First PC (gaming build)= $300>$500

1.We need to kno what your other parts are in order to tell if it will be compatible.
2.You can go for http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682... it will shave off $20 but that's all I can help you with I can't recommend any cheaper AMD parts because I don't know AMD
3.You wouldn't be able to afford it. All good window cases are $100+. You could buy a budget case then cut the side off and install a window, that would be super easy.

Sorry, there are many things wrong with your budget build. I'm going to assume your budget is 'spend as little as I need to'. OK?

AMD build
CPU: Phenom II x4 965 Black Edition - $105 (after $15 discount)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
**Hyper 212+ EVO Heatsink -$30 (for overclocking, if you decide to)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-M68MT-S2 Motherboard -$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Total: $185

Intel build
CPU: Intel i3-2100 - $110 (no overclocking)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 - $45 (after $10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Total $155 (after $10 MIR)

For both builds:

HDD/ODD/OS: You mentioned that you don't need these

RAM:
Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600Mhz 1.5v DDR3 - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU:
Spend the rest of that your budget allows.
Go for either a Radeon HD 6850, 6870 or 7850.
OR GeForce GTX 460, 560 or 560Ti.

PSU:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W - $40 (after $10 discount and $10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

WINDOW CASE:
Pick anyone you want (I have the blue one).. $30 (after $10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

Total: $120 (after $20 MIR)

If you're planning to overclock then you should go with the AMD build. But if you don't have any intention to, go with the Intel. The Intel build is better at stock speeds (and is cheaper too).

If you went with the Intel build, it'll be $275 (after $30MIR). If you're budget was $450, you would be left with $175 for the graphics card. You can get a GTX 560Ti.

Here's a decent one for the money:
ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50302-10M GeForce GTX 560 Ti - $170 (after $30 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you went with the AMD, you'd have $30 less to spend. so I'd go for a GTX560 (non-ti) or a HD6870.

And you're set.

btw, welcome to the forums...?  

Rex you are awesome, your build revisions are so dirt cheap =).
1. Is a 500w power supply enough if I also want to run a lot of led lights?

2. Would the Intel i3 be better at just gaming or is it all around better then the x4?
(I ask because the x4 is 4 cores and 3.4Ghz){Nub question}

3. I think I will downgrade to 4gb

4.Which Card should I get?
(ASUS HD7770)= $109 new price{$21 sale with 10 rebate}
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...) it's on

(Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 1GB)=$129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


5.Thx man, just started getting into computers, this place is so helpful.

Rex you are awesome, your build revisions are so dirt cheap =).
1. Is a 500w power supply enough if I also want to run a lot of led lights?

2. Would the Intel i3 be better at just gaming or is it all around better then the x4?
(I ask because the x4 is 4 cores and 3.4Ghz){Nub question}

3. I think I will downgrade to 4gb

4.Which Card should I get?
(ASUS HD7770)= $109 new price{$21 sale with 10 rebate}
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...) it's on

(Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 1GB)=$129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] eon%206850


5.Thx man, just started getting into computers, this place is so helpful.

You're very welcome axsmith234,

1. 500W should be enough for everything that I've listed up there. The components that draw the most power are the CPU and GPU. You should be able to calculate an estimate using an online PSU calculator (no guarantees though). It would be wise to buy a larger power supply than recommended just for safety's sake.
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

2. The Intel is faster than the X4 in just about every way.
- The only benefit of getting the AMD is the true quad-core architecture (whereas the i3 is a dual-core with hyperthreading... still good though). This will provide some performance increase with heavy multitasking or heavily threaded applications.
- The second benefit of the Phenom II is that it is a black edition processor. This means the multiplier is unlocked and will help you overclock much easier (especially if you're just starting). The Intel i3 does not offer this feature; only the processors ending with 'K' suffix do (ie. i5-2500K).

This being said, for pure best performance/price... I would just get the Intel since you would have to purchase an aftermarket cooler for the AMD. Also, the AMD AM3 motherboard is NOT high-end... I am not sure how well it will support overclocking.

3. I don't suggest you downgrade to 4GB. RAM is so cheap that it will only cost you about $20 more for the extra 4GB. Also 8GB is kind of the standard nowadays, as most systems will typically use more than 4GB underload... 8GB will give you some extra headroom. Note: Intel requires 1.35-1.50v RAM, AMD can use 1.35v-1.65v RAM.

4. I think the 7770 performs similar to the 6850, so I would just get the 7770. It is also newer technology and also more power efficient. Again, I would suggest purchasing the most powerful GPU you can afford so you don't have to worry about upgrading.

Check out this article for good recommendations for graphics cards and how they compare with one another:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...

5. Again, you're very welcome. Good luck with everything, glad I could help.
I know what it is like to start computers... I didn't have any help and I made a few bad purchases since I wasn't able to ask for any advice from the experts here.

I would like to add a few more comments about overclocking (#2 above).

I have a similar AMD motherboard (ASUS M4A78LT-M LE) with a similar AMD processor (AMD Phenom II X4 840). and I was able to overclock with it using the stock cooler... The reason I cannot suggest this is that the 3+1 or 4+1 phase power design does not provide optimal voltage to the overclocked processor that higher-end motherboards can (8+2 phase power design or better)...

In short, it works. But I have no idea what the long-term implications are. You may risk damage to the processor...  

**Also, an lightly overclocked Phenom II X4.... gives about the same gaming performance as an Intel i3-2100/2120 at stock.

*300<500

Best answer selected by axsmith234.