$400 computer

[gunner0821]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tomorrow BUDGET RANGE: ~$400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Starcraft 2 + Crysis at reasonable settings, Internet + Video

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: DVD Drive, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: What works well

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x786, upgrading to 1600x---- or higher in a year

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Any way of getting a mobo that supports SLi, without changing the price, would be great. I'm sanity-checking my choices here first, buying unless anyone sees something I missed or can point out a better deal.

PARTS CHOSEN:

Combo:

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDZ550WFGIBOX - Retail

ASUS M4A78 Plus AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.200020

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N800SR4GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010

Thermaltake Strike Mx VI6001BNS Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133069

Aftermarket CPU fan: Cheap and reliable . . . Is it even necessary? (retail CPU/mobo should have a fan/heatsink, right?)

 

[techwizard08]

I don't want to sound mean, but you may want to consider waiting until you can expand your budget a little.

You won't be able to play Crysis (except maybe at the lowest of settings), though you may be able to get RTS.

If you can hold off and grow your max budget, the possibilities start to increase some more.

 

[gunner0821]

To clarify - the gaming abilities are basically locked in at their current position. A 9800 gt is the best that I can justify for the price range, without a miracle. I probably should have made the number one use/priority "longevity." I picked the processor so that I can stick a Phenom x4 in it after a while. Basically, if I had more money, I would improve the cpu/mobo, not the graphics.

Added a case:
Thermaltake Strike Mx VI6001BNS Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133069

 

[hunter315]

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $5 off w/ promo code EMCLTMM58, ends 6/17

Comes out to the same price but with a better graphics card and a power supply that is the right size for your system. Games rely more heavily on graphics can CPU power but the 4850 will set you up pretty well for a little while atleast.

 

[techwizard08]

The 4850 is definitely a better card.

 

[gunner0821]

XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

added to the list, and replaced PSU with BFG Tech 550W with dual 12v rails at 36.

 

[Outlander_04]

I don't want to sound mean, but you may want to consider waiting until you can expand your budget a little.

You won't be able to play Crysis (except maybe at the lowest of settings), though you may be able to get RTS.

If you can hold off and grow your max budget, the possibilities start to increase some more.

I have played crysis on a 1440 x 900 and got about 35 fps on high with an e7300 and a 4850 .

The op will get better fps thanks to better cpu and lower resolution and it will be very comfortably playable

 

[Proximon]

I think the CPU is really about the same as your E7300, but it's still a good build.

That's a pretty good extreme budget case for 30 bucks I think.... oh wait no free shipping.

Do this instead:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1427635
Nicer case, 39.99 with free shipping if you use the promo code there.

 

[gunner0821]

Ok we finished/ordered everything...thanks for the help everyone.

 

[megamanx00]

Definitely good enough to play Crysis on high to med-high depending on the resolution of your monitor. At 1024x768 you should be able to play on it high settings even in DX10 mode, just without AA or AF. Hope you reconsider overclocking latter on. If you do overclock, just make sure to use a good aftermarket heatsink .