Am I missing something on my first $600 build?

ctctreno

Honorable
Aug 10, 2012
6
0
10,510
Hello,
Approximate Purchase Date: next few days (the closer the better)

Budget Range: $600 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming at least medium setttings or better, upgradable

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: reputable sites

Location: NW Ohio

Parts Preferences: Nope

Overclocking: Maybe with future upgrades

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe with future upgrades

Your Monitor Resolution: no idea

Additional Comments: building it to play GW2 and 2-3 years of current games with only minor upgrades (CPU/RAM)

I've been pouring over benchmarks, reviews and price comparisons. And learning sooo much. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Are my components compatable? Are there compromises I can make without sacrificing too much performance? Or better options available? I really want to buy in the next few days.

So here goes

i3-2100 $90 after mir expires 08/11
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7295297&CatId=6983

GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128555

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700w $50 after MIR
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=35456

XFX HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $175 A/ MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

Cheap Optic Drive $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151255

Can't decide on a case, but it needs to be <50, less is better. I have one I can salvage but I think it's a ATX mico. It was in an E-michine BE-2350.

Salvaging a 320gb SATA HDD from previous machine, but would like to add 500gb HDD

Windows 7 home premium oem $90 Amazon
can I get it for less?


Debating between
G.SKILL Ripjaws 2x 4gb 1600 $43
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57953
or
G.SKILL Ripjaws 1x8gb 1600 $40 weekend deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231488&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL081012&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081012-_-EMC-081012-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231488-L025C

Any help you can be is greatly appreciated. Im feeling very nervous and I don't want this first build to go wrong at all. Not sure my wife wouldn't freak out and beat me with the mobo.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Can't decide on a case, but it needs to be <50, less is better. I have one I can salvage but I think it's a ATX mico. It was in an E-michine BE-2350.

This is hands down the best $50 case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Anything cheaper - don't bother. Cheap cases are just that - cheap. They cut corners on construction, use junk parts, have sharp edges, things of that nature.

Debating between
G.SKILL Ripjaws 2x 4gb 1600 $43
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57953
or
G.SKILL Ripjaws 1x8gb 1600 $40 weekend deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 1488-L025C

Go with 2 x 4GB.

GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128555

I'm in the minority here - I really dislike B75, get something like this that will allow for better expansion: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128550

Salvaging a 320gb SATA HDD from previous machine, but would like to add 500gb HDD

You can always add that later. The case I linked to makes it really easy to add / remove HDs.
 
2 x4 gig of RAM will run in Dual channel , doubling the bandwidth of the connection between RAM and processor
Over all system performance will increase by between 6 an 10 % depending on what you are doing

Your build needs a 500 watt psu . 80+ bronze or better .

Antec also make excellent cases .
I quite like the Antec One for budget builds . It even has front USB 3 ports
 

ctctreno

Honorable
Aug 10, 2012
6
0
10,510
Thank you for explaining about the RAM. That certainly makes sense. Also, should i get a 500watt psu instead of the 700watt I have? Was thinking it would allow me more upgade later, it was really good price, but will it cause problems for my current build?
 

bigbilly69

Honorable
Jul 6, 2012
25
0
10,530
Yes a 500 watt psu would be fine for you. But If you are certain of making upgrades to your computer sometime in the future then i would go with the 700 watt psu to have room for those upgrades. and having extra watts on hand will not harm your computer.