Suggestions or changes to this build?

[anxiousinfusion]

This is the potential system that I came up with for my brother. He plans on ordering the parts soon and has ~$650 to work with. If you notice something that could be better or isn't compatible please let me know before we order.


CPU: -AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103996

GPU: -HIS H777F1G2M Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161402&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Video+Cards-_-Hightech+Information+System+Ltd.-_-14161402

PSU: -CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Power+Supplies-_-Corsair-_-17139027

RAM: -Corsair Dominator 8 GB PC3-10666 1333mHz (PC3 10666) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1.6v Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Kit for Intel and AMD 8 Dual Channel Kit CMP8GX3M2B1333C9
-http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Dominator-PC3-10666-1333mHz-CMP8GX3M2B1333C9/dp/B004O6I9RW

MoBo: -Asus Socket AM3+/ AMD 970/ Quad CrossFireX/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard (M5A97)
-http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Socket-CrossFireX-Motherboard-M5A97/dp/B0058G65UU

DVD: -SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-CD/DVD+Burners+(RW+Drives)-_-SAMSUNG-_-27151244

OS: -Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Software+-+Operating+Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116986

HDD: (Already taken care of)

Case: -Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-Antec-_-11129066

He plans to play mostly; Minecraft, Tribes:Ascend, Starcraft 2 and other recent games. Thanks for any input!

 

[azeem40]

At 1680x1050, the 7770 will be fine for those games. However, if you have a 1920x1080 monitor, the framerates will be in the mid 30s.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Yes, the monitor is a 1080 television. Is there an alternative card for the same price? Nvidia maybe... I was just aiming for all-AMD for compatibility reasons.

 

[azeem40]

AMD GPUs can be used on both Intel and AMD computers. There is no such thing as GPU socket compatibility.

 

[anxiousinfusion]

I'm aware of that. AMD CPU with an AMD GPU only seems appropriate.

 

[azeem40]

That makes no sense. How does something that doesn't relate to the CPU seem appropriate?

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Alright, don't worry about that. It's a personal preference of mine. If an Nvidia card turns out to be cheaper per performance, I will certainly change the order.

 

[azeem40]

Get the Radeon 6850. It outperforms the 7770 by a bit.

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Get the Radeon 6850. It outperforms the 7770 by a bit.

And that's despite being an older card?

 

[azeem40]

Older doesn't mean it has worse performance. AMD did not do a good job with the 77xx series.

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Best answer selected by anxiousinfusion.