Building ~$350 PC (MOBO, CPU, GPU, RAM)

[manishuck]

So I'm looking to build a decently cheap PC, I'm not looking for parts to be able to play current games on max everything but I would like for it to at least run them on medium and would like it to run older games on high settings (like the original Splinter Cell games, old GTA's, the Hitman series, etc). Currently we have a PC with a Q6600, 8600GT and 4GB RAM which will run games like New Vegas on Medium/High settings and 2xAA at 1280x720 resolution and would like for this to be at least on the same level, but preferably higher.


Intel BOXDH67CLB3 MOBO - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121508

Intel Core i3-2120 - $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

CORSAIR XMS 4GB - $22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233132

EVGA GeForce GT 430 GDDR3 1GB - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130609
OR
PNY GeForce GTX 550 Ti GDDR5 1GB - $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133431

That all gets me to right under $315 total, shipped (or $365 with the PNY card). The only two questions/issues I have is one, about the GPUs and the other about the PSU.

The EVGA card is GDDR3 while the PNY is GDDR5, is there a significant amount of performance increase to warrant the $50 extra? My max resolution will be 1920x1080 and if gaming then maybe lower. The PNY puts me a little over budget but I'll be fine with that as long as the price warrants it.

Now the PSU, I have an Antec 550W Truecontrol 2.0 that I've had laying around, but it works great and hasn't been used much so is basically brand new. The output on it has two 12V rails at 19A each. The GPUs I'm looking at require "24A on the 12V rail". I'm almost positive the maximum wattage is fine but not sure on the amps. Since I have two 12V rails with 19A each, combining to be 38A, am I fine or do I need a new PSU? I've read on a few forums that you add them, I'm really not sure how that all works.

Here's a link with specs on the PSU I have now:
http://www.bjorn3d.com/articles/Antec_TrueControl_II_550_PSU_Review/862.html

Thanks all.

 

[o1die]

I'd say you'll be fine on the power supply if you don't overclock the cpu. Can't comment on the video cards; I'm not a gamer. For the motherboard, I'd go with a z77 in case you want to upgrade someday: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138352

 

[z_4]

Here's my suggestion with a more potent GPU :

CPU & Motherboard: $173- i3 2120 & Gigabyte H61

GPU & RAm: $170- Sapphire Radeon 6850 & AData 4GB

Total (Excluding Rebates): $343

Rebates: $15

If you have say $20 more look into this GPU:
Sapphire Radeon 6870 worth $170

 

[spentshells]

Here's my suggestion with a more potent GPU :

CPU & Motherboard: $173- i3 2120 & Gigabyte H61

GPU & RAm: $170- Sapphire Radeon 6850 & AData 4GB

Total (Excluding Rebates): $343

Rebates: $15

If you have say $20 more look into this GPU:
Sapphire Radeon 6870 worth $170

+1 to this completely.

 

[o1die]

Here's an even cheaper board if you don't need a dvi port: ECS H61H2- M2 1.0 for $25 after rebate (newegg link doesn't work). It's not the greatest, but if you have some build experience, you can work with it. This will give you more for the video card. I always get my rebates. I follow the directions to the letter.