$500 gaming computer: help!

[Brettamus]

ok, so i've been playing around with the Intel Core i3-530 and AMD Phenom II X2 555 processors and am hung up. and totally confused which way to go!
time limit is in two weeks or earlier
i want to have my build close to $500 before rebates
mostly game, then movies
DO NOT NEED monitor, hard drives, mouse, keyboard, or after-market cpu cooler
parts from newegg please
i like evga, but other recommendations are fine
i'm from the US
i want to overclock
1920x1080

i want to keep the cooler master elite (blue with clear side)

but other than that i would appreciate any suggestions

here is what i have already (any corrections would be GREAT!)

Processor: Intel Core i3-530
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222

Motherboard: EVGA 111-CD-E630-TR LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188063

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

Video Card: XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369&Tpk=xfx%204770

Power Supply: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

Ram: Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model KHX1333C7D3K2/2G - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104154

Optical Drive: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289



also i am thinking about switching the cpu and motherboard to:
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Callisto 3.2GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846&cm_re=phenom_ii_x2-_-19-103-846-_-Product
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397&cm_re=gigabyte-_-13-128-397-_-Product

 

[shubham1401]

Get the Phenom II 550 along with the mobo you selected or this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603

Get this Antec Earthwatts 380W:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033&cm_re=antec_earthwatts_power_supply-_-17-371-033-_-Product

Thus, you will save some money and put that money for a better card.

Get this one:
HD 5770 for 160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-161-317-_-Product

 

[Brettamus]

thanks, but that doesn't seem like enough watts? i wouldn't want to go under 500. am i wrong?

 

[Brettamus]

and also, could you give reasons for the phenom instead of the i3?

 

[Brettamus]

sorry i didn't put this on one reply, but the 5770 reports that it needs a 450w power supply

 

[shubham1401]

HD 5770 will run just fine with Earthwatts 380W.

I suggested Phenom over i3 because you can unlock two cores of 550.
Both can be overclocked very well.
It is cheaper than the i3.

Since you game,A powerful card is essential for your RIG. Hd 5770 will be good for 19X10 resolution.

 

[Brettamus]

thanks shubham! i appreciate that a lot!
i am still open to other recommendations! thanks!

 

[shubham1401]

See this PSU calculator:
http://www.antec.outervision.com/PSUEngine

It shows 286Watts with a Phenom II 550 and HD5770 with 15% capacitor aging which is well under 380Watts.
So EA380 will suffice.

Still,you want a better PSU then you can go with 500W antec or any other.

BTW,This is the PSU I have which is powering a card that is more power hungry than a 5770:

Corsair 400CX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139008

Both are good PSU but this one has 120mm fan (EA380 has 80mm fan)

 

[marco324]

if you go Intel Core i3-530 you might have a better future upgrade path ?

 

[kageryu]

>_> AM3 has a better future upgrade path for sure. There isn't much news regarding the future of 1156 sockets b/c Intel loves to change the socket type more frequently.

 

[Brettamus]

thanks for the ideas guys, if anyone can give me some more imput so i have a clear answer as which one to go for, that would be great. i don't need to buy it quite yet as i am in the process of selling my 1st build

 

[shubham1401]

Definitely AM3 has better upgrade path.
Intel is concentrating on both 1366 and 1156 at the same time

 

[Brettamus]

Best answer selected by Brettamus.

 

[Brettamus]

thanks guys i appreciate all the help. thank you shubham

 

[shubham1401]

You're Welcome!