Budget gaming pc $650 Athlon 440 vs 945 X4

[mar2010]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: $650 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (Fear 2, Crysis, Dead Space, Bioshock, Dragon Age: Origins and their sequels, WoW), writing, java programming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, keyboard, mouse.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg or cheaper

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: so far it looks like AMD still holds the lead in this budget range

OVERCLOCKING: Just a wee bit

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, tho buying a new graphics card next summer may be easier and more powerful

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024. Probably won't upgrade for at least six months.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have worked out this build:

LG 22x DVD burner $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136180

Antec 200 case $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074

Gskill 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT $82

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

OCz fatalaty 550W PSU + Samsung F3 500 GB $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466067

Saphhire Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper) + Athlon 440 Rana $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.442724

WIndows 7 + ASRock 870 Mobo $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437524.13-157-195

$644 BR/ $600 AR Amounts rounded off to closest dollar.

Questions and Comments:

1. Newegg has what seems like a good deal on a X4 Deneb 945 + Biostar 870 micro ATX board. Is it it worth it to get the good deal on the quad core now, and be set for quite a while? IS the biostar mobo good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809

2. What is the quality like on the ASRock mobo? Seems to have good reviews. ANd it can do x8/x8 crossfire. Or would I be better off with the 5770 and just upgrading in the future? Especially with a 1200x1024 monitor?

3. I guess these questions are really about a build batuchka posted, $637 BR / $607 AR, (but needs Windows 7 so + $90) that has the X4 945 Deneb. (I can't find the link right now, but have the gif saved)

I guess I'm trying to talk myself into or out of the quad core/Gt 400 combo. Seems silly to buy a GTX400 with a 1200x1024 monitor. Even the 5770 is over kill for that resolution. Maybe even drop down to a 4870 and use the savings for the X4? Nah, the major purpose is gaming, so putting money in the GPU seems more important.

I posted a similar question back in June but had real life items hit the budget. Decided to buy full copy of W7 instaed of tyring to scam a student version.

My links don't show as clickable links in preview, not sure why.

Anybody know how to ge tthe newegg combo deals into a wish list? I only see the link to buy them.

 

[gordon_81]

not so sure on the mobo, rather go for a gigabyte or asus mobo or a msi or AS rock to be safe, could u just put a lil more cash in for a x4 955? rather go for a dx11 card so dont buy a 4870, are you sure you wont be upgrading your monitor?

 

[gordon_81]

oh sorry i didnt read that you were upgrading in around six months, but why buy a pc that wont play well on a bigger screen so you dont have to upgrade in the next few months so it can play well on your new screen, it seems like a bit of a waste if you buy a #### card now, and then upgrade later, just get a 5770 and then you wont have to upgrade for maybe the next 2 years or more