Is this build compatible?

[thelemur]

Need a budget computer so I whipped up this build in an hour (including research).
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/F0Ki
Would like to know if everything is compatible. Thanks!

 

[StonedMachine3000]

Depends on what you want to use it for.

If editing/rendering.. - yes
If gaming.. - no

 

[thelemur]

Why not for gaming?

 

[Onus]

It's all compatible, but you've made a number of poor choices. The PSU, in particular, is an older, inefficient model that may also be overrated. New Rosewill PSUs (Capstone and Hive) are decent; the old ones not so much.
The CPU is relatively weak, except in certain well-threaded applications.
The graphics card would be considered entry level for games.
A single RAM stick for single-channel mode will lose perhaps 4%-7% of performance compared to a pair running in dual-channel mode.
Finally, the mobo is old tech, lacking modern interfaces like SATA 6Gb/s and USB 3.0.

 

[thelemur]

Yeah, I know it's not amazing because I did close to no real research. Could you recommend a build for under $600 including the OS?

 

[Onus]

Ok, here's a build. I've commented under most of the parts what I think of them.

LG 24X DVD Burner - Bare Drive Black SATA Model GH24NS95 - OEM
Model #:GH24NS95
Item #:N82E16827136259
$17.99 $17.99
Meh. One optical drive is much like another.

Athena Power CA-GSB01DA Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - OEM
Model #:CA-GSB01DA
Item #:N82E16811192289
$29.99 -$7.00 Instant $22.99
Dirt cheap case, but supposedly made with 0.8mm steel, which is pretty thick. Most cheap cases are much thinner.

Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ...
Model #:BX80637i33220
Item #:N82E16819116775
$129.99 $129.99
This hyperthreaded CPU should remain fairly competent in games for a good while, although multi-player BF3 may make it sweat a little.

SAPPHIRE 100358L Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card
Model #:100358L
Item #:N82E16814202011
Mail in Rebate Card
$119.99 -$5.00 Instant $114.99
There's a fat rebate on this one, if you play that game and win. More important, the HD7770 is a decent card on a tight budget. This is something to improve if your budget allows though, to a GTX650Ti or HD7850.

ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:H77M
Item #:N82E16813157303
$74.99 -$5.00 Instant $69.99
Solid non-overclocking board, suitable for the locked CPU. I just used this board in a build for my father, and it's fine.

Antec VP-450 450W ATX 12V v2.3 Power Supply
Model #:VP-450
Item #:N82E16817371045
$49.99 -$10.00 Instant $39.99
Efficient enough for 80+, disqualified only because it doesn't have full range active PFC. This is perhaps the cheapest PSU I'd buy myself, and can handle a HD7850 if you get the stronger card.

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS
Model #:F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS
Item #:N82E16820231394
$26.99 $26.99
8GB would be nice, but on a budget this will have to do. You'll lose some performance, but may wish to consider a single 4GB stick now, and add another stick later.

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5000AAKX
Item #:N82E16822136769
$79.99 -$20.00 Instant $59.99
Although I prefer the longer warranty of the WD Black, I've got a few of these out there that have been fine too.

Subtotal: $482.92

Add another $90 for the OS, and you're right around budget, especially with shipping.

 

[thelemur]

Best answer selected by thelemur.

 

[thelemur]

Wow, thanks! I will be sure to consider this build. Just wondering, I know you mentioned BF3 MP will be hard work for the CPU, but will it be able to run that and games like Skyrim, possibly BF4 when it comes out on at least medium settings with 40+ fps? Thanks again!

 

[Onus]

Thanks. As to medium settings, I would think so, likely a little better (i.e. some settings on "High"). Of course, no one knows about BF4.