$500 New Build - Need advice on components

[tech_coder]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week


Budget Range: 500 Before Rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: software development, watching videos, development server, light gaming


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, any software including OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, tigerdirect, any other site that ships in US


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences:
* AMD processor - I was looking at Phenom II X4 965. I suppose a 4 core will be sufficient for my usage
* MOBO - probably ASUS (I can go for any reliable one, though)
* PSU - Corsair

Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Additional Comments:
I want to have 8Gigs of RAM, am not looking to make it future proof - just need for it to suffice me for around 3 years. I needed advice from the techies about the parts that I can use in the budget. Was also planning to get a video card. Thanks a lot for looking.

 

[IH8U]

I'd honestly wait till after the 19th. AMD is releasing BullDozer, and while it may be a flop, there will be a fire sale on the AM3 procs (ie the X6). Look into getting an AM3+ board (in case BD doesn't suck too badly).

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815004
$30 Xigmatek ASGARD II
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031
$70 Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W ($30 MIR)
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128521
$88 GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
$45 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 ($5 off with code)
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
$19 LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
$60 Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb ($6.50 with DVD combo)
VID: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131434
$110 PowerColor AX6770 1GBD5-H Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 (sometimes cheaper on Amazon, and Tigerdirect)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
$120 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (will drop after the 19th)

$542 (prices will come down on the AM3 procs after the 19th)

 

[tech_coder]

Thanks for your reply, IH8U.

I took your advice and waited, but seems that AMD is in no mood to slash the prices. So here is a list of items that I am thinking of getting:

1. LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106289
$19.99
2. SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
$59.99
3. SAPPHIRE 100338L Radeon HD 6770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814102941
$109.99
4. Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371031
$69.99
5. G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT
Item #: N82E16820231422
$44.99
6. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX bundled with: 1x ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
$207
Total cost comes out to be $513, and this does not include the case yet. I want some help about the specs that I have chosen. Could you guys please have a look - does this seems okay?

Additional Comments:
CPU: I was deciding b/w these the X4 955, and X4 965 processors. Both cost essentially the same.
MOBO: Besides the ASUS one I mentioned, I also found this interesting. Does an ASROCK mobo match upto ASUS?
Graphics card: Do you have a better suggestion? Its just that I dont want to spend too much in a Video card, sonce this rig isn't a gaming rig
Case: Have not selected one yet. Would be great if someone could suggest something.

Finally, I am trying to keep this thing below $600, so any suggestions are very welcome, and appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tech_coder]

Best answer selected by tech_coder.