New budget gaming build (~$600)

[ballsohard]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new gaming rig. Any help would be appreciated.

Budget: $650 +/- $50
Parts not needed: Hard drive (I have a 64gb crucial m4, and a 500gb WD caviar blue)

Here's what I have so far..

Case: Rosewill R218 --- $29.99
CPU: i5-2500k --- $219.99
Cooler: Hyper 212 --- $29.99
Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA --- $114.99
RAM: 2x4GB Ripjaw Series @ 1600mhz --- $46.99
Storage: Crucial M4 64GB + 500GB WD Caviar Blue --- $0
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 500W --- $69.99
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB --- $169.99
OD: Standard Sony drive --- $17.00
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Subtotal: 698.93
Rebates/discount savings: ~$50
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Total: ~$650


How does this look to you guys? I plan on eventually upgrading once I get more money.. which is why I decided to fork over the cash for the 2500k instead of sticking with the i3-2100 for a more "true" budget build. If I were to eventually upgrade to.. lets say.. a GTX 680, would everything still work out well? Or would I need a bigger PSU? I'm willing to consider ANY of your advice.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[2fast4thetown_down]

^That is a pretty solid build...Why did you get 4 gbs instead of 8 gb i would spend the extra to get 8 gb. The ssd you put will only hod your os if you want to put games on it you will need a bigger one.if you get the 680 then you will ned a decent 550 or more i would get a 600 watt for some breathing room. i am getting the power requirements from nvidias site.

 

[willard]

Double your memory. No reason to get 4GB when 8GB is only $20 more and will future proof you for years to come.

I'd also recommend getting a Z77 board. They aren't much more expensive, and get you extra USB 3.0 ports, extra SATA III ports and support for PCIe 3.0 should you ever upgrade to Ivy Bridge.

I'd also forget the Hyper 212 unless you're planning to overclock. The stock cooler is fine for stock speeds.

 

[ballsohard]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I do plan on overclocking my cpu.

2x2GB Ripjaw Series @ 1600mhz -------> 2x4GB Ripjaw Series @ 1600mhz (+$17)
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 -------> ASRock Z77 Extreme4 (+$10)

I suppose I could also trade the 64GB Crucial + some cash for the 128gb version.


So the new total would be about $649 after rebates/discounts. Any other suggestions?

 

[2fast4thetown_down]

The gtx 480 is$30 more and is alot better look

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/309?vs=290

Or if you can stretch out an extra 50 you can get the 7850
here is its performance vs 6870

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=549