Budget Gaming Build

[kulprit444]

Hello all, here is my budget pc gaming build. I'm upgrading from a P4 / 1gb / x800 build.

1) PC will be used for gaming / media server hosting HD videos (tversity)
2) Budget is $650
3) Buying all parts from USA
4) Brand preference Intel / ATI
5) I will buying a ATI XFX 5770 1gb video card from my brother (this does not come under above budget) and I already have OS / KB / Mouse / Speakers / Monitor / HDD
6) May do some light overclocking
7) Gaming at 1680 / 1050 and possible 1920 / 1080 in less than 6 months
8) Plan on buying the parts by May 15th

Here is the build:

CPU i3-530 119.99
MOBO ASRock H55M Pro 89.99
SSD OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5" 30GB SATA 129.99
RAM Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) 111.98
CASE Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case 54.99
PS Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Power Supply 80.98
DVDRW Sony Optiarc Black 21.99
Mounting Bracket Bytec mounting bracket for 3.5 HDD for SSD 8.98

Total 618.89​

​

Please let me know of any recommendations or changes you think I might need, thanks in advance!

 

[MisterDonut]

Better off going AMD with a budget build. If you live near a Fry's, you can probably find a good deal on one of the Deneb chips paired with a low end motherboard. Otherwise, you can probably fit a 955BE chip along with an ASUS EVO 790X or something. That SSD is WAY too pricey. You're paying more than $4/gb, which, imo, is not worth it. I'd probably just go with an F3 or WD CB 640. Might be able to drop the PSU down to a 550-600 range. Rest looks good.

 

[mfenn]

Better off going AMD with a budget build. If you live near a Fry's, you can probably find a good deal on one of the Deneb chips paired with a low end motherboard. Otherwise, you can probably fit a 955BE chip along with an ASUS EVO 790X or something. That SSD is WAY too pricey. You're paying more than $4/gb, which, imo, is not worth it. I'd probably just go with an F3 or WD CB 640. Might be able to drop the PSU down to a 550-600 range. Rest looks good.

Eh? $130 for a 30GB is not bad, especially now that the x25-v is no longer available.

 

[bunit]

I agree with the Fry's/MC combo deal for CPU/Motherboard.
You can generally get a Phenom II 945/955/965 paired along with a mobo for 150ish or less. Either way much cheaper/much better than what you're paying for now.
I'd also go for a Corsair 650TX/HX PSU instead of the Antec. Antec Earthwatts series isn't OEM-ed by Seasonic I believe, I'm not even sure who makes those now. Corsair's are. 650TX should be the same price or maybe $10 more.
I'd also explore other SSD options, 30gb can get a little cramped even for a boot drive with a select few programs on it.