Newbie tries to build gaming rig...

[NightSurge]

It is a large fan, and just barely fit in my case:

As far as a quad-core, it really only helps as far as longevity is concerned and as a future proofing measure. Games and applications will be utilizing more cores as time goes on. That's the only real reason I'd go to a 940 or 920 over the 720. Also, the 720 is just a quad core cpu with one core disabled because of issues during manufacturing.

$80 more on a GPU wouldn't really get you much better. The HD4890's are not significantly better than the HD 4870 ($60 more), and that's about the next and only higher GPU within the $80 range.

 

[mliraved]

Thanks a lot for all the help. This is tentatively what the build will be:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB Quad-Core Black ($225)
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Processors - Desktops

Mobo: BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX ($104.99)
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Mobo fan: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler ($39.99)
Newegg.com - Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2 - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

RAM: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM ($49.99)
Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

GPU: Radeon HD 4870 1GB ($189.99)
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

HD: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 32MB Cache SATA ($89.99)
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

OD: LG Black DVD-RW/CD-RW ($24.99)
Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V ($119.99)
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

Case: Antec 300 ($59.95)
Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

OS: Microsoft Vista Home Premium, 64 bit ($99.99)
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - Operating Systems

For a total of $1004.87.

If anyone with an Antec 300 can weigh in on whether or not the fan will fit in, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Evolv]

Build looks good, don't know about the Sunbeam CCF fitting though.

There is a combo deal with your ram and motherboard:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

That takes $10 off

 

[dario03]

That computer I built for a friend had no problem fitting the Core Contact in his Antec 300. He had a Intel setup but I don't see that making much of a difference.

 

[mliraved]

Thanks for the replies. I confirmed the Core Contact should fit fine.

Sunbeam Core Contact Cooler and Antec 300 - Overclockers UK Forums

Just gotta order the parts once I've got the money.

 

[mliraved]

Hey guys, I think I'm going to opt for the 720 over the 940. I just ran into this deal on Newegg, essentially giving me a 720 for just $125. That's $100 bucks less than the Deneb 940, and I like the fact that the 720 I'm buying is AM3 and would allow me to just upgrade the mobo if I decide to change over to DDR3 in the future. I also read that my mobo would allow me to unlock the hidden fourth core on the 720.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!