Double checking build before I order parts.

[brainboy7799]

I saw a build pretty similar to this in another thread, mine is similar but slight changes here and there. I'm going to be gaming and web surfing, no overclocking of any kind. The final price is around 610$, which works for me. I have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, so no need to include an OS. I have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard already. Planning to order this tonight, or tomorrow.

This will be my first time building a PC, I'm trying to get a family member to assemble it for me, but chances are I'll be doing that myself.

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061
I'm not very sure what to look for in a case, but this was recommended quite a few times on the forums. The case supports the motherboard, and this has good reviews, not sure what else I need to know about it.

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
HDD's are expensive... I don't think I'll need 1TB, if I run out of space I'll buy an external or something. Brand wise, this and Western Digital seem pretty similar. Someone suggested that since I can't afford a pure SSD, I should look for a hybrid, but I've yet to find any in the price range.

SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
I've read in alot of places that Radeon cards are doing slightly better then GeForce ones. Also I checked the stats for this card on the website and it has a really good score. I don't see the need for something stronger, but I also wouldn't like something weaker.

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
It's about the same price as the 520w version, and it's certified. 620w also seems like something I can work with in the future, incase I need to add stronger components.

ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236
Good ratings and supports 6gb sata. I saw a few cheaper versions in the same series, but this seems nice with the potential for USB 3.0.

Team Elite 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model TED38192M1333HC9DC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313086
This and g-skill(I think) are about the same price. Review wise it seems solid, and it comes with something free! It was suggested to me that I get 1x 8GB, since the MOBO only supports 16 GB max with 2 slots. But it's a 20$ increase for the single stick, and I figure if I actually need to upgrade ram, by the time I do the prices will drop.

I probably should have put the CPU first....
Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120 W/ DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.822341

Overall, I think this is the best choice price wise. I would go for the Amd Phenom II x4 960T BE, but I'm not going to overclock it, or unlock it. The i3-2120 is also on sale and about the same price as the i3-2100.

The main thing I've been checking over and over again, is that all the components work together. I know the MOBO is designed for the CPU, the PSU is enough for the GPU, and so on. As I said, this is my first time, and withering away in front of my PC for the past three days leaves me with only so much I can gained from it. Lastly, I plan on playing SC2, maybe SWTOR, and any other run of the mill f2p MMO. And probably Skyrim, the monitor I have sucks, but I'll work on that later, other I don't plan on doing anything more intensive.

Thank you in advance.

 

[clutchc]

I see nothing wrong with that build except possibly the RAM. I have no experience with that brand. It may be good memory, I don't know. Maybe a couple bucks more for Corsair, Kingston, or GSkill value RAM?

Those choices are all components I've used on various builds for clients in the recent past. All good choices. You chose right going with the dual core i3-2120 over the aging quad core Phenom IIs. (Excellent processors in their own right, but falling behind for gaming. Although the 975/980 is up there with the i3s) I've had both i3's and PH II 980's.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

The Gamma case is great for the price. A little thin on the metal, but well made and designed for the enthusiast on a budget.

You should Have an excellent gamer at 1920x1080 and lower, and not break the bank.

 

[roll_right]

Never heard of that RAM before. Looks like decent reviews but for the same price you can get G.Skill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422

 

[deadlockedworld]

I agree with the RAM sentiment.

Also, are you sure you don't want to drop a few more bucks on the processor? Starcraft is probably more CPU limited than GPU. (graphics scale easily with settings - but hundreds of units on the battlefield do not) Four cores would be really nice ... and the CPU is a lot harder to upgrade later than the GPU or RAM.

As much as I love Seasonic - you can save money there if you need to. With you not overclocking you could get away with a decent quality 400w if you needed to. Seasonic, Corsair, Antec are good brands. OCZ is hit and miss depending on the model (but they have some good prices)

Shell Shocker:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031&cm_sp=Cat_Power_Supplies-_-Spotlight-_-17-371-031

Corsair value:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
(you could get away with the model below this if you needed to, but I'm recommending this one to give you some room)

 

[brainboy7799]

@ clutchc
Thanks for the link. Nice to know that the overall is good.

@ roll_right
Seeing as everyone said they barely know the other company, I changed the ram to Gskill. Brand name does seem a bit better after looking at it. Thank you.

@ deadlockedworld

Won't the Mobo I selected allow upgrading? It says that it is also compatible with i5 and i7. I don't plan on playing anything with ultra like setting until I get another monitor, so as long as the 13-2120 can handle all the current gen games I don't mind. Plus my overall budget was about 685$, with what I have left over I would love to buy games and such.

You make a really good point, considering I don't plan on upgrading the video or overclocking the cpu, I guess I don't need excess power. But I thought the video card I'm using needs a min of 500w? I guess the only thing that leaves is brand vs cost. So between the two power supplies you suggested, which would be better? I'm leaning towards the Antec, it seems like it has all the connections I would need, since it doesn't come with a power cord, can I use any leftover power cord? Basically, I'm wondering if all power cords are the same.

 

[clutchc]

Personally, I'd stay with the Seasonic. One of the best PSU reviewers is the Johnny Guru site. He reviewed the smaller 520W version of the one you chose and gave it high marks.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=185

The other PSUs are excellent too. Everyone has their favorite. Here is a PSU calculator you can use to figure your needed wattage.
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

 

[andrewcarr]

Only thing I see is possibly upgrading the motherboard to accommodate cross fire in the future.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488
Because of that you will also need a different PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341041

 

[brainboy7799]

@ clutchc
I like Seasonic for the ratings and reviews, and since it's currently on sale for the same price as the 520w version is does seem pretty perfect. I have two concerns about it now though. After taking a look at the PSU calculator, thanks for that, it's showing that 430W would be fine. According to the AMD site the video card needs 500w min, it seems a bit confusing. Also what will be the best way to deal with the cord management? Will I need to buy zip ties, rubber bands, or tape lol? I can tell already I'm going to have alot of excess wires, so I'm wondering what would be the best way to deal with that.

Overall, I don't mind spending more then I need when it comes to power, because I want it to last. I'm not so worried about future proofing as I am about part failures and frying stuff.

@ andrewcarr

My budget is really shoestring lol. That's one of the main reasons I went from an AMD Board and CPU to Intel ones. Will the 6870 not be able to handle games well? I hoped that by spending a bit more in that area that would be future proofing enough. Orignially I was going to get a GeForce gtx 550ti, but it seemed like the 6870 was much more highly rated, and had better performance.

 

[andrewcarr]

No the 6870 is great the other motherboard just allows you to upgrade in the future. Best to spend a bit more and try to make it as future resistant as possible. Also the board is much better (no worries about frying it).

 

[brainboy7799]

Best answer selected by brainboy7799.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey