Developer System with Potential for Gaming

[groggluebutt]

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next 30 days

BUDGET RANGE: ~400 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Developer workstation, Office apps, Video Editing, Gaming, Browsing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Already have keyboard, mouse, 1680x1050 LCD, and case

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: most any site as long as I get free shipping, or all the parts from one place

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD CPU, ATI Graphics, an 890GX based mobo for the reasonably good Gfx to start with

OVERCLOCKING: Eventually, but will purchase an aftermarket cooler when I want to do this.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not immediately, but eventually.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 to start, but additional screens later

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Quiet, and fast compiles!

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I've been out of the DIY loop for quite some time, as most of the time I've gotten systems from my company to do work on. I have an Athlon XP 2800 based system that I put together back in 2001, so I would like to move into this decade as far as tech is concerned. I want to get something I can add to (new GFX card, better disks, etc), but I don't want to break the bank right now. The main use for this system would be something to do my software development work on when I'm in the home office, basic office-y type stuff, and then eventually something I can upgrade to play FPS on after I'm done working. I do want to be able to overclock this system as well, but I am fine with not doing that until I get a better heatsink/fan for the processor.

Seems like AMD systems are less expensive (and less powerful, I know), but I feel like I have some upgrade room with the AM3 socket compared to Intel. I've currently got a SATA2 Seagate 250G HD (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822148262), and a LiteOn DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333&cm_re=LiteOn_DVD-_-27-106-333-_-Product) that I'm planning on moving to the new build. I also have a fairly nice case with plenty of room that I'll keep, but I'm planning on replacing the power supply which is an older 350W without much amperage on the +12V.

Here's my new component list, and I would love any feedback the community might have:

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

Powersupply:
Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

Processor:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

All this comes out to about $600, which is a little higher than I would like. Ideally, I'd like to get something around the $400 mark, but not be left in a cul-de-sac when it comes to upgrading.

Any suggestions or things you would do differently in my situation?

 

[gkay09]

CPU + Mobo
X4 955 + ASUS 890GX
As you will be overclocking, the X4 955 is as good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.376870

RAM - Same

PSU - Definetly a better quality one...
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

Total $459 After rebates...And all have free shipping...

 

[guanyu210379]

The problem is only the PSU, gkay09 is correct about the PSU. Get a better one.
You might need about 750W for the SLI or X-fire and the OC, especially for 2xHD5870 (this needs 4x PCIe 6 pole power cables). Corsair and Antec are good options.

The mobo and proc bundle from gkay09 have no significant changes to the system compared to what you have listed. Get the cheaper combination.

 

[gkay09]

^ Well the mobo and the proc bundle significantly reduced the cost, which the OP is looking for...
And as for the graphics, groggluebutt which one do you have or planning for ? like guanyu said, based on the graphics card, select the PSU - but a quality one though...

 

[groggluebutt]

Thanks for the feedback, guaynu and gkay! I'll look into that Antec PSU, and downgrade the proc.

My plan for graphics was to simply start off with the on board graphics and add to it later on. Perhaps a Radeon HD 5770 1GB or what ever is in the same class when I go to upgrade in 3-6 mos.

 

[groggluebutt]

Best answer selected by groggluebutt.

 

[groggluebutt]

I just wanted to follow up to say I got all my parts from NewEgg.com, and installed them this past Friday. These components are an _awesome_ value. My performance is 3X what it used to be for all tasks, and that is without overclocking anything yet. I can play Half Life 2 on slightly better settings than I was playing it before the upgrade on _just_ the built in Radeon chip on the motherboard.

I'm really happy with this build, and I think I have a lot of room to OC and add this this base for a number of years. Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[guanyu210379]

Good that you enjoy your system. If you have some money in the near future, you might want also to get one of the SSDs. This will boost the performance of your system significantly, but you don't have to get it now if you can't afford it because you have just spent for a new rig, you can do it anytime later.

 

[guanyu210379]

If you have tasted the speed of a SSDs, you'll be addicted to it.

 

[gkay09]

groggluebutt glad that you are happy with the system...
And like guanyu said, a SSD would be a very good upgrade later on...