Looking for opinions on new gaming build

Seriously_

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Jul 29, 2011
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Hey guys, going to be buying parts for my new gaming system relatively soon and wanted to get some opinions before I bust out the wallet.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2-3 weeks

Budget Range: 650 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, game streaming, photoshop, school work, music production
(primary games being played... Starcraft 2, League of legends, diablo 3, modern warfare 3)

Parts Not Required: monitors, I/O devices

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, microcenter, not limited to these two however

Country of Origin: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Whatever gives the best performance for the money.

Overclocking: Possibly

SLI or Crossfire: No, slim chance down the line

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 x2

Additional Comments: Looking to play said games on very high-max settings with little to no lag while running background applications as well.


CPU:
Intel core i5 2500k

Motherboard
GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3

Graphics (need some help/advice/recommendations here):
I'm looking to spend a max of $150 on a card Was looking at...
ATI Radeon HD 5770, ATI Radeon HD 6790, or GeForce GTX 460.
If there's a better alternative please feel free to say so.

HDD:
Western Digital 250g 7200rpm

PSU
LOGISYS 575W


All said and done it's about $610 or so including a $150 graphics card and cd/dvd drive currently.
 

genghiskron

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Mar 15, 2011
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for a budget this small, the extra money you pay for the i5-2500k and mobo is really hitting you hard. in games, the graphics card is going to be the bottleneck, so overclocking the i5-2500k isnt going to do much for you. that psu may seem cheap, but it could easily end up costing you $600.

heres a suggested build (i assume you need a case):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422 note the promo code on this ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094 this psu is a shell shocker deal, so the price wont last
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

total = $643
 

Seriously_

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Jul 29, 2011
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18,510


Thanks for your recommendations! I do have a case though, apologize for not mentioning that.

However the processor you listed is actually more expensive than the 2500k. Microcenter has it right now for $180. Although you're probably right that the intel processor is a little overkill for what I need as I've been told gaming is like 30/40% CPU and 70/60% graphics card.

What do you think about the AMD processor? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
By going with this and a comparable motherboard I could easily shave 80 or so dollars off and put that towards a more powerful video card.
 

Seriously_

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Jul 29, 2011
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Imo something like the AMD Phenom II x4 955BE with a minor oc will be fine. (can safe overclock it to the same speed as the 965 without needing an aftermarket hsf.)

Get something like a 990FX AM3+ mobo for future readiness

then you can get better gaming ram like 1600mhz cl8 or 1866mhz cl9

the hdd you selected is outdated and overpriced imo

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm 32mb cache - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=spinpoint%20f3

thing is a beast of an hdd.

For video card, I say something like a 6850 or 6870 and the psu you have will probably ruin your pc so I suggest going with something like

Antec Continuous Power ~500W psu

or

Corsair builder series ~500W psu

Yea I would definitely go with an AM3+ board as their new processor will use that socket I believe.

I'm just worried that if I forgo the intel CPU and board and save with 70 or so dollars and go with the AMD I don't want it to bite me in the ass when I want to play Diablo 3 and Modern warfare 3 in maxed settings.