How does my $600 setup look?

[dandrews]

Hello,

I plan on building my first gaming computer sometime in the next month or so. My budget is around $600 (can go a little over). I was wondering if you'll could take a look at my setup and tell me what you think.

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz
Motherboard- ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.661996 (combo)

GPU - SAPPHIRE 100338L Radeon HD 6770 1GB
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941

Memory - CORSAIR XMS 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324

PSU - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Case - Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

DVD/CD- ASUS 24X DVD Burner
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

I have a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and a monitor, so I'm good to go on those things. I don't plan on overclocking, so I figured I'd be ok with a 550W PSU, but that's why I'm on here, so I can be sure.

Thanks for your help

 

[boeing114]

I think you should go with this as your graphics card. It's 256 bits, so it will probably handle a higher resolution better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500202&cm_re=gtx_460_1gb-_-14-500-202-_-Product


The hard drive is kind of pricey for the space. You could get a TB for a dollar less, or save $20 and go with 500gb.

TB Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304

500GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701

As far as memory, you really don't need more than 4gb. That should be good enough for at least a year, and later on you can upgrade when you have an extra $40.

With the money left over, try to get a Phenom II X6. If you aren't a big overclocker, get the 1065t, but if you are overclocking, get the 1090t. $159 and $179 respectively.

1065t - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851

1090t - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849


Also, if you can afford it, get an AM3+ socket mother board. Then you can upgrade to AMD's Bulldozer processors that are coming out this year! If you do opt for an AM3+ board, Get a Phenom II X2 or X4 because that won't be as much money, allowing you a better AM3+ board. Then you can drop in a new processor later this year! Here is a suggestion, but I'd suggest getting one with ports that fit your needs the best:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131757


Other than that, it all looks good! (maybe a 700w, if you are ever going to do SLI/Crossfire, but you can always upgrade that later )

 

[dandrews]

Thanks a ton for the help.
I added the graphics card you suggested.

Here's the other things I added
HDD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701
Memory- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

The AM3+ socket motherboard + Bulldozer Processors are probably a little out of my budget as of now. I was able to get squeeze the Phenom II X6 1090t into my budget, and still stay under 650, which is probably the highest I can go.


Should this be good?

 

[boeing114]

Looks good, but get an AM3+ motherboard. It will still be 100% compatible. The only difference is that it will support the new bulldozer processors when they come out, so if you decide to upgrade in the future, you will have somewhere to go instead of buying a whole new motherboard too.

EDIT: I meant to say 100% compatible with the AM3 processor

 

[dandrews]

Looks good, but get an AM3+ motherboard. It will still be 100% compatible. The only difference is that it will support the new bulldozer processors when they come out, so if you decide to upgrade in the future, you will have somewhere to go instead of buying a whole new motherboard too.

EDIT: I meant to say 100% compatible with the AM3 processor

Ok sweet. One more question. If I decided to overclock my CPU, even by 10-20%, how much more power would I need from my PSU?

 

[boeing114]

Even with it overclocked to 4ghz, you should never be using more than 450w at one time, so you have adequete headroom with your psu!

 

[terryyounce]

hey, if you're looking to save any more money, you could go with the AMD Phenom 2 X4 955. It's loads cheaper, and once overclocked it will easily match your current CPU choice. It would save you 70-80 dollars easily. All in personal preference though.