$500 Intel Budget Gaming Build

[fallout3masseffect2]

Hi all,
I am set out to make an intel budget gaming build.

Approximate Purchase Date: November

Budget Range: $500 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming (medium settings is fine), general use (school work, internet browsing, listening to music)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, OS, Monitor, Speakers, Wireless Adapter

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com , open to amazon.com and tigerdirect.com too though

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel processor (i3 2100, i5 2400)

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1600 x 900

Additional Comments: I would like an intel processor.



My build idea:

CPU: i3 2100 3.1GHz Dual Core - $99.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809

Motherboard: MSI H61 MoBo, LGA 1155, Micro ATX - $19.99 (usually $65, but when bought with intel processor at microcenter it is only $20)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359807

GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 128-bit - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941

RAM/PSU Combo: $96.98
Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333mhz
PSU: Corsair Builder Series 600W (80 plus certified)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.745076

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Case: Rosewill Challenger Mid tower case (comes with 3 fans) - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Optical Drive: Lite-On 24X DVD Writer - $20.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

Shipping: $9.67

Total: $480.09

I have a few questions (I'm fine with medium settings, remember)
1. Should I cut the RAM back to 4GB? IS 8GB too much?
2. Is a 600W PSU overkill, or should stick with it for future upgrades?
3. Should I cut back from a 1TB HDD to a 500GB HDD?
4. Should I cut back on any of those to go with something like an i5 2400 CPU or Radeon HD 6870?

Thanks.

 

[Outlander_04]

For gaming raising the RAM from 4 to 8 gig makes no discernible difference . Save money and use 4 gig
The money you save there will buy you a 6850 .

PSU wise you need about 450 watts to run comfortably , 500 would be pretty relaxed and preferable .

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

So I could drop the ram and psu? What about the hdd or case? HDD I could drop to 500gb, case I could drop to the NZXT Gamma for $8 less.

 

[izhan22]

first of all you need to
drop the hard disk and gpu for instance .....
and buy first a good CPU,motherboard and psu

i mean at least
CPU = intel i5-2400 and
PSU= 500w or 600w with ( 6pin x2 pcie cables to support graphic card)
mobo= drop the one you choose and select another h67 motherboard atleast

In My Opinion you should buy this parts first .....

and the hard disk of 1tb is of no sense, i dont know if it would be good choice to go with....it would be better if you go now for 500gb and save some money...

all the money saved on hard disk and gpu will make you purchase a good CPU,motherboard and psu..


also
i am sure the h61 has pci-e of dedicated 6lines of its total 8 lines present ....
which mean the use of graphice card cannot be fully utilized to its peak as the slot is limiting it to make its performance....
it would be better if you go with a intel h67 chipset board of the least cost..
which will have the dedicated 8lines of its total 8 lines to utilise the full performance of any graphic card you will be using....


if you want differences between h61 and h67
H61 vs. H67: the H61 is cheaper because it has fewer USBs (10 vs. 14), fewer SATA3 (4 vs. 6) and it has no SATA6, so if you want to go SSD later on your stuck. It also has fewer PCIe lanes (6 vs. 8), no RAID. And, of course, there is no GPU boost on the H61.
If you don't need any of that then the H61 is for you.
It matches the i3-2100 perfectly.

THIS is the main reason i want to save you before you waste money on a limited performance system....

if you want proof go see the tables
of columns h61 VS h67 in row PCIe 2.0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1155



you wont harm your computer by not buying the gpu at the moment... by saving the money of graphics card .. you can definetly buy a good computer with the ability to add graphics card in few time later.... hope you understand what i am suggesting

believe me friend i want to help you.....and if you still have any questions pls dont hesitate to ask....

 

[fallout3masseffect2]

I can see what you're suggesting, however this build will be primarily for gaming. Without a graphics card, I won't be able to do much gaming wise. But I can see wht you mean about wanting to get a better mobo and cpu and dropping the hdd.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

my suggestion is to stick with the H61, but get the H61M/U3S3 which has the USB 3 and SATA 3 you are missing in the other models. And it's a full x16 PCIe graphics card slot

If you can squeeze in it, get a 2400. Much better than the 2100

an HD6850 needs only 1 6-pin controller.

grab the Antec Neo Eco 520W while its on sale this week for $39.99 plus a rebate. It'll handle any GPU up to a GTX 560ti/HD 6950. Its Cheaper than the Corsair 430W right now, so grab it.

4 GB should be plenty, but 8GB or DDR3-1333 is only $40