Finalzing Christmas budget build $600, help would be appreciated

[zZCory]

So this?
CPU Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core $119.99
Motherboard ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 $66.99
Memory Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $25.99
Storage Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.99
Video Card XFX Radeon HD 7770 1GB $99.99
Case Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower $49.49
Power Supply Corsair 430W ATX12V $34.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) $91.99
Total: $549.42
Is the mobo fine?

 

[zZCory]

Approximate Purchase Date: Probably Christmas Time

Budget Range: Prefer $600, don't mind going a little over

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, YouTube, web browsing etc.

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: all except PSU and DVD drive.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Pc Part picker: cheapest websites

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Anchorage, Alaska, no micro centers near me.

Parts Preferences: intel, cheap but reliable parts

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Don't know what this is.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1360x768 hdmi

Additional Comments: I already own a DVD burner.

And Most Importantly, Why upgrade: current computer cannot handle WoW or diablo 3 on min settings, time for an upgrade. I will also continue to upgrade in later future when needed/ I get more money.
Games I would want to play: WoW, D3,DayZ,lfd. Not to worried about running crysis2 or BF3 on ultra settings.

CPU Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core $119.99
Motherboard ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 $66.99
Memory Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $25.99
Storage Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.99
Video Card XFX Radeon HD 7750 1GB $99.99
Case Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower $49.99
Power Supply Corsair 430W ATX12V $34.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $99.99
Total: $557.92

Is above build any good? I still have extra money to spend if needed.

 

[obsama1]

I would not get Windows 8. Compatability issues with a few games. Stick with 7 right now. Here's a better build with the FX-4300 and 7770 which will be better for gaming.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lDGE

 

[zZCory]

Okay, thanks. Quick question, whats the difference between the cooler master case you have and the rosewill challanger case in my build?

 

[obsama1]

Actually, don't get the Challenger and don't get the case I mentioned. Get the HAF 912. It's a great case.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc912kkn1

 

[zZCory]

What if I want to upgrade my cpu in the future, wouldn't the i5 beat any other competing Amd cpus?
And that case looks excellent, thanks

 

[koudou]

I personally don't see cases as too much of a factor other than for ascetics. Get whichever one that looks the best to you, providing that it has good reviews.

I would stick with the i3 and upgrade the GPU to a 7770, since you have a bit of wriggle room left in your budget. The upgrade is worth the money, if benchmarks are to be believed.

 

[zZCory]

Anyone?

 

[macgreen]

Don't you need to update the bios on a H61 mobo to make it compatible with Ivy Bridge CPUs? You might try a B75 or H77 instead, if that is the case.

 

[zZCory]

Don't you need to update the bios on a H61 mobo to make it compatible with Ivy Bridge CPUs? You might try a B75 or H77 instead, if that is the case.

Will do, thanks.

 

[macgreen]

I have no idea how/where you're getting the PSU from (very nice price on it), as I can't find that one on pcpartpicker. I've put the build together on that site... Made a few changes to reflect the b75 mobo. Due to the b75 chosen, I switched the case so you can make use of the USB 3.0 header on it (to another Cooler Master). You don't have to switch, however (and the HAF 912 would personally be my choice, if not for the fact that it doesn't have an USB 3.0 port on the front panel), and you'll still be within budget.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lEN9

 

[sonicers]

Get the i5 3470 if you're buying now, its only $150 at microcenter. That will keep under your budget and you will see a pretty big (4 true cores) performance increase, especially in the long run.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/400664/Core_i5_3470_32GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor

There's also a B75 MOBO going for 51 dollars right now (MIR). It's made by ECS, which isn't the best of brands, but you're saving like 15 dollars from the next cheapest B75/H77 MOBO. You're getting stuff you don't see on most H61's, including USB 3.0, SATA III 6.0 GB/s, and you don't have to get a BIOS update.

I haven't tried this, but I'm pretty sure you need a Sandy Bridge processor to update the BIOS. I heard it somewhere and I'm not sure it's true though, either way, the B75 is better for the money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135324&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

The best budget case as of now, is the Antec One. It has good cable routing (probably best for the price range), a clean design, good airflow, and 2 USB 3.0 ports WITH internal headers, which most cases with USB 3.0 in the budget catagory don't have.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006TVQU6C/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[zZCory]

I have no idea how/where you're getting the PSU from (very nice price on it), as I can't find that one on pcpartpicker. I've put the build together on that site... Made a few changes to reflect the b75 mobo. Due to the b75 chosen, I switched the case so you can make use of the USB 3.0 header on it (to another Cooler Master). You don't have to switch, however (and the HAF 912 would personally be my choice, if not for the fact that it doesn't have an USB 3.0 port on the front panel), and you'll still be within budget.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lEN9

Thanks!

 

[zZCory]

Would this Mobo be alright? it has decent reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157303

 

[zZCory]

or is this one better?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131842&Tpk=Asus%20P8B75-M%20LE%20Micro%20ATX%20LGA1155%20Motherboard

 

[zZCory]

This is probably a noob question but:
The HAF 912 does not have a USB 3.0 port but the cooler master 431 elite plus does have a USB 3.0 port. Does that mean I won't be able to make use of my USB 3.0 from my MOBO if I use the HAf 912 case? The HAF 912 has better reviews though, which one should I get?
HAF 912: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

431 ELITE plus: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119256&Tpk=cooler%20master%20elite%20431

 

[boyabunda]

I suggest this case for the i3 build. It's only $10 more than the HAF 912 so it's within the budget.

Fractal Design Arc Midi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352007&Tpk=fractal%20arc%20midi

Fractal makes amazing cases.