as well as the potential to crossfire at at least 8x8)

ASUS EAH5750/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121351
(The fact that I save $20 over the 5770 and that it is bundled with the OS for $15 more savings made me go with this; could be convinced otherwise; perhaps the most important driver)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
(thought this was good value)

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
(I assume I should have a non-stock cooler?)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
(price looked good; reviews good enough)

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177
(picked one)

Rosewill RCR-IC001 40-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port / Extra silver face plate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223103
(meh; convenient for cards I have)

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
(I think I am ok with an OEM right?)

 

[MothMusic]

You do have a psu, sorry.

For anything with video, you need a quad-core. Look at the Athlon II 620 and overclock that for cheap, or get Phenom II 925 and overclock that, its more expensive though.

For a 1900 res monitor your going to need a 5770, not the weaker 5750 because it will lag real bad at that res.

I would suggest replacing the hdd with a Samsung spinpoint f3.

 

[xaira]

seems like a solid build, the above poster has kind of a point with the 5770, if you can afford it you should definitely buy, the 5750 will do just fine tho, (who needs anti aliasing at those resolutions anyway) i deffinitely aggree with the samsung replacement for the seagate, the western digital caviar black is a good choice too,
last and least, prob wont make a diff, but since u said ur primary use is gaming, i aggree with the 720be, but the x4 620/630 willl give you faster encoding times due to that fourth core, the 720 wont be much further behind, but its better for gaming because of all that cache.

 

[dndhatcher]

Choosing between the AhtlonIIx4 and the PhenomIIx3 really depends on what you are doing. The PhIIx3 will game faster so you might want to stick with it. You will be able to upgrade the CPU to a faster quad later if you decide you need it.

The 5770 is 50% faster than a 5750 and for high settings at 1920 resolution you really should spend the small extra for it.


That pheonix system is an older intel CPU and pair of old Nvidia GPUs. Dead end system.

 

[warpedone]

Worth a look to compare to this RAM G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO - Retail

Little bit lower voltage - faster Cas Latency

 

[NavySWO91]

Thanks for the input! I will go with the 5770. I originally intended to use that but when I saw I could get another $15 off bundling the 5750 with the OS I thought I could go down some.

Your comments also got me re-thinking the 4 core vs 3 core. I have been doing quite a bit of video editing with the VHS to DVD conversion using apps like TMPEGENC, VideoReDo Plus, Super, etc..... just the things I believe that could benefit from the 4th core right? So I am leaning toward's Moth's recommendation of the x4 925 even though it bumps up the bottom line. I can get the 925 bundled with an ASUS board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402&cm_re=m4a79xtd_evo-_-13-131-402-_-Product instead of the GIGA (-$15). The ASUS board has an eSata port which I also like.

I will also go with the spinpoint F3.. out of stock at newegg.. can get on amazon or maybe I will visit fry's.

Up to $803.94 out the door.. not bad. I think the processor bump ($21 base + $40 loss of bundle discount) and video card bump ($20) are very good value choices. (plus I told the wife I was looking at $800 anyway )

Any other thoughts?

 

[MothMusic]

Choosing between the AhtlonIIx4 and the PhenomIIx3 really depends on what you are doing. The PhIIx3 will game faster so you might want to stick with it. You will be able to upgrade the CPU to a faster quad later if you decide you need it.

The 5770 is 50% faster than a 5750 and for high settings at 1920 resolution you really should spend the small extra for it.


That pheonix system is an older intel CPU and pair of old Nvidia GPUs. Dead end system.

Then don't choose between a 620 and a 720. Get the 925 instead.

 

[MothMusic]

Thanks for the input! I will go with the 5770. I originally intended to use that but when I saw I could get another $15 off bundling the 5750 with the OS I thought I could go down some.

Your comments also got me re-thinking the 4 core vs 3 core. I have been doing quite a bit of video editing with the VHS to DVD conversion using apps like TMPEGENC, VideoReDo Plus, Super, etc..... just the things I believe that could benefit from the 4th core right? So I am leaning toward's Moth's recommendation of the x4 925 even though it bumps up the bottom line. I can get the 925 bundled with an ASUS board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402&cm_re=m4a79xtd_evo-_-13-131-402-_-Product instead of the GIGA (-$15). The ASUS board has an eSata port which I also like.

I will also go with the spinpoint F3.. out of stock at newegg.. can get on amazon or maybe I will visit fry's.

Up to $803.94 out the door.. not bad. I think the processor bump ($21 base + $40 loss of bundle discount) and video card bump ($20) are very good value choices. (plus I told the wife I was looking at $800 anyway )

Any other thoughts?

Go with the quad. Once you overclock it to over 3ghz + the 4th core, it will smash the 720 in performance. You will essentially get a 955 or even a 965 Phenom II x4, but for a much lower price. Plus modern games are using multiple cores, and if you want your machine to be relevant and still powerful in the future, the quad is the best way to go. And unlike the 620, the 925 has L3 cache, which takes away the only real advantage the 720 had over the 620.

Here are the links to overclock your cpu, its really easier than ever:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/0,,3715_15337_15354_15359,00.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/247896-28-overdrive-overclocking-software-impressive-innovation

Heres a link to really good heatsink:

Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004&cm_re=Core_Contact_Freezer-_-35-207-004-_-Product
$25 -After rebates, freeshipping

 

[xaira]

x4 620 ftw