First Build Advice/Suggestions

[klaseter23]

My old laptop finally died a couple of weeks ago so ive decided i finally want to build my own system. I have moderate computer hardware knowledge so i have already consulted my brother and roommate who have both built their own systems in the past. Neither of them are experts by any means but they have experience with building systems and my roommate is going to help me put the system together when i get it. I decided to come here to get some expert opinions and guidance on my first build. I am looking to build a budget system for around $600. I am a college student, i wont be doing any intense video or audio editing or rendering, i am not an intense multi-tasker, i am looking to do some casual gaming, mainly just playing some tf2 and Call Of Duty. I am not looking to play on max graphics, i am fine with med graphics, i care alot more about frame rate than graphics so im not looking to spend too much on a graphics card. More than likely not looking to do any overclocking. I want to make sure my build is going to be able to be upgraded relatively easily in the next few years if i wish. I already have OS, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

My Build:

Case and PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129065
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.822343
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502
Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121435
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

This being my first ever build i just want to hear opinions and thoughts from others and see if anybody has suggestions or anything else to offer me. Thanks in advance.

 

[azeem40]

Change the RAM to Patriot Signature. Low-profule so it doesn't interfere with heatsink and is cheaper.

If you can somehow reuse an old hard drive until prices go back to normal, you can use the $ saved and get the Radeon 6870 with $ to spare.

 

[klaseter23]

Thanks for the suggestions. will definitely look into them.

 

[sosofm]

If you don't plan to overclock for now but to have room for future upgrades then buy a cheaper mobo.
Examples :
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 105$
BIOSTAR TZ68A+ LGA 1155 Intel Z68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319 110$
Both are Z68 you can upgrade your cpu in the future and overclock if you need.
For a better video performance ( gaming ) buy a Radeon 6790 is better than 550Ti and is in the same price range or even a 6850.
6790 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161377
6850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161384

 

[g-unit1111]

If you get the Antec, don't get the model with the built-in PSU - that has the potential to be disastrous down the road. I know Antec built-in PSUs are generally much higher quality than the competition but I still wouldn't trust it. Maybe try something like this:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 (same thing w/o PSU)
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

This would be a much better choice for video card in the same price range: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

I also agree about the RAM but Patriot is a decent choice at best. One of these would be better:

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148486
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333

 

[klaseter23]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Im certainly reconsidering some now. I really appreciate it.