$850 Multipurpose PC

[Crono]

I'm looking to build a PC in ~1 week. I game, I multitask, I do photo editing, video encoding (sometimes 720 and 1080, but usually not), so I am looking for as all-purpose a computer I can get on a limited budget of ~$850 including a monitor. Any input you can provide on the overall rig and components would be much appreciated. Parts and prices are based on Newegg; I am open to buying elsewhere or used, but using Newegg right now for general research/pricing purposes.

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 (Regor) $87
GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4850 512MB or HD 4770 (if I can find one in stock at purchase time) $109.99 (actually cheaper with combo purchase)
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX $79.99
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $64.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB $69.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W $74.99
CASE: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $54.95
SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 $39.99 (I'll probably get a used X-Fi Gamer)
OPTICAL: HP 22X Multiformal DVD Writer Black SATA Model 1160i $24.99
KEYBOARD: Logitech 967740-0403 Black USB Standard Internet 350 $9.25
MOUSE: (already have)
MONITOR: Dell 2209WA (from Dell's SMB site): $279

(slightly overbudget at $895 total, but counting on discounts and comparison shopping to bring price down a little)

I probably won't be overclocking this computer, except maybe the video card if it's a 4770.
I have Vista and Windows 7 Beta, so I'll be using one or the other for the OS.

 

[yh125d]

Go for the 4850. Several around $85-90 after rebate, and its faster

Switch the motherboard for this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16813138140)

Switch the DDR3 for 4gb of DDR2, ~$45

Drop the sound card entirely. Onboard sound is very good these days, and its uncommon for enthusiasts to use dedicated cards anymore


Those changes knock off about $70, which you could either pocket, or I'd upgrade the CPU to a PHII x3 720 for about $50, and the last $20 to upgrade the hard drive to a Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB

 

[ATWindsor]

The 4850 also uses quite abit more power.

And electrical noise from the computer can be a real problem affecting the onbaord sound, even today. On analogue outputs one can here noises when CPU or harddrive is loaded.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Go for the 4850. Several around $85-90 after rebate, and its faster

Switch the motherboard for this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16813138140)

Switch the DDR3 for 4gb of DDR2, ~$45

Drop the sound card entirely. Onboard sound is very good these days, and its uncommon for enthusiasts to use dedicated cards anymore


Those changes knock off about $70, which you could either pocket, or I'd upgrade the CPU to a PHII x3 720 for about $50, and the last $20 to upgrade the hard drive to a Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB

Will the AM2+ route still be good for upgrade 2 years from now (about how long I want to go before upgrading CPU) versus AM3? If so, I think I'll go that cheaper route. Is there any noticeable performance difference between DDR2 and DDR3?

You're probably right about the sound card. I'm used to using discrete sound with my speaker setup, but I think I'd rather use the money for the 1TB drive and/or CPU upgrade, like you said.

 

[Eureka]

I'd just make the jump to a quad core. Save costs by using DDR2 and a non AM3 system. You'd probably see the benefit of a quad core since you do video encoding and other CPU intensive work.

 

[M0RPH]

At least get the x3 720. With the money you save by dropping the sound card you can afford that.

Maybe something like this combo: Text
(don't know anything about that motherboard)

 

[Alienwho]

I just put together a new Phenom II X3 720 system and I am very impressed. I unlocked the 4th core and OC'd to 3.2Ghz without much trouble. I see very noticable difference in general computing over my previous E7200 OC'd to 3.2Ghz. Can't beat it for $130. Pairing it up with a 4870 I can now play GTA 4 at 50 frames per second. My E7200 w/ 9600GT was about 5 frames per second.

 

[jae]

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
$26.99 . .

Antec Three Hundred 430 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail
$99.99 . .

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
$74.99 . .

Logitech 967740-0403 Black USB Standard Internet 350 USB Keyboard - OEM
$9.25 . .

HIS Hightech H485FN512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9DHX - Retail
-$20.00 Instant
-$25.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate14-161-259
$219.98
$174.98

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
-$6.00 Instant
-$54.00 Combo
-$35.94 Saving
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate13-131-366
$284.99
$189.05
CPU Mag Gift - 6 free issues of CPU Magazine - OEM

Subtotal: $611.19
Shipping: $30.40 
Grand Total: $641.59

U could use the cpu/mobo combo posted earlier ( the x730 and AMD 770) to cut down price if you dead set on the dell monitor; price would be $626 shipped. Peace

 

[andersonviola]

I am about to build a very similiar system to what jae just put up. I am opting for the antec sonata III with the 500W PSU at the same price, and for DDR2 RAM.

I am wondering what the better combo deal is between these two:

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX
x3 720
= $219 after MIR

or

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
x3 720
= $210 after MIR

which mobo is better?

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: ATWindsor
The 4850 also uses quite abit more power.

And electrical noise from the computer can be a real problem affecting the onbaord sound, even today. On analogue outputs one can here noises when CPU or harddrive is loaded.

The 4850 only uses maybe 10-15 more watts, meaning it still barely uses any at all. It's a nonfactor


And I've never heard anyone complaining of electrical noise on modern onboard sound. Even if it is present, it would take an audiophile with a very good speaker setup and a finely tuned ear to notice anything at all


Crono, AM2+ should still have several options for upgrading then, I haven't heard anything about AMD's next round of CPU's not being compatible with AM2+ boards

 

[jae]

Originally posted by: andersonviola
I am about to build a very similiar system to what jae just put up. I am opting for the antec sonata III with the 500W PSU at the same price, and for DDR2 RAM.

I am wondering what the better combo deal is between these two:

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX
x3 720
= $219 after MIR

or

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
x3 720
= $210 after MIR

which mobo is better?

I would go Asus, tho I prefer Gigabyte.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Do NOT get a dual core. You really will be sorry.

Go Tri-Core, AT LEAST!