My first build Please help budget $715

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FinneousPJ

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Well, a quick look tells me you could go with a cheaper mobo (H61) and a better GPU HD6870/6850 at least. The 550 Ti is underwhelming for its price, a HD6790 will beat it for the same money - you should be able to grab a 6800 series though. I'm not sure about that PSU but the price is decent - a Corsair 430W however is now cheaper with rebate so grab that. Grab some 1333 MHz RAM for cheaper.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Well there are a few parts in there that are just a big NO for gaming.
The PSU is one of the worst brands (think of it like the heart if it goes the system is dead). Secondly the GPU is very weak for gaming. Give me a few minutes and I'll post a new build that is much better.
 
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FinneousPJ

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $645.92
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

705 before rebates.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Only problem with that setup is you didn't list the OS which is $100 you didn't include which makes it way over budget.

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

CD/DVD Burner $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

GPU $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987

PSU $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

OS $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

HDD $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Memory $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Motherboard $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138352

Computer Case $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Shipping $4.84
Total Price $737.91
Rebates $20

If you have a microcenter around you I'd advise going and getting the CPU there since you can get an i5 for a similar price. I chose that GPU over the 7850 because they perform similar and the 6950 is $50 cheaper. Overall a good system for mainly gaming (which is why it has a better GPU over the CPU). With the motherboard included it can support any new processors if you want to upgrade in the future and you can overclock the CPU if you want too.
 
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FinneousPJ

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Oops yeah I forgot about the OS. You on the other picked a far too expensive motherboard for an i3. You could easily tweak your build for H61 +i5 which will be a lot better. I have that very GPU and it's great.

Here's a joint andrew-finny collaboration system

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2310 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($175.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
Total: $685.90
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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You have to upgrade the PSU to handle that GPU as I did. Secondly I chose the motherboard the way it is for a reason. It's a good Z77 board and can handle any upgrades in the future. The one you chose is so cheap I wouldn't trust it, doesn't have many features either. Not even USB 3.0 or any SATA III ports. The processor won't be all that much better in games either. As I stated the only way I'd get an i5 is if he has a MicroCenter around him, if not I'd stick with the parts I chose. The case I picked out is much nicer too.

Sorry, not trying to be a jerk I just wouldn't get what you chose.
 
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FinneousPJ

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No, that PSU is fine. He didn't say he wanted to upgrade this system and future proofing is mostly a waste of money anyway. You'll do better buying a new $700 computer in 2 years than upgrading.

Whether the i5 is better and by how much depends largely on the game. And people usually do things other than gaming on their PCs.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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I'd rather not have a $200 GPU have to work on a power rail never meant to reliably supply as much power as the card needs once overclocked. Rather just pay the extra $10 and get the better part to start with. I know there are adapters out there (I'd even bet the card comes with some) I just never recommend them.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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You never took off the promo codes then.

EMCNDJH235 for free shipping on CD/DVD drive

EMCNDJE34 for $15 off CPU

CorsairPSU612 for 10% ($6) off PSU

Was about $20 over budget, but you do eventually get the rebates back. You never mentioned if you had a MicroCenter around you or not, if you do then you'll be able to get a better CPU (the i3 isn't bad, just an i5 is better).
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html
In most instances you wouldn't notice a difference between i3 and i5 except if you do video editing and other CPU intensive data crunching (file conversions). You won't be upset with either.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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If you do want to save some money there are some other cheaper cases you can consider (although I believe the one I picked is very good for the price).
This case is $40 (not a bad one either)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-061512-Latest-_-ComputerCases-_-11147153-L0H&PID=3938566&AID=10440897

This HDD is much cheaper although it's refurbished and a smaller capacity.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236163&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-061512-Latest-_-LaptopHardDrives-_-22236163-L023A&PID=3938566&AID=10440897
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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I didn't notice that the HDD was a one day only special price not it went up by $20 so I'd switch to this one for a primary.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

Possibly this one also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145361&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-061512-Latest-_-LaptopHardDrives-_-22145361-L016B&PID=3938566&AID=10440897

If you think you'll need lots of space even this could be an option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-061512-Latest-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22145304-L015D&PID=3938566&AID=10440897
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Your welcome I'm glad I could help. The only thing is that since you don't plan on buying it at the moment the prices will change rather rapidly and you'll want to buy the things on sale before the sale ends on the 17th is possible.
It is the CPU, PSU and CD/DVD burner.
 
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