Cheap Gaming Computer Build?

[Vrman]

Hello
I am looking to build my first Gaming PC (Budget around $700) and was looking around for the best parts and information and stumbled on this site, and in particular this article

Cheap Gaming Computer Build, September 2009 | How to Build a Gaming Computer

It says that a decent Gaming Computer for <$650 is possible
I wanted some opinions on whether this is possible since I was thinking about using this build
Here is a list of the parts:
Processor - AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard - ASRock M3A785GMH/128M Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM - A-DATA G Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory
Video Card - POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 4870 AX4870 1GBD5 Video Card
Storage - Seagate SV35.3 1TB Internal Hard Drive
Optical Drives - LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner and the LITE-ON 4X Blu-ray Reader
Computer Case - Broadway Com Corp 939PL-BLACK Computer Case
Total Estimated Price: $627.93

Is this a good build? Isn't it missing a few parts (Sound Card, SD card reader) ?

Also I wanted to See what needs to change in the build if I instead used a quad processor like
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX (ONLY ABOUT $80 MORE THAN THE DUO)

Sorry for the long post but since this is my first PC Build I have a lot of questions
Thanks for Reading the Whole Question

Vrman

 

[aliasaid]

You don't need to follow that guide to the letter. Go to newegg.com and pick out the parts that you like (with price in mind). You can get a lower-clocked quad core processor for not much more than the dual core. The 3.2ghz proc that you picked out is nice, but $80 is a lot if your whole budget is 700. Don't forget that you'll also need a power supply; the power supply provided in that guide (in the case) isn't very good. Newegg has an egg-rating system that may help you out in picking out your parts.

 

[Trotter]

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBNT - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - XFX HD-487A-YWFC Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 360 RC-360-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

$594 total, but does not have a Blu-ray.

Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model iHOS104-06 - Blu-Ray Drives

$644 w/Blu-ray.

No operating system, though, on this build or the one linked.

 

[Muffin Man]

a sound card and card reader arent necessary for a computer, those would just be extras on your part. the mobo has onboard sound already, and the card readers up to you i guess.

either way, i would go with Trotters build instead. one thing though, if you really dont need a blu-ray drive, i would drop it and either save the money, or put that money towards something else.

 

[Vrman]

Thanks a lot for the informative replies guys
I really liked trotter's build but i am reluctant to get an ATHLON Processor, especially as i want to eventually upgrade this build. That is why I am looking at that Phenom II quad processor.

Can I substitute the Athlon for the Phenom and still have a compatible/efficient build? will trotter's motherboard also work for the Phenom?

 

[dirkpitt45]

The Althon x4 is a quad core for $99... A phenom II can only get you a dual core for $102. It'd be much better I think to have a quad then a dual, even if it is clocked slightly lower. The original phenoms aren't all that good, so If you have room to spend a bit more I'd recommend this one 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
The phenom II 940; super fast, runs everything like a charm. Never had anything slow down on me with it. Also overclocks pretty nice if you want to do that, have mine at 3.6ghz relatively stable >.<.

Edit: Also the althon and phenom's both fit into the same socket, so they don't effect upgrading. Look for a am2, am2+, am3 board since am3 is AMD's newest socket type.

 

[Trotter]

AMD decided to re-use the Athlon name for the mid-range Phenom line. The Athon II X4 620 is basically a 2.6MHz Phenom II X4 without the L3 cache.