First build - 700 budget

[sltho]

Hello Tom(s),

I would like to take advantage of the Black Friday Deals from Newegg and am seeking expert advice ASAP to build a budget-gaming computer.

Here goes:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP (would like to place an order before the end of November 2009)
BUDGET RANGE: 600 - 700
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Internet (Multi-tasking), gaming
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Windows 7, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speaker
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United State of America

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD / Giga-type in a mid-tower case (are micro towers recommended for home-brewed machines?)

OVERCLOCKING: yea (still learning...)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1920x1080)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is my first ever attempt in building a computer from scratch. i've been reading a lot of stuff on this website (Tomshardware.com) and i feel like i've read enough. however, i am still a noob and need all the advice that i can get. please help me! thanks everybody! thanks tom!

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1. Case: Rosewill Wind Knight Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with pre-installed 2x 120mm Fan, Support up to 1x 140mm top fan, 2x 140mm side fan, 1x 140mm front fan, 1x 120mm rear fan - Retail
= 40.00 (after rebate)

2. CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
= 100.00
Comment: I've read that i can unlock something so i can get this acting like a quad core cpu. is this easy to do?

3. MOBO + Ram: Combo from New egg: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664AA80A - Retail and GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
= 200.00
Question: Is there a difference between a 2 X 2gb setup vs a 1 X 4gb setup?

4. HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
= 90.00

or Wester Digital 1TB Caviar Green SATA
= 70.00


5. GPU: kindly recommend me a graphics card that will let me play left4d 2, pro evolution soccer 10, modern warfare2 and the upcoming games diablo 3, and STARCRAFT2!

I don't need crystal clear graphics when i play games so a card that keeps me within the budget would be great, but it's okay to go over by 30 bucks if i can keep this system and play starcraft 2. i was thinking about this one: Radeon HD 4650 - tooooo weak?

6. DVD DRIVE: I found this combo link. Are any of the combos good to solve the graphic card?
DVD - Graphic unit combo

7. PSU: Rosewill Green Series RG530-2 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified,ATX12V v2.3 & EPS12V v2.91, SLI Ready,CrossFire Ready,Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7, i5" Power Supply - Retail
= 55.00
Question: Is Rosewill a reliable company? will i get enough juice for this rig?



The total is 465 - 485, depending on the HDD, and excluding the DVD-Graphic Card combo.

Thank you so much!

 

[batuchka]

Items off Egg $611

CM 690 Casing $50
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3198497&CatId=1509

Grand Total = $641 AR

 

[batuchka]

Same GPU + 955BE combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.280264

brings Grand Total to $693 AR

 

[gebbz]

I have read mixed reviews of the Rosewill company but that PSU rocks. As long as it works as described it should have plenty of power. but if you wanna save a couple of bucks you could get something with less power. if you are only running 1 gpu and that AMD processor you could get by with quite a few less Amps on the 12v.

I have read that the WD Black hard drives have better performance than the green series or the seagate. They also run at nearly the same price point.

The 4650 should be fine. Although for gaming the GPU is probably the single most important piece you will buy so maybe you could move around some other components and buy a slighty more expensive card like the HIS H483FN512P Radeon HD 4830. This is just my preference. The 4650 will work fine at medium and medium high settings.

just my opinions.

also I really like that build batuchka posted. The 4890 is an exceptional GPU. Plus you get an extra core with an unlocked multiplier! AND DDR3! v nice. In fact except for the seagate HD I think that build is EPIC for under 700.

 

[sonic-boom]

Wowow chill out with that rosewill psu. Get it for fireworks. Corsair or Antec ONLY. GEt the barracuda, black is overpriced.
+1 batuchka build

 

[gebbz]

I just did some checking on the WD Black series and...yeah. Get the Seagate.

 

[sltho]

Same GPU + 955BE combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.280264

brings Grand Total to $693 AR

Hey,

Is it worth paying the extra fifty bucks for the 955 CPU? I'm thinking of keeping this machine for a good 3 - 4 years.

Thanks for that build!

 

[batuchka]

If its within your means go for it else fret not ^^ You are welcomed

 

[sltho]

I'm going with the 955!

THank you so much.

Have a good one sir.

 

[batuchka]

You too and happy building