Budget AMD Gaming Build - Need Opinions

[samuelspark]

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully soon

Budget Range: $480-$520 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching Videos

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS, Optical Drive

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter.com newegg.com tigerdirect.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I want a case with a LEDS and a window but I don't think I can afford it.

Overclocking: Just +1 to the CPU multiplier to stock FSB

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Comments: I plan on upgrading to a 6970 and bulldozer later.

Phenom II x4 965 BE w/ 880G AM3+ 880G ATX ($170)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325874
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367874

Spinpoint F3 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s ($45)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340804

Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 mHZ ($48)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

500 Watt ModstreamX Series Modular ATX Power Supply ($40)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0301545

Diamond Radeon HD 6850 1024MB GDDR5 ($160)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373466

CM HAF912 Computer Case ($55)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331

Total: $518


I want to know if there's a part where I can cut down and get a better case because HAF912 looks ugly to me.

 

[morgoth780]

how later do you plan on upgrading to bulldozer and 6970? cause it might almost be worthwhile to just skip the hd 6850 and go with onboard, though it depends on what games you plan to play. Or you could just start out 6970 and save $160.

 

[samuelspark]

I'm on a very tight budget and I CAN use my old GT240 but if I didn't buy a GPU now, I would go for my $500 dollar i5 build that doesn't have a GPU included.

 

[Outlander_04]

Get a motherboard with a 970 series chipset for full compatibility with BD . They start at $90 on newegg

buy a 955 phenom . Same part clocked a bit lower ... but you can clock it to 965 seed and beyond very easily

The Antec 300 case is cheaper than the HAF , plainer, but with quality fans and excellent cooling

 

[samuelspark]

I get $40 off if I buy a 965 with a AM3/AM3+ mobo at microcenter and 955 is only 5 dollars less than a 965 and they don't have it at microcenter. Also, I'm thinking of getting a ModXStream 600W version for 6850 crossfire. What do you think?

 

[clutchc]

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully soon

Budget Range: $480-$520 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching Videos

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS, Optical Drive

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter.com newegg.com tigerdirect.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I want a case with a LEDS and a window but I don't think I can afford it.

Overclocking: Just +1 to the CPU multiplier to stock FSB

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Comments: I plan on upgrading to a 6970 and bulldozer later.

Phenom II x4 965 BE w/ 880G AM3+ 880G ATX ($170)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325874
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367874

Spinpoint F3 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s ($45)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340804

Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 mHZ ($48)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

500 Watt ModstreamX Series Modular ATX Power Supply ($40)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0301545

Diamond Radeon HD 6850 1024MB GDDR5 ($160)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373466

CM HAF912 Computer Case ($55)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331

Total: $518


I want to know if there's a part where I can cut down and get a better case because HAF912 looks ugly to me.

You did a really fine job coming up with a good gamer for the price you set for yourself. I have the HAF 912 case. It's a bit 'musular' looking but a really well made case. If you can get it for $55, you won't be dissappointed. Most cases in that price range are made of quite thin metal and have no cable management at all. Not so with the HAF 912. Btw, your HD 6850 link opens to an HD 6870 @ $200.
My one concern is the split rail power supply. Unless the 2 +12V rails can be combined, you may want to switch that for a similar single rail PSU. I believe the HD 6850 or 6870 may max out the current capacity of an individual rail @ 18A. Not positive on that, you may want to double check. I have always opted for a single rail PSU in my builds just because of the graphics cards current draw when maxed out. Overall, you will have a very capable gaming machine. Remember, in gaming... it's all about the graphics card.

 

[morgoth780]

i5 is a better, but since you want to upgrade to bulldozer when it comes out, you could also just wait for that, and just start with a bulldozer build, no phenom II at all, then get a 6970 later.

 

[samuelspark]

Best answer selected by samuelspark.