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My first build - Need advice!

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Hello Toms Hardware, I'm new to building computers but I have a fair amount of knowlege on them. I am on a budget but I still want to build a decently nice PC for playing a few games. I have come up with my components (or what I think are good components) for my budget computer. Please feel free to critique my setup!


---------------Components---------------


[Processor]: Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100 - $125

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



[Motherboard]: GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $50

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



[Graphics Card]: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity - $150

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



[Power supply] :CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $70

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



[RAM]: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL - $21

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



[HDD]: HITACHI HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $80

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



[Case]: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower
Computer Case - $50

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



[DVD writer/reader]: LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98B - $20

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



[Keyboard & Mouse]: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black 8 Function Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse - $29

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



---Total: $595.00---



Please let me know if there is something I absolutely should change, and let me know if you have personal experience with any of the components I am going to use, whether it be good or bad! Thanks!

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Minor modifications to get best bang for buck
7850 costs only a bit more but performs about the same as the 6950
You don't really need a 600W PSU for a budget build unless you are cf/sli later
Chose the 2GB model as it only costs less than $10 more (a model with better cooling can be had for $10 more, your choice)

(uses a 2120 to avoid comparabilityompatiability issues with H61 bios flashing [low end boards don't support USB falshing AFAIK] and using a B75 board would put you too lcose to the FX6300 in cost)
(going i3 3220/B75 would bump your price up about $10 but B75 gets you USB3 and SATA6[only usefule if you have SATA6 fast SSD])

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($51.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $542.66
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-09 19:32 EST-0500)

Same CPU stronger GPU (7870)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($51.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $582.67
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-09 19:41 EST-0500)


Putting in a stronger CPU for "futureproofing" and is actually cheaper (but will cost $15 to buy into USB3)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $536.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-09 19:47 EST-0500)

Strong CPU and GPU (7870)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS72 DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $576.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-09 19:48 EST-0500)

Hello stickmansam, thank you for the suggestions and telling me exactly what is changing within them! Very helpful! For the third selection, you say that it is good for futureproofing, but I will need to spend $15.00 more for USB 3.0. I don't understand what you mean. Are you saying that I am spending 15 more dollars on that version because it includes USB 3.0 or are you saying that I will need to also spend an additional $15.00 to obtain USB 3.0 converters? again, I appreciate you helping me :) 

I kept the USB costs separate from the main cost

In order to get USB 3/SATA 6 on Intel, it will cost $10 more than the current cost for INtel builds (but this $10 also gets you ability to use an i3 3220 which is ~3-5% faster than i3 2120)

In order to get USB 3/SATA 6 on AMD, it will cost an additional $15 over the current AMD build prices
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