New PC build?

[XI_xtasy_ix]

Ok i got a really horrible family pc and have been wanting to make my own. This isnt a final build its just a start and im trying to keep it under $650. I just wanna know what everyone thinks and if everything is compatable and if there is something i should take out and replace. Im new at the computer building so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Processor - Phenom II X4 Quad-Core Processor 955
Technologies AMD64, Enhanced Virus Protection, Cool'n'Quiet, Unlocked Multiplier
Processor Phenom II X4 955
Operating Frequency 3.2GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core
Level 1 Cache 128KB
Level 2 Cache 512KB (per core)
Level 3 Cache 6MB
CPU Voltage 0.875V - 1.5V
Thermal Power 125W
Processor Architecture 45nm SOI
Processor Data Width 32-Bit/64-Bit
Socket Type Socket AM3
HyperTransport 2000MHz (4000MT/s)
HyperTransport I/O Bandwidth Up to 16GB/s
Included Accessories AMD® Designed Thermal Solution (Fan, Heatsink, Clip Assembly)
Manufacturer Warranty 3 Year Limited Warranty


Motherboard - GeForce® 8200 Socket AM2+/AM3 mATX Motherboard
Form Factor mATX
North Bridge Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 8200
Socket Type AM2+/AM3 (Socket 940)
Compatible Processors AMD Phenom, Phemom II, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2 up to 95W
Front Side Bus Up to 5200 MT/s (HyperTransport 3.0)
Memory Channel Supported Dual Channel
Memory Speeds Supported DDR2-1066, DDR2-800, DDR2-667
Maximum Memory Supported Upgradeable to 8GB
Memory Expansion Slots (4) 240-pin DIMM Slots
PATA Drive Controller (1) IDE Ultra ATA 133/100/66 Channel
SATA Drive Controller (6) SATA 3.0Gb/s; (1) eSATA 3.0Gb/s
Video Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Graphics Chipset
Video Memory Shared Video Memory (up to 256MB)
Audio Chipset 8-Channel High Definition Audio (HDA)
Audio Channels 7.1 Channel Audio Surround Sound
Networking 10/100/1000 Gigabit Network
PCI Express Graphics Expansion Slot (1) PCI Express 2.0 x16 Interface Slot
PCI Express Expansion Slot (1) PCI Express x1 2.0 Interface Slot
PCI Expansion Slot (2) 32-bit Bus Mastering PCI Slots
Ports and Connectors (1) PS/2 Mouse port, (1) PS/2 Keyboard port, (1) HDMI port, (1) VGA port, (1) DVI port, (1) eSATA port, (4) USB 2.0 ports, 8-Channel HD Audio ports, (1) RJ-45 Network port
Included Software Drivers & Utilities
Dimensions (WxD) 9.6" x 9.6" (244mm x 244mm)
Manufacturer Warranty 2 Year Limited Warranty


RAM - Ballistix 4GB DDR2-800
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Memory Speed DDR2-800 (PC2-6400)
Supply Voltage 2.0 Volts
CAS Latency 4
Latency 4-4-4-12
Buffered/Unbuffered Unbuffered
Error Correction Code Non-ECC
Memory Slot 240-pin DIMM
Memory Heatsink Aluminum Heat Spreader
Manufacturer Warranty Lifetime Limited Warranty


Hard Drive - Caviar SE16 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
Interface SATA 3.0Gb/s
Capacity 500GB
Cache 16MB
RPM 7,200 RPM
Average Seek Time 8.7 ms
Track-to-Track Seek Average 2.0 ms
Average Latency 4.2 ms
Data Transfer Rate Up to 300MBps
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty


Optical Drive - 22x Internal DVD-RW Drive with LightScribe
Bezel Color Black
Direct Disc Labeling LightScribe Technology
Buffer Size 2MB Buffer
Interface Serial ATA
CD-ROM Read Speed 48x CD Read Speed
CD Write Speed 48x CD Write Speed
DVD+R Double Layer Write Speed 16x DVD+R Double Layer Write Speed
DVD-R Dual Layer Write Speed 12x DVD-R Dual Layer Write Speed
DVD+ Write Speed 22x DVD+ Write Speed
DVD+ Rewrite Speed 8x DVD+ Rewrite Speed
DVD- Write Speed 22x DVD- Write Speed
DVD- Rewrite Speed 6x DVD- Rewrite Speed
DVD-ROM Read Speed 16x DVD Read Speed
CD Rewrite Speed 32x CD Rewrite Speed
Supported Media Formats DVD+R DL; DVD-R DL; DVD+RW; DVD-RW; DVD+R; DVD-R; DVD-ROM; DVD Video; CD-DA; CD-ROM; CD-R; CD-RW; CD-ROM XA; CD-I; Photo CD; Video CD; CD-Extra
Media Load Type Front Tray Loading
Drive Bay Required 5.25" Drive Bay
Included Software Drivers & Utilities, CD/DVD Mastering Software, Video Authoring/Editing Software
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty


Case - AXP100 Mid Tower ATX Gaming Case
Case Color Black
Case Material Steel
Motherboard Support ATX, mATX
Side Panel Design Transparent Window
External 5.25" Bays 4
External 3.5" Bays 2
Internal 3.5" Bays 5
Expansion Slots 7
Ports and Connectors (2) USB Ports, (1) FireWire 6-pin Port, (1) Microphone Connector, (1) Headphone Connector
Case Fans Intake Front (1) 120x120x25mm Blue LED Fan
Case Fans Exhaust Rear: (1) 120x120x25mm Fan
Power Supply Power Supply Sold Separately
Dimensions (WxDxH) 7.9" x 17.5" x 16.5"
Weight 20.0 lbs.


Thats my build so far sorry about the length. I dont have a video card yet if anyone can suggest a decent one just capable of running hd thats not too expensive.

BTW im going to do mild gaming nothing to high end, download and burn dvds and cds, music, etc.

If there is any information im missing please let me know.

 

[Fat.Clown]

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner

XION AXP 100 Gaming Series AXP100-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

MSI R4670-MD512 Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply

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

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

 

[XI_xtasy_ix]

OK nice and cheap thanks. i just have two questions.

I looked at everything and the motherboard says it supports phenom II X4 and phenom II X3 so would an athlon II X4 work? or is the only thing i should be looking at be the socket type?

And the RAM is DDR3 1600 but the motherboard only says DDR3 1666(OC)/1333/1066?

Maybe this is a dumb question but im new to this so i had to ask.

 

[Muffin Man]

get this combo instead
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
it includes the same cpu (x4 620) and model gfx card (hd 4670) that Fat.Clown listed, but this gfx card is from a better brand that offers a lifetime warranty and ends up cheaper thx to the combo discount. plus, it just looks cooler

and this psu is also a little cheaper and will work just fine
Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP500U 500W Continuous Power ATX12V Version 2.01 Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

yes, that mobo will support the athlon ii x4. if youre ever unsure, just check the mobo maker's cpu supported list for that specific mobo.
GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - CPU Support List - GA-MA770T-UD3P (rev. 1.0)

and for the ram, that means that the mobo supports OCed ram at those speeds.

 

[XI_xtasy_ix]

OK this raises two more questions. i hate to be annoying and im not second guessing anybody. i just like to know what im buying and trying to learn something at the same time.

1. the video card that Fat.Clown put up was 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 and the one muffin man put up in the combo package is 1GB 128-bit GDDR2.

Does the GDDR3 need to be used because that is the type of RAM that im using or does GDDR2 work the same?

2. What am i suppose to look for in a PSU? I looked at both of them and tried to compare but gave it up as useless because i couldnt make heads or tails of any of it.

 

[Muffin Man]

no, the memory type that a gfx card has isnt dependent on what type of ram youre using.

and i just chose that psu because its from a known good brand, it will provide enough power for the parts listed and because its a little cheaper right now (usually its like $50 or $55).

if you wanna get real in-depth about psus, you can take a look at TF's power supply guide.
http://www.techist.com/forums/f76/read-first-updated-power-supply-guide-221778/

 

[XI_xtasy_ix]

OK with the two graphic cards which is better? which would you recommend? keeping in mind that i should be getting a 22'-24' LCD HD monitor. Should i buy the package video card or buy it all seperately?

 

[aliasaid]

if fat clown's build comes in under budget, i wouldn't change it.

if you wanted to change one thing i suppose you could change the powersupply with the one muffin man suggested, or even this one: Newegg.com - BFG Tech GS-550 550W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.8 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Power Supplies

If you already have an operating system, then you could save the money and use it towards a Phenom II 955 and a better video card.

 

[Fat.Clown]

xfx use GDDR2 memory, which is slower (in this case, 50% slower)
but has more memory, more memory is usually good for higher resolution to hold more texture, the 22"-24" monitor you plan on using could benefit from more memory

MSi use GDDR3 clocked @ 1600 * 16 = 25.6 GB/s bandwidth
XFX use GDDr2 clocked @ 800 * 16 = 12.8 GB/s bandwidth

how much of a performance hit from using slower memory?
I have no idea, and I don't have cards to compare

for few bucks more (like $10 more) you can grab the 1GB GDDR3 version
MSI R4670-MD1G Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
XFX HD-467X-DDF2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

XFX offers double lifetime warranty
useful if you plan on keeping the card for a while
msi offers a free game, never played it, so don't ask me if it's good


like aliasaid, if you already have an operating system, or plan on using ubuntu
you can skip windows 7 and put that towards a phenom 2 cpu
since you didn't specify, I assumed you needed everything


I chose the rosewill PSU simply because it is 80PLUS certified
it's ATNG OEM, just average build quality, but shouldn't cause any problems

 

[XI_xtasy_ix]

Ok so the final build should look something like this if it all comes in my price range which is lower than i want it to be.

Motherboard - Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

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

RAM - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

Video Card - XFX HD-467X-DDF2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

Hard Drive - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

DVD Burner - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner

Power Supply - Newegg.com - Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply - Power Supplies

and havent picked a case yet.

can someone just double check this and make sure everything is compatable?

Please and thank you