Questions about updating gaming rig

[Mr Schadenfreude]

Hey guys, I've been "persuaded" into updating my girl friends computer into a gaming rig. The only thing I'm salvaging is a 750W Corsair Enthusiast Series PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021), disc drive, HDD, and an Azza case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517015).

I'm basically seeking advice for the best hardware upgrades, for strictly gaming purposes, within a budget of $500 for a new GPU, CPU, Mobo and some RAM. Overclocking is not an option. This is what I'm currently considering buying:

CPU - $175 (after MIR) Intel i5-2400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-083112-Latest-_-ProcessorsDesktops-_-19115074-L010A&PID=4039683&SID=527C3235313438353732&AID=10485908

GPU - $140 (after MIR) Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127593

Mobo - $65 ASRock B75M http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157313

RAM - $39 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

After tax (joys of living in TN) and shipping it edges out around $478.

My biggest question is whether the 2400 is overkill and if I should downgrade the CPU to an i3 2120 in exchange for a stronger GPU.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hazle]

the 2400 is great for gaming if you can't spend on a 3450 or a 3470 and have no interest to OC. only reason to go i3 is if you REALLY want to spend less. i'd honestly stick with that CPU as a GPU is a lot easier to upgrade at least. if you got a microcenter nearby try to check out the price of the 2400 there. i hear their CPUs are cheaper there.

just make sure to double check with Asrock's website that the model of your RAM is compatible with the motherboard and you're ready to go. it's an issue many people tend to over look.

EDIT:checked your motherboard and RAM compatibility for you. i don't see F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL in their memory support list;

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?cat=Memory&Model=B75M

 

[edgewood112358]

That looks like a solid build as you have it so far... the question is, like you said, do you want the faster CPU , or a better GPU? I would say that depends on what you want to be doing with your computer. The i5 is a very solid CPU that will give you great system performance, and the GTX 560 is a good card too (about equivalent to the HD 6870 if I'm not mistaken). That said, if your main focus is gaming, you will get better performance buying an i3 and a better GPU, say a HD 7850. The i3 is a great little gaming CPU for the money, and it will be able to push that card almost as well as a i7 would. However, your overall system performance will suffer a little bit, especially on heavily threaded stuff or when multitasking.

$190 with rebate (not including shipping)- Radeon HD 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103207

$120- i3 2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

Which is, in total, $5 less expensive than you other rig, but should game meh, 15-20% better.