600-750$ Gaming PC.. Overwhelmed by Options

[Sparksparks]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Hopefully today, if all goes well

BUDGET RANGE: 600-750$

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Photoshop, Movies, Homework

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: I don't know enough to know the good and bad brands, any insight is more than welcome.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Last computer died, which was a hybrid of store bought + upgraded parts. I heard store bought computers have a tendency to die pretty shortly after the warranties finish, so I wanted to make my own this time.. plus it is cheaper. I haven't built a computer before, but my friend who has is more than willing to help. Like the title says, the biggest trouble I am having is sorting through all the options and the brands and knowing which is best. I haven't decided on a single part yet, so unfortunately, I have none to post here.. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU: X4 955 $160
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $80 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Eco 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $105
GPU: GTX 460 1 GB $230
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $75
Case: Coolermaster Elite 335 $40 after rebate
Optical/PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W and cheap SATA DVD burner $44 after rebate

Total: $734

 

[Sparksparks]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply, I really appreciate it! It looks great, but like I said, I'm a little un-savvy so I have a couple questions that anyone can answer if they'd like to..

1. Mixing an AMD processor with an Intel GPU won't affect anything, right?

2. Is it alright to downgrade the HD if I will never use 1 TB or will it affect performance?

3. Is the 1 fan that comes with the case sufficient? i'm assuming it is since I most likely won't overclock..

4. Is OCZ an alright brand for the PSU? I've heard mixed reviews for them, but I'm willing to trust your judgment if they are fine.

 

[MadAdmiral]

1.) Nope. That's pretty much a myth stemming from a long time ago when virtually all CPUs were Intel and ATI GPUs had major driver issues.

2.) Just get the 500 GB version of the Spinpoint F3. It'll only save $20 though.

3.) Probably. You may want to add a second if issues arise.

4.) They're good for the price. I wouldn't get one that cuts too close to the wattage needed, which this one doesn't.

 

[banthracis]

Athlon II x3 and 5850 alternative w/ xfire potential

GPU
GA 5850 $300 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125318

RAm
G SKill Eco $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

HD and Case
7200.12 500GB and NZXT Gamma $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431380

PSU/optical
OCZ 550W and Sony $73 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.435581

CPU/Mobo
Athlon II x3 and Ga 790 UD4 $198 w/ $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436574

Total: $721 after shipping and rebates

Only thing I don't like is the case, but besides that's its a top notch gaming build.

Alternatively, you can get a Phenom II x4 945 into the build for $750 after rebates using this mobo/cpu combo instead. No xfire potential though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436465

 

[Sparksparks]

Thanks guys, I enjoy the good help, but now I can't decide on a system.. Are there pros and cons to each or are their specs so close that it's just a matter of personal preference?

I also apologize for all the questions.. I just wanna get it right the first time.

 

[luciddre4m]

For a cheap but solid case I would recommend the Antec 300 Illusion. It comes with 4 fans and should keep things cool.

Antec 300 Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower


Heres a nice combo with a PSU. Antec makes quality PSU's:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.451484

Also, I have to go with MadAdmiral's CPU/GPU build as being the better option. A quad-core CPU is nice, and the Geforce 460 is almost as powerful as the Radeon 5850 but is about $40 less.

 

[banthracis]

If you're willing to OC the CPU a bit, the Athlon II x3 and 5850 will give you better FPS.

However, the x4 will be better at non-gaming workstation tasks, and in general, CPU's last longer than GPU's before being outdated.

The Athlon II + 5850 has xfire mobo.

The phenom II x4 builds do not.

Mad used a 1tb hd, I used a 500gb.

Those are the main differences.

 

[Sparksparks]

Final question, hopefully.. How big of difference is it between the:
GeForce 460 GTX 768MB 192-bit or,
GeForce 460 GTX 1GB 256-bit

 

[banthracis]

768mb vs 1gb 460 depends on resolution. While the 768 is better performance/$, the 1gb is the one to get due as the RAM limitation makes a big difference at higher resolutions.

Both Tom's and anandtech have in depth reviews if you wanna take a look.

 

[Sparksparks]

Final review before I buy, if there are any incompatibilities please let me know!

CPU/Mobo: AMD Athlon II X3 3 GHz Triple Core/GA 790 UD4

RAM: G.Skill Eco 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7

GPU: GeForce GTX 460 768MB

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint 7200 RPM 500GB

Case/PSU: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel Mid Tower/Antec 550W Modular

Optical: Samsung 24x DVD Burner

Final Price: 689.84$

Any last thoughts are more than welcome!

 

[banthracis]

You will not be able to sli the gtx 460 in the future.

SLI is not supported by ATI chipsets. There are a few boards with a SLI chip that will work. Those aren't ATI supported either though.

 

[Sparksparks]

SLI isn't a big deal to me, if I had more to spend, maybe, but my budget is always fairly limited, so I don't think I'll have spare cash any time soon for another GTX 460. Aside from that, does the rest look fine?

 

[duk3]

If you don't want crossfire, get a board that doesn't support it to save some money if you can find a comparable combo deal.

 

[mosox]

HD 5850 is way better than the GTX460/768

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 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (or whatever 5850)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102884
LITE-ON Black 24X DV
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

$717.92

NZXT Gamma is a good case.

 

[batuchka]

Agree but if GTX 460 build should come in way cheaper $660AR

Knock off $20 if F3 500GB is fine

 

[Sparksparks]

A few days later, I finally decided to go with something very close to batuchka's build, just changed the case and ram. Thanks to anyone who gave input, I gave every post a thumbs up because each post helped! Definitely a big fan of Tom's Hardware now