Please make suggestions on this budget gaming build.

[danport]

I want to build a budget gaming machine for my son. I have built a few systems in the past, but I am no expert and I am not up to date on current hardware. I chose the AMD Phenom X2 hoping to get lucky with unlocking the other 2 cores.

Please take a look at this build and make suggestions. It comes to $643 before shipping. I would prefer to spend less instead of more money into this system. Thank you for your time and expertise.

Motherboard: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX $88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846

Video Card : XFX HD-567X-ZNF3 Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Ram memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL $86.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $87.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Poweplr Supy $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

DVD Burner: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk – OEM $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Cables (2): BYTECC 18" Serial ATA-150/300 Cable w/Locking Latch Model SATA-118C
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270093

 

[dndhatcher]

I would go with the Athlon II x3 445 3.1GHz CPU instead. That way you still get a solid 3 core even if unlocking fails. The third core seems to help performance alot.

The 870 extreme3's manual says it comes with "4 SATA Data cables" so you should need to buy any.

The WD Black "FALS" is the older, slower model. Get the newer "FAEX" 1TB model or a Samsung F3 500/1TB or seagate 7200.12 500/1TB.

The 5670 is a minimal gaming card that wont handle a standard 1920x1080 monitor well. With that card you will likely be dropping resolution to keep it from being choppy. For not much more money ($140) you can get a 5770 which will play games at medium-very high settings on a 1920x1080 monitor. The 5770 is literally twice as fast as a 5670 so its a much better price/performance option.

 

[mosox]

Here are some combo deals, use whatever you like, definitely get a HD 5770 in that budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514370

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514332

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.500403

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514468

 

[danport]

Thanks for the quick replies and great advice.
I think I will use 2 of the bundles mosox pointed me to: (ocz ps + samsung f3 hd), and (g.skill ram + antec 300 case). This saves me a few bucks.
I have switched to a sapphire 5770 video card and changed the hard drive as recommended by dndhatcher, and canceled the cables.
I am still considering taking a chance on unlocking the Phenom X2.
I have added an aftermarket cooler since I am considering some modest overclocking.
My revised build looks like this:

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support ...

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm Ceramic CPU Cooler

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Further comments requested. For instance:
What do you think of my choice of motherboard?
Do I need the aftermarket cooler?
More comments on the Phenom X2 vs. Athlon 2 X3?
Did I select a good video card this time?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[dndhatcher]

The freezer pro is only a 92mm cooler. You can easily fit a good 120mm cooler in. Kingwin 1264 and Coolermaster Hyper 212 plus are the cheapest good models. I dont use stock coolers, they often let the CPU get too hot for my comfort.

The 870 extreme3 got several good reviews.

I have an AthlonIIx3, 5770, Hyper 212, two antec 300 illusions myself and frequently recommend them.

 

[maawdawg]

You can actually upgrade to a 1TB Spinpoint HD for only around $4 more than the 500GB you have now if you order before 10/4. The 1TB has a $16 coupon code active right now.

Fatal1ty 550W and a 1TB Spinpoint - $124 ($108 after code) and only $93 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514469

 

[danport]

You can actually upgrade to a 1TB Spinpoint HD for only around $4 more than the 500GB you have now if you order before 10/4. The 1TB has a $16 coupon code active right now.

Fatal1ty 550W and a 1TB Spinpoint - $124 ($108 after code) and only $93 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514469

Thanks, maawdawg, but I can't find the code.
What is the code?
Do I enter it under "promo code" in the shopping cart?

 

[maawdawg]

you may have to be signed up for the Newegg mailings, which can be done on the frontpage on their site right above the Shell Shocker deal.

The code is listed right on the page for the HD for me if you want to check for it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

If it isn't listed for you it is EMCYXNW34 but you may have to sign up for the mail list to make it work.