Maximum PC

I'm looking to put together an all-purpose PC (e.g., mostly video editing, with some mid- to low-end gaming) with a $500 budget to spend at NewEgg.com. I already have a spare keyboard, mouse, monitor, and DVD burner, but I need advice about the other components.

Here's what I've put together as an experimental build - please let me know if there's anything you'd recommend that I change (e.g., getting the Phenom II X2 555 for $20 less and using the motherboard to unlock the other, higher GHz cores). Also, if you know of anyplace other than NewEgg where I can reliably get good components at a good price, I'm listening.

$ 39.99 - RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB ATX Mid-tower case
$ 64.99 - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB SATA hard drive
$ 49.99 - BIOSTAR A770E3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
$ 59.99 - SAPPHIRE 100293L Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 ($10 MIR)
$ 39.99 - APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply ($20 MIR)
$ 54.99 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH
$119.99 - AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX945WFGMBOX (+ $10 Newegg gift card)
$ 99.99 - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
(+ $20 shipping)
= $500 (after rebates/gift cards)

I voted for a slightly beefier GPU (something like a 5770), if you can swing it. I'm a firm believer in balancing the CPU and GPU when gaming is involved, and I think the 5570 might be a little underpowered to pair with the Phenom II 945. I don't think I'd try to save $$ by getting a lesser CPU though, since you mentioned video-editing as a priority.

I'm also a fan of high-efficiency power supplies (preferably with Active PFC) as an insurance policy to protect your hardware. But on a budget, something always has to give.

The specs you came up with are a notch or two better than my HTPC, and I've had no complaints with mine. Sounds like a great machine!

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-500-PCAR-A3-US 500W ATX12V v2.3 Power Supply 44.99; 34.99 after MIR
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 39.99; 5.00 shipping
BIOSTAR TA880GU3+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard 74.99, FS

Looks good. I would definitely go with the CM Extreme Power 500W PSU that Cheetah recommends.
I have that PSU & it is a great value.

Klienk blue me out of the water on that PSU.

I would get this case.....better & only $5 more....free shiping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

There are a number of Corsair PSUs in the $60-$70 range. Better than the Cooler Master eXtreme's IMO. Also not crazy about Biostar (ASRock has always made better budget boards) or Sapphire products (XFX Radeons are the only way to go).

It's tough building a decent machine in that price range starting from scratch. You might want to wait and save up another $200 or so and go with a better motherboard, PSU, video card and more memory. At the very least go with similarly-priced components from better brands (a 430W Corsair PSU is going to be better than a 500w Apevia for example).

As for the best deals, I usually start with Newegg as a baseline price reference. If there's a rebate, sale, and/or free shipping they are usually unbeatable. But you can often find better deals when they're offering up their normal prices. I use things like Invisible Hand and PriceBlink to see if someone else has a better deal. Google Shopper can also sometimes be useful.

reuse your old case, upgrade to nvidia graphics, and double the ram. you'll be over $500, so halve the ram again.

The power supply is definetly something that should be changed.

Something like a CX430, or Neo Eco 400c would be a good option

Yeah, no kidding.

I just bought a modular Antec PSU a couple weeks ago. Wish I had seen that one at the time.

I recommended that Biostar board just because, for under $100, he'll have SATA 3 and USB 3.0. Of course there are some decent MSI and ASUS boards for ~$70 without those.

This is the case I used for my own budget build a couple months ago...it's nothing fancy, but it comes with a power supply (which I've since replaced; not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I found a good deal on a modular PS with slightly more power) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product I don't think I spent more than $400 on my own build, but that's not including monitor, keyboard, mouse or OS, or the videocard that's next on my list.

Newegg usually has some pretty good sales on memory. I like G.Skill so far myself, and a while back they had 8 gigs of Sniper RAM for 69.99, and they also happened to be offering a discount code. They're offering 8 gigs of Corsair (1600MHz, IIRC) RAM right now for their Memorial Day sale for $74.99.

Four things need work:

a). I'd try to find a better case on sale, maybe another site. For about the same money, try this COOLER MASTER Elite or AZZA Orion 202 EVO. Both more reputable manufactures and better looking IMHO, and with side windows.

b). That Biostar motherboard could use some work. Now, since I don't know what exactly you want, spend $70 (VS $50) and you'll be a lot happier (definitely in quality). Biostar is the Kia/smart car of motherboards: as low end as it gets (no offense to any owners out there). Asus?

c). Third, I think my laptop is more powerful than that 5570. Get this XFX 5770 $75 GPU and then will you see a (big) performance boost over integrated.

d). Finally, get a more reputable PSU. I personally just bought this 700 watt OCZ ModXstream Pro for $50, since the 600 watt is now also $50. Even though the cables are a little short, for my bottom mounted PSU, this is a morepowerful, quiet, STABLE psu, with room for a second GPU if you choose down the line.

EVEN IF YOU ONLY UPGRADE THE NECESSARY PSU AND GPU, THAT'S ONLY $25 DOLLARS THAT WILL BE WELL SPENT.

The GPU is $75 and the PSU is $50 only if they (the company) honor the rebates. I wouldn't count 100% on that money, and therefore that price.