Some advice for a sub $600 build (with componants already chosen)

[lewthejew]

Hey everyone, first time poster here. I'm giving up the console wars permanently and moving into PC gaming. I've been doing a lot of research and here are the components that I have come up with. I would like some advice on if they work together and if I am getting what I think I am getting (a sub $600 PC that plays games at a solid framerate and had good, not awesome or OMG CHRYSIS graphics).

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: about a week or two from today.

BUDGET RANGE: $550 to $625

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Streaming movies (I have an old Gateway laptop for my actual schoolwork)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, mouse, OS (I'm getting the student discount on Windows 7)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg and tigerdirect


OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here's what I have so far:

MOTHERBOARD ($99.99): MSI 870A-G54 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130275

CASE ($54.99):Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

CPU ($80.99): AMD Phenom 9850 2.5GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103286

RAM ($79.99): Corsair XMS2 4GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory Upgrade - 2x2048MB http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4631346&Sku=C13-6084

VIDEOCARD: ($104.99)GeForce 9800 GT Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, (2) Dual Link DVI, HDTV, VGA Support http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4209965&CatId=3585

HARDDRIVE ($64.99) Western Digital WD10EARS Caviar Green Hard Drive - 1TB, 3.5", SATA 3G, 64MB Cache, GreenPower http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5659779&CatId=8

DVD DRIVE ($17.99): 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

POWER SUPPLY ($49.99): Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=17-371-034

TOTAL PRICE: $553.92 (before shipping)

 

[geofelt]

At the $100 price point, I think a GTS250 or 4850 would be a bit better:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-radeon-hd-geforce-gtx,2676-3.html

As to advice, downlad and read the motherboard and case manuals before you do anything.

 

[lewthejew]

Thanks for the advice! When you say download the motherboard and case manuals am I looking for anything in particular? Just that the components work together?

 

[geofelt]

Nothing in particular, but it may trigger something you need to know. I always do it and read them cover to cover while I am waiting for parts to arrive.

 

[mosox]

That DDR2 RAM doesn't wotk on that mobo. The video card is old and weak.

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + AMD Athlon II X3 440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436592
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB + Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434589
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 + NZXT GAMMA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431380
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
LITE-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

$577.92

 

[lewthejew]

That DDR2 RAM doesn't wotk on that mobo. The video card is old and weak.

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 + AMD Athlon II X3 440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436592
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB + Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434589
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 + NZXT GAMMA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431380
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
LITE-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

$577.92

Thanks for the heads up! Like I said, I'm new to this entire game. Any reason for some of the changes besides the combos for savings? Why the triple core processor etc?

 

[geofelt]

Good catch on the ram mosox.

That is one reason I like to read the manual early.

 

[mosox]

For gaming the video card is much more important that the CPU. The X3 440 is a great CPU for the money. The video card is the best you can get on that budget and the HDD is faster.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/athlon-ii-x3-440-gaming-performance,review-31906.html

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

The other thing, the 1st gen Phenoms were not that great of a chip.

The x3 he suggests, it's only a triple core, but I think it's at 3 ghz, much higher clockspeed, and is a good value. If you want a quad though, might check out an Athlon II x4, as they are not much more and should be quick too.

 

[lewthejew]

I have formulated a new build based on some conversations with my friend and here is what we came up with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436592
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431380
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434589

There is a question I still have though, is the RAM I have selected (4th link) compatible with the motherboard (1st link)? The specs on the memory compatable with the motherboard says "DDR3 1866(OC)/1333/1066" and the RAM I have selected says DDR3 1600

Thanks!

 

[lewthejew]

Best answer selected by lewthejew.