$800 First Time Gaming Rig Build

[TzenTzen]

Hey there, so I'm trying to build myself a budget gaming rig for the summer and future college years. I want to try and keep it around $800 (since I'm just a college student) though I guess I can go up another $100 if really needed. I would greatly appreciate any advice or alternate builds I could maybe use since this is my first time planning to build my own comp. I also don't need to worry about a monitor or OS so I've left those out.

My aim is to be able to run games like GW2 and BL2 on top settings. (Which in therefore should be able to run Wildstar when that releases) I also just got Crysis 3 so I'm wondering how well this build would work (or any builds you recommend).

Oh boy, I look forward to the days I can play games without lag.
Here's my attempted build:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VcKE
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VcKE/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VcKE/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair XMS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.61 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Silverstone Redline Series RL03B-W-USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Case ($55.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq Plus 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.55 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $801.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 15:02 EDT-0400)

 

[scragnoff]

Hi TzenTzen!

Great build!

I would just like to suggest getting a dual-kit ram to make use of the increased performance of the dual-channel of your motherboard. Get a 2x4GB instead of the 1x8 GB ram.

If you can get an SSD, it would improve your system performance. Lightning-speed boot-ups, incredible loading of games. However, it won't increase your fps.

Otherwise, you've got everything down pat.

Good luck!

 

[Rawbunnie]

When it comes to gaming its the gpu which really matters.This build here will suit you better:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VddH
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VddH/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VddH/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($118.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($363.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ZT 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $790.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 15:24 EDT-0400)

This will play crysis 3 on high and max out every other game on the market..enjoy

 

[TzenTzen]

Thanks for the advice! I've done a bit of searching around and have come up with a new list. Added a SSD for my OS, changed to dual-kit ram, and changed around my case and PSU (to try to take advantage of a sale, and for a cheaper case). Also removed the optical drive since I highly doubt I will be really needing it.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.49 @ NCIX US)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $818.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 18:51 EDT-0400)

As for Crysis 3, I don't mind not being able to run it on max settings. As long as it can handle high quality mmo's like Guild Wars 2 or Tera.

 

[scragnoff]

Thanks for the advice! I've done a bit of searching around and have come up with a new list. Added a SSD for my OS, changed to dual-kit ram, and changed around my case and PSU (to try to take advantage of a sale, and for a cheaper case). Also removed the optical drive since I highly doubt I will be really needing it.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VgiV/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.49 @ NCIX US)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Green 630W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $818.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-05 18:51 EDT-0400)

As for Crysis 3, I don't mind not being able to run it on max settings. As long as it can handle high quality mmo's like Guild Wars 2 or Tera.

That build is ready for some great gaming!