[Lookin4SVX]

So now it was time to begin building my new box.

PARTS:

I used my old case, I own 2 of these and I like them. They are cheap and big. I highly recommend them.
HEC 6C28BB8S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Before a complete overhaul, the entire case is disassembled and cleaned.



Now it needs some guts:

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A88TD-M AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s AMD Motherboard = $90
I chose this motherboard because it has all of the features I wanted on a MicroATX board.
The only thing it doesn't have is usb 3.0, which I chose to not to waste the $20 price difference on this time.
Asus layout is very well thought through, unlike a lot of other micro boards.
Other manufactures seem to love to put sata ports directly inline with pci-e slots, or have large southbridge heatsinks inline with the pcie slots. None of which get along with my 4870.
I also like the Asus bios controls, I find them very easy to use.
Core unlocker switch is a nice feature seeing my CPU choice.


Video Card:
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 = $120

Overclocked to 800Mhz core 1000mhz ram.
I get 60fps solid in need for speed shift with everything on max 1360x768 vsync on. 74fps average with Vsync off.
Crysis on 1360x768, Ultra high settings (XP directX 10 hacked config files), Min fps =26, max fps = 49, avg 40fps (with fraps running).

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX = $99

Well I heard a lot of good things about this chip. Unlockable, overclockable, it is apparently the AMD dual core to have.
And I would have to agree seeing this kicked the crap out of my overclocked x2 5200+ by 2518 CPU marks in 3Dmark06!

Old System:


New System:



Not to shabby for $100 chip.


RAM:
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996782 = $109

I read so many good reviews from all over the web on this brand and line.
It seemed to be very good specs, and at a reasonable price.
I have had no issue running these sticks at 1736mhz 7-9-7-24.