Another new build thread (yay! \o/)

[Quixoticism]

It feels like day after day this old junker Athlon 64 just keeps getting slower and slower, and it's about time I'm due for a replacement.
I've put together two lists here, one with an AMD processor, and one with an Intel.
So without further ado, here they are:
AMD build

Spoiler

No DVD drive as that's the one thing I will be moving over from the old build.
Intel

I tried to pick the cheapest parts that I could find that had good review but would also be able to last a while.
I feel pretty good about the choices of hardware as far as how much RAM and hard drive space I'll need. I wouldn't mind any input on any part of the builds though so feel free to share your thoughts.

I like the AMD one because it has more cores and is slightly cheaper, but I've still not decided on which yet.
I will be buying the parts in about 2-4 weeks so I am not rushed at all with this.

The games that I'm mostly interested in playing are StarCraft 2, Mass Effect 2, HoN, TF2, Portal2 and a few others that this should be able to handle nicely.
I don't plan on having this be my main for a long time, as I would like build a nice rig within a years time(Core i5/7&ATI 5850 or better) and this is just to get me through that time as things are starting to become unplayable.

Thank you helplife2.net
<3 you guys

 

[Asus]

I'd go with the AMD setup that you listed as it will give you similar performance in games, better in situations that need more than dual core at a lower price. If you were aiming for a current high end GPU and CPU then I would say intel.

You could drop to a X2 250 if you wanted to save a little bit of cash if you don't do video encoding, a lot of multitasking or whatever would need 3 cores. Would power the 4850 just fine.
Also, an alternative to the 4850 would be a 5750. Same or better performance but has DX11 for about $0-30 more depending on brand/model.

Going to this board would save $10. The location of the PCI-Express slots are a little different. Don't know if you have any other cards using PCI or 1x PCI-Express. Same Asus brand, just different chipset. Supports same memory and CPUs.

I would switch up the PSU. The Cooler Master PSUs are so-so. That particular unit just has 18amps on each +12v rail (2 total, can't add up 18+18 to get max available). One rail is probably linked to the CPU while the other is for everything else. Could get a unit with a single +12v rail like 30amps and you wouldn't have issues with it being 'split'.
This corsair model has 30a on a single +12v rail.
Review of that model.
Depending on the load, the Cooler Master may not hold up.

Edit:
I'm not sure exactly what your plan is for a future system and if you plan on reusing RAM etc. But I would either buy 2x 2GB of DD3 now OR check up on a DDR2 motherboard/ DDR2 1066 RAM and see if how much it would save you.
Performance is not that big between DDR3 1333 and DDR2 1066 even with the new AMD phenom 2 CPUs. Athlon 2's here.
Going with 2x 1GB of DDR3 in hopes to save that for a new build might not be good because you probably will want 2x 2gb later and adding 2 sticks to that to get 4x 1gb would not be that great.
Mobo + 2gb ddr2 Ram OR
4gb DDR3
This is just to get ya thinking I guess. The build you have is good except I probably would switch out the PSU.

 

[Tacoeaterguy]

Are you planning on buying an operating system? I didn't see it listed in your shopping cart, but heres Windows 7 for system builders. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

 

[Quixoticism]

Well initially I was planning on just sticking with Windows XP since I have spare keys of that, and for all intents and purposes, the 2GB of Ram in that situation should be sufficient.

I was thinking about it today though, and I'm seriously considering making the switch to Windows 7. So I'll probably get 4GB of Ram. I haven't yet looked at other power supplies but it's next on my list.
I will keep this computer together for a long time. I will do another completely new build and then keep this one for a server and/or for buddies to use to play games with me and stuff.

I didn't include any OS because they are all at a fixed price and I was mainly focusing on the hardware for this build.

Edit: I want the motherboard to have the PCI-Express x1 either over or two spaces under the x16 slot as I want get a soundcard for that slot. Either the X-Fi Titanium or the Xonar DX2, I still haven't decided that one.

 

[Asus]

Well if you are going to keep this system intact I might just keep the 2gb even with Win7. Put the money into the GPU.
I mean, you are going to have to buy RAM for your new system if this ram is staying in the PC.

 

[Quixoticism]

I've been slowly buying hardware over the past few weeks as things go on sale, which is cutting the overall price nicely.
So far I've gotten the Case, PSU, and HD.

I have been looking into Mobo/Cpu combos to see if I can do any better with those.
I'm still want to get the A2 X3 435 and I'm currently looking at these options:
MSI 760GM-E51 I really like this board. My first build ever was with an MSI and I didn't like it all that much though so I have mixed feelings about going with this one right now.
For this week there is a $10 promo code savings on top of the MIR.

ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO w/CPU combo This one would cost the same as my original picks but the Mobo looks like it's a bit nicer.

ASUS M4A78LT-M Original mobo I was looking at.

I've also decided to go with the 5750 as it performs better than the 4850, has more RAM, and is more future proof.
This XFX 5750.

I want to buy the rest of the parts together, unless there's another good deal for one of the parts really soon and/or if I decide to go with the MSI board.
I'm going to place the final order two weeks from today(Fri29th)

I wouldn't mind some extra input on the new hardware selections.
Thanks as always!

 

[Quixoticism]

Okay, I'm getting really close to sealing this deal and I just have a couple more questions.
First, the PSU slot for the case has about half an inch of clearance from the bottom. Will that provide enough airflow for the power supply if I have the fan facing down.
I'd post a picture but I can't get it off my phone right now.

I've decided to get the MSI board and also move up to 4GB of RAM.
I like these Ripjaws here because of the low latency timings, but it says that they use 1.65v and while reading the manual for the MSI board I saw that it had 1.5v listed for the RAM.
Does that mean I won't be able to use that RAM with the mobo because of the higher power demands?
Would I be better off with this pair?