$900 Gaming focused build for my friend!

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Tabeeb

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Apr 7, 2013
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Hello Tom's Hardware Forums.
My friend has recently decided to build his own PC and he has asked me to give him a good list of parts. Together we have so far come up with the following.

CPU: Intel Core i5 4570 - $209.97
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8037042&CatId=8740

GPU: Sapphire FleX Radeon HD 7950 - $329.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202007

RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz - $ 66.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB - $64.99
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005T3GRNW

MOBO: ASRock H87M Pro4 - $99.99 - $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157384

PSU: Seasonic M12II 620W - $93.99 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Case: Rosewill Challenger - $49.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

The total is $916 not counting the OS. He also wants a new monitor to replace his old 21" 1680x1050 one.
He is obsessed with response time so we decided to go with this http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236305&Tpk=asus%20vx238h&IsVirtualParent=1
the Asus VX238H.


Are there any flaws in this build whatsoever? He really wants to cheap out on it so I feel like something's not right. Are there any problems with the motherboard being M-Atx as opposed to Atx? Is the power supply powerful enough to handle the parts?

We opted for the i5 4570 just because future proofing just in case if he starts to do a lot of video rendering and editing regularly, he can upgrade to an i7 in the future. I tried to base the build around the graphics card as this build is mostly for gaming. I do not think he wishes to overclock, I really doubt he even knows what that is so it was only logical to go with the less expensive unlocked CPU as opposed to the 4670K or the 3570K.

If there are any flaws or things we need to worry about post away. My friend is coming from an AMD Athlon x2 and 32-bit Windows Vista so this is a MAJOR step up for him. Thanks in advance.
 
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icypyro

icypyro

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Jan 23, 2013
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I would lower the processor to a 4430 and save a pretty penny (50 bucks). I would use those savings to grab a 7970 (80 dollars more).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127732

I would also kick out the PSU and grab a Corsair TX 650 which is 650w, 80 plus Bronze, and only 60 Bucks with MIR (-34 bucks). That should let you squeeze out the performance of this build.

EDIT: forgot the link for the PSU. Here ya go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
 
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icypyro

icypyro

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Jan 23, 2013
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Ah i was looking at the 4670's price my bad. But you can still get a full 20 bucks off. Nonetheless, the extra 30$ will be well worth it for the 7970.
 
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icypyro

icypyro

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Jan 23, 2013
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Tell him the difference will be like day and night for modern games.
 
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Tabeeb

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Apr 7, 2013
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Haha. x)
 
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