AMD Build Buget Rate $600

[thefreed]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Let's say it's this week. Budget Rate is $600 B.R

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Movies, Surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) www.newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like the build centered around

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor
OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Probably 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a cool and fast computer. I am thinking about upgrading as time goes on but would like atleast 4 gigs of ram and a nice videocard.

 

[vanekl]

$156 (egg) AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
$78 (egg) MSI 785GTM-E45 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$170 (egg) Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
$40 (egg) APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case - Retail
$92 (egg) 2 X CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model VS2GB800D2 G - Retail
$43 (egg) Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply - Retail
$0 optical drive: no budget
$46 (zzfly) WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB SATA 7200 RPM 8MB Buffer Hard Drive
$625 TOTAL

 

[lunyone]

What parts do you need??
Did you need an OS too??

 

[thefreed]

I just need the parts of the computer, I'll worry about OS later. I am planning on upgrading the monitor sometime in the future.

The games I am planning to play are: Dragon Age Origins, Empire Total War, Fallout New Vegas, Sims 3, mass effect 2 etc. I would like the graphics power to be better then a 360.

 

[thefreed]

I think it would be probably around 1920x1080... but I can go lower

 

[lunyone]

Here ya go for ~$600 B.R.

CPU - $99 shipped!! Not the 940 like you like, but to get the most "Gaming" power you need a good GPU for that, so that is why I went with this CPU. It's OC's (easily) to 3.6-3.8 gHz, which is plenty for gaming needs at this point! If you want a Quad core than I'd suggest the Athlon II x4 620 for the same $.
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.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

GPU - $163 shipped!! There are better GPU's, but for the $ right now it's hard to beat!
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

Mobo - $88 shipped - $10 MIRc = $78!! Hard to beat for the $!
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

RAM - $100 shipped! It has Cas7 timings and runs at stock voltage (1.5v) What else do you need??
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

Case/PSU combo - $90 shipped!! Hard to beat for this price. You get the Antec 200 case/400w ECO PSU (30A on the 12v rail). Plenty of power for the 5770. The PSU does limit your upgrade paths a bit, but 30A on the 12v rail is NO SLOUCH!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.319122

HD - $55 shipped! Good solid and fast for the $!!
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

DVD Burner - $30 shipped!! Comes with the software to read/burn DVD's!!
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

Total - ~$625 shipped - $10 MIRc = $615!! Now if you still want the 940 (don't recommend for this budget) you'd have to drop down on the GPU side (4770 for $117 shipped???). It's up to you, but having the best GPU you can afford will give you the better overall gaming experience. Most games only take advantage of up to 2 cores. This doesn't mean that 4 cores is a bad idea, but it's something to think about. If you want the 4 cores, than the Athlon II x4 620 is a very good buy and will fill that need and won't break the bank/budget.

Link to 4770 ($117 shipped!):
XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369&cm_re=4770-_-14-150-369-_-Product