+/- 650$ All-Purpose Build

[dav_jw]

Hello,

I'm planning to build a new PC for various usage, with a limited budget. It is my first build, but I believe I have enough technical knowledge to get it done. I'd like to have an up-to-date and easily upgradable system since I plan to keep it for some time. I've been shopping for quite a while and would like to know your opinion about what I've gathered so far.

I have a 600-700$ budget : this must cover all taxes and shipping fees.
(650$ maximum for the parts)


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possible

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:

-Home Server (File sharing)
-Audio/Video Encoding
-Multimedia : Image and Video Editing, Movies, Music...
-Office Work, Internet Browsing...
-Gaming (In future, when I have money for a decent GPU)

*Since I'm a heavy multi-taksker, consider that all the above tasks will be
performed at the same time


PARTS NOT REQUIRED:

-Keyboard / Mouse
-Screen (Unless it fits within my budget)
-Speakers
-Dedicated GPU


PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:

Ncix.com
Newegg.ca (Yes, I'm from Canada )

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, if it doesn't induces any more expenses for cooling

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

-Would like to use a RAID 0 array

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASE

Antec Sonata III ATX 500W PSU 120MM Fan == 120$

PSU

Antec EarthWatts 500 Watt (Included with the case)

MOTHERBOARD

ASUS M4A785TD-M Evo mATX == 95$

CPU

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1Ghz == 110$

RAM

OCZ Value OCZ3V10662G 2GB DDR3 1X2G == 60$ (x2 == 120$)

HDD

Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200RPM == 60$ (x2 == 120$

DVD BURNER

Samsung SH-S222A/BEBE 22X DL DVD Writer == 25$

Subtotal $587.20 CAD
Shipping $25.61
Tax $30.64

Grand Total $643.45


Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestion to help me improve my build (or to save a few pennies )

P.S. : Please forgive me for any language mistakes : English isn't my first language.

 

[skora]

Looks like your English and parts choices are good

The main change I'd suggest is going with the Athlon II x4 over the Phenom II x2. The extra cores will really make your productivity shine.

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=43975&vpn=X4-620-MA785GMT-UD2H&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals

The combo will negate the extra cost of the CPU.

 

[dav_jw]

Looks like your English and parts choices are good

The main change I'd suggest is going with the Athlon II x4 over the Phenom II x2. The extra cores will really make your productivity shine.

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=43975&vpn=X4-620-MA785GMT-UD2H&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals

The combo will negate the extra cost of the CPU.

Thanks for the quick reply!

This seems to be an interresting suggestion : I'd even save 5$!
However, there's one more reason I was interrested by the Phenom X2 : I heard about the possibility of ''unlocking'' 1 or even 2 of the disabled cores. I've read that the rate of success is fairly high, so this could be worth a try.

Do you know anything about it?

 

[skora]

Unlocking cores is uncertain. You can for sure use the extra cores and you can for sure get some extra speed by a little overclocking. I'd rather see you buy the cores and then address the speed side of instead of the other way around. At stock, the quad will do considerably better than the dual for most of the stuff you have listed even if it is slower.

Take a few to read this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2439.html

While the main focus is gaming, pay attention to the third factor in the conclusion. I think the quad is your answer.