Thoughts on this build.

[Higgy]

Have these already:

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

MSI H61M-P23 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130593

Thinking of adding:

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive + LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model GH22NS50 Bulk - OEM 62.48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696146

COOLER MASTER GX 450W RS450-ACAAD3-US 450W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply + COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case 84.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.710393

Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT51264BA1339 49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347


With Windows 7 64bit I am looking at about $300 with these components, already have the cpu and mobo. I may get back into gaming here in the future but not a real priority atm so Im cool with the onboard graphics for now as long as I have upgrade options down the line. If I do add graphics down the line I suppose I would need to raise the psu up, so not too sure if I should go with a different box/psu atm. Thoughts on skimming the price down for box/psu? Or does this look fairly solid and compatible?

 

[lp231]

The board you bought don't even have SATA 6Gb/s ports and not only that it even lacks USB 3.
CM PSU aren't that good, here!
PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211548

 

[wintermint]

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3

Case: Rosewill Challenger $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&Tpk=Rosewill%20Challenger

RAM: 2x2gb G.Skill DDR3 1600MHz $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193
Alternative: 8GB G.Skill 1600MHz $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430W $44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034&Tpk=430%20Earthwatt

You will benefit with 1600Mhz if you're planning to use Sandy Bridge. The power supply will handle HD 6770/6850/6870/GTX 460/GTX 550/ GTX 550 ti just fine.

THrow in a $20 optical drive if you haven't purchase one already. THis is slightly over $300 but they're all worthwhile.

 

[Higgy]

New to all this so my understandings may not be correct, but for me I hardly ever use USB so was under the impression that 2.0 would suit me fine, just hope not regret it few years from now. The need for Sata 6Gb/s Ill follow your recommendation and look into it further. Just read something about it not being mandatory and not even getting full use as of yet for simple tasks or whatever. I mostly just do browsing, youtube vids, occasional old games. I may want to try out some new stuff, just not too sure as of yet.

Wintermint, that drive I listed in the combo with the HD, would that not fit all my purposes or should I get something else. If the drive is ok, anything wrong with the seagate or would I be better off with the Samsung you listed. About the memory, can the mobo I have benefit from 1600mhz or would I be defaulted to the 1333. Mobo cost me $10, so just trying to make it work. Not too sure why I got a decent cpu and cheap mobo but meh! If not Ill look into something else. Thanks.

 

[wintermint]

Based on performance, you will get the best out of the Samsung I suggested. It's recommended by pretty much everybody here haha. Nothing's wrong with seagate just better performance with the spinpoint f3. Your motherboard only up to 1333. You can still buy the 1600mhz, run it at 1333mhz and reuse it in future build. You can also save like $10 by just getting the 1333 instead.

The i3-2100 for $125 is on par with quad cores in terms of gamings but will obviously lose on multi-tasking tasks as it is only a dual core. The i3-2100 will handle youtube, web browsing, word documents, just fine.