Building first system for around $700

[Guest]

Primary interest is gaming - prob. things like CoD, ME2, Fallout, etc. I'm transitioning from console to PC so not too familiar with newer games. I have a monitor (23") already. Would the build below be okay?

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
59.95

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
69.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
54.99

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
19.99

SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
136.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
59.99

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871
99.99

Windows 7 +
MSI 870A-G54 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.552540
184.98

Total: 686.97

Is there a better mobo for the Athlon II X4 640? I see a lot of recs for a couple of Gigabyte ones.

Also, I tried adding one of the mobo/CPU bundles from micro Center (http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html) to my cart, but the discounted price doesn't show up. Any reason why? If I can get it to work, which bundle would you suggest for my price range?

Thanks!!!

 

[christop]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

Check out the 5850 its like 186..

 

[builderbobftw]

I dislike that choice of psu
IF you must get one (antic) , get it in a budle with the case.

 

[Guest]

Thanks so much, guys!

@christop Yeah, you're definitely right.

@builder Hm, I thought Antec EarthWatts was pretty highly recommended. Any decently priced alternatives?

Any comments on the motherboard selection?

 

[christiangordon]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

 

[builderbobftw]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

<3

 

[Guest]

Instead of X4 640 Go For X3 455 and unlock the 4th Core.
And Instead of 5770 go for 6850

 

[batuchka]

Given superior HD6k CF scaling + efficiency over HD5k @ the $700ish with OS price point one could actually land a HD 6850CF capable + full blown 955BE Deneb config ^^

$616AR

OS $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

$716AR


HD6K Barts: single/CF review
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8