Help me build an AMD computer

[SirJangly]

Hey guys! Nursing school begins soon, and I'd like to have a desktop in my room just for me. I think I am dead set on either an x2 550 or x3 720. This will be used for basic usage, although some Steam games and WoW, and DVD movie backups. No crysis, farcry 2, or anything like that. I would like to spend as little as possible, and I'm starting from scratch, so I will need all components. You guys are the experts, so tell me what I should get

 

[richierich1212]

Budget? Are you in the U.S?

 

[SirJangly]

~$500 before monitor, yes I'm in Cali

 

[richierich1212]

Do you already have a monitor? Any other reusable components such as DVD burner, ATX case, power supply, or memory?

 

[SirJangly]

No, I would prefer to start from scratch.

 

[richierich1212]

Do you live near Microcenter or Frys?

 

[SirJangly]

Originally posted by: richierich1212
Do you live near Microcenter or Frys?

Yes The friday ad is tomorrow

 

[richierich1212]

Ok cool
Antec 300 case from your local Frys: $49.99

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Processor + MSI 770-C45 AM3 Mobo $169.98
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w PSU ($59.75 after rebate from Amazon if you want to save on tax): $89.99
OCZ Platinum 4GB 2x2GB PC3-12800 DDR3 1600 RAM: $75.99
HIS Radeon 4850 512MB Video Card: $99.99
Lite-On DVD Burner: $29.99

= $563.97 - $75 in rebates = $488.97 (+ Antec 300 local tax)

Yes, dealing with many rebates but the components you get are quality and good.

This is a budget system I would totally build right now. There aren't many good Newegg combo deals as of right now, and even the DVD burner is a bit higher due to having to pay for shipping. You could even get lucky and unlock the 550 to X4. I would honestly recommend the 720 over the 550 because you for sure get an extra core, but Newegg's 720 combo deals are currently dry.

 

[Keysplayr]

Rich, still needs a HDD. OP: Do you need an operating system as well?

 

[Keysplayr]

LG 22X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH22LS50 LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136168. $27.99

GIGABYTE GZ-X5BPD-500 Black SECC Steel / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811233039 $39.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136218 $59.99

ASRock A780GMH/128M AM2+/AM3 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813157154 $69.99

Recertified: XFX PV-T96G-YHF GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814150425 $59.99

If OS is not needed
ZOTAC ZT-98GES3P-FSP GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814500059 $84.99

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341016 $58.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231166 $50.99

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103687 $64.99

If OS is not needed
AMD Phenom II X3 720BE 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple Core Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
Item#:N82E16819103649 $119.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116674 $109.99


Subtotal: $537.91 (Before shipping, taxes (if applicable), rebates.)

Subtotal: $506.93 (Before shipping, taxes (if applicable), rebates.) If OS is not needed.
This is as close as I can get to 500.00 for a complete top to bottom system. Tight squeeze. If you do not need an operating system, that changes things a lot.

But you said from Scratch.

You still need to add a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

 

[richierich1212]

Originally posted by: Keysplayr
Rich, still needs a HDD. OP: Do you need an operating system as well?

lol I had a feeling I missed something. And I would just use Windows 7 RC because it's so stable. By next year I'm sure pricing will be set and OP can choose from whatever then (and have money saved up)

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: richierich1212

Originally posted by: Keysplayr
Rich, still needs a HDD. OP: Do you need an operating system as well?

lol I had a feeling I missed something. And I would just use Windows 7 RC because it's so stable. By next year I'm sure pricing will be set and OP can choose from whatever then (and have money saved up)

Good idea on Win7. The RC is active until June of 2010, is that right? Then it will revert to minimal functionality. So, almost a years worth for free. Not bad.

If the OP does that, it drastically changes his options having freed up 110.00 for the OS.

 

[heyheybooboo]

There is a combo deal at $170 for the Athlon 245 and MSI 790gx AM3 if the OP wants to bust his budget.