$500-$600 gaming build, feedback requested

[chapstic]

Im looking to build an i3 2100 (key reason for socket 1155 is for the upgradability) budget gaming pc, was hoping to only spend $500 but I think to achieve any "decent" level of gaming performance from newer games I would have to spend a bit more. By "decent" I don't mean max everything for the next 3 years, I just want to be able to play games released in the next year beyond the lowest setting.

Main questions:
Motherboard; is a H67 going to show any benefit?
Power supply; is a 500w going to overkill for a basic system such as this?
GFX card; is this 5770 a good option, or is it a bit lightweight? 1680x1050 resolution

Any general feedback as to component choices is very welcome.

Components not required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, OS is vista(ick I know, but Ill update to windows 7 fall semester)

CPU:
Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100 $124.99

MB:
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $79.99

GFX:
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity $119.99

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL $49.99

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $59.99

Case:
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $39.99

PS:
Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $59.99

Optical Drive:
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X 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 CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $19.99

total: $544.92

Thanks in advance for any feedback, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[aznshinobi]

The power supply you picked is sufficient for your build. I would probably tweak some things though. Check out my build guide in my siggy for $600. Maybe drop the case down to the Elite you chose and save $30 for the DVD drive.

http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

 

[jbakerlent]

Are you overclocking? You'll want P67 or Z68 for that. The 5770/6770 are a bit low end, but you could crossfire them later. That would require a more powerful PSU though, so my recommendation would be to get a 6850 right off the bat. Other than that looks pretty good.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Hmm 6850 is kinda expensive for my taste, specially since it performs worse than a 5850. But in CF it only performs on par with the 5850.

5850 vs 6850
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/295?vs=291

5850 CF vs 6850 CF
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/303?vs=302

 

[chapstic]

Thanks for the response AznShinobi, if I'm understanding correctly I should revisit my case selection?

I have a dvd drive selected for $20.00.

Nice guide btw

 

[aznshinobi]

Yep no problem.

You can if you want to. The Illusion is going for 55$ off Newegg right now and the extra 15$ gives you a lot more airflow.

 

[chapstic]

Not interested in overclocking or cross fire/sli. I appreciate the input jbakerlent. 6850 or 5850? There must be a reason newegg is sold of out 5850s? or are they just not making 5850s?

 

[jbakerlent]

^ Yeah, that's why I said 6850 @$145 AR, versus 5850 @$235. But AznShinobi is correct, the 5850 will perform a bit better. The 5850s are slowly being discontinued, you might be able to find a better deal somewhere besides Newegg though.

 

[aznshinobi]

ACTUALLY. 5850 is only $150 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-100282XTREME/dp/B004W75ATI%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB004W75ATI

$145 on Tiger But refurbished. I can't strongly recommend it. But hey, it's something.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=172018&CatId=3669

 

[chapstic]

Im going to strongly consider a 6850 or 5850.

This illusion case you speak of I am unable to find for $55 on newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&Tpk=antec%20illusion

thats the only one I can find.

Is a basic antec 300 a nice option?

 

[chapstic]

Nice find, Aznshinobi. The only thing that scares me about the amazon 5850 is the fact it says "usually ships within 2-4 weeks"

 

[jbakerlent]

ACTUALLY. 5850 is only $150 on Amazon.

Nice, that's why I suggested looking for better deals elsewhere

@chapstic, the Illusion has more fans included - they're the same case though.

 

[aznshinobi]

Oh I guess it wasn't for $55, I didn't really check. Sometimes (and this was a month ago) they have huge antec sales and the Illusion usually drops to 55-60$. But I guess not now. I wouldn't get the basic 300, there are better cases at the price. At the currect pricing, I'd get this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144&Tpk=rosewill%20destroyer

OR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147120

But if you want to stretch, the Illusion is a solid case.

As for the 5850, yeah that's the only thing. Though I'd trust Amazon to ship it, after all. It is FULFILLED by Amazon. If you are scared of that, the 6850 is great way to go. Maybe even stretch for a 6870 as they can be bought cheap now to. The next step up (IMO) would be the 560 GTX. Not the Ti.

6870: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506&cm_re=6870-_-14-150-506-_-Product

560 GTX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127592

 

[jbakerlent]

^+1, Yeah, I usually don't recommend the 6850, since it's priced so close the the 6870, etc. but in this case it seemed like it was a tight sqeeze so I did.

 

[chapstic]

I'll probably consider a different case, and I'm going to juggle the gfx card options around for a day or two.

Thanks for helping a guy who hasn't built a computer in over 10 years.

 

[aznshinobi]

No problem!

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

As far as graphics, why not look a gtx 460? Close to the power of a 5830, but they can be had for 140.

 

[chapstic]

ohiou_grad_06, where does the gtx 460 fall between the 6850/6870? Looks to me the one for ~$140 is only 768mb, not that I'm educated enough to understand how much of a difference that makes, but normally bigger numbers mean bigger performance

I appreciate the suggestion, just curious to know where it stands compared to the other mentioned cards.

 

[aznshinobi]

Eh... More of a huge advantage.
5830 vs 460 768mb
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/171?vs=156
The 5830 can be had for 110 I believe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102878&cm_re=5830-_-14-102-878-_-Product

Though If you can afford the 6870, go for it. I would. The 460 falls below the 6850 and the 6870. It goes... 460 SE 1GB<460 768mb<460 1GB<6850<5850<6870<5870