Mid-high budget gaming build?

[Redherring1919]

So I understand there are a lot of these types of threads on here, but I'd rather ask myself instead of spending x on an outdated system which I found on an old thread...

Okay, so I'm looking to build a gaming desktop which can run high end games at mid settings (BF3, skyrim etc) and low(er) end games such as TF2, minecraft etc on high settings. My budget is $400-$500 and I already have:
Mouse
Keyboard
HDD
Monitor
Optical drive

Thank you for any contributions

Brad

 

[Redherring1919]

Infact, I can compromise with low settings with high end games as long as they perform well (50fps+)

 

[tiny voices]

Do you need to buy an OS? If so, you will be looking at low settings for sure. If not, you can get a system to play modern games at medium comfortably.

 

[Redherring1919]

Do you need to buy an OS? If so, you will be looking at low settings for sure. If not, you can get a system to play modern games at medium comfortably.

I do not need an OS

 

[tiny voices]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Wintec One 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.72 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.04 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $500.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-09 15:44 EDT-0400)

Will play modern games at medium and some games (skyrim/ games a year or two old) at a mix of medium and high.

 

[Redherring1919]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Wintec One 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.72 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.04 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $500.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-09 15:44 EDT-0400)

Will play modern games at medium and some games (skyrim/ games a year or two old) at a mix of medium and high.

Thanks for your suggestion
Will probably be buying this soon!

Brad

 

[tiny voices]

Always glad to be able to help!

 

[Redherring1919]

Always glad to be able to help!

Hey, the RAM is out of stock/discontinued in all the stores I have checked.

Could I use any 8gb DDR3, 1.5v 1600mhz RAM? Or does it have to be more specific

 

[Redherring1919]

Always glad to be able to help!

Also I saw a 2gb version of the video card, would this make a significant difference to performance? As I saw in your list you included storage, which I already have, so can spend a bit more on other fundamentals.

Thanks

 

[tiny voices]

No, it will not make much difference at all. Likely none. Use the saved money to get a better GPU. Look at the hd7850.

 

[Redherring1919]

No, it will not make much difference at all. Likely none. Use the saved money to get a better GPU. Look at the hd7850.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r7850twinfrozr2gd5oc
This?

 

[tiny voices]

Yes that is a great upgrade form the 650ti

 

[Redherring1919]

Yes that is a great upgrade form the 650ti

Ok thank you very much
Brad

 

[tiny voices]

Always glad to help!

 

[Redherring1919]

Always glad to help!

Sorry, just one last thing...
The RAM you suggested is not in stock and discontinued in most stores.
Can I buy any ddr3 240pin 1600mhz 8gb ram? Or does it have to be more specific?
Thanks
Brad

 

[tiny voices]

Get 1.5v RAM in edition to everything you listed. And yes any RAM with those specs will work.

 

[Redherring1919]

Get 1.5v RAM in edition to everything you listed. And yes any RAM with those specs will work.

Ok definitely last thing just making sure - is this the same?

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-mini-Displayport-PCI-Express-CrossFire-GV-R785OC-1GD/dp/B009LTUC90/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373501054&sr=1-2&keywords=radeon+7850

 

[tiny voices]

Yes, that is a great 7850.