Gaming PC build suggestions

[ThePhoenix65]

The build I been looking at is this:

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core $109.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 $95.98
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $58.99
Hard Drive : Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.98
Video Card : Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB $134.99
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower $37.99
Power Supply: Cooler Master 460W ATX12V $32.98
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer $17.99

Total $548


But I'm thinking that I might try to switch to a i5 2400 and a 6870, which brings the price to about $650.

Would this give much of an increase in performance or is it better to stick with the cheaper one?

I'm also wondering if I could get Windows XP for cheaper than Win 7, would that have any downsides? As far as I can tell most games can be run on XP.

 

[skaggy]

buy the best u can afford

and if you wanna be cheap with windows download windows 8 customer preview .. gives you 6 months or so to save up for a windows disc lol

 

[batuchka]

if you have to fork out for an OS no point in going XP and i would cut down to 4GB RAM, basic H61 and spring for a better PSU and ya better GPU

 

[ThePhoenix65]

What about this set up

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core $184.99
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 $73.97
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $45.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.98
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 2GB $179.99
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower $37.99
Power Supply: Antec 550W ATX12V $57.99
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer $17.99

This one is about $660, and I think I will go for the Windows 8 preview, I think I might have an XP disc around somewhere too.