New build, first timer

[gagepo]

Hey guys - first time builder here. In preparation for all the fun games im looking forward to playing this year. I've been playing on my all E4600 processor with an 8800 gt for awhile so im looking to upgrade. But like most college kids i have a budget... which is around $600 - i already went over. So I would like you guys to see if this build looks decent and everything fits together or if you have any tips or anything you would change.

I have an old optical drive that i will be using to save 20 bucks.

Also if it might be possible to use the power supply that comes with the case to save a few bucks. But i dont want to save a few bucks to possibly harm my computer.

Thank you very much!!


Antec Three Hundred + BP430 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16811129065
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$99.99
$69.99


Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148767
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$84.99


SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814102948
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$15.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$179.99
$164.99
1

AMD Gift - Dirt3 Game Coupon - OEM - woohoo free!
Item #: N82E16800995114
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$49.99 Saving
$49.99
$0.00


ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157236
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$5.00 Instant
$74.99
$69.99


G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ
Item #: N82E16820231295
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$39.99


Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 ...
Item #: N82E16819115074
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty
1 year: $16.99 INCLUDED

Comes out to about $669 with a mail in rebate for 20 bucks. not bad.
thanks again!

 

[g-unit1111]

That looks really good actually but I'd suggest putting a bit more into the motherboard as H61 has really limited functionality in deciding future upgrade options.

Try this one - it's the same brand but it's a Z68 and will support Ivy, PCI-E 3.0 and up to 32GB of RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Also don't get the case with the built-in PSU - not only will the 430W be underpowered for a 6870 but the built-in PSUs are generally crap (the other regular posters here tell me Antec has a better reputation than most case makers but I'm not sure I'd trust it). You need a minimum 550W for a 6870 - so I'd suggest buying the Antec 300 without the PSU and getting this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

 

[gagepo]

Thanks for the tips man. Its hard to pull the trigger on a $50 more for a motherboard - i dont really feel that i will be overclocking or doing to much to this system. I might experiment with tweaking my hardware with my old system. But i like to have my computer be pretty reliable.

But i do see where you are going with future proofing my motherboard for the ivy processors.

So i messed aroun with my newegg cart- putting the mobo you said and the power supply - with the basic antec 300 case. And my total came to $731. Dang its so easy to keep spending more money. Do you see anywhere else i can shave some dough off of to get it a little bit lower? Because once i start getting up there i feel that i should just jump up to the 2500k and keep spending more and more money on better components! its a never ending trap!

Thanks!

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for the tips man. Its hard to pull the trigger on a $50 more for a motherboard - i dont really feel that i will be overclocking or doing to much to this system. I might experiment with tweaking my hardware with my old system. But i like to have my computer be pretty reliable.

But i do see where you are going with future proofing my motherboard for the ivy processors.

So i messed aroun with my newegg cart- putting the mobo you said and the power supply - with the basic antec 300 case. And my total came to $731. Dang its so easy to keep spending more money. Do you see anywhere else i can shave some dough off of to get it a little bit lower? Because once i start getting up there i feel that i should just jump up to the 2500k and keep spending more and more money on better components! its a never ending trap!

Thanks!

I hear that on components. :lol:

You could drop the video card to a 6790 or a 6850 and you'll save about $30 - you don't really notice much of a difference between the three cards and they're all about the same performance level.

You could also go with an i3-2120 - that will shave off an extra $50 and you still get a far more capable CPU than anything you'd get with AMD.

 

[gagepo]

It is very difficult! I see that i can shave off a bit of dough on the graphics card and processor. But those are the two most important things for my gaming needs!! I like the idea of the quad core and the 6870. I might just have to save a few more pennies.

Or just look around more for better savings online.

thanks again