$500-$700 Gaming PC, need advice and guidance..

[moofart]

Approximate Purchase Date: More than 1 month, kinda unknown atm.


Budget Range: $500-700, rebates kinda don't matter since I'll probably not do them.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web surfing, Movies


Parts Not Required: Monitor, mouse, speakers, OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com is the only site I know of atm...


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: I really don't have any specific preference that I can think of at this time.


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1440x900


Additional Comments: The current parts I'm going to list can use some improvements, if possible.
------------------------------------------------------
Edit: Revised list of parts.

CPU:AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
Motherboard:MSI 970A-G45 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Memory:G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
GPU:HIS H679F1GD Radeon HD 6790 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
HDD:Seagate Barracuda ST3500413AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
PSU: Bundled with the case.
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ 530w Continuous PSU
ODD:ASUS 24X DVD Burner

I'm worried that these parts aren't sufficient in terms of compatibility and just overall performance. I need some advice on where I can improve on and what else I need to get. The main reason I was sketchy on building a PC was because I didn't want to get parts that didn't work well together, or just end missing some parts in general. This is my first time building a PC, and I need some overall advice about everything.

Just to make things clear, $700 is the absolute max limit. If it's possible to get somewhere in the middle of 500 and 700, that would be fantastic. And I'm not really much of a forum person, so if this is in the wrong place I'm sorry in advance for that. Just made an account today so i could get some help. Also, if I'm missing any info on here please tell me. I'll try to give you as much info as I can.

 

[moofart]

Is there even anyone out there that can help me? Or is it just not possible to have a decent gaming comp with the budget I have?

I seriously need some help weeding out the excess in my current list, to hopefully improve efficiency/cost.

 

[abekl]

Well, I don't see any exzcess, but I do see a problem with your MB selection. You are going to need to spend a few more dollars and get an AM3+ socket MB. The AM3 socket you've chose is a dead end socket. When it comes time to upgrade there's nowhere to go. So bite the bullet, spend 10 more dollars and get an AM3+ socket MB now.

Since you like MSI, here's a suggestion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130608

 

[sarinaide]

Avoid AMD for now, don't build that and get stuck in a dead end or end of line build.

CASE: ANTEC 900 $69.99 after MIR(rebates)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

PSU: ANTEC High Current Gamer 750W $79.99 after MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

MOBO: ASUS P8P67 Pro $169.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771

CPU: i3 2100 $124.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

RAM: GSkill Ripjaws X 8GB $57.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 $189.99 after MIR or GTX 560 TI $219.99 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 6GB/s $39.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701

ODD: ASUS DVD/CD R/RW/DL $20.00

TOTAL: $752.93

To cut the costs consider;

Cheaper Motherboard

ASROCK Z68 Extreme3 $130.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
ASROCK P67 Extreme4 $159.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265
Gigabyte Z68XP UD3 $149.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512


Cheaper and Smaller PSU

Silverstone Silverstrider essential 600w $69.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071

Adjusting the RAM to 4GB or to DDR3 1333

 

[abekl]

I disagree with Sarinaid's basic premise that AMD is an end of the line purchase. That what the AM3+ socket is for. It assures you will have support for Bulldozer. and possibl;y even the generation after that. BTW, I am an Intel fan also.

 

[aznshinobi]

I have a $550 build in my siggy that is perfect for you. It'll play well at your current resolution, plus it's fairly cheap in comparison to all the builds suggested.

 

[moofart]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I have a question about the CPU, I kinda want one that's good for multi-tasking and gaming. I know a hex core is powerful enough for that, but are there any quads or duals that can fairly compete that cost less?

I'm trying to shave some money off. And I was also wondering if the GPU I chose is efficient as well. I'm not trying to play extremely new games. The only "new" pc game I own is Mass Effect 2, after that is Oblivion I think. Don't need anything too fancy, so do you have any suggestions?

 

[abekl]

You could step down to the quad core AMD and save $40. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

 

[aznshinobi]

^+1

Or the i3 2100, it multitasks rather OK since it has HT which gives it 2 more virtual-cores, certainly not as good as physical but pretty decent. Plus the i3 2100 excels at gaming. The 965 would do as well.

