Low budget gaming i5-2500k build help

[theskills]

Hello I need critique on a budget (around $600) i5-2500k gaming build. Please let me know if these parts are compatible, and which parts, if any should be switched with something else. I am wondering if this is sufficient for playing SC2 on ultra. Thanks in advance for any help. I want to build this ASAP, within a week. I do plan on OCing, and I live in US California. No SLI

$310 combo deal from micro center (after taxes)
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
Motherboard: GA-P67A-UD3 LGA 1155 P67 ATX Motherboard

Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 GC 768MB PCI Express Video Card 150 – 60$(rebate) = $90 (bought)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?afsrc=1&EdpNo=6491183&CatId=3670&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=lw9MynSeamY-B7ROrW99yoTtIOAn9020wQ

RAM: Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 X 2GB) DDR3 1600MHz 240-pin (PC3 12800) $40 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104203&cm_re=kingston_hyperx_blu_4gb-_-20-104-203-_-Product

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16817371035&cm_re=antec_earthwatts_500w-_-17-371-035-_-Product

CASE: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case $60
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0283272

HDD: 1TB Hitachi Deskstar 3.5 Inch 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA II 32 MB Cache Internal Hard Drive 0S02860 $50
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-Deskstar-Cache-Internal-0S02860/dp/B003SX0ORU/ref=sr_1_7?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1295549847&sr=1-7

Hyper N520 Universal CPU Cooler $30
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0305926

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24LS50 LightScribe Support 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136178&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

TOTAL is about $650. Is this build compatible and is there anything that I should swap out for something better? BTW if these parts are not good enough for the build, I might go with the AMD phenom II X4 instead because I can't spent any more $$. Let me know if I should I go for the AMD instead of i5 2500k or if there is parts that I can swap out as long as its similar price

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'd swap the 500W Antec for the 430W. It'll have enough power, and you'll save a few bucks.

Then, I'd swap the case for a Rosewill Challenger to save another $5.

Then, swap the HDD for a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB for $10 more. It's a lot faster than the Hitachi.

Finally, swicth that HSF for a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus. It has a lot better performance.

 

[n_scheffel]

Hmm, that PSU is not going to allow you much upgrade room for your GPU in the future. Your GPU is bar far the weak link in that build, and you will likly want to upgrade it in a year or so.

I would ditch the CPU cooler and buy a 650W PSU. There will be no point in OCing that CPU enough to need a cooler with such a weak GPU in the system.

Even if you don't upgrade the PSU I would ditch the cooler altogether.

 

[theskills]

should i just go for the AMD then?

 

[theskills]

is this build better, because of my GPU?

CPU + Mobo: PHENOM II X4 965 BE & ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 870 $220
http://www.microcenter.com/specia...T_NON_BYO&

VC: Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 GC 768MB PCI Express Video Card 150 – 60$(rebate) = $90 (bought)
http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...&t=2570021

RAM: Corsair 4GB (2x2gb) DDR3 1600MHz $30 AR
http://www.frys.com/product/6009088

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...-_-Product

CASE: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case $50 AR ($5)
http://www.microcenter.com/single...id=0283272

HDD: 1TB Hitachi Deskstar 3.5 Inch 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA II 32 MB Cache Internal Hard Drive 0S02860 $50
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-Des...847&sr=1-7

Optic: LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24LS50 LightScribe Support 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136178&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler $30
http://www.microcenter.com/single...id=0315397

 

[Mrsh4dy]

Don't forget your MB

 

[MadAdmiral]

No, AMD is drastically under powered compared to the i5-2500K. I wouldn't build anything with AMD right now. Stick to the changes I made to the your original build and you'll have the best build you can get for the price.

 

[n_scheffel]

MadAdmiral is definitely right when he states to stick with Intel. However, be advised that if you stick with that 500W PSU, or switch to an even smaller one, you will almost certainly limit yourself when it comes to upgrading your GPU in the future.

Undoubtedly there will be some really good GPU in 2 years for under $200 that will be twice as powerful as your current GPU, and it will probably require at least a 550W PSU, and possibly a 600W+ PSU. It would suck to have to upgrade your PSU and your GPU in 2 years just to save a few bucks today.

 

[theskills]

thanks a lot guys VERY Helpful. here is a look at my updated build. Everything compatible/everything is fine? How is this power supply, if it isnt good can someone recommend me something betteR? btw I switched motherboards because the other one was sold out. and I should still OC right (I thought that was the purpose of the i5-2500k)

$300 combo deal from micro center
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 LE LGA 1155 P67 ATX Intel Motherboard

Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 460 GC 768MB PCI Express Video Card 150 – 60$(rebate) = $90 (bought)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applic...RN6ivY6AoQ

RAM: RAM: Corsair 4GB (2x2gb) DDR3 1600MHz $30 AR
http://www.frys.com/product/6009088

PSU: XIGMATEK ACXTNRP-PC602 600W ATX12V Ver.2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply ~40$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16817815009

CASE: Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case $50
http://www.microcenter.com/single...id=0283272

HDD: going to wait for something to go on sale. 500GB or 1TB. if not I'll probably go with the samsung F3 1TB

CPU Cooler: Hyper 212+ $27
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Mast...slickdeals

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24LS50 LightScribe Support $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...63938&SID=

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=163A66XVQ1SDBGZE92CA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846 $27.14 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 Hyper 212 Plus

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274 $42.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $16.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035 $49.99 FREE SHIPPING
Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U3S5S0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0WTZP6BVYETKEAAD5S00&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846 $59.99 this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