Any improvements for this build?

natexnam

Honorable
Dec 30, 2012
5
0
10,510
Hey guys! I'm currently building a new computer and I need some advice. My old setup is as follows:
Intel Core 2 Quad q6600 @2.4ghz
4.0 GB or 768 RAM
NVIDIA GTX 550 TI
500 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
All the other parts are random brands and not that important because I bought this computer as a whole.

I currently am trying to run dual monitors. 1 24inch monitor(1920x1200) and a 32 inch HDTV 1080p. I mainly play non graphic intensive games like WoW, Dota 2, League of Legends, Call of Duty, and Skyrim on the monitor and do things like watch movies/videos and listen to music and surf the web on the big screen. I made a new build with an extremely tight budget and I want to know if it will work. I want to make sure I am not overkilling anything yet I want it to be smooth because with my old setup, when I try to multitask or play the games I want to, my experience is not ideal(lag, freezes, graphics settings turned down).

Here is my new build. If there are any improvements or better things I can get, even if it is extremely minor, please explain.
CPU: Intel i3 3220 - 120$
Motherboard: P8H77-I Mini ITX - 100$
RAM: Kingston Hyper-X Blu 2x4GB 1600 - 50$
Storage: Wester Digital Cavair Blue 500 GB 7200 RPM - 55$
Power supply: Raidmax Hybrid 630 Watt - 55$
Case: Bitfenix Prodigy - 90$ (I don't really want to change this case unless a huge improvement can be made)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 550 ti (Using my old one, will probably replace with something better in the coming months)

 

spawnkiller

Honorable
Jan 23, 2013
889
0
11,360
Go for a 3570k so you can overclock it with a z77 board to overclock too and get even better performance (you can clock to 4-4.2ghz without any voltage change so it's a great and safe overclock), however if you don't want to overclock, the I3 and the H77 is ok and you don't need an I5 over an I3 except for overclocking reason (as you play non intensive games and the I3 is still a pretty fast chip)

Change PSU for a good one, Antec, Corsair, Coolermaster make some good one at cheap prices...

Make sure to grab 1.5V ram and 1333mhz-1600mhz max is ok as the I3 don't support faster ram, but you can get good latency (1600 CL9 or lower is better)
***Don't grab 1.35 or 1.65V ram with Ivy as the memory controller is on the CPU and changing it's voltage isn't recommended and 1.65 require 1.15V as the stock is 1.05 when the 1.35V lower to .85 and it's not certified by intel, also changing the voltage or the IMC (integrated memory controller) isn't supported on H77 motherboard as far as i know...

Later on the run change the gpu to a newer one (i'd wait for the HD8000 series on Q2-Q3 or the 700 series soon later)

PS: Intel void warranty on Ivy if using a higher IMC voltage than 1.05V and if you have 1.65V ram then you run at 1.15V... And low voltage aren't super compatible so make sure to grab one that is on the Qualified vendor list for you motherboard... (however i'm not sure they can prove you had use that if it's burn over a few months and, as far as i know, no ones ever state that their cpu burns out because they're using 1.65V ram...)
 
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bf7O
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bf7O/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bf7O/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.00 @ Compuvest)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($22.75 @ Amazon)
Total: $471.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 11:41 EST-0500)