finalizing my build update in OP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131651

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

This is your list im just putting it here as its easier to click.

Currently you have:

• Phenom II X4 3.2Ghz $144
• 4GB Ram (can save $10 if you want to go generic, may not be worth it though. $50
• XFX 6870 $240
• Asus AM3 870 Mobo $100
• LG optical drive $18
• Antec Sonata 3 with 500W PSU $120

Total: $672 minus applicable taxes and shipping.

What you don't have listed are:

• Windows 7
• Hard Drive

Is this something you have or something you didn't think of?

Also whats the up to the minute budget we're aiming for? Don't worry im good at hitting budgets.

well im thinking about recylcing my older hard drive or might just by a refurbished one for $25. I will probably just get the hard drive later this year. And yeah I am thinking about getting the windows 7 home premium for $100.  My budget was suppose to be $700 total but i might just extend that to buy the os. I do really want the xfx 6870 though and a good cpu. I read online that people are getting 70fps on starcrfat 2 ultra with that graphics card/cpu combo. I will likely be playing on a 32 inch 1920x1080 samsung. SO do you think it is possible for me to squeeze in everything for $700? Or do you think ill have to make the budget higher to $800. Thanks in advance.

Well ok, I can save you $25 and another $15 mail in rebate on the motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603

Another $8 plus another $20 main in rebate on

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.577952

That brings you down to $640 with another $35 mail in rebates to come.

So with that you can overstretch slightly if you want and pick up Windows 7 Home premium 64bit OEM which brings your total up to $740, the mail in rebates will bring you well back under $700 and maybe give you enough cash to go out and buy a new HDD.

How does that sound to you?

alright nice, thanks! is there any limitations with the motherboard and the ram since it is cheaper? I will be able to eventually buy another 6870 and use crossx with it right? and starcraft 2 should be able to run 70fps on the 32 inc screen right?

Well unfortunately theres the limitation that it can only take one graphics card. However what you can do instead with your saved money is buy a better graphics card!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.577960

An HD 6950 which will overclock like a sweet little thing if you want more performance and many people have been able to turn them into the much more expensive 6970 which would be better than crossfired 6870 hands down. It takes you up to $700 as well.

Crossfire is not something I would suggest to anyone. If you already know the pros and cons of it then you'll know what you'll be getting yourself into. If you don't know the pros and cons then I suggest you skip that idea.

The RAM is actually more expensive, its just cheaper because I found a good combo.

its definately a nice card but dont you think the cpu will limit this card? I would want it though. Other than that is the mobo the same speed as the one that is $100?
 Edit: Also do these graphics cards like the 6950 drop in price fast? I dont want to spend $300 just to find out it is $50 cheaper in a month or two. So overall do you think this build with the 6950 will be good enough to play starcraft t on 70 fps and do you think I will be getting a great performance based on what I am paying?

The CPU wont be a problem with the card, infact I believe that those two match each other really well and will have a good balance, however I cannot say how both will perform on Starcraft 2 as I am unaware of how resource heavy it is. EDIT ONE: Needless to say they should provide you with plenty of power to play it at high settings, Just dont know the sort of fps it will get but it should be in the 'smooth' zone.

However I must warn against the RAM in that combo deal for it will not work with the motherboard. The motherboard in your list, the 'ASUS AM3 AMD 870', supports PC3-8500/10666/12800  (1066/1333/1600) RAM that can be overclocked to (2000). And the 'ASUS AM3 AMD 770' that was suggested supports PC3-8500 (1066) RAM that can be overclocked to (1800). In both cases as far as my uderstanding goes the base 'clockspeed' is too great for the motherboard's even though the former board could support RAM overclocked from a base 1066-1600 upto 2000 and the latter could support RAM at a base speed of 1066 overclocked upto 1800.

EDIT TWO: As far as the price goes they shouldn't see significant redeuction unless a competitor card gets released in a similar price bracket or the next family of cards is release a year or so from now.

The CPU will not limit that card, the product manager of the 58xx series cards had a 5870 with a 3.0Ghz Phenom II. If anyone would know it would be him. Besides you can always overclock another 4-500Mhz if you desired.

The motherboard is the same speed, you just lose a few features from the 870 series like USB 3.0 which you probably won't ever use.

Will the card drop in price? Probably but its impossible to say. Early 58xx series buyers actually paid less than people later on. Since you can't anticipate it you really can't factor it into your decision.

Overall Starcraft 2 performance: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd6970-hd6950_10.html#sect3

Bear in mind that current performance will be better due to better drivers and the availability of a new AA mode (MLAA)