New multi purpose build, your thoughts.

[Yowen]

Well, I am really ready for a new desktop (read my sig).

As for the requirements:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming (I want to be able to play the newest games again), Light duty photoshop (my current pc is usually fast enough for what I do), schoolwork, hd video's, possibly video conversion to dvd

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

between 400 - 450

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

I prefer AMD, ATI. But if a strong argument can be made for Intel, go ahead! Its more a preference than fanboyism

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Case, monitor, keyboard, dvd burner, harddrive 160gb SATA (for now)

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Have been reading up on both the processor and graphics card

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Yeah, why not? I'll try overclocking. For some reason my current system will NOT.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1280x1024 is my current limitation, but. I do intend to upgrade to 1920x1080 (or 1200)

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Probably in a month or so.


Now for the parts I have in mind (I used Newegg):

AMD Athlon II X3 425, $76
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3, $79.99
Powercolor HD5770, $159.99
BFG Tech GS550, $49.99
G.SKILL 2GB 2x1GB (F3-10666CL8D-2GBHK), $54.99

That comes to about 421 S&H

Now for my questions:
Did I select the righ processor? Would it be a good idea to go for a Phenom II with the L3 Cache? Is 3 processors better than a dual core with a higher clock?

Whats your thoughts on the PSU? From what I read on newegg it seemed pretty solid.

Is there an argument to made for an Intel system in this price range?

I really like the idea of a DX11 compatible card, Is this card well balanced with the rest of the system?

I realize this setup may be lacking a little in RAM, true?

Thankyou!

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

Since you're spending that kind of money, I'd go for something a bit more in terms of your mobo/CPU/RAM. The HD5770 is a great card to move up to. Solid choice.

How about we choose a different CPU/Mobo combination:

Options:

X4 925 Deneb 2.8Gz AM3 95W Quadcore
+ Asus M4a785-M motherboard
$200
-- You'd have to use DDR2 memory, saves a bit of money.

X4 925 Deneb 2.8Gz AM3 95W Quadcore
+ Asus M4a79XTD EVO motherboard
$245
-- DDR3 ready, costs more.

X4 620 Propus 2.6Ghz AM3 Quadcore.
+ Asus M4a79XTD EVO Motherboard
$204
-- DDR3, Quadcore, cheaper than the Deneb (but no L3 cache). Saves $40.

X4 620 Propus 2.6Ghz AM3 Quadcore.
+ Asus M4A785-M motherboard.
$159
-- DDR2. Saves money. No L3 cache. Budget Quad core setup. Perfect for the money.

Overall, I'd get the 620/M4A785-M. It's cheaper. That leaves you room to grab 4GB of DDR2 1066 RAM, the HD5770, and a new PSU in your budget range. You end up with a beasty system. A Quad that is very overclockable (get a Mugen2 cooler for $35 from Egg).

Very best,

 

[Yowen]

I just realized, if I dig up some harddrives, I'd just need a case to keep my old pc running. What are good budget cases these days? For under 50, or even 40 dollars? Or is there a good psu/case combo for this setup?

 

[MalVeauX]

I just realized, if I dig up some harddrives, I'd just need a case to keep my old pc running. What are good budget cases these days? For under 50, or even 40 dollars? Or is there a good psu/case combo for this setup?

Antec 300 Illusion is fantastic and only about $50.

PSU's in combos are not worth trusting hardware to. I'd look for a 80+ cert modular PSU with enough watts to cover your system at full load. SeaSonic, Corsair, OCZ, and even Rosewill, Apevia, Raidmax, Enermax.

Very best,

 

[Yowen]

Is BFG tech any good? The reviews on newegg seem decent.

edit: just saw this combo:
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail