First Time Builder - Budget Gaming PC

[navluap]

This is an update from my last thread, I have made many changes.

Uses: Casual gaming (Dota 2, LoL, SC2) and day-to-day tasks

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER-U3 Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, front mounted dual USB 3.0 - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

GPU:
EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

Optical Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM - $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Ram: CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9B - $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145346

Mobo: ASRock Z77 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

Not included or needed: Mouse, Keyboard, OS, Hard drive

Total: $479.33

Notes:
-Already have HD - 500GB 7200 RPM
-Would like advice especially on GPU/Motherboard
-Budget of $500

Thanks for reading this, any opinions, advice, or considerations would be appreciated.

 

[malbluff]

As you can't overclock an i3 processor, you don't need a mobo with the overclocking capability of a Z77. Whilst, I suppose, "adequate" the 550Ti is a particularly feeble graphics card. Save yourself some money with an ASRock B75 Pro3, and spend it on a better graphics card. Even a HD 7770 would give a noticable improvement. Be a bit careful if you upgrade GPU MORE than that. You might, then need to increase power supply. The 430W is ok with a HD7770.

 

[navluap]

As you can't overclock an i3 processor, you don't need a mobo with the overclocking capability of a Z77. Whilst, I suppose, "adequate" the 550Ti is a particularly feeble graphics card. Save yourself some money with an ASRock B75 Pro3, and spend it on a better graphics card. Even a HD 7770 would give a noticable improvement. Be a bit careful if you upgrade GPU MORE than that. You might, then need to increase power supply. The 430W is ok with a HD7770.

Thanks for the advice! Would you say an ASRock is a reliable motherboard brand? (ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314) This will support ivy bridge right?
Also are there any graphics card brands you would recommend I get/not get?

 

[malbluff]

ASRock are pretty good. Several manufacturers do very similar boards, but wouldn't say any were particularly better. You can get micro-ATX versions of that board, but don't see any real reason to change.

 

[navluap]

ASRock are pretty good. Several manufacturers do very similar boards, but wouldn't say any were particularly better. You can get micro-ATX versions of that board, but don't see any real reason to change.

The only difference between micro-atx and atx is size correct?

 

[malbluff]

You usually lose some of the expansion slots, of the large board, but less tend to be needed, these days, with better on board audio, more potent graphics cards, etc. They're just that bit less versatile, for adding stuff.

 

[navluap]

You usually lose some of the expansion slots, of the large board, but less tend to be needed, these days, with better on board audio, more potent graphics cards, etc. They're just that bit less versatile, for adding stuff.

Thanks for clearing that up, do you know a lot about these games to tell me approximate frame rates with the 6670 vs 7750 vs 7700? If this is too vague I'd be glad to clear it up, I can also provide links to game requirements and cards if you need.

 

[malbluff]

The easiest site to use is anantech. Just google anantech. Select bench, then 2012 GPU. you can then select ANY TWO graphics cards for comparason, and it will provide framerates across a selection of games. Obviously, for 3 cards, you have to do it twice.

 

[lighter17]

It's Anandtech.

Tom's also has a comparison guide for GPU performance.

See this .

 

[navluap]

Thanks for all the help!

 

[navluap]

Best answer selected by navluap.