'Budget' Gaming build for GW2

[Mandydeth]

This guy is going to be used almost exclusively for playing GW2 and browsing the interwebs. I might get a Black Magic card down the line and do some live streaming with it. Just wondering if anyone had any comments or criticism for the build. I'm planning on OCing the 2500k. I was trying to stay under $600 dollars, but with the rebates, what I have listed, everything winds up at $754 + shipping.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before October 1st

Budget Range: Trying to stay as close as possible to $600 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Strictly for Guild Wars 2, surfing the web, and possibly live streaming in the future.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: N/A New build

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Tiger Direct, Amazon; I'm open to anyone with the best deal.

Location: Tampa, FL

Parts Preferences: Would like to stick with Intel i5-2500k, fairly content with the ASUS Mobo. Everything else I'm flexible with

Overclocking: Definitely OCing processor, in the air about touching the GPU

SLI or Crossfire: Would rather not.

Your Monitor Resolution: Capable of 1080

Additional Comments: As stated earlier; primarily building this to play GW2. I'd like to make sure I have a SSD for quick booting.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My MacBook can't handle live streaming or GW2.


For your consideration:

CPU Fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel ...
$34.99

Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite White Steel with painted interior ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ Black Front Trim
$49.99

MB: ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
$129.99

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100312-3L Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$179.99

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
$89.99

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
$219.99

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9R
$44.99

SSD: OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$89.99

Some of this stuff has some MIR from NewEgg, so it's going to come out to a little bit less. Only thing I'm iffy on is the SSD; whether I should get that one in particular at least.

 

[2260121]

No hardrive? Get rid of the ssd if you want to save some money. 7850 instead of 6950. Get 3570k instead of 2500k

 

[zared619]

OCZ isn't the best for their PSU's and they are really bad for their SSD's.
Try these out for size.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233206

I agree with the 7850 over the 6950.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127688

 

[zared619]

No hardrive? Get rid of the ssd if you want to save some money. 7850 instead of 6950. Get 3570k instead of 2500k

He said that he is using it exclusively for GW2, which means he doesn't need a lot of space. Also the 2500k can OC way better than the 3570k.

 

[Mandydeth]

He said that he is using it exclusively for GW2, which means he doesn't need a lot of space. Also the 2500k can OC way better than the 3570k.

Exactly, other than Windows/GW2/Skype/Drivers, I literally won't be needing any additional space.

With the 7850 replacing the 6950 I can see how I can drop the power supply down to a 500w. My only concern would be my headroom for future upgrades down the line (more powerful GPU/extra HDD/etc). I think I can survive; especially at the $40 price point.

My only concern is whether I will really see significant games in the 7850 over the 6950. With MIR it comes out to $169.99 + $7 shipping. I don't mind buying a GPU in surplus of $200 as long as my extra $30 is going to good use. Same goes for the Corsair drive and reliability.

 

[2260121]

My only concern is whether I will really see significant games in the 7850 over the 6950. With MIR it comes out to $169.99 + $7 shipping. I don't mind buying a GPU in surplus of $200 as long as my extra $30 is going to good use.

6950 to 7850, not really:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/510?vs=549

But the 6950 has a 2nd bios with the shaders unlocked so if you overclock it... :
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/509?vs=549

 

[Mandydeth]

Latest incarnation:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($207.86 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $750.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Already ordered the case as I'm rather fond of it. Just pondering the rest of my selections. Just debating if the 6950 and the 120GB SSD is worth saving $35. Or if I should just wait for a better deal on a SSD.

 

[zared619]

I would wait for a better deal on a better SSD. Don't buy an OCZ.