$580 First Build - Need Suggestions

[MTSe7en]

Processor: phenom ii x4 965 be ($99.99 @newegg)

Motherboard: MSI 970A-g46 am3+ *crossfire ready (74.99 @newegg)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL (41.99 @ newegg)

Graphics Card: sappire radeon hd 7770 (129.99 @newegg)

Hard Drive: Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (54.99 @ newegg)

Case: rosewill challenger (49.99 @newegg)

Power Supply: rosewill stallion series 500w (39.99 @newegg)

Cooling: prolimatech panther cpu (54.99 @newegg)

Do you guys think this is a good build for games like Smite, Gw2, Planetside 2, and some other modern FPS games? Also, any replacement parts, or suggestions for parts that I could downgrade on to save some money would be much appreciated!

 

[djangoringo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $567.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[MTSe7en]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $567.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

I see how well the intel processors perform, but I really think that you get more bang for your buck with AMD processors. The AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition I listed has 3.4GHz, it's a quad core, and it's overclockable, while the i3 isn't. Also, if I went with this build, would you suggest any sort of cooling?

 

[djangoringo]

For an i3, you don't need an aftermarket cooler, it has low temperatures, also the i3 is better than the x4 for gaming.
See this : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/far-cry-3-performance-benchmark,3379-7.html

It has a good mobo, and what you'll need most a good gfx card, the 7850 2GB is much better than the 7770.

Here's my updated suggestion with a better psu :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $559.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[MTSe7en]

For an i3, you don't need an aftermarket cooler, it has low temperatures, also the i3 is better than the x4 for gaming.
See this : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/far-cry-3-performance-benchmark,3379-7.html

It has a good mobo, and what you'll need most a good gfx card, the 7850 2GB is much better than the 7770.

Here's my updated suggestion with a better psu :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $559.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Hmm, interesting. Thanks for the suggestion! What frame rates do you think I should be expecting in games like Planetside 2, BF3, or GW2 on maybe medium-high settings?

Also, I really appreciate the help you've been giving me so far.

 

[djangoringo]

I can't say for planetside 2, but yes you'll get good fps in those games with medium/high @1080p.

 

[MTSe7en]

Best answer selected by MTSe7en.

 

[MTSe7en]

I can't say for planetside 2, but yes you'll get good fps in those games with medium/high @1080p.

Alright, thanks.