Need help on a first build for a gaming rig

[quietcavalcade]

This will be my first fresh build (in the past I have upgraded GPUs and stuff but never a whole system). I am interested in building a new gaming rig. Because of financial reasons I want to do this in two steps. The first step is to upgrade the GPU and PSU now then upgrade the CPU and Mobo in about six months. Also, I hate hate hate my current case and am planning on getting a new one now as well. I've been reading the forums and came up with the stuff below. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Approximate Purchase Date: the next 1-2 weeks

Budget Range: $400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming. I typically don't run graphics heavy games. That being said I would like to run Diablo 3 on medium to high settings. I would also like to be able to run the Witcher and Guild Wars 2 on medium to high settings.

Parts Not Required:
I plan to keep my motherboard and CPU for now and upgrade them in six months.
Motherboard - Intel DG965OT
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz
Monitors
Keyboard
Mouse
HD
RAM

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or Amazon

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Potentially. I was looking at the i5 2500k CPU for possible overclocking down the road. However, since I won't be purchasing for half a year I imagine the CPU options will be very different

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: I use dual 23inch widescreen monitors.

Additional Comments: I would like to have USB 3.0 compatibility in the future

Parts I am considering:

Case - Antec Three Hundred Two
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180

vs
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=ns2dzhy7b0wd

GPU - I was looking at the Radeon HD 7850
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-11200-01-20G/dp/B007JCNOZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335034070&sr=8-1

vs the GeForce 560Ti

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L01QVM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU - ???. I was reading about different options and frankly, was overwhelmed by options. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[ddan49]

You are NOT going to fit a 7850 into a $400 build. That being said, the 7850 is better
I don't really understand how you're approaching this, either. So you're going to buy the parts separately, at different times? I wouldn't recommend that... compatibility issues start to arise. Also, if you buy the GPU before the CPU, you don't have a computer... you have a bunch of parts. So is your entire build supposed to be $400?

 

[quietcavalcade]

You are NOT going to fit a 7850 into a $400 build. That being said, the 7850 is better
I don't really understand how you're approaching this, either. So you're going to buy the parts separately, at different times? I wouldn't recommend that... compatibility issues start to arise. Also, if you buy the GPU before the CPU, you don't have a computer... you have a bunch of parts. So is your entire build supposed to be $400?

The $400 is for the case, GPU and PSU. I was planning on getting all those now and re-using the mobo/CPU/RAM. Then, in about six months, I am planning on purchasing a new mobo/CPU/RAM set.

 

[ddan49]

Okay, that should be fine. So... I'd really try for the 7850. In that case, here's what I would do. (oh, and what do you prefer in a case? I've got a sexy one, a quiet one, and an overall good one, in that order):

Case: NZXT Phantom... five color schemes I know of. Great cooling (200mm fans), really nice looking, expensive. Pics:

Fractal R3: Not superior cooling, but it keeps quiet. Minimalist design. Pics:

Corsair 400R: Nice cable management, cooling, and reliable company. A favorite. Pics:

Alternatively, you could get a HAF 912 for less... although I'd recommend a Corsair 400R as a basic case. The others are either for aesthetics or quietness. I'm going to assume the Corsair 400R since it's the cheapest:

Case: Corsair 400R - $100
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFQQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811139008&ei=gjWTT-HRLufl6QH7x5S-BA&usg=AFQjCNGuMiEiJbnDOkrJ8jTjD9TXJ9XuyA&sig2=j-T-iB6YLMCoQgbHAgTsIg

GPU: MSI Twin Frozr II OC 7850 - $250ish... there's a problem here. It's been sold out at newegg for a while. If it's still sold out when you buy, get a Gigabyte version. MSI Twin Frozr II OC is much better, though...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

PSU: PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK II 750W Silver Rated - $80 (with rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

Total: $430
Because of this, you may want to switch the case to either a HAF 912 or an Antec Three Hundred Illusion... it's up to you.

 

[quietcavalcade]

Okay, that should be fine. So... I'd really try for the 7850. In that case, here's what I would do. (oh, and what do you prefer in a case? I've got a sexy one, a quiet one, and an overall good one, in that order):

Case: NZXT Phantom... five color schemes I know of. Great cooling (200mm fans), really nice looking, expensive. Pics:
http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac308/gamerfreax/F632623.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/07/10x0729uob277nzxt.jpg
http://www.nanokomputer.com/images/products/Cases/Full Tower/Phantom-Bk-Gr.jpg

Fractal R3: Not superior cooling, but it keeps quiet. Minimalist design. Pics:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg804/scaled.php?server=804&filename=79560514.jpg&res=landing

Corsair 400R: Nice cable management, cooling, and reliable company. A favorite. Pics:
http://legitreviews.com/images/news/2011/corsair-carbide-case.jpg

Alternatively, you could get a HAF 912 for less... although I'd recommend a Corsair 400R as a basic case. The others are either for aesthetics or quietness. I'm going to assume the Corsair 400R since it's the cheapest:

Case: Corsair 400R - $100
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFQQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811139008&ei=gjWTT-HRLufl6QH7x5S-BA&usg=AFQjCNGuMiEiJbnDOkrJ8jTjD9TXJ9XuyA&sig2=j-T-iB6YLMCoQgbHAgTsIg

GPU: MSI Twin Frozr II OC 7850 - $250ish... there's a problem here. It's been sold out at newegg for a while. If it's still sold out when you buy, get a Gigabyte version. MSI Twin Frozr II OC is much better, though...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

PSU: PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK II 750W Silver Rated - $80 (with rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

Total: $430
Because of this, you may want to switch the case to either a HAF 912 or an Antec Three Hundred Illusion... it's up to you.

Awesome. Thank you so much. I will probably go with the HAF case but I really like those Fractal cases so might save up a bit and get that instead.

I appreciate all the help. Thanks again.

 

[ddan49]

No problem! Do you want the Fractal case for "silence" or aesthetics? I know some more minimalist cases if you're not going for quiet that would cost less.

 

[quietcavalcade]

No problem! Do you want the Fractal case for "silence" or aesthetics? I know some more minimalist cases if you're not going for quiet that would cost less.

The aesthetics. I don't need to worry too much about quietness.

 

[ddan49]

Oh, in that case... Lian Li are usually pretty minimalist. To tell the truth, I don't know of that many completely minimal cases, but I tried to find some.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112318

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811112239

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112304

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811553003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154

NZXT Gamma is a possibility.

Antec P280 is another "silent" case.

Overall, most minimalist cases are either crazy expensive or built for silence. It may be a good idea to go for the Fractal, after all...

 

[quietcavalcade]

Best answer selected by quietcavalcade.