$600 - $800 Budget Gaming PC Build - First Build

[tenltd]

Hello, this is going to be my first PC build ever. I have my parts lined up; any suggestions or changes you can give me, while staying within my budget, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Approximate Purchase Date: A few weeks from now.

Budget Range: $600 - $800 (Before Rebates)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video Streaming, Web Surfing, Schoolwork (Adobe & MS Office)

Are you buying a monitor: No. (I already have an Acer P2O6H)

Do you need to buy OS: No.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://www.canadacomputers.com/

Location: Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada

Parts Preferences: None. Most efficient at the best price.

Overclocking: Maybe.

SLI or Crossfire: No.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1600 x 900

Additional Comments: I would like the PC to be as quiet as possible.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I would like a PC that is better suited for running multiple Adobe programs; I would also like to do some PC gaming, which my current PC is not capable of.

I should note that I intend to get all my parts through retail.

Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K Quad-Core 3.30 GHz Processor

Western Digital Blue 1TB 64MB Cache HDD

Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB GDDR5

Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz RAM

ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24x DVD-Writer

Thermaltake TR2 600W Cable Management Optimized Power Supply

Antec Three Hundred Two Gaming Series Mid-ATX

 

[zared619]

This build has the newer i5, a better GPU, a newer motherboard that allows overclocking. Unfortunately, it has a smaller HDD, and a smaller PSU, but the PSU is still more than enough. The only downside is that if you ever want to crossfire, you will need a bigger PSU. You would need atleast a 650 watt, but a 750 watt is recommended. But you said you don't crossfire, but the motherboard leaves you the option if you ever change your mind.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/jzab
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/jzab/by_merchant/


CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.79 @ DirectCanada)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.03 @ DirectCanada)

Motherboard: ASRock Z77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg Canada)

Memory: Kingston Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Memory Express)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Canada Computers)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ NCIX)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.79 @ DirectCanada)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Canada Computers)

Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ DirectCanada)

Total: $741.54

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[excella1221]

^Great budget build. A few things I would change:

Mobo -> ASRock z77 Extreme3. Costs just a few dollars more, but has better features and it's a full ATX so there's room for future upgrades. Also has a better power phase design for when he considers OC.

The RAM uses 1.65v which is bad for Intel CPUs as it puts on alot of strain, and so Intel voids warranty for it.

Everything else is great!

 

[zared619]

^Great budget build. A few things I would change:

Mobo -> ASRock z77 Extreme3. Costs just a few dollars more, but has better features and it's a full ATX so there's room for future upgrades. Also has a better power phase design for when he considers OC.

The RAM uses 1.65v which is bad for Intel CPUs as it puts on alot of strain, and so Intel voids warranty for it.

Everything else is great!

Good catch on the RAM. You couldn't be more right.
I recommended that particular board to cut the budget a bit. I completely agree with you that the board you mentioned is better.

 

[tenltd]

Thanks for the help, guys!

If the board that was first suggested will do a good job, I think I'll stick with that, just to keep the price down a bit.

Would 2x4GB of Corsair Vengeance be a better fit to reduce strain on the Intel? It uses 1.5W; a little less than the Kingston RAM, but maybe it will make enough of a difference?

 

[zared619]

Too much voltage is bad, which is why you want to go with the Corsair.

 

[tenltd]

Best answer selected by tenltd.

 

[zared619]

Glad we could help!