Advise and Compatibility on $800 AMD build

[Rodain]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks

Budget Range: $800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

Parts Not Required: N/A

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: e.g.: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, any US store or site with a good deal

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: Looking at an AMD Build

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (don't think current PSU is enough)

Monitor Resolution: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200)

Additional Comments: Build includes Windows 7 OS.

MOB/CPU Combo: AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.4GHz w/ ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.592322

RAM: Corsair XMS3 8GB (4x2GB) DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145279

GPU: HIS Radeon HD 5770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Case/PSU Combo: Raidmax Smilodon w/500W power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

DVD Drive: ASUS Black DVD R/W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Blue Ray Drive: ASUS Black Blue-Ray Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135244

OS: Window 7 Home Preminum 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Total Cost: $801.94 (includes shipping)

Total Cost: $741.94 (including rebates)

Looking mostly for any compatibilty issues, but also advise, opinions, upgrades, ...

Thanks!

 

[seller417]

my 1st thoughts would be to go with 4GB of ram and look for a better PSU...Corsair/antec, etc

 

[rjkucia]

What resolution are you gaming at? Also, check out Microcenter, they have good combo deals for that CPU http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

 

[banthracis]

Timings on that ram is horrendous.

Lots of options like getting this kit instead for $110
Ripjaws 8gb kit, 2x4gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231440&cm_re=ripjaw-_-20-231-440-_-Product

You can also go for faster speed but higher timings RAM for about same price.
In addition, you don't actually need 8gb of RAM for gaming.

5770 isn't really a GPU you want to use for 1200p gaming. 5850's are only $165 after MIR right now. That's pretty much the lowest you wanna go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product

Spinpoint F3 500gb- better HD for less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=f3%20500gb

PSU is a joke. Get a real one. Any XFX, any corsair, and Antec earthwatts and TP line are fine.

Why are you spending so much on a blue ray drive?

 

[banthracis]

Better Build

Optical
Sony $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

HD
7200.12 500gb $38 after promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

GPU
HD 5850 $195 w/ $30 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

PSU
Antec Tp 550 $65 w/ Promo code $25 MIR

RAM
Ripjaw 4gb ddr3 1333 cas 7 $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

CAse/OS
HAF 912 and win 7 $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.590983

Additional case fans Scythe slipstream x2 $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185059

Those are middle of the field in terms of CFM and noise. You can choose diff ones based on CFM/noise needs.

CPU/Mobo
Phenom II x4 965 and Asus Evo $244 w/ $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.592322

Promo codes: EMCYTZT277, EMCKHKJ25

Total Including shipping $795
Total after rebates $725

 

[batuchka]

If Microcenter is an option and going full on single beefy GPU all the way one could slap on a nasty little sub $600 machine hehe

965BE + Biostar A780L3G $160
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

Items off Egg $417AR

$577AR in total

 

[Onus]

Friends don't let friends buy chokemax PSUs.

With a budget of $800, if you're not in a hurry to build, it may be worth waiting until either the SB chipset issue gets fixed, or AM3+ boards are released.

 

[Onus]

Friends don't let friends buy chokemax PSUs.

With a budget of $800, if you're not in a hurry to build, it may be worth waiting until either the SB chipset issue gets fixed, or AM3+ boards are released.