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

[edukejp2010]

I am going to build two identical $500 gaming computers (mainly for Starcraft II). I do not need windows, monitors or keyboards/mice. I am pretty sure I want to base it off the AMD Athlon II X3 because benchmarks on games usually max out at 3 cores (especially Starcraft II). This CPU is the best value CPU with 3 cores according to several sources. All of these prices are from newegg. I hope to be buying during the next week. I'm afraid I have included some not optimal components, or low quality ones. Please look over the list and provide some feedback! Please also check for compatibility! Thank you!


Components:

Optical: LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 $17.99

Motherboard/Case combo:
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$99.94
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate

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

Video card/CPU combo:
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
AMD Athlon II X3 445 Rana 3.1GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX445WFGMBOX
$218.98
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

PSU/HDD combo:
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$99.98
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

Subtotal: $517.88
Shipping: $7.82
Grand Total: $525.70
MIR: $45.00
Total after MIR: $480.70

Thank you for your help!

[Yami]

Based off the title of thread, I came here to post 'a $500 gaming rig, ha no chance!'

But reading through your choices I'm actually a little impressed with how much you got for the budget.

Everything's compatible btw, and all good picks.

[edukejp2010]

Thank you for the kind words! It's my first time >.>

I am a little nervous about the motherboard. Will the on-board integrated GPU it has mess with the Raedon 5770? And what is up with micro ATX?

Also, someone suggested getting a different motherboard that maybe had SATA III and USB 3.0 support, for future proofing. However, I was unable to find one for a similar price as this one (not even close). Any thoughts on this?

Thank you for your help!

[mahiv87]

The integrated video shouldn't mess with the 5770. micro-atx is smaller 9.6inx9.6in, atx 12inx9.6in. If thats all you were wondering about micro-atx. I dont really know enough about the usb3 and sata3,even though i have a mobo with those options, to comment on it so i'll leave that to someone else.

[Abstract Hero]

You won't get sata 3 and usb 3 for that price range.

[iPROTechman]

Personally I'd save up an extra $200 dollars, would be worth it in the long run to get a better CPU/Board + Card.

[Thal07]

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

[edukejp2010]

Originally Posted by iPROTechman

Personally I'd save up an extra $200 dollars, would be worth it in the long run to get a better CPU/Board + Card.

I'm afraid I have waited as long as I can. My desktop is 5 years old, and my laptop is 3. Now is the time to upgrade for me, and my budget is $500ish.

Are there any better deals out there I should look at?

[edukejp2010]

Thank you for your help so far.

Some other people who are giving me advice tell me that the OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W is a terrible PSU. Can anyone comment on it? I think the setup I have will run at about 350W, and this PSU even if it is only mediocre should be more than enough.

Any comments?

[Yami]

The OCZ will be fine; OCZ PSUs aren't the best but they're decent.