Help on picking out mobo/cpu/ram gaming pc

[bd26]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next few weeks (2 weeks for sure)

Budget Range: 300-400 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming / Movies / Web / Downloading

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Motherboard (looking for cheaper but still quality) // CPU // Ram

Do you need to buy OS: no

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg/amazon

Location: US

Parts Preferences: None, just sticking to quality brands.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Not sure yet. He has a 20 inch monitor and a 32 inch tv.

I'm helping my buddy rebuild/upgrade his 6 year old IBUYPOWER pc. At first we started to upgrade it but realized a rebuild would be needed. Computer will mainly be just used to gaming and playing things like diablo 3.

He got a good deal on both

GPU - XFX - Ultra Overclock Edition Radeon HD 7770 1GB
PSU - Corsair - Gaming Series 700-Watt ATX Power Supply

and he already has old NZxt case // HD // dvd drive.

Cpu - it seems like the Core i5 3550 or i5 3570K is the best bang for the buck unless I should look at AMD too?

Mobo - cheaper the better, but dont want to cut any corners.

Ram - was putting it off until we figure out what the mobo will be.

 

[Deemo13]

Well, if your friend does not want to overclock, you can just go with a H77 motherboard and the i5-3550.

 

[bd26]

Looking torwards the

GIGABYTE GA-H77-DS3H LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128550

Would I be able to use it if or have trouble, it doesn't have IVY drivers installed off the bat(as the reviews said)? We decided on the 3570k.

 

[Deemo13]

If you decidedon the 3570K, make sure to get a Z77 and an aftermarket cooler so you can overclock.