$600 HTPC/Gaming Build. First build in 5 years. heh

[Futureprospect]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:This week
BUDGET RANGE: 600 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HTPC/GAMING. I will most likely need it to play 1080p mkv. or other movie files. So long as it can play BD quality movies easily, it will meet my HTPC requirements. My Gaming requirements are simple too. I don't play alot of video games, but would like to occasionally dabble in a FPS like like FEAR 2.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Do not need keyboard/mouse/monitor. My monitor is a 37 inch 1900x1080 HD monitor. It will run on max resolution all the time. I don't need an OS either.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I'm not brand specific. But i like AMD because they are for better for budget builds.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe...but not in the near future.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe...but not in the near future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: ( 1920x1080, 1920x1200)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: It's going in the living room attached to the living room monitor. But honestly, i don't care what it looks like. So long as it works.

Thanks guys.

 

[MothMusic]

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
$119 -Free Shipping

ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
$60

Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model CT25664BA1067 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148149
$78 for two sticks

HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-317-_-Product
$163 -Free Shipping

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$50 -Free Shipping


Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.304806
$80 with combo discount

Don't know if you need a disk drive or not..

Total = $550

 

[Futureprospect]

BTW: I don't need the BD player. I have a ps3. Should i upgrade the cpu or gpu?

 

[MothMusic]

BTW: I don't need the BD player. I have a ps3. Should i upgrade the cpu or gpu?

The gpu can handle modern games at high settings at a 1900 res, so the gpu is fine. I'll update the build with the 720, which is just as good as a 955 or an i5 in gaming. Do you need a disk drive or no?

 

[Futureprospect]

i don't need disk drives either. Im going to frankenstein it using my previous desktop.

Thanks!

 

[MothMusic]

i don't need disk drives either. Im going to frankenstein it using my previous desktop.

Thanks!

Your welcome, good luck with your build.

 

[Futureprospect]

I still have 50 bucks to spend...after considering your build.

Should that go towards a better case?

 

[MothMusic]

I still have 50 bucks to spend...after considering your build.

Should that go towards a better case?

If you want to get different case, then get it.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Keep in mind that the PSU listed in the combo above does not come with a power cord. It's not a problem if you have one, but it's just something to keep in mind. If I were to upgrade anything I would upgrade the motherboard and RAM.

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $79.99 - $10 MIR

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO - Retail $97.99

I wouldn't re-use your old hard drives, either. The new drives are MUCH faster than drives from just a year or two ago. The Seagate drive listed above is well worth the $55.

 

[MothMusic]

Keep in mind that the PSU listed in the combo above does not come with a power cord. It's not a problem if you have one, but it's just something to keep in mind. If I were to upgrade anything I would upgrade the motherboard and RAM.

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $79.99 - $10 MIR

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO - Retail $97.99

I wouldn't re-use your old hard drives, either. The new drives are MUCH faster than drives from just a year or two ago. The Seagate drive listed above is well worth the $55.

I don't see why getting more expensive mobo, and ram in necessary. It won't make any significant difference in system performance. But if the OP must have name brands...

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
$119 -Free Shipping

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392&cm_re=gigabyte_770-_-13-128-392-_-Product
$80 -$70 after rebate

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231318
$98 -Free Shipping

HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-317-_-Product
$163 -Free Shipping

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$55 -Free Shipping

Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.304806
$80 with combo discount

Total = $595 -$585 After rebate

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I just don't see why anyone would go with an ASRock motherboard unless absolutely necessary. A quality motherboard from Gigabyte or Asus is only around $10 - $20 more expensive. I always figure it's good insurance to go with the best components the budget will allow. The budget had room for improvements in the motherboard and RAM, so I suggested upgrades. It's up to the OP to determine whether they're worthwhile upgrades. If I was building a system for myself, I'd sure pick the Gigabyte board and upgraded RAM.