Budget Build - Which GPU for this LCD?

[chkdsk is my friend]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Some gaming (shooters, flight sims), web, office.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
<$900 if possible, tax and shipping included.
3) Where do you live?
Kansas
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, GPU, MB, RAM, HD, Case, Keboard, PSU, monitor
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
DVD burner, 5.1 speakers
6) Will you be overclocking?
Possibly.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Looking at VW266H, 25.5"
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next two weeks
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Maybe firewire but not req'd.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
XP Pro


It's been about 5 years since my last build, and the HD just crapped out. I'd like to build a budget or value system, but with a larger monitor. Can someone tell me if either of these systems will run the VW266H at a good resolution? Please suggest options if you think I'm headed in the wrong direction.

Phenom II X3 BE $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Gigabyte 770 $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376

Gskill Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB) RAM 1600
+
XFX 4870 1GB $215.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500Gb SATA 3.0 $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Antec Truepower New 550W
+
Antec 300 $144.90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

=600.86

+ VW266H $269.99 = $870.85

Or

Phenom II X3 BE $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Gigabyte 770 $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376

Gskill Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB) RAM 1600 $85.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500Gb SATA 3.0 $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Antec Earthwatts EA650
+
Sapphire Radion HD 5770 1GB $214.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Antec 300 case $59.95

=600.90

+ VW266H $269.99 = $870.89

Still need keyboard and mouse. Also, will that mobo unlock the fourth core, and how is it for overclocking?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Dangman]

Well the second build won't work because the mobo is DDR2 RAM only yet you list DDR3 RAM.

I recommend going with this CPU/mobo/RAM setup instead:
$189 - AMD Phenom II X3 720 CPU + Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UDP3 AMD 770 ATX Motherboard Combo
$71 - G.Skill F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
----
$260 plus tax and shipping.

The Sapphire + Antec PSU combo is a good choice. The HD5770 is a bit slower than the HD4870 1GB but it does offer lower power usage, Eyefinity, DX11 and ATI Stream. So those features are worth the drop in performance for some.

For 1920x1200 gaming, the HD5770 and the HD4870 1GB are the lowest cards I'd recommend for that resolution.

The Gigabyte 770 mobos are decent enough overclockers.

 

[engiNURD]

I agree with Danny. If you can, go for the HD5870 or HD5850. If OC'ing, pickup the CM Hyper 212+. And switch to 7.

 

[chkdsk is my friend]

Danny_Bui,

Thank you for looking at that mobo/ram, I didn't realize that I had mismatched the ram. For the one you recommend, I notice you chose 1333 ram over 1600. Why is that? I guess I assumed the 1600 (1666?) would OC better. Also, the "lowest" comment has me thinking I should go for a stronger build.

enginurd,

Thank you as well, sounds like I need to do more research. I may be able to swing the 5850 if it makes that much of a difference. Do you think this CPU is a good match, considering I'll most likely OC it?

Also wondering why the aftermarket cooler? I thought the X3 BE OC'd well with the stock cooler?

Thanks for the comments, if you think I should go a different direction please chime in!

 

[Dangman]

Well I went with DDR3 1333 because it was cheap. Feel free to go with 1600 if you can find it for cheap.

There is a big enough difference at that res to justify the HD 5850. The CPU is a good enough match. The 3rd party HSF is recommended for lower temps and easier overclocking.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device

 

[chkdsk is my friend]

How about timing on the Ram? The Ripjaws that I linked to are 9-9-9-24. Is that suitable for overclocking?

 

[Dangman]

Don't worry about the timings. You will not notice a difference between a 9-9-9-24 and 6-6-6-18 in real world apps and games
Posted via [H] Mobile Device

 

[chkdsk is my friend]

Very good. Thanks!