New Gaming Rig

[TopMark]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 months

Budget Range: strictly under 900 USD before rebates and shipping.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, work, internet surfing

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Parts to Upgrade: everything

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg but any will do

Parts Preferences: Intel, Windows 7

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

What do you guys think of this so far?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/lZAI


CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Raidmax 530W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Monitor: AOC E2343FK 23.0" Monitor
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 (OEM) (64-bit)
Total: $870.31

 

[KenwoodGT]

Not bad. The 3450 doesn't have all of the features the 3470 has, so you may want to review that. Chances are you probably won't need them, but it's always good to make sure you don't.

3450 - http://ark.intel.com/products/65511/Intel-Core-i5-3450-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz

3470 - http://ark.intel.com/products/68316/Intel-Core-i5-3470-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_60-GHz

I recommend this Antec PSU instead of the Raidmax. It's a better brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045

I've seen that exact AOC monitor at my local Staples, the picture is a little washed out. The Acer ones are better.

 

[TopMark]

Not bad. The 3450 doesn't have all of the features the 3470 has, so you may want to review that. Chances are you probably won't need them, but it's always good to make sure you don't.

3450 - http://ark.intel.com/products/65511/Intel-Core-i5-3450-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz

3470 - http://ark.intel.com/products/68316/Intel-Core-i5-3470-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_60-GHz

I recommend this Antec PSU instead of the Raidmax. It's a better brand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045

I've seen that exact AOC monitor at my local Staples, the picture is a little washed out. The Acer ones are better.

Thanks for the answer. Do you think the screen appears washed out because it is a matte screen? Also is there any monitor around same price and size that is superior?

Anybody else have any input?

 

[KenwoodGT]

I think it's because they used the wrong kind of backlight.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009421
This one seems pretty good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236175
This ASUS one is a little more expensive but better.

 

[ckholt83]

I assume you're not planning to SLI, and you're obviously not going to be overclocking. In light of that, you could save some money by getting a less expensive H77 or B75 motherboard and put the cash towards a better GPU.

I would also advocate a different PSU. Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, and XFX are usually safe brands to stick to.

 

[TopMark]

I chose that PSU because it is a modular PSU. Is there any good modular ones that are not to expensive? Is modular worth the extra money?

 

[ckholt83]

Modular is nice, but it's certainly not necessary, and it tends to be a bit pricey. Given that your budget is a little bit tight already, I'd say it may not be worth the expense. More important is making sure you get a good quality unit that won't set your house on fire.

 

[TopMark]

Modular is nice, but it's certainly not necessary, and it tends to be a bit pricey. Given that your budget is a little bit tight already, I'd say it may not be worth the expense. More important is making sure you get a good quality unit that won't set your house on fire.

Is the PSU suggested by the other user a decent one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= ? Do you have any better/other suggestions on PSU or other components? Thanks for all the help.

 

[ckholt83]

Yeah, the VP450 should be fine.

 

[TopMark]

This seems to be the final build http://pcpartpicker.com/p/m6GS
Just one last question, will the 450W PSU allow me to upgrade to a better GPU in the future?

 

[ckholt83]

Well I suppose it depends on how power hungry the GPU in question would be, but probably. I typically suggest a ~550W PSU for a single card system just to make sure there's a good amount of headroom. If you want to play it safe, you might want to grab this unit instead: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

If you want to stick with a modular unit, this one is about $15 more: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-m12ii520bronze

 

[TopMark]

Just another quick question what do you guys think about this mobo instead? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[TopMark]

Best answer selected by TopMark.