$500 gaming desktop. Please give advice on my first time!

[edukejp2010]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I have combined your advice with advice from different sources, and have come up with a system that is ATX as well as with a PSU that actually puts out what it claims to put out.

Here is the config, please comment:

CPU+Mobo combo:
AMD Athlon II X4 635 2.9GHz Boxed Processor
MSI 785G-E53 AM3 785G ATX Motherboard
$139.62 - $20MIR = 119.62 in store pickup

Optical:
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B
$18.99

HDD:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99

GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card14-102-873
$144.99

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
$80.99

Case+Psu combo
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.94

Newegg Total: $410.63
Newegg MIR: $25
Microcenter total: $139.62
Microcenter MIR $20
Total before MIR: 550.25
Total MIR: $45
Total: $505.25

 

[iPROTechman]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I have combined your advice with advice from different sources, and have come up with a system that is ATX as well as with a PSU that actually puts out what it claims to put out.

Here is the config, please comment:

CPU+Mobo combo:
AMD Athlon II X4 635 2.9GHz Boxed Processor
MSI 785G-E53 AM3 785G ATX Motherboard
$139.62 - $20MIR = 119.62 in store pickup

Optical:
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B
$18.99

HDD:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99

GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card14-102-873
$144.99

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
$80.99

Case+Psu combo
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.94

Newegg Total: $410.63
Newegg MIR: $25
Microcenter total: $139.62
Microcenter MIR $20
Total before MIR: 550.25
Total MIR: $45
Total: $505.25

Very good choice.

That PC will be able to handle some serious multitasking Whilst being able to play all of the latest games, some not on maximum settings but that's a very good card and when you get the money you can add another if that board is crossfire enabled. See if you can get 1600mhz ram though instead of 1333 for the same price.

But definetly buy that !

 

[SCHawks73]

Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P2000LV4GK
<--- DDR3 @ 2000mhz for $79.99 after mail-in-rebate

-Thal

See if you can get 1600mhz ram though instead of 1333 for the same price.

It looks like not only can you get RAM cheaper (77.99 now) but it is 2x2GB of 2000mhz instead of the 1333...

I am looking at a budget computer too and with all the praise coming from this one... ill keep an eye on how well you like it, if its sucessful... I might be getting one myself

Good Luck!!

 

[edukejp2010]

I made a few changes. I will be buying the following system (times two) if there are no further cautions. Please comment!

Microcenter:

CPU+Mobo combo: http://www.microcenter.com/specials...aign=E0883 eNews 20100803&utm_source=ACT_BYO&
AMD Athlon II X4 635 2.9GHz Boxed Processor
MSI 785GM-P45 AM3 785G mATX Motherboard

HDD: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340804
Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive – OEM

(also, Link-Depot US - 3 Prong Computer Power Cord OPEN BOX http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0264495 )

Microcenter total: $180.71 (in store pickup)
Microcenter MIR: $20


Newegg:

Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B
$18.99

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card14-102-873
$144.99

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
$80.99

Case+Psu combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.458433
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.94

Newegg Total: $353.71
Newegg MIR: $25


Total before MIR: 534.42
Total MIR: $45
Total after MIR: $489.42

 

[SCHawks73]

Just curious (I know next to nothing about computer hardware), why would you pick the same RAM after 2 people mentioned getting not only better ram (1600 and 2000 compared to your 1333) but cheaper... is the one I mentioned not compatable with what you are doing or something?

 

[Fat.Clown]

also note, MIR's usually limits to ONE per house hold, so unless you can use your friend/family's house to receive the rebates. you won't be eligible for mir for the 2nd machine.

why not combo gpu and ram also?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.443048

 

[edukejp2010]

Just curious (I know next to nothing about computer hardware), why would you pick the same RAM after 2 people mentioned getting not only better ram (1600 and 2000 compared to your 1333) but cheaper... is the one I mentioned not compatable with what you are doing or something?

I have been warned to stay away from all OCZ products, especially their RAM.

also note, MIR's usually limits to ONE per house hold, so unless you can use your friend/family's house to receive the rebates. you won't be eligible for mir for the 2nd machine.

why not combo gpu and ram also?
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

The other person will be buying the same thing I do and have it shipped to their house. As for the combo, it is OCZ memory (See above).

I am happy to announce I bought all the following today:

Microcenter:

CPU+Mobo combo: Micro Center AMD Processor Bundle Savings
AMD Athlon II X4 635 2.9GHz Boxed Processor
MSI 785GM-P45 AM3 785G mATX Motherboard

HDD: Micro Center - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM 751230
Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive – OEM

(also, Link-Depot US - 3 Prong Computer Power Cord OPEN BOX Micro Center - Link-Depot US - 3 Prong Computer Power Cord POW-6 )

Microcenter total: $180.71 (in store pickup)
Microcenter MIR: $20


Newegg:

Optical: Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B
$18.99

GPU: Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card14-102-873
$144.99

RAM: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
$80.99

Case+Psu combo: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.94

Newegg Total: $360.71
Newegg MIR: $15


Total before MIR: 541.42
Total MIR: $35
Total after MIR: $506.42

 

[Fat.Clown]

congrats on your new beast of a machine

don't forget to post pictures once you get everything in the mail, and pictures of the build.
we love pictures on this forum.

by the way, what was I suppose to look for?

it is OCZ memory (See above).

OCZ is totally fine IMO

 

[Yami]

The OCZ Gold series is at least as good as the Corsair RAM I have (my friend and I have same mobo+CPU, he has OCZ Gold and they can be blocked much higher without voltage change). Their PSUs are decent too.

 

[edukejp2010]

congrats on your new beast of a machine

don't forget to post pictures once you get everything in the mail, and pictures of the build.
we love pictures on this forum.

Everything has arrived, and I put it together much quicker than I thought it would. So far it works great!

It plays Starcraft 2 at 1600x900 with all settings on ultra at about 45 FPS.

Here are some pics (best camera I had around was my iPhone, sorry)!

Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3

Can anyone recommend any benchmarking, diagnostic, or system info programs to make sure everything is working correctly? Also, are there any "must have" tweaks?

Thanks again to everyone! My friend who bought the exact same build is putting hers together now.