Help me complete my mid-range build

[ultimategamer_]

I have a few parts left to pick out to complete my build, but they are the parts I know nearly nothing about. All I have left to pick out are the PSU, hdd, and ssd. The rest of the build isn't necessarily set in stone, so any advice on any part would be appreciated. Also, this is my first time building a pc, so feel free to give any general advice on pc building or advice specific to my parts.

Current parts (none are bought yet) are here: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/



Approximate Purchase Date: Main parts in a week. GFX card, hard drive and peripherals much later.


Budget Range: under 800$ for the full build. Cannot afford gfx card or SSD until much later.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, F@H, torrents, HD video, general stuff


Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: everything


Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing)


Location: Georgia, USA


Parts Preferences: none


Overclocking: Probably


SLI or Crossfire: No


Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050


Additional Comments:


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: To get more performance from Planetside 2 (my main favorite game which currently runs like crap), Saints row, Just Cause 2 (MP mod), and other less important games.

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgDP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgDP/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xgDP/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($227.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 ATX Mid Tower Case ($40.20 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $734.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-12 18:18 EST-0500)

bam, new system with alot of power for under 800$

 

[ultimategamer_]

Why is the intel route better than the AMD setup I had? I can get the mobo, processor, and RAM for ~270$ meanwhile your parts get me lower RAM speeds and 2 less cores and cost more. To be honest I only have a vague idea of what any of the numbers mean, so I would just like some clarification.

 

[iceclock]

because amd isnt doing well in the performance game, its not even close to the sandy bridge i recommanded u, theres no competition for gaming, intel blows up amd anyday of the week,

also its not always about the number of cores that count, its the architecture of the cpu that counts, and games barely utilize fully 4 cores.

just to give u an idea:

http://www.anandtech.com/print/6396

as u can see clearly its superior for gaming,

 

[ultimategamer_]

Best answer selected by ultimategamer_.

 

[iceclock]

cheers mate