[New Build] Please review my budget gaming computer

[justjuice]

Approximate Purchase Date: Not too sure sometime this month.

Budget Range: Around $800


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing internet, watching movies, homework.


Parts Not Required: Monitor, keyboard, speakers, mouse.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I'm from New Zealand and so will be buying from some local retailers


Country of Origin: New Zealand


Parts Preferences: I am making a new AMD computer other parts I do not mind.


Overclocking: I do not think so.


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: I have been looking at parts for the greatest performance for low cost.

CPU AMD Phenom II x4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=amd_phenom_ii_x4_955-_-19-103-808-_-Product

MOBO GIGABYTE MA74GMT-S2 DDR3 1333AMD

RAM Kingston ValueRam 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134605&cm_re=RAM_Kingston_ValueRam_4GB-_-20-134-605-_-Product

HDD Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&Tpk=Seagate%20Barracuda%207200.12%20500%20GB

GPU GTX 460 SC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568&cm_re=gtx_460_superclocked-_-14-130-568-_-Product

CASE Antec three hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_three_hundred_case-_-11-129-042-_-Product

PSU Antec Neo Eco 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&Tpk=Antec%20Neo%20Eco%20520W

A build similar to this was reccomended to me by one of the experts from a local computer store. I substituted the PSU and Case to the ones listed above for what I believe to be better performance. Could you super tomshardware experts take a look and see any glaring problems in the build? The part I'm most worried about is the motherboard but its really cheap so.. Thanks a lot in advance for all your help

 

[batuchka]

Everything looks reasonable cept
GIGABYTE MA74GMT-S2
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3268#sp

* Due to chipset spec limitation, if you install AM3 CPU on this motherboard, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0 (5200MT/s) to HT1.0 (2000 MT/s); however, the frequency of AM3 CPU will not be impacted. Please refer "CPU Support List" for more information.

So in summary even if $$ tight i would avoid these AM3 chipsets

690G
740G
Nforce 5xx/6xx
GF 7xxx

due to

a. HT Limitation when used with AM2+AM3 CPUs
b. Still stuck on PCIe gen 1.0/1.1...true AM2+/AM3 had migrated to PCIe gen 2.0 as of 2008

 

[justjuice]

Hmm after searching online most sources state that PCIe gen 1 will not be much different than gen 2. Most sources also say that HT3.0 is the same as 1.0? So would there be a point in getting a newer motherboard or not I'm kinda confused . Thanks in Advance

 

[batuchka]

There is a recommended list of AMD chipsets here and elsewhere - due to inferiority of tech/hardware, possible non dual plane power phase design and handicapping AM2+/AM3 chips, these chipsets are never recommneded

 

[banthracis]

Are you actually buying the parts on newegg? If so, then you can build a gaming oriented xfire capable athlon ii x3 + 5870 rig for ~$650.

You can use the left over money and upgrade to a X4 955 and better RAM, though the performance difference in gaming won't be too big. Also, do you need an OS?

Optical
Lite on $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Case
Antec 300 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

HD
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500gb $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Mobo
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO $99 w/ $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

GPU
Sapphire 5870
$252 w/ $30 MIR Use promo code EMCZNYN77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883

PSU
Antec Earthpower 650w 80+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

CPU
Athlon II x3 445 $74
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872

 

[justjuice]

No I'm not actually buying the parts on NewEgg just wanted to give you guys a quick link to the parts. I'm pretty much just wondering if the motherboard will do, and if the power supply is strong enough. Yeah I also need an OS but I'll probably buy it at the shop where I'm getting the parts