 

[moofart]

Thanks for your replies again.

I've got mostly everything settled, thanks to your replies. I'm just a little shaky on the HD 5670. I don't know if I should get something better.

I also don't know if there's anything else to get, or if everything I need comes with the parts.

 

[aznshinobi]

Get the 6790, that's my recommendation. Solid card, defiantly would max out at your resolution. The 5670 is a bit weak.

 

[abekl]

Get the 6790, that's my recommendation. Solid card, defiantly would max out at your resolution. The 5670 is a bit weak.

Agreed. Or a 6850.

 

[moofart]

Will the PSU be able to handle it, or should I upgrade that as well?

If I need to upgrade the PSU, then I might as well choose a different case. I highly doubt I'll need a spare PSU lying around if I stick with the case I have. Though I could be wrong, but I don't know.

 

[sarinaide]

I disagree with Sarinaid's basic premise that AMD is an end of the line purchase. That what the AM3+ socket is for. It assures you will have support for Bulldozer. and possibl;y even the generation after that. BTW, I am an Intel fan also.

So the OP is considering an X4 build with an AM3+ setup, only to go in a few months time and spend twice as much as a 2500K for likely less performance. If the bulldozer is not a monumental high end APU, then it isn't worth the silicon it is made of. To suggest that the OP goes short term to a X4 setup only to upgrade to a Bulldozer down the line is just a waste of money.

 

[abekl]

To suggest that the OP goes short term to a X4 setup only to upgrade to a Bulldozer down the line is just a waste of money.

Your entitled to that opinion. I don't share it, however.

 

[moofart]

I doubt I'll be able to upgrade anytime after I get it set. This is more of a one time build, just something to upgrade from this lappy I'm using. I'm not really thinking much about the future, doubt I'll be getting any new games as well.

 

[sarinaide]

I doubt I'll be able to upgrade anytime after I get it set. This is more of a one time build, just something to upgrade from this lappy I'm using. I'm not really thinking much about the future, doubt I'll be getting any new games as well.

Right now, sure you will have a quad core with that AMD build, but it will be a quad core of the Core2 Quad ilk, Smarter money can be spent on Intel builds and you have a guaranteed upgrade path down the line that is better, plus the bulldozer will be as expensive if not more so than the 2600/2600K and probably not as efficient unless you can use the eight threads.

 

[abekl]

Right now, sure you will have a quad core with that AMD build, but it will be a quad core of the Core2 Quad ilk, Smarter money can be spent on Intel builds and you have a guaranteed upgrade path down the line that is better.

I agree. But he doesn't want to spend the money on an i5. His budget limits him into this lower cost solution. It's not optimal.

 

[sarinaide]

I didn't suggest an i5, only that he has the option from an i3 to go to an i5 or i7 down the line if at all needed.

 

[moofart]

I have 2 questions, is more ram better or does it depend on what I'll be doing?

And about the PSU, is 500w sufficient?

 

[abekl]

You only need more than 4GB ram if you'll be working with large graphics files or large databases regularly.

500 watts is sufficient for this setup.

 

[moofart]

Ok, thanks.

I'm gonna revise my first post to what I've chosen so far. Please tell me if there's anything that's still needed or if it's all set to go.

Gonna take me a while to do this, so bear with me please.

EDIT: Done revising.

 

[moofart]

Sorry for double posting, I've found 2 case/PSU combo deals and I wanted your opinion on which one is better. They're both $10 cheaper than the one I previously chose.

Case #1: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ 530w Continuous PSU

Case #2: COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS600 w/ 600w PSU

 

[sarinaide]

I don't think the Coolermaster RS series PSU is 80% efficient which is a massive drawback, if it where a GX series perhaps it would be better, the GX 550 is better with 44A and standard 80% efficiency ratings.

Of the two, the Roswill options are better and at the very least look better.

 

[moofart]

Ok, thanks for your reply.

I'll add that to my list and I think I'm done. Thanks again to all of you that replied, I appreciate it so much.

If anyone else has some opinions on how I can improve this setup, I'll gladly take it into consideration.