AMD system build check for first time build

[ldanielb]

This would be the first time I've actually built a PC and I don't know much about AMD systems, but I would like to use AMD for the price point. Can you guys look over my build below and see if i have made any glaring errors or give suggestions?

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: a couple of weeks
BUDGET RANGE: 800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD athlon, I would like to stick to the athlon II, and maybe upgrade to the phenom II later

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x900
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:none
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

MoBo
GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419

Video Card
XFX HD-585X-ZAFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

Power Supply
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

CPU
AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX630WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

RAM
CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145198

Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Optical Drive
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

I really would appreciate any advice or suggestions you have. Thanks!

 

[MadAdmiral]

It looks pretty good. I would either get X4 635 (combo with the board) for $10 less or drop to a X3 440 (combo with same board) for $33 less, especially when paired with a great HSF (like Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus for $30. I'd also pick up some faster sticks of RAM (like these G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7) which will be a lot better if you're going to overclock.

Also, you do realize that case and PSU are in a combo right?

 

[ldanielb]

I'll definately have to go with the ram you suggested. And thanks for the tip on the Case and PSU combo. I copied all of this from a wishlist that i set up @ newegg and i added all of the parts serperately due to not being able to save combo deals to a wish list.

 

[capt_taco]

I just felt the need to say that especially with those tweaks, everything here looks pretty spot-on. I wouldnt want to downgrade to a triple-core if it was my machine, but that's really up to you.

 

[batuchka]

While the Gigabyte 770TA was a awesome features/$$ AM3 mobo now that the native supporting SATA 6GB/s mobos are out check out the goodies of this mobo at a preety nice price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157191

 

[Onus]

I like the mobo batuchka linked, especially considering the OP's stated intention to upgrade his CPU later. This suggests a desire for as much future-resistance as possible, which this board seems to offer.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I really don't see the point in getting a 8xx chipset. All AM3 boards are just as future proof, they just might need a BIOS update for the newer CPUs. Frankly, I think it's less future proof mainly because it's a lower quality ASRock board...

 

[batuchka]

I like the mobo batuchka linked, especially considering the OP's stated intention to upgrade his CPU later. This suggests a desire for as much future-resistance as possible, which this board seems to offer.

Yep and the peeps at Xtremesystem forums have been going at it with the 890GX version ^^ Review
http://en.ocworkbench.com/tech/exclusive-review-asrock-880g-extreme3-amd-880g-sb850-mainboard-with-ucc-to-uncover-the-hidden-cores/12/

In Conclusion, I feel that the ASRock 880G Extreme3 is a board that you should watch out for in your next upgrade purchase. It is one of the best price/performance board available in the year 2010. We give it our Editor’s Choice award.
Pros
USB 3 support
UCC
Power switches, Clear CMOS switch at the back

Cons
No DisplayPort

Category Score
Performance 10 / 10
Features 10 / 10
Ease Of Installation 9 / 10
Overclocking Features 9 / 10
Documentation 7 / 10
Packaging 8 / 10
Cost / Performance 10 / 10
Overall Rating : 9 / 10

 

[ldanielb]

Thanks for all the info and advice everyone!

 

[batuchka]

You are welcomed and happy shopping/building ^^

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

Heck it looks like they'll even keep supporting some AM2+ boards.