cheapest way to 4 core for video editing with basic gaming system upgrade

[jgcecg]

I am looking to spend as little as possible for new upgrade of mb,cpu, ram, and video card around $300 to be made now.

I am going by the assumption that the video card is by far the most important component in any gaming system for my son age 12.

He aslo does video editing. I am assuming that 4 cores is best for that.

regarding the cpu, I want one that can be unlocked to 4 cores for video editing, like the calisto. Does ANY MOTHERBOARD support unlocking the 2 other cores?

would it be better just to get the Athlon II 620 or unlock the calisto to 4 cores for the same price?

after reading this article on Tom's hardware.com
I am leaning toward the Radeon 4650 $60 because the monitor is 1280x1060 native resolution.

My thinking now
mobo amd 740 based $50 with 2gb ram $50 for now on xp professional
is 2gb of ram enough to start with?

Newegg combo deal Gigabyte mobo with corsair 400w $80 after rebate
2gb ram $50
4650 1gb ram $60
Calisto 550 $100

TOTAL PRICE $290

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.309385
ram Gskill

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...t,2381-16.html

 

[alyarb]

if it's for a 12 year old who is into machines and competent enough to edit video, i would just get him a quad and not skimp on the unlocking scheme. there is an athlon II X4 for $99 and they clock pretty reliably up to 3.0-3.3 GHz which is all he needs CPU-wise. That will last him a lot longer than a dual core callisto in the chance that the disabled cores are defective.

i would also go for a 9800 GT for $90.