Budget System Build

[WardTech]

Hello, I'm thinking of getting a brand new custom system for gaming that will last for at least few years.

Excluded, since I have it:
- Monitor: 23" LED Dell U2312HM 1080p monitor
- HDD: 1TB Seagate ST1000DM003, SATA3, 64 MB cache, 7200 RPM

Ok, so all I need is the rest of the configuration.
I'm thinking getting something like this below would do, and everything I have listed together capped my budged approximately.

- MBO: ASROCK 970 EXTREME3
- CPU: AMD FX X4 4170 BOX, s. AM3+, 4.2GHz, 12MB cache
- RAM: G. Skill Sniper series F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR (1.5 V), DDR3 1600MHz, kit 2x4GB
- GPU: Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 7870 OC, 2GB DDR5 or Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7950 OC, 3GB DDR5 (which is 20$ more then 7870 lol)
- Optical device: DVD±RW SAMSUNG SH-S222AL
- Case: LC Power Pro-914BII or LC Power Pro-933B or LC Power Pro-925B (all 3 models include 600W power supply)

Now, my concern is about CPU. I've seen benchmarks alongside with Phenom II x4 955+, Core i3/i5 but then I've heard some people say synthetic benchmarks can't be compared to real world use + they are not coded properly for the new FX line.

Another thing is, I've seen videos with HD7850/7870, GTX 570 with this CPU also many videos with same cards with i5. As what I've seen is people showed FPS with Fraps while recording with cam, also they played games on maximum video settings like; Starcraft 2, Crysis 2, Battlefield 3, Dirt 3 and so on. So, same GPU (like HD 7870) + one of these CPUs = same FPS? Is it cause with good GPU you don't need expensive CPU also to get max FPS you can?

Also, one person told me that there won't be any FPS difference between these CPUs if I don't play on higher resolution, multi-monitor or multi-GPUs. He also told me that FX may fall behind i5 in high CPU intensive games like The Witcher 2 on maximum video settings. If it is true what he says I'm wondering how many games are like that (more CPU demanding).
And please if anyone knows any video comparison between these CPUs with same GPUs for The Witcher 2 game, link it.

Please comment, give suggestions and tell how well could I run games within 2-3 years if you could predict

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kajcha]

First of all, I'm no expert for this, but I can tell you this:

FX series is really really bad series of AMD cpus. I'd personally go with Phenom II x4 (945, 965, 960T or 980)
I think having an OC 7870 is pretty much enough for your needs, and I think you can play games in next 3-5 years, maybe not on MAX settings but you should definitely get medium.

One more thing. The PSU in those cases is 600W but costs about 40$... That's a cheap PSU and it would definitely not support that system, specially not if you intend to overclock...

I'd go with Chieftec CTG-650C, 750 CTG-750C, CTG-650CS, CTG-750CS and higher...
Or Cooler Master GX 650, CM GX 750.
They are all 650W and above, and this is what you need for your system.
You better put extra money on PSU than on the GPU...
It's bad if your PSU dies but it's worse if it pulls other components with it (which happens when your PSU is not powerful enough for your system).
Also watch that PSU is 80+ certified.