Critique my new computer build

[jabarto]

I'm just going to copy my post from another board here:


It's about time for me to build a new computer, as my old one is starting to break down. Before I go through with it, though, I'd like to get a few opinions on my build (the machine will be for gaming - Civilization V, etc. - and I want to keep things under $750):

Motherboard - MSI 880GM-E43 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130293)
CPU - AMD Athlon II X4 640 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871)
Graphics Card - Radeon HD 6850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908)
Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004)
RAM - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251)
Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533)
Case - Antec Mini P180 White Steel MicroATX Mini Tower (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129044)
DVD Burner - SAMSUNG Black 22X (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192)

For an OS I'm getting the Windows 7 Student edition in the OP, and I'll be using ESET NOD32 for my antivirus.

Thoughts?

[Furunculus]

seems pretty well balanced but if you hav't pulled the trigger i would propose the following.

1. gigabyte ultra-durable boards are teh bomb:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-880gma-ud2h-amd-880g-s-am3-pci-e-20%28x16%29-ddr3-1866%28oc%29-sata-6gb-s-sata-raid-matx

2. for a gaming rig i'd save £20 (£77 down to £58) by buying a triple-core at 3.2GHz:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd-athlon-ii-x3-450-rana-triple-core-s-am3-32ghz-15mb-cache-ht-4000mhz-95w-retail

3. and spend it here by upgrading the 6850 to a 6870:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-gigabyte-hd-6870-4200mhz-gddr5-gpu-900mhz-1120-stream-processors-dldvi-i-dvi-d-hdmi-minidp

[naut]

I'm in agreement with Furunc. The 6870 is a must over the 6850. And Gigabyte boards are awesome.

[pevergreen]

seems pretty well balanced but if you hav't pulled the trigger i would propose the following.

1. gigabyte ultra-durable boards are teh bomb:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-880gma-ud2h-amd-880g-s-am3-pci-e-20%28x16%29-ddr3-1866%28oc%29-sata-6gb-s-sata-raid-matx

2. for a gaming rig i'd save £20 (£77 down to £58) by buying a triple-core at 3.2GHz:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd-athlon-ii-x3-450-rana-triple-core-s-am3-32ghz-15mb-cache-ht-4000mhz-95w-retail

3. and spend it here by upgrading the 6850 to a 6870:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-gigabyte-hd-6870-4200mhz-gddr5-gpu-900mhz-1120-stream-processors-dldvi-i-dvi-d-hdmi-minidp

Do this.

[jabarto]

Yes, you guys make a pretty good case for the 6870. I'm very leery of Gigabyte after my last experience with their products but dumping the quad-core for a triple-core and getting a better GPU is probably a good idea.

Thanks for the imput.

[Furunculus]

my pleasure.

[LeftEyeNine]

*Every thread that satisfies another member generating 4$ hrlmmm*

Oh no, no. Nevermind. Yer welcome. :bow: