Optimize my budget rig

[kedaphy]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($119.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 360W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($18.83 @ Mwave)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.98 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Logitech Z200 ($24.99)
Total: $662.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-17 03:43 EDT-0400

My goal here is to build a cheap micro-ATX rig for casual gaming (Bioshock Infinite, L4D2, indie games), without compromising too much on quality. Only thing I already own is a mouse.

Mostly wanting to be sure everything is compatible and optimized. Also, can I cut anymore corners without shooting myself in the foot? I originally thought of going with Corsair CX430W (it was $22.50) for PSU, but eventually picked the higher quality Seasonic.

Any recommendation for a different monitor? I've been reading about LED > LCD, but is the difference very obvious? Not quite a stickler for quality. I'd like to save a couple more bucks, and I've already been looking at a real crap laptop screen for years.

Also, how important is the wifi adapter? Do I just need one that works? How can I tell if the wifi adapter will fit onto the mobo?


Approximate Purchase Date: Not urgent, next month or so. Likely going to buy parts as they go on sale.

Budget Range: $600 - 700 After Rebates; After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Casual gaming (Bioshock Infinite, L4D2, indie games), internet, watching things, Photoshop / 3D (maybe)

Are you buying a monitor: Yes




Do you need to buy OS: Yes.... maybe

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon etc, anything with the best price

Location: USA

Overclocking: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080 would be best, but I could totally go as low as 1440 x 900

Additional Comments: I would like a PC that is reliable, has potential to upgrade. Quiet would a great bonus.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current Lenovo laptop is 5 years old. Tried playing Goat Simulator / Fez the other night and lagged.

 

[bsod1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S220HQLAbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ B&H)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Other: Logitech Z200 ($24.99)
Total: $705.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-17 17:10 EDT-0400

Got you a 280

 

[raihan4]

I would go with at least 400 watts for that system. You can tell if the wifi adapter will fit into mobo by looking at the PCI express x1 (or whatever model the adapter is) and looking up if your mobo have it. (Most mobo will have)

 

[kedaphy]

Is there a reason why you went with Radeon 280, bsod1? I figured the GTX 750 ti would be sufficient for my needs. Also not sure if I'm willing to spend $40 on GPU!

 

[kedaphy]

I would go with at least 400 watts for that system. You can tell if the wifi adapter will fit into mobo by looking at the PCI express x1 (or whatever model the adapter is) and looking up if your mobo have it. (Most mobo will have)

Thanks for the info on the wifi adapter! My mobo has one, and I don't think any of the other parts will be blocking it. On PC Part Picker, it says my estimated wattage is 203W, and this review tested my PSU up to 425W, seemed to do fine? I also highly doubt I'm going to be stressing my system very much. Do you have another PSU to recommend?

 

[bsod1]

Is there a reason why you went with Radeon 280, bsod1? I figured the GTX 750 ti would be sufficient for my needs. Also not sure if I'm willing to spend $40 on GPU!

The 280 is significantly better than the 750 Ti. And it is almost within budget. If it is something you do not wish to have, stick with the 750 Ti. Make sure you check benchmarks for all the games you play. what about the rest of my build?

 

[raihan4]

Having more headroom for your system won't hurt. Something like this if you want to go with the 750ti:

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Oh, and for 1080p gaming, you should really consider bsod1's build

 

[kedaphy]

Is there a reason why you went with Radeon 280, bsod1? I figured the GTX 750 ti would be sufficient for my needs. Also not sure if I'm willing to spend $40 on GPU!

The 280 is significantly better than the 750 Ti. And it is almost within budget. If it is something you do not wish to have, stick with the 750 Ti. Make sure you check benchmarks for all the games you play. what about the rest of my build?

I really like that 520W PSU and its reviews, will use that instead, esp after that raihan4 said. I think i'll stick with the 2TB, $20 is worth it for double the space, and I go through space fairly fast. Humm, you changed the RAM too, saves me a couple dollars, nice.

The reason why I'm hesitant on going any higher on price is because I'm already over my original budget of $600 ;_; I would rather downgrade my monitor/play games at a lower resolution. I'm very grateful for your help though!

I honestly play games that don't require a powerful computer, it's mostly indie games. If I do play a AAA title, it's probably going to be <1 year old.

 

[raihan4]

So, what's your planned final build look like? I'm eager to see it

 

[kedaphy]

So, what's your planned final build look like? I'm eager to see it

I'm still in the early stages of planning this, gonna do a lot more research before I decide.

I will post back once I have the final!!

 

[raihan4]

Alrighty then