Computer Build Help for an indecisive builder

[Prince of Persia]

I would like this setup to last for a long time 3-4 years. My gaming tendencies have gone down, but I do play games like Left 4 Dead and Team Fortress 2. I recently got an ASUS 23.6" 1080p LCD which unfortunately doesn't seem to display any 16:10 resolution besides 1920x1080 and the normal 4:3 resolutions (connecting via DVI, maybe I'm doing something wrong?). I would ultimately like a silent high res mild gaming machine, if that makes sense. I don't really notice/mind antialiasing so with that disabled I was thinking of getting a 4830 to play at high res, but I'm not sure the impact 1gb vs 512mb would have on the 4830 at high res, or should I just get a 4870?

Also I'd like to get the Mini Antec p180 gun metal case for silence/cooling, but it requires mATX. What's a good mATX that's stable for AMD Chipsets. Does it matter which chipset? From what I read and see in buying guides, it seems I should get the 700 series (740, 780, 790), but am I right in assuming they are all the same except with variations to number of PCI-E 2.0/1.0 slots and onboard video?

After the template I have what I found so far.


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Purpose: The PC will be used to play games primarily. Hopefully I can do a bit of DVD manipulation/creation down the line.

Budget: 400-600 (Cheaper the better)

Country: US

Brand Preference: AMD/ATI just because it seems they have the best bang for the buck.

No Existing Parts

Searched - I checked wiki for differences in the chipsets, but neweggs reviews of boards vary and I've been out of the loop for awhile.

Overclocking: None to a little, rather go for long term stability.

When: ASAP
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AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8ghz Black

Motherboards (This card is cheap and got good reviews, any input here?)
ASRock A789FullHD 780G mATX

Ram
OCZ Platinum 4gb (2x2) 1066

GPU
Asus 4870 512mb

HD
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS

Power Supply (Not certified, will that be an issue?)
OCZModXStream 500W 82% Efficiency

Case (Will this be good enough for a cool/quiet system?)
Antec p180 Mini

Edit - Cleaned it up a bit!

 

[Prince of Persia]

Updated main post.

 

[fourdegrees11]

the 4870 will destroy the 4830 regardless of memory. You would be better served to spend the extra $15-20 and get a 1gb 4870 if you want something to last a while.

 

[Prince of Persia]

Newegg's current deal gives me only a combo with the Asus 4870 512mb + AMD X3 720 for $275-30 rebate. Which is the only way I could afford it. The cheapest 1gb is the Gigbaytes http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125256 for $170 after rebate. The X3 720 becomes $145, totaling 315

I'm leaning towards the 4870, but two things that concern me are heat and noise. Without the rear exhaust on the video card, will my antec p180 (or similar caliber of case) have enough cooling too keep this card adequately cooled in a mini ATX case?

 

[Prince of Persia]

Updated: Looks like the consensus is the 4870 512mb version and that a 740g motherboard is just fine. Now I pretty much have two other questions

1.) Does a power supply need to be 80+ Cert or is the one I found ok? It states 83% efficiency on load, but no certification?

2.) Will the Antec P180 mini fit the 4870 and provide adequate cooling?

 

[happy medium]

Pros: I bought this case for my first build, and I had no real trouble installing everything. The slide out compartments for the HDDs are great. <The case fit my Sapphire 4870 512mb no problem. I have my HD on mounted in the bottom compartment, but I probably could put it in the upper compartment, but the cables would be mighty snug. With the fans on low, this case is not super quiet like most people say, but it quiet. (I do have 4 120mm fans installed)

This is from a review at newegg.

The psu you chose is more then enough for your build.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Because of the 'screen real estate' at 1920x1080 you will best be served by the HD4870 1Gb

 

[fourdegrees11]

In all honesty if you really want something thats going to last 3-4 years playing 1920-1080, I doubt any of the cards under $200 are really going to work. You would probably have to consider the 4850x2 2gb.

 

[fourdegrees11]

RAIDMAX Tornado $42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156225

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136098

ASRock A780FullHD AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G $58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813157149

SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102809

Rosewill RP650-2 650W $70 (need 650w minimum for GPU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182161

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 $44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227362

AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103648

Total $670