Rate my Multimedia Desktop Build for $500

[ral8088]

I'm looking to build my own desktop. I have put together a list of components and current prices as of today at Newegg that are in my price range ($400-$500). How does my configuration look? If I can get it a little cheaper (closer to $400 than $500), that would be great. Here is my info:

Quiet would be good. Future proof would be good too. Will probably add a dedicated graphics card down the road once I get frustrated with the integrated GPU on any mobo. Will also probably put Linus Ubuntu 10.04 just to mess around with, may want to add Windows 7 for a dual-boot machine down the road.

This is what I have initially from Newegg. How is it looking?

Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz CPU ................................ $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103808

Asus M4A78T-E ATX Motherboard ............................................. $115 ($20 Mail-in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131366

Kingston HyperX 2GB DDR3 1600 Memory (2 kits for 4GB total) ... ... $114
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104136

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W Power Supply ......... ........$60 ($20 Mail-in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP Case .......................................... $60 ($10 Mail-in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137


GRAND TOTAL ................................. ...................................$509 ($459 after rebates)



1. What YOUR PC will be used for. 1. Multimedia (photo, video viewing & transcoding. 2. Multimedia server to show photos, video, etc.. to other connected devices in my house. 3. General gaming

2. What YOUR budget is. $400 - $500

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

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. No preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Monitor (Dell 24" 2408), Keyboard, Mouse, Optical Drive & Hard Drives (I have two 2TB WD Green WD20EADS recently purchased, unused still).

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

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Overclocking does appeal to me

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. Not a primary concern.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? Next 2 weeks

 

[mfenn]

Do you need an OS? I'm assuming that you're fine with the IGP?

The CPU looks good, though I would go with an 800 series chipset at this point. This 880G board is MicroATX, but it'll work fine in an ATX case.

You can get a much better deal on the RAM. Here's some G.Skill that is quite a bit cheaper but is still DDR3 1600 so that you have room to play around with the dividers when overclocking.

I'm not too big on OCZ PSU's, and 500W is crazy overkill for a system with an IGP. This Corsair is cheaper AR, better build quality, and still plenty big enough for adding a discrete GPU in the future. It isn't modular, but that's not a big concern in an ATX case to me.

Also, you may want to look into getting a faster HDD like a Samsung F3 that's currently on special for $60 to use as your primary drive. Those Greens are slow as molasses when it comes to random access (i.e. what the OS is going to be doing most of the time).

 

[darkewaffle]

I would be tempted to call a Phenom II overkill for the tasks you have set. I think an Athlon II X4 would be more than capable for your tasks and save you some cash, be a bit cooler and eat less power too.

For 4 GB of RAM I think if you pick up a Ripjaws or Corsair kit you can usually get it for closer to $90-100 AR at least.

I was debating between the OCZ and Corsair PSU mfenn recommended for my HTPC, a similar build really, but ended up going with the OCZ solely for modular cabling in my smaller case. The Corsair is certainly the better unit, but OCZ's PSUs still are generally good. Just not 'great'.

Also, don't forget an operating system.

 

[ral8088]

I tweaked my build based upon advice. Main difference is I downgraded the CPU. What I had was probabily overkill.

Here is my new config.
AMD Athlon II X4 635 CPU $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103702

ASUS M4A785TD-V Mobo $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131398

G Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333 Memory 4GB $92
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231275

Rosewill Challenger Case $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147153

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Power Supply $60 ($40 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for System Builds $100

Total now is $515 with S&H

What do you guys think?

Thanks

 

[Davidh373]

AMD Athlon II X4 635 CPU $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103702

I would get the standard Phenom II X4 @ 3.0Ghz

ASUS M4A785TD-V Mobo $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131398

ASUS M4A785TD-V Mobo $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131398

Get a 870 for $10 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-198-_-Product

G Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333 Memory 4GB $92
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231275

Get This ram for $10 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-092-_-Product

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Power Supply $60 ($40 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

If that is $60 you might as well get this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-061-_-Product

 

[mfenn]

Get a 870 for $10 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-198-_-Product

If I'm not mistaken, the OP needs an IGP.

 

[Davidh373]

If I'm not mistaken, the OP needs an IGP.

oh... bummer...

May I ask why?

 

[betasub]

So he doesn't have to fit a graphics card into his limited budget at this point?

--
And enough with the "future proof" rubbish already.