What CPU should I get for budget build?

[evilmonkey777]

Hello everyone! I am going to be building my first computer and I need some help to pick which CPU to buy. I am going to be putting a radeon HD 6770 graphics card in it and I need a cheap CPU that will not bottleneck the GPU's performance. My choices so far are
-AMD Phenom II X4 945 $109.99
-AMD Phenom II X4 840 $105
-AMD Athlon II X3 450 $79.99

Would the Athlon X3 450 be enough ( I would probly overclock it a bit and unlock the 4th core) or should I just get a quad core?
Any help would be appreciated Thanks!

 

[striker410]

Hi there, welcome to the forums.
Sounds like a good plan! However, we need a bit more info.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <--Fill that out, then we can get started

Now, do you currently own the 6770? Well, nvm. That will be covered in the form.

Cheers!

 

[evilmonkey777]

Approximate Purchase Date: idk

Budget Range:>$500 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.ca

Country of Origin: Canada

Parts Preferences: AMD processor, ATI graphics card, biostar mobo

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900

Additional Comments: my province has 13% tax and shipping will be about $40

I dont own the 6770 but i found a good deal on one.

Parts I picked-

PowerColor Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 $115
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131434

RAIDMAX Blade ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply $60
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156259

BIOSTAR A770E3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard $50
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB $33
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146740

Western Digital 500GB $30
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136865

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz $109
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809
or
AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz $105
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103921
or
AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz $80
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

 

[striker410]

Not bad! 6770 is a great choice for your res.
However, Newegg.ca is a bad site to order from. It should be a last resort. Use these sites instead, they have free shipping and NCIX will often price match Newegg anyway.
NCIX.ca
directcanada.com
canadacomputers.com

But, onto the parts.

Mobo: Good choice, but barely any upgradability. Get one with USB3, SataIII, AM3+ (if in budget) and you should be much better off. You will be able to afford the upgrade from all the savings we get from shipping.
Case/PSU: HORRIBLE! Raidmax makes VERY bad low end PSU's, never buy one. Look at the Xigmatek 400w or the Antec Earthwatts 380w. We'll find a case later.

Ram is good.
HDD is good.
Now, for the CPU. The 955 if we can fit it, the x3 if not.

Hopefully that should help!

 

[evilmonkey777]

Thanks! ill definatly check thoes sites out. But for the PSU, will 400 watts be enough for the 6770? don't they need a minimum of 450watts?

 

[striker410]

Ohh, 400w will be plenty. When they say "this card requires a minimum of" It's a disclamer, to prevent people from sticking them in PC's with crappy 250w power supplies. Look at the latest System Builder $500 machine, they used the more powerful 6850 with a 380w. It's fine.