Compatibility check.

[Marvison]

Looking for any last advice (budget gaming rig) and to make sure this is all compatible before I buy.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($75.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($230.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill ARMOR-EVO ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $765.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 18:05 EST-0500)

 

[TheBigTroll]

get this
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D8T6

hard drive is cheaper here
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=74462&promoid=1312

ram is cheaper here
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=74758

psu is cheaper here. newer model than the antec basiq
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=59615&promoid=1257

changes i have made

-i5 now has graphics. just in case there are driver problems with the video card or that it is DOA
-no need for z77 when you cant overclock
-cheaper ram
-better case
-better psu
-much faster GPU. its a nerfed down 7950 for the price of a 7870

 

[Marvison]

Thank you for putting the work in to find the cheapest parts. I like the direction you took my build. If I'm not too out of line in asking.

I would like to stick with a full ATX board and case. I prefer to have as much open space as possible. For airflow and I like the room to look around inside the case and for future upgrades.

I really was thinking a modular PSU though I suppose it isn't necessary.

Once again thanks for such a detailed response.

 

[cutebeans]

I would buy whatever Big Troll listed.

 

[TheBigTroll]

Thank you for putting the work in to find the cheapest parts. I like the direction you took my build. If I'm not too out of line in asking.

I would like to stick with a full ATX board and case. I prefer to have as much open space as possible. For airflow and I like the room to look around inside the case and for future upgrades.

I really was thinking a modular PSU though I suppose it isn't necessary.

Once again thanks for such a detailed response.

well you cant expand in the video card department as the board isnt SLI ready (even if its crossfire ready, a SLI board is better for crossfire as the lanes are configured better). there is enough room on a matx board so that you can stuff a sound card (doubt it) and a wireless card. there is almost no reason to go atx

modular would be nice, but its not cheap right now

 

[Marvison]

I can't make up my mind a large part of me wants to get the full ATX and modular but it puts it 100-200$ over my price range. The other part says wth does it matter what size my computer is or if I can pull out unused cables? However I just can't shake this desire for ATX and modular.

Maybe I ought to talk my wife into a bigger budget. Better come up with a good V-Day gift.

BTW I'm definitely looking to upgrade to two video cards within 6 months.

 

[cutebeans]

Hi, Just get a 7870 XT then you won't need to upgrade to two video cards. It's a waste of money.

Yeah, you better get more money if you really want those. although it really doesn't affect performance of the build.

 

[TheBigTroll]

I can't make up my mind a large part of me wants to get the full ATX and modular but it puts it 100-200$ over my price range. The other part says wth does it matter what size my computer is or if I can pull out unused cables? However I just can't shake this desire for ATX and modular.

Maybe I ought to talk my wife into a bigger budget. Better come up with a good V-Day gift.

BTW I'm definitely looking to upgrade to two video cards within 6 months.

bigger boards dont perform better and are not better if you cant use the slots. the un-used cables would generally sit at the bottom of the case, wrapped into a bundle