My first build $550-$700 OPEN TO CHANGES

[kbrink]

Hi, I am currently working on putting together a mid-range but solid build for around $550 to $700. I want this build to be able to to perform usual tasks very quickly and also some gaming. I already have a decent idea of what I want it to be, but it would be great to get any suggestions or advice.I'm not in any rush to get this system done as I have time until April 2013.

What I have picked out so far:

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061
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
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
OR
ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131767
and Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=32-116-986&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo
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I already have 2 optical drives from an old computer which will work and I also can salvage a HDD (160GB Samsung SP1604N) from the same computer. And I have a SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card ( 100292DDR3L) which I bought for another computer which I plan to take out and use in this build. I still have not picked out a PSU because I am open to any changes and it's probably better to leave it until last. I don't have any preferences with suppliers. I will probably OC and I do not require Crossfire as I am not a huge gamer. Lastly, I am in the mid-west US.

Any advice or opinions are appreciated and I am completely open to changes!

Thanks in advance

 

[andystanley]

This will blow your current build outa da water. sorry it is on the higher end of your budget though. Prices will drop by 2013 though so this should come well under budget by your purchase date. But by the time you purchase you may want to change some of your build as new products will come out in the future.

Motherboard: BIOSTAR TZ77B ATX/$90/$80 after MIR
CPU: i5 3550/$210(or 2500k if you plan to OC)
Case: The NZXT gamma will do fine/$40
RAM: G.skill Ripjaw series 8gb 1600/$47
OS: Windows 7 home premium OEM/$100
HD: Yours will do fine I assume
SSD: OCZ agility 3 90gb/$85/$75 after MIR
GPU: HIS Radeon HD 6850 1gb/$145/$135 after MIR
PSU: Cooler Master extreme 550w/$50

Total=$767($737 after MIR)

notes: your 5450 is just a little better than the intel onboard graphics. If you want to play games you're gonna need something better for sure,like the 6850(it also overclocks really well).
An ssd will really speed up your performance!
an intel i5 cpu will beat the best bullldozer(fx series). Stay away from bulldozer.
If you plan to OC your cpu you'll need a good cooler(a Hyper 212 EVO will do great)

Anyways good luck with your build!

 

[kbrink]

Thanks for the reply! I like how you squeezed the SSD in! And the note about the 5450 is really helpful. One thing I would like to say is that it's a bit expensive and I cant see prices going down too much by the time I want it finished. The reason of why I picked an AMD bulldozer is that they are cheap and are good enough for what I have to do. Intel processors are great and they come with the price for their quality. I would like this to be more of a budget build and $737 is going to be a real stretch for me (I am 15 years old). Thank you so much for giving me a great base me to reach out of though!

 

[kbrink]

New case! Is it better?
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans