Would this work?/Any suggestions for swapping out comparably priced parts?

[JECcomp]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz 4 Core LGA 1155 ($219.99)
MB: AS Rock Z77 Extreme4 ($134.99)
Memory:Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB kit (4GBx2) DDR3-1600 1.5V ($63.20)
Storage:Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives ($129.99)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower Computer Case ($59.99)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 ($114.99)
Optical Drive: LG Electronics 12x SATA Blu-Ray Disc Combo Internal Drive ($39.99)
Power Supply: Antec BP550 Plus 550W ATX12V V2.3 ($79.86)

 

[tiny voices]

Is this for gaming? If so, it is very unbalanced.

 

[JECcomp]

Yeah, it would be. I could obviously use some advice, it's my first build.

 

[tiny voices]

Drop the CPU to an fx6300 and a compatible (am3+) $70-$90 motherboard. Use all the left over money to get a much better GPU.

Also, swap that PSU for the XFX Pro550.

 

[JECcomp]

Thanks, look forward to getting started.

 

[Brewda]

Like tiny voices mentioned, drop down to an AMD CPU then get a better GPU.
You went with a beast CPU but went cheap with everything else. In the end it won't perform the way you see most i5's perform.

If you're not looking to SLI/XFIRE, this am3+ mobo would pair very nicely with a FX-6300

Asrock 970 extreme3 ($84.99) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
AMD FX-6300 ($139.99) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286

This alone is $224.98 before tax/shipping. Almost identical to you i5 setup but gives you the extra 100 to put towards a stronger GPU

With the money you saved from swapping mobo/cpu, you could purchase this Gigabyte 7870 GHZ for $249.99 before tax/shipping
(only if forking out another $25 doesn't affect you)

7870 GHZ ($249.99) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418
EVGA 660 SC ($214.99) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

Those 2 GPU's are nearly identical in gaming performace give or take a few fps;
http://anandtech.com/bench/Product/660?vs=548 (stock performances)

I would still prefer the 7870 considering it has 256Bit over the 192Bit on the 660.

You can swap the HDD for something cheaper, but it really depends on how much storage you use.
Someone who buys a 1TB because everyone does doesn't benefit from it equally, just more money you could have spent somewhere else.

Also Hyper 212 EVO is great for budget 34.99 almost everywhere and for price to performance it's the best bet.

That's just my $.02. Don't have to agree or listen, just throwing some ideas out there.


EDIT: You can get a 1TB Caviar Black 7200rpm, 64mb cache, 6gb/s for 84.99 currently on newegg.com;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236345
Saving another ~$40

 

[JECcomp]

Thanks for the great suggestions, definitely feel better about what I'm getting now.