Decent build on tight budget?

jcamel24

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Aug 31, 2010
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So I have this mobo laying around collecting dust and figured I'd try to do something with it. It's a MSI 880GMA-E45. Had several problems with OC'ing a x6 1055t on it, so I bought a different board.

Here's the new system I'm piecing together:

MSI 880GMA-E45 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130276

AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor HDX545WFK2DGI - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103817
$75.99 + $20 Promo gift card

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996585
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146740
$44.99 - $5 Promo code = $39.99

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033upply
$44.99 - $15 MIR = $29.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

I will reuse an old Antec case and IDE DVD drive. I also still have the stock HSF from my 1055t. The HDD and mobo are already paid for, so I figured this is a pretty good price for what I'm getting, no? With the $20 promo card, I can grab a copy of Win7 for $80. Total cost after rebates is $225.96.
 
For what will it be used?
I don't think I get your CPU choice. If this is a "play" box, get a Black edition and see what you can unlock or how high you can push it. Otherwise, get an Athlon II (higher clocked X3 or cheaper X2).
 

jcamel24

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Aug 31, 2010
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Won't be used for any gaming except farmville, etc. (Not by me!) Was just trying to keep the overall price as low as possible, and figured for $55 factoring in the promo card, basically same price as Athlon II x2 with L3 and chance for unlock.