Please critique my build

jsholdschl

Honorable
Nov 2, 2013
4
0
10,510
I'm looking to build in about a month, and my budget to do this is currently around $700-$800. I will be using the desktop mainly for gaming, playing games such as Skyrim and the occasional FPS online. Can someone help me by maybe suggesting parts that have the same or better performance for an equal or lesser price tag? Here is the link to my build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jsholdschl/saved/2KMb

I do not need a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. I will need to get an OS, I would prefer Windows 8. Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
I would agree with untamed123 - I have an SSD and it makes a HUGE difference to speed especially booting up BUT the only thing is I would not recommend anything much less than 128 GB and preferably 256 GB - but to do so may push your budget over your limit - there would be nothing to stop you installing one at a later date when you have more $. I have a 128 GB SSD for booting (I bought years ago when 128 GB was $350) but I use two arrays of mirrored drives - one of 2 x 500GB for storing critical files like photos and the other 2 x 2 TB for storing the 400GB of games I have. When I next upgrade (which probably won;t be that far away given my system is now 4+ years old) I will go to 2 x 512GB SSD in RAID 1 or 1 TB SSD . . . . just waiting...

Stevemeister

Distinguished
Mar 18, 2006
352
17
18,815
What you are proposing will be pretty decent. My only comments are you probably have more power supply than you really need - 450-500W will be more than enough for what you are proposing unless you plan in going with an SLI graphics set up in the future in which case 600W is a bit light and I would increase to 750W. IMHO Seasonic and Corsair are about the best PSU's out there so I would go with a Seasonic Modular Unit @ 500W - Seasonic are the OEM that actually manufacture units for other "name brands". I would go with an optical drive that has Blu-ray capability - BR is better than DVD for watching movies. Other than that you have not included any type of after market cooler for your very overclockable i3570K - stock cooler won't cut it for overclocking but a Coolermaster Hyper 212 always gets good reviews for the $ - yes there are better but they cost more.

My 2 cents worth
 

untam3d123

Honorable
Nov 5, 2013
24
0
10,520
This build makes sense to me. However, I have three suggestions.
1.) If you plan to overclock whatsoever, you really should get a aftermarket cooler such as the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. For a relatively small increase in price, you can add significant capabilities.
2.) At this price, adding an SSD for the OS/essential programs wouldn't be a terrible idea. I consider the most cost efficient way to dramatically increase performance.
3.) Unless you have a good reason, the NZXT Phantom may not be a great choice. I currently am using that case, and regret purchasing it merely because of its massive size. You may want to consider a smaller form factor, seeing that your build shouldn't be particularly heat intensive.
 

Stevemeister

Distinguished
Mar 18, 2006
352
17
18,815
I would agree with untamed123 - I have an SSD and it makes a HUGE difference to speed especially booting up BUT the only thing is I would not recommend anything much less than 128 GB and preferably 256 GB - but to do so may push your budget over your limit - there would be nothing to stop you installing one at a later date when you have more $. I have a 128 GB SSD for booting (I bought years ago when 128 GB was $350) but I use two arrays of mirrored drives - one of 2 x 500GB for storing critical files like photos and the other 2 x 2 TB for storing the 400GB of games I have. When I next upgrade (which probably won;t be that far away given my system is now 4+ years old) I will go to 2 x 512GB SSD in RAID 1 or 1 TB SSD . . . . just waiting for prices to drop a bit more.
 
Solution

untam3d123

Honorable
Nov 5, 2013
24
0
10,520
Personally I don't think that the PSU is too overkill. Sure, it may be some more than you need, but leaving headroom if there is any possibility of an upgrade never hurts.