First Time Build (Budget-Gaming Build) - Compatibility Check

[raedos]

Hello,
This is my very first PC build. I am using the PC for gaming (mostly the modern games run at medium settings) and for everyday tasks such as browsing the internet, office work etc. This build is more of a budget-gaming build and my budget so far is below $700 at the most. Additionally I am based in Australia so all these parts are in AUSD. So far, the total cost for the following items has reached $638.00 AUSD (this excludes optical drive, sound card and shipping/delivery). I am not interested in overclocking, SLI or XFire. Maybe in the future for better builds.

If there are other cheaper parts that does better or the same performance please feel free to share and future thanks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 $119 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16725

Motherboard: ASROCK Z68M-USB3 $89 http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/43381-z68m-usb3

RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR3 (2x2GB) $29 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13237

Hard Disk Drive: Hitachi 500GB Deskstar 7K1000 $79 http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/43224-0f15629

Graphics Card: Gainward NVIDIA GT 440 1GB $59 http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/44846-426018336-2104

PSU: Corsair CX-430 V2 $59 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17405

Case: Antec Three-Hundred $59 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6754

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit with SP1 OEM $95 http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17003

Note: Somehow some items on pccasegear doesn't seem to appear when using the links.

 

[jmsellars1]

I think you are definitely going to want a better graphics card for gaming. I would get a cheaper H61 or H67 motherboard if possible, probably drop the CPU to the Pentium G620 too. You won't see much of a drop in performance for games as most of them aren't very CPU dependent and it means you can get a better GPU. I'd aim for the HD 6850.

 

[Ubrales]

Consider a Corsair PSU in the 500 watts to 600 watts range.

 

[raedos]

I would get a cheaper H61 or H67 motherboard if possible, probably drop the CPU to the Pentium G620 too. You won't see much of a drop in performance for games as most of them aren't very CPU dependent and it means you can get a better GPU. I'd aim for the HD 6850.

H61 mobo is available. Thing is, since it uses SATA2 does this mean it is only compatible with SATA2 drives or am I allowed to use SATA3 drives?
I'll degrade the CPU and upgrade the GPU, appreciate the tip

Consider a Corsair PSU in the 500 watts to 600 watts range.

Actually, I was considering to grab a higher wattage PSU might as well get a better one for $10-$30 extra. But yes, I am on a budget though.

 

[Thrallsman]

Save yourself $95 and grab Linux. Or maybe a less legitimate copy of windows 7

 

[raedos]

Save yourself $95 and grab Linux. Or maybe a less legitimate copy of windows 7

Although I am on a budget, I don't really want to bother with the "less legitimate" copies because I'm looking forward on a successful working PC. I am not sure on Linux though

 

[Ubrales]

..... Actually, I was considering to grab a higher wattage PSU might as well get a better one for $10-$30 extra. But yes, I am on a budget though.

Good thinking!

In every PSU capacitors will age and over time the efficiency will drop. Higher summer temps will also decrease the efficiency.

Personally I like to calculate the power requirements using one or more tools available from Corsair, Newegg, and elsewhere, and then add a substantial (like 30%) to this value. This will give me some headroom for future hardware additions to the computer.

http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/?psu=yes
http://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/index.html?name=Power-Supply-Wattage-Calculator
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

They will all give you slightly different values, but they are all in the ball park.

 

[raedos]

Thanks for the help
Hopefully building it soon with the changes in mind

 

[raedos]

Best answer selected by raedos.