Computer build assistance

K sorry for not posting in awhile but I have basically tried to look for all the similar parts in Tigerdirect (No tax/shipping), sorry for saying Newegg before and wasting some of your guys time >>.
Heres what I got so far.
Mobo:Biostar A785GE Motherboard - AMD 785G, Socket AM2+, MicroATX, PCIe, USB 2.0 - $69.99

Processor: A79-1550 ::AMD HDX550WFGMBOX Phenom II X2 550 Dual Core Processor - 3.10GHz, Socket AM3, 6MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s), Retail CPU w/ Fan(0.2 lbs) -$94.99

Memory:K25-4026 ::Kingston 2048MB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz Memory(0.2 lbs) x2 ($59.99 each) -Total: $119.98

Video card:P450-4772 ::XFX HD477AYDFC Radeon HD 4770 Video Card - 512MB DDR5, PCI Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, Dual DVI, HDTV, HDMI Support(1.8 lbs) -$104.99

Monitor: Not part of my $600 budget so no worries here.

Storage Drive: Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM -$49.99

Optical Drive: L12-1340 OEM ::Lite-On IHDP118-04 Internal DVD Drive - DVD-ROM 18x, CD-ROM 48x, IDE (OEM)(1.6 lbs) -$18.99

Power Supply: A107-1117 ::Apevia Java 500-Watt Power Supply - SATA-Ready, 120mm Fan (Black)(3.65 lbs) -$39.99

Case: G452-8010 ::Gigabyte X2 ATX Mid Tower Case - BPD, No PSU, MicroATX, 2 x USB 2.0, 7x 3.5 Drive Bays, 4x 5.25 Drive Bays(14.65 lbs) -$39.99

Input devices: No worries here as of now either.

Final Total: $538.91 with $63 Dollars of rebate available.

Buying from Tigerdirect saves me a lot of money compared to Newegg. Everything looks alright to me ( which doesn't mean much) and I want to buy the parts by end of Sunday latest. Just wanted to get some advice before my purchase any changes I should do or make before I purchase. Anyways Thanks in advance and sorry bout before.

Love the cpu.

I would definitely add some more $ and get a reliable power supply with an excellent reputation.

For information purposes this model is made by one of the top psu makers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074

I checked out Tiger Direct's psu offerings in 500 watt models and they leave something to be desired. The Enermax and Silverstone Strider are the only two I would consider.

I would use the corsair 400w. That ram is really expensive, but I guess its sort of outdated if you can't find anything cheaper.

Well the ram has a rebate of $20 each that's why I considered them. I'll look into the PSU and perhaps other ram. But I'm assumin everything else seems good then .

HK's suggestion (HK always has solid advice) of Corsair is an excellent choice because Corsair power supplies are of high quality though I personally would want a little more power but that is my perogative.

As for rebates, don't base your final cost on them because rebates are often a major FAIL.

Take a look at these offerings for DDR2 667 and they are without rebates and very little cost for shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...052308477 1052408745&name=DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) and they are less than what you'll pay even after the rebate.

G.Skill, Crucial, Corsair and Kingston are all Tier 1 memory makers.

Its much better to use 2x2 set instead of 4x1 though. Oh, and your motherboard only has two RAM slots so...yeah thats a problem, just noticed.

Do you think 400W won't be enough? If not what about this for alternative Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450-Watt ATX 120mm Fan SATA-Ready Power Supply, 80Plus

And should I buy 2x of 2GB ram or 4x 1GB or doesn't it really not matter?

Edit: Posted right after you posted @_@. Perhaps I should look for alternative Motherboard?

Sorry, I edited it in at the last second, but again, your motherboard doesn't even have four slots. Yes 2x2 is generally better than 4x1, though it likely wouldn't matter at this level, aside form the two slots.
Corsair 400w will be absolutely fine up to a 5770, but if you really want (thought it doesn't really give you extra upgrade room...5850 may want more power that a corsair 450w) you could buy one anyway. Keep in mind that powersupplies run most efficiently at higher usage percentages.

Yea I don't I intend to go to 5850 anytime soon so I guess 400W would be enough for my purposes. And I'll look around for some 2x2 RAM.

Edit: Didn't want to double post so here's what I found for RAM C19-4400 ::Crucial Ballistix 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz (2 x 2048MB)(0.1 lbs) in place for the Kingston x2.

My bad, evilsmith, I didn't realize you were wanting to run with 4 gigs; I read it wrong. Sorry. :blush:

Agree that 2x2 is a better configuration than 4x1 (though as has been pointed out your motherboard only has two slots). The board from what I have read is a decent micro offering and does well with various AMD cpus.

* Crucial makes great RAM but do your homework online because their Ballistix line had serious failure rates in both their DDR1 and DDR2 offerings. I speak from personal experience.

Corsair XMS2 4GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory Upgrade - 2x2048MB How about Corsair one instead and thanks for the heads up.

From what i've heard the corsair XMS2 is great.

Is what I got so far and I'm pleased with everything so I'll buy it tomorrow night. Thanks again for everyone who provided advice.

Looks good and look forward to reading how your build came out.

Just my opinion, but I feel you should go in with an AM3 / DDR3 system instead of DDR2. Take a look at the motherboard and memory I suggested earlier. Else it becomes an awful lot to pay for DDR2 memory.

Also, in case you intend to stick with that Biostar mobo, ensure that the Phenom II 550 is supported on it without a BIOS update.

I bought the Phenom II X2 a few weeks ago and my motherboard managed to unlock a third core, but Windows wouldn't start with 4 cores. The only downside is that no temperature monitor is now able to measure my core temps. But it runs great, and I'm able to run several apps while watching 1080p mkv files.

My big suggestion when it comes to buying is think ahead as to how long you're planning on keeping this computer for, and the upgradability potential of the hardware. I'd go with a AM3 motherboard because when those really cool six core chips become second tier in three or four years, you can get one cheap and pop it in.

This isn't a bad setup, but when you're going to want to upgrade, you're going to have to buy an all new computer. Unless you'd want to keep this as a secondary PC and build a new one from scratch. But if you're the type of person who just needs one PC, I'd plan ahead for the future, and have the ability to upgrade your computer later.

How about this for
Mobo: A455-2881 ::ASUS M4A785-M Motherboard - AMD 785G Socket, AM3, MicroATX, HDMI, USB 2.0, PCIe(2.4 lbs)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9AG 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM - - PC10666, 1333MHz, 4096MB (2x 2048MB), 240 Pin, Dual-Channel instead.
How about these instead? Wouldn't mind help finding another ones tho if these don't work .

That ASUS board will handle your cpu but it runs DDR2 memory and you picked out DDR3 memory which will not work.

* This is from Newegg and for a few dollars more you can get a nice AM3 microATX motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Micro_AM3_motherboards-_-13-128-432-_-Product

Is the reason you are avoiding Newegg due to the fact you live in California and have to pay tax? I understand if you do because I live in New Jersey and because Newegg has a warehouse instate I haveto pay tax as well.

For $10 more, the Gigabyte motherboard I mentioned earlier would be a much better choice.

Oops! Didn't see that earlier Rit. Seems we're thinking along the same lines.