Friend's $300 Gaming PC Upgrade

You don't want to get such an expensive motherboard if you're not overclocking; that defeats the purpose of a Z77 motherboard.

Here's what I'd recommend.

Get an i5 3470 because SC2 is an extremely CPU intensive game, and you'll want a better CPU than GPU. The GPU doesn't matter as much.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/400664/Core_i5_3470_...

Then, get this motherboard, which has most of the features of the Z77 with the exception of overclocking.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KW62WK/?tag=pcpapi-20

Then, with the extra 100 bucks, he could go with this GPU (including mail in rebate) if he wants to play some BF3, or something like that later on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If he's sticking with SC2, then this GPU should be sufficient.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It's 80 dollars with the mail in rebate.

He already has a 7750. I got the Z77 board because it was two x8 PCIE slots.

Best answer selected by samuelspark.