Building a new computer (First time builder)

[sernots]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In about 1-2 months.

BUDGET RANGE: $300-$400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the internet, and for home use.


PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, operating system, mouse, and speakers.

Re-using- ATI Radeon HD 4670

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I prefer newegg.com but if you have a better site then say so

PARTS PREFERENCES: I don't really mind what brand or type it is.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024 or anything higher.

(Here are the list of games I'm going to play)

Counter-Strike Source

Team Fortress 2

Half Life 2

Garry's Mod

The Sims 2
---------------
(I also want to know if it is possible to build these specs for less than $500)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229091

-Thanks

 

[Outlander_04]

Phenom 720 be + ASUS M4A78T-E $190 [after rebate]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337

2 x 2 gig Gskill ddr3 $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

Antec Three Hundred 430 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply $ 99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129065

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Total $411

Which leaves some room in the budget for another 120 mm case fan , and a better cpu cooler

 

[gkay09]

^+1 The above config, is more powerful than the one you have listed...

But I would suggest you spend extra $20 and get this combo...It would have enough power for high-end cards...
Antec 300 + Antec EA500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.208561

 

[Outlander_04]

+ another 1 for my earlier efforts LOL. Its a lot more powerful than the cyberpower rig , but to be fair to them they include a few more goodies and they also push their price up .

Gkays suggestion is reasonable . A larger psu gives you the option of upgrading to a 4870 or similar some time in the future . I was thinking of it from the point of view of maybe crossfiring a second 4670 and then the 430 watt would be fine .

But I went back and checked again and

antec 300 $$55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

so same price as gkays combo and a stronger modular psu . Even better value .

If you plan on this jump soon because the mb/cpu combo wont last long and its great value

EDIT: I forgot a dvd rw drive . Get a SATA drive . Price will be around $25

 

[ahslan]

with the above builds, you could even get away with buying another 4670 and crossfiring them...even though i dont know how much you would gain from doing that...lol...

 

[sernots]

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it! I don't know if I'm going to be needing all that power but I'll go with it.

 

[sernots]

+ another 1 for my earlier efforts LOL. Its a lot more powerful than the cyberpower rig , but to be fair to them they include a few more goodies and they also push their price up .

Gkays suggestion is reasonable . A larger psu gives you the option of upgrading to a 4870 or similar some time in the future . I was thinking of it from the point of view of maybe crossfiring a second 4670 and then the 430 watt would be fine .

But I went back and checked again and

antec 300 $$55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

so same price as gkays combo and a stronger modular psu . Even better value .

If you plan on this jump soon because the mb/cpu combo wont last long and its great value

EDIT: I forgot a dvd rw drive . Get a SATA drive . Price will be around $25

Wouldn't this be a cheaper case though?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148029

 

[Outlander_04]

I would say that thats too little to spend on a case and psu

The quality of the psu must be poor and even though it will probably work , it might not work for long . Its also not likely to be efficient . Modern quality psu's have "active pcf" which gives you smooth consistent and efficient conversion to the 12V that the computer uses and are usually 80+ efficient
Older psu usually have a switch on the back to flip it from 110 to 230 volt supply and they are seldom 70% efficient so they waste power and get hot