$300 Limit, CPU/Mobo/Ram

[hobbler]

Approximate Purchase Date: A few weeks

Budget Range: $300 Max

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required:

OS:
Windows 7 64-bit

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

GFX:
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+ (1gig)

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

HDD:
SATA 7200 rpm

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: US

Parts Preferences: No

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Most bang for buck. I really want this setup to run Skyrim well. It doesn't have to be on ultra or high settings, but the higher you can get me the better . I know my GFX card is behind the times, but I'm on a budget and my CPU/RAM/Mobo are far far worse right now.

I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to computer parts, but I'll show you what I've been considering and you can tell me what you think (and please feel free to use none of these parts and give me a beastly combo yourself):

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Mobo: ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

As you can see I'm a fan of the high rating system, the higher rated the better it has to be! (Of course I'm just a gullible noob though)

Thanks for the help in advance!

So, what are your thoughts?

 

[lotus1197]

Another user recommended these to me...using same CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157272

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

that would leave some money left over as well

 

[danraies]

A Sandy Bridge build is going to be the best performer, I think, assuming that you don't overclock. This chipset and cpu I listed will not overclock easily, if at all. The parts below total $305 but after shipping and rebates you'll be under $300

($190) Intel i5-2400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
($85) MSI H67 Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130579
($30) 4GB of RAM - DDR3, 1600mhz, CL9, and 1.5V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

If you need to get under $300 before rebates then go with the i5-2300 for $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076

If you can afford to go a little over $300 then go with the i5-2500 for $210 and a mobo with the Z68 chipset for $100 (in that order of priority)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251

This all assumes that you don't want to overclock. If you want that option then it'll cost you more.

 

[FinneousPJ]

What is your current system? You might get more bang for buck upgrading the GPU.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Also, about the OS. When changing motherboards you may or may not be able to activate your current Windows OS.

 

[hobbler]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll consider them all.

@DelroyMonjo

I bought a new disk for this new mobo. (The one I'm on now is on xp 32 bit)

@FinneousPJ

My current system is a single core, 4gigs of ddr2, and some dell mobo.

@danraies

I noticed that the mobo you linked lists DDR3 1333 standard, does this mean that the RAM you linked would be incompatible?

 

[danraies]

I noticed that the mobo you linked lists DDR3 1333 standard, does this mean that the RAM you linked would be incompatible?

With most mobos it will still be able to use 1600mhz RAM with an automatic overclock. The word overclock can be discouraging for some people but this is extremely mild and you don't have to worry about it. If it can't use the 1600mhz speed then it will automatically clock it down to 1333mhz. 1333mhz RAM and 1600mhz RAM are almost the same exact price (within a few dollars). This is a very common question - the answer is that it will be compatible.

 

[hobbler]

Okay that sounds good. I will probably use your first suggestion if there are no other recommendations made before I can buy.