Super low budget WoW build

[madjax]

Hi all--

I'm working on a super low-budget system to play the new WoW expansion + other light gaming, as well as be an all-around every day machine. Right around $400-450 would be ideal for the main components, esp since I will need to pick up a new HDD and keyboard as well (not included in the budget).

I plan to buy most if not all the parts from newegg. No Microcenter within driving distance.

Based on this article, I've pretty much settled on Intel for the processor and nVIDIA for graphics (probably a GTX 460). I know that does not-great-things for my budget.

I have an existing case (need a new PSU) and monitor.

--

Here's what I've worked out so far:

MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115221

MSI H55M-E23 LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130301

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

---
I don't have any particular love for MSI, just that particular mobo is really cheap at the moment. I'm also considering:

ASRock H55M-LE LGA 1156 Intel H55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157190
(roughly the same price)

or possibly this combo CPU/mobo dea (I'd rather have ATX than microATX)l:
GIGABYTE GA-H55-USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.572915

My concerns are:
1) I'm gimping my mobo/cpu too much for the graphics card--trying to find balance.
2) Is that power supply beefy enough? It was recommended in a couple of budget system builds (TH, Ars, TechReport)
3) Any and all other comments welcome...

TIA!

 

[mdd1963]

I'd opt for the lowest priced Intel i5 quad core you can get, even if you need to save another month; 4-5 years ago, a dual core would suffice, but now, 3 cores are the minimum recommend for any new build. the GTX460 is a solid card, good foundation for a gming rig...

 

[g00fysmiley]

1) no, its a pretty good balance, depending on your resolution you should be fine.

i use an athlon !! x4 and a gts 450 and can still play wow over 50 fps on a 37" 1080p tv in custom settings (ultra in everything except shadows turned to low)

a gtx 460 even 768 would likely be abel to pull ultra at that res

2) given the low wattage cpu i think ou would be fine, but i'd still probbaly bump up to a more powerful psu as you'll be howvering toward the max of that psu durring gameplay, this is a bit more but worth the security of knowing your computer is not going to blow up takign the rest of your components with it

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

3) other comments. looks like a solid build, i actually would rate msi boards veyr high, i am using one now, my first msi and it looks and feels like a very well made board

I'd do the psu upgrade before the mobo one, the gigabyte one i liek better than the msi only because it has two more memory slots for a possible upgrade down the road they all look good though