Critique this build

[s_walters]

Hi all, first time on this forum so please play nice

I've been using my spare time to look up various parts to put into a new rig. This is what I have for the moment:

i5 3470
Asus P8H77-V
Corsair Vengeance 8GB RAM (1.35 volt)
Intel 330 180GB SSD
WD Caviar Blue 1TB HDD
MSI GTX 660 OC
Asus Xonar DGX (sound card)
DVD Writer
Seasonic G-550 PSU
Coolermaster HAF 912

Notes:
- No intention to overclock though the GPU is a given
- No crossfire/SLI
- $1000 budget
- No new monitor - current one is a 21.5 inch Asus
- Already have Windows 7

How is this build? Anything I could change or am I good to go?

 

[Outlander_04]

there are a horribly large number of PCI slots on that motherboard you will never use . Its hard to find devices to plug in to them , and they appear on that mb because of the limited number of pci-e lanes on the H 77 chipset

you could use an m-ATX mb or one of the Asrock Z77 chipset boards


Unless you have $500 speakers you do not need a sound card

 

[s_walters]

The PC shop I usually buy from only has that Asus H77 board in which the sound card can fit in with the GPU, but I will consider others if they are good alternatives. It's a personal brand loyalty thing since I have always bought Asus mobos.

I never liked using mobo sound so a nice, cheap sound card was the way to go.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

+1 to the asrock z77 board and you dont need an add on sound card with modern onboard sound. Even with the sound card an asrock z77 can be had as cheap as that asus h77, and has more features.

 

[envy14tpe]

Honesty, it looks good. I'm sure someone could nit pick it, but everything looks smart for your build. Soundcard is the only thing in question. Years ago you needed one, but now it's not necessary.

You could drop down to a 520W Seasonic and put some more money into GPU or pocket it. 550W is higher than needed.