Need Advice for Budget Gaming System

[Wutface]

Hello! I typically view the forums here to answer any questions I have, but this will be my first post. I've been *casually* gaming on a beast of a machine Pentium Dual Core e2200/9800GT GT but I believe (even though I can play most of the newer games [(Skryim max settings) with a decent enough framerate] it may be time to upgrade.

I'm looking to purchase and build a new rig within the next month or so.

Approximate Purchase Date: February 2012

Budget Range: $600-$700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming/Movies/Surfing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, HDD

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com Tigerdirect.com

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: I've always used Intel but after a bit of research the 960T Zosma seemed like the best bang for the buck, so to speak. I prefer Nvidia after seeing friends with ATI have problems with drivers on a few different games.

Overclocking: I will try to get as much out of this machine as I can for as long as it will run my games to my satisfaction. So definitely some moderate OC'ing will happen.

SLI or Crossfire: I have no immediate plans for SLI/Xfire

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

This is the current setup I'm looking at

Additional Comments: I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck (like everyone else) but I do want some functionality. I don't need the best of the best graphics but I would like to be able to play FFXIV and SWTOR on very pretty settings.

This is the current build I'm looking at but need some help as the last computer I built myself had AGP slots:

Mobo:ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Tower:COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GFX:GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI V3 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

PSU:SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

CPU:AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HD96ZTWFGRBOX

RAM:CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M2A1600C9

CoolingThermaltake CLP0579 120mm Contac 30 Intel LGA-2011 Ready 160W TDP Heatpipe Direct-contact Technology CPU Cooler

Currently the Total is $575.00 on newegg alone but I'm sure some shopping can be done on my part to lower that even more. I'm just curious as to if this build is viable and if there are any better alternatives that you guys know of. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[danraies]

In the build you posted you can get a weaker PSU (though the S12II is a good unit), a cheaper case, and a cheaper mobo if you want to save a little money. I certainly wouldn't recommend going with any weaker parts.

If you're really willing to spend $700 then this will be noticeably better:

($230) CPU: i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

($35) Cooler: Thermaltake
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106161

($118) Mobo: AXRock Z68 Extreme3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

($190) Graphics: EVGA GTX 560
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130660

($30) RAM: G.Skill 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

($60) PSU: Corsair CX500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

($40) Case: NZXT Gamma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

 

[subrata4web]

CPU -> Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard -> ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.86 @ Newegg)

Memory -> Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($24.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card -> Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($152.55 @ Newegg)

Case -> NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply -> Corsair 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($41.98 @ Newegg)

DVD Writer -> SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner ($17 @ Newegg)

Total: $600.35
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-01-29 10:42 EST-0500)


50 dollars over budget but i think worth it- if you ever want to crossfire your going to need a more powerful powersupply though. Like 650 to 700 watts-possible this one ? OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply like 20 dollars more after rebate then the 500 watt power supply

 

[zolton33]

If you have a micro center near you can get the i5 2500k for around 180.00 max

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

Although that build you have for yourself is no slouch the i5 2500k is the best gaming cpu right now. I like amd alot but sadly theres not much to offer outside of the phenoms.

 

[Wutface]

Best answer selected by Wutface.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey