First Build Finalizing Parts and Need Help

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Thrillogy

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I believe, after hours of digging through forums and reviews, I have finally decided the specs of my pc. However, I want to make sure everything is evenly spec'ed and worth the cash. My budget is 820 USD and not a penny more. Please let me know if I should swap out/scrap some parts. Here's the list-
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($65.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($80.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($50.24 @ Amazon)
Case Fan: Apevia CF12SL-TBL 50.3 CFM 120mm Fan ($8.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($47.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.27 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $805.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-03 11:49 EST-0500)
All help will be greatly appreciated!
 
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ACTechy


haha, didn't want to push my...
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Check out this RAM, a bit cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445 - $64

This case has 3 fans, instead of one, and on sale for same price: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147161 (you can even skip the extra fan add on, if you go this way)

Power supply deals:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-TechBargains&cm_mmc=AFC-TechBargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16817341051 - $50, Full modular, excellent quality, 5 year warranty
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-TechBargains&cm_mmc=AFC-TechBargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16817139050 - $40, semi modular, CX series

There is a deal on the GTX 660 right now (same tier performance as 7870) for $170!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699

Windows 8 64-bit OEM better deal:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4864601&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CPXHwJyPyboCFW1yQgod4T8A5w ($89)


Just a couple ideas. Good looking budget build though!
 
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Thrillogy

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Thanks for the RAM, saved me. Lot of cash. My bad, I left out 2 important pieces of information- 1. I would prefer a windowed case, 2. I would either like the case to have no LEDs or blue LEDs. I should have mentioned that, again, sorry for not including it. The 650w PSU you recommended looks good, but it costs more on then my current one and I think 650w is a little excessive. Could you explain why I might need one that powerful? And you think the CPU is good? I'm still debating going AMD, and want to make sure that a Intel processor is the right way to go. Thanks for your help!
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Ah gotcha. Yeah, this case would be better (higher quality than that CM case), http://www.microcenter.com/product/413581/Z5_Plus_Mid-Tower_ATX_Computer_Case

You don't by any means need 650W, but it's nice to think ahead if you ever might want to SLI in the future, you need more power. That's what I didn't think ahead for, and ended up needing to upgrade. It's a steal deal, that's why I posted it. Either way the CXM500 would be better and cheaper than CX430.

EDIT:
CPU is good, yeah. I'd get an i5 over 'comparable' AMD in most situations, they're just more powerful. If you take some of the above price-cuts (around $60), you can afford to go for the i5-3450: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506 or 3550:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505 which would be fairly substantial improvements.

Here's the breakdown:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($65.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $674.23 + 89 for OS = $763
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-03 12:50 EST-0500)
 
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Thrillogy

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I like the Apollo but its just so... alien-looking? The level of futuristic-ness is kind of over whelming.. I would rather have a sleeker case if possible. Sorry for being so picky, I'm just trying to perfect the build. The build you recommended looks really good, and I think that's what I'm going to use. I'm going to go a little off-topic here, but do you dislike Windows 8 as much as the majority of Tom's Hardware? I have it on my laptop, and I really don't mind it. I get the fact that it's really different from the other Windows OS, which have stuck to the same general Idea from the beginning. It really doesn't matter, but I just like to hear everyone's opinion :D Thanks again for your help! Last thing, I saw you recommended a 500w PSU- do you think that's a good median between the 430 and the 650?
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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haha, didn't want to push my opinion, since you had selected it already, but I hate Windows 8, and I've even tried it. It may be that Win 8.1 fixed some of the goof-ups, but I don't like the metro design at all. But in theory, it's a faster OS. Might want to look into 8.1.

And don't be sorry about the case suggestion at all, now's the time to be picky, before you buy :)

On the PSU, yeah, but mostly it's a better deal and it's semi-modular, which you definitely want for cable management. It won't let you SLI in the future though, it wouldn't be enough. If you ever will, I still recommend that OCZ ZT 650.
 
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Thrillogy

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Ill keep my eye on the OCZ, especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up. Back to the case, what are the main things I should be looking for, and is there any chance you know of some other good ones?
 
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Thrillogy

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I was browsing the Cooler master store, and saw the CM 960 II Advanced refurbished for 50 dollars. Is there any chance you have gotten a refurbished cooler master product, and if so, did you have any problems with it? I've read customer reviews, and the only problems that the refurbished cases tend to have are minor scuffs, and the cases are otherwise in top condition. I would much rather not get a refurbished case, but this one appears to be a nice case when its not refurbished, and with such a steep discount, should I consider it?
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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I'd stay away from refurb, personally.

Here's what I'd do. Right now, if you're looking at the build I linked to, subtract that NZXT case and you're at about $710. So you've got some headroom there. I think the perfect case for you would be the Corsair 350D: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139021

Here's why:
- Huge side window
- At the 'Micro Mid-tower' size, it's just enough case for your components, without being overkill.
- USB 3.0
- comes with 120mm and a 140mm fan, no lights (room for more fans in the future)
- SLI ready

Your budget allows for it, and it's the sweetest case for that clean aesthetic with window.

EDIT:
Boom, it's $80 AR on Micro Center: http://www.microcenter.com/product/411834/Obsidian_Series_350D_Performance_mATX_Computer_Case_with_Window
 
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Thrillogy

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I would love to get the 350D, but there Is one problem- I have to fit the OS into my budget. Thanks for the suggestion though :D
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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That does include the OS.

Here:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3550 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M R2.0 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($65.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital WD Blue 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 350D Window MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $719.24 + $89 (Win 8 OEM TigerDirect) = $809
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-03 16:38 EST-0500)
 
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ACTechy

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chill out, that comment doesn't add value to this thread at all
 
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Thrillogy

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I must be going insane, sorry. When I was modifying my pcpartspicker configuration to include the Case, (the setup already had the OS on it,) it came out a 850. I think this finalizes my setup, unless you can recommend any other improvements. Im really grateful for your help, you've saved me a lot of cash and put me it the right direction. :D Thanks again
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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haha no worries. You got it, good luck!
 
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Thrillogy

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Thanks again for all the help you've given me. You saved me a ton of cash :D One last thing, can I get a link to the Windows 8 copy? I can only find windows 8.1 on tiger direct.
EDIT I lied :p one last thing- Is there any actual difference from the Red Ripjaw ram and the Blue? If you couldn't tell from the case, I'm going for a blue-ish black-ish setup.
 
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ACTechy

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I believe this is Windows 8 with free update to 8.1: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4864601&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CPXHwJyPyboCFW1yQgod4T8A5w

Which blue kit are you looking at? There is a similar looking blue kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445) with different timings and cas latency, but nothing that would effect your performance. Same price.

 
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Thrillogy

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Yep, that was the RAM I was looking at. Thanks for clearing that up, same with the Windows 8 problem. If you go on tiger direct and search Windows 8, it only shows you Windows 8.1, which is 99.99
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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No prob. Yeah if you google "Windows 8 OEM" it comes up in top.

Cheers
 
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