Ok guys, parts are ordered how did I do??

[Misfitzx14]

Well I pulled the trigger and ordered my parts, let me know what you guys think? My budget was exactly 650$ I could not spend a penny more so here's what I bought... I think it's a pretty decent pc - good foundation for upgrades. Plus I was right on the freaking money with my budget!
(I know there is no HDD in that list, I had a spare kicking around and I have a 1080p monitor already. I also will be adding another stick of that ram to the computer in 2-3 weeks.)

1 x ($189.99) Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo $189.99
1 x ($189.99) MSI N660 TF 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GD $189.99
1 x ($104.99) ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6 $104.99
1 x ($64.99) RAIDMAX Blackstone series RX-700AC 700W Continuous $64.99
1 x ($59.99) NVIDIA Gift - ASSASSIN'S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG $59.99
1 x ($49.99) NZXT Source 220 CA-SO220-01 Black Steel / Aluminum $49.99
1 x ($39.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DD $39.99
1 x ($9.99) EDIMAX EW-7811Un Wireless Nano Adapter IEEE 802.11 $9.99
1 x ($-59.99) DISCOUNT FOR AUTOADD $-59.99
Subtotal: $649.93
Tax: $0.00
Shipping and Handling: $0.00
Total Amount: $649.93

 

[ACTechy]

That PSU was a bad idea...RAIDMAX are infamous to be terrible under decent load. Plus when they only give their product a 2-year warranty you can tell how much they stand behind it. For $65, I'd go for something more like:
- http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/mwave/fractal-design-power-supply-fdpsuin2b500w
- http://www.microcenter.com/product/406089/CX_Series_CX750M_750_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply
- http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=77497&vpn=120-PB-0750-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1084

Also could've saved $15-$20 on the motherboard too, since you've got a locked processor a Z77 board is going to be unnecessary, and invested that in more RAM. Even at that budget, if you'd chosen different parts, you could have squeezed an 8GB kit for sure.

Sorry to rain on your parade, seeing how you just bought all the parts.

 

[Scoutdrago3]

Not that bad, it all looks fine and compatible and its actually a awesome build for $650.

 

[Misfitzx14]

Yeah I may have taken a slight gamble on the PSU, but every single PSU I looked at had reviews that said both "died after a month" as we'll as "I've had it for years and its going strong" the raidmax had thousands of good reviews so i gave it a chance. As for the z77 motherboard, it is sli capable if i chose to go that route and also I can upgrade to a unlocked CPU if needed someday without needing a new motherboard.

 

[Misfitzx14]

@ACTechy I managed to cancel my order quick and I'm ready to resubmit it this time with a coolermaster i700 psu. Think ill be better off with that one instead of the raidmax?

 

[ACTechy]

@ACTechy I managed to cancel my order quick and I'm ready to resubmit it this time with a coolermaster i700 psu. Think ill be better off with that one instead of the raidmax?

It's better than the RAIDMAX unit, here are a couple I'd recommend over it though:

- http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=77497&vpn=120-PB-0750-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1084 - $60
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371072 - $60
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014 - $55
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139048 - $50

You should think about the memory too...4GB is pretty unbalanced.

 

[Misfitzx14]

Thanks, I went with the CXM 600.

 

[ACTechy]

Thanks, I went with the CXM 600.

Nice, it will do you well. I've used several Corsair CX models in different builds and found them to be quite good at that price.

 

[Misfitzx14]

AND SHE POSTS!! First build in probably 15 years and she booted up first try! Now I have a question. The only USB thumb drive I could find is a cruzer 8gb and windows 7 USB creator will not recognize it. I read that this specific brand/model thumb drive won't work as a USB boot device? Any thoughts

 

[ACTechy]

AND SHE POSTS!! First build in probably 15 years and she booted up first try! Now I have a question. The only USB thumb drive I could find is a cruzer 8gb and windows 7 USB creator will not recognize it. I read that this specific brand/model thumb drive won't work as a USB boot device? Any thoughts

Not sure...make sure it's formatted to FAT32. Have you tried? I've never done a thumb drive as installation device (although I'm working on a build currently that I'm gong to install with a thumb drive). You can google how to set the thumb drive up...this came up with a quick search: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/configure-a-usb-flash-drive-to-be-a-windows-7-installation-platform/1446/

I'd at least give it a whirl, no hard in trying.

Congrats, by the way