Best NewEgg AMD 955 + MoBo Combo Choice?

[enilanerda]

Hello!
Here's what I've decided on so far for my first build:

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
Case: Modtek Alien-X $60
http://www.modtekusa.com/index.php?page=details&id=1
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
VC: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VXL Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102868
PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.395866 $215
Total: $539

I'm looking for a AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition that's Combo'd with your choice of best Mother Board for under $250.
Here's the Link for all AMD 955 Combos: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&SubCategory=343&SortField=0&PageSize=100&Page=1

I am open to any brand, will not be doing any CF or SLi, and I know zero about OC, but I'd be open to it in the future when/if I knew more about it.

Thank you in advance for your help and any advice or knowledge you're willing to share.
Kenny

 

[o1die]

I would go with either the 790 or 785 biostar boards. I had to rma to biostar recently, and the turnaround time was only nine days, much quicker than other brands. I just bought another biostar this weekend at frys, and the gigabyte lan works great.

 

[ram1009]

You can't go wrong with an ASUS MB. My favorite for this CPU is M4A785TD-V EVO . Easy overclocking and plenty of features. I suggest using WD HDDs. I've been using them for 15 years without any data loss. And most of all I suggest a bigger PSU. Running a PSU at or near it's max output is one of the worse and most frequent mistakes builders make. Many high quality, high wattage PSUs are readily available and cost only a few dollars more. It's the cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy for your systam.

 

[enilanerda]

You can't go wrong with an ASUS MB. My favorite for this CPU is M4A785TD-V EVO . Easy overclocking and plenty of features. I suggest using WD HDDs. I've been using them for 15 years without any data loss. And most of all I suggest a bigger PSU. Running a PSU at or near it's max output is one of the worse and most frequent mistakes builders make. Many high quality, high wattage PSUs are readily available and cost only a few dollars more. It's the cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy for your systam.

That's this one here? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

That was one of the top 5 I was considering, but I'm curious about whether I should be concerned about future proofing with USB 3? Like this Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419

As for the HDD, the Spinpoint was the one I saw recommended the most often in the 'general build' forum, so that's why I selected it. And the PSU, I was told that all I needed was a top tier 400-450W as long as it was 80 certified and had the right Amps per rail for the 5770. The OCZ is mostly modular, which I like, and the Red glow will work great for the case I selected, assuming that faces down... Which I don't know if it does?

From the Sticky on PSU's here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/279391-28-power-requirements-specs-popular-graphic-cards-guide
Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5
" * Recommended is a 450 watt PSU with one 75 watt 6 pin PCI Express connector, but could be run on a quality 400 watt PSU. 600 watt with two 6 pin connectors will be needed for crossfire.
* Recommended 37 Amps on 12 volt rail for single card and 50 Amps for crossfire. This card can run on lesser this is just recommended and will be able to run with at least 30 Amps on 12 volt rail."