Need some critique on my build

[Zarnan]

It's been several years since I built my last system so its time for an upgrade.

I spent quite awhile researching what the best components are that I can get without my price going through the roof... I originally intended to only spend around $600 but I have ended with a total price of around $655 before shipping... I think I have a pretty decent build but since its been a few years
I thought I would get the advice of those of you who have been in the loop for the last few years.

I have no preferance on parts or shopping location as long as its reputable... I just need to know if there is any room for improvement on this build without the price going up... can't really afford to put anymore into it than this. I have not included a hard drive in this yet due to the current high prices on them but will pick one up so don't worry bout that part. I have a good mouse/keyboard/monitor so don't need those...

This will be used mostly as a gaming system...My current shopping list is :


CASE :
RAIDMAX Hurricane ATX-248WB Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Item #: N82E16811156237 = $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156237

MOTHERBOARD :
ASRock H67M (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard Item #: N82E16813157233 = $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157233

CPU/PROCESSOR :
Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500 Item #: N82E16819115073 = $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

VIDEO CARD :
GIGABYTE Ultra Durable VGA Series GV-R685OC-1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX = $164.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

MEMORY :
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL = $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

CD/DVD DRIVE :
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM Item #: N82E16827151233 = $18.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

POWER SUPPLY :
CORSAIR Gaming Series GS600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply Item #: N82E16817139023 = $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139023

THERMAL COMPOUND :
Biostar TC-DIAMOND Nano Diamond Thermal Compound Item #: N82E16835141001 = $4.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835141001



Total = $655.92


Can I improve on this without the price going up ? Is everything I have compatiple / the right stuff ? etc... etc... etc...

Thanks for your feedback

 

[kajabla]

Ookay. You really can't afford to go Intel on this build. Switch over to an X4 955, for starters.
You need a CPU heatsink, and you do not need a 3rd-party thermal compound. The sink will come with a decent one. The Hyper 212+ is fine; so are the cheap Xigmatek ones.
-955 $125 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808)
-Hyper 212+ $25 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065) or Xigmatek Loki 963, also $25 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233081)
-Silverstone 600W $60 after MIR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071)
-ODD whatever $20
-Ripjaws 8gb 1333 $45
-ASRock 970 Extreme3 $85. AM3+, so you'll be able to drop in a better CPU some day.
-Hurricane $40
That gets you to $390 without the GPU, leaving $250! You're looking 560 Ti, I think.
EVGA Superclocked 560 Ti $230 after MIR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610)

 

[Zarnan]

Ookay. You really can't afford to go Intel on this build. Switch over to an X4 955, for starters.
You need a CPU heatsink, and you do not need a 3rd-party thermal compound. The sink will come with a decent one. The Hyper 212+ is fine; so are the cheap Xigmatek ones.

Sooo... you're saying that the intel I have on there is not going to work with my current build ?... ooorrr are you saying that it will not benefit me due to some other part I have bottlenecking it ? or just wondering.... I mean, I have the intel in my setup for a pretty decent price. Just help an old timer understand xD

the stock heatsink won't be good enough ? not planning on overclocking yet... if i do then I would pick up a new heatsink

 

[kajabla]

There, edited. You'll have to OC this build. As you see, it's now got a pretty sweet GPU, and I think the 955 will have to go above stock to keep up. This is easy and safe. Just grab the sink, set 3.6 or 3.7 ghz and you'll be fine.
On second thought, you'll probably run more efficiently with a 600W PSU. Edited.

 

[Zarnan]

So for the money i'm spending that will get me just as much plus a much better gpu... very nice

Thanks for the advice

 

[tobensg]

+1 the Phenom 955 Quad, just built a similar system with a 6850 and the 955 OC's easily just by upping the multiplyer.

 

[manu 11]

go for what kajabala has stated, +1

 

[Zarnan]

Thanks for the advice guys +1

 

[Zarnan]

Best answer selected by Zarnan.