Budget Gaming First Time Build

[ramblinreck]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:within the next week
BUDGET RANGE: $700-800 after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: surfing the internet, light gaming, coding (MATLAB)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: just looking for quality and value

OVERCLOCKING: maybe light
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: maybe in future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1064

Basically, my old pc (circa '03) is becoming obsolete for everyday tasks so its time to upgrade. I have some free time on my hands and want to build my pc to save a little money. I'm looking for something that right now can play older games (Team Fortress 2, Orange-Box type stuff, etc) but in the future I can upgrade to at least handle somewhat current games. My main goal is to have something that is flexible for future upgrades, particularly with respect to a new HD monitor and/or GPU.

Here's the build, any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405

Antec TWO HUNDRED S Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074


Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

XFX HD-465X-ZDF2 Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150396



CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030


Right now with some combos (CPU and MOBO, GPU and tower), the total is around $700, which is great (I've also got to pick up Windows 7, if anyone has any suggestions for a good deal).

Thanks in advance. This site and the forum community have been a spectacular resource to me.

 

[p1n3apqlexpr3ss]

I would recommend going with a 4670 and dropping to a 500-550w PSU, but other then that it looks great. Also since its only internet/light gaming/coding machine, you could actually drop down to say a phenom II x4 925 or even a Athlon II x4 635, and youll be adequately fine... dunno what matlab coding is but isnt something your gonna notice a difference between i5 and athlon, seconds at most..

 

[ramblinreck]

I was looking at the 500w PSUs, but currently with the combo deal on newegg with the case, the cost was the same, so I figured I might as well step up the PSU rating.

I have also thought about this 4670:
XFX HD-467X-DDF2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150449

Is the difference between the 4650 and 4670 going to be significant?

Thanks again for the input.

 

[hopkiller]

The upgrade from the HD 4650 to the HD 4670 would be a noticeable upgrade, and worth the $15 price tag. The increased core clock speeds is what will give you the boost.

SAPPHIRE 100256HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102842&cm_re=HD_4670-_-14-102-842-_-Product

 

[ramblinreck]

One quick final question. Is there much of a difference between brands? Right now with shipping costs included, the Sapphire and XFX 4670s are about the same price.

In the past I've used XFX, but that was a long time ago...

 

[MadAdmiral]

There is no difference in the brands performance wise. Some offer different warranties.

And I wouldn't try to get an i5 gaming build on your budget. Here's a much better gaming build:

CPU/Mobo: Athlon II X3 425 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 Combo for $197. This board has USB 3/SATA III support
PSU/HDD: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W and Spinpoint F3 500 GB Combo for $90 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
GPU: HD 5850 $290
Rest the same.

Total: $767. This would absolutely destroy that i5 build in gaming.

If you can scrap together another $75 for the budget, you could fit in the HD 5870 for a total cost of $871.