Cheap gaming rig

[0___________0]

I need to build a desktop to replace my defective laptop.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.

Primarily games such as BF3, Crysis 2/3, and Skyrim, occasionally running a VM.
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2. What YOUR budget is.

$450-$550
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3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA, I live near a Micro Center.
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4. IF YOU have a brand preference.

I have no brand preferences.
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5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Scratch build. Monitor and OS are separate from my price in this thread.
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7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

If the CPU selected is an Intel K or unlocked AMD one, I will overclock, I think most of those are outside of my range though. I don't need to OC, I will if I can though.
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8. What resolution will you be using?

Most likely 1680x1050, 1080p if I can get the monitor for under $100.
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9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Before the end of the year.
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Here is what I currently have, could use a critique:
Case: XLCIO 320 $35 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103045
MOBO: ASRock B75M-DGS $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157335
CPU: Pentium G2120 $80 http://www.microcenter.com/product/398008/Pentium_G2120_31GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor
RAM: 8GB 1600 $40 Kingston HyperX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104173
PSU: 700W COOLMAX ZX $57 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817159126
GPU: 1GB 7850 $170 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131482
HDD: Refurbed WD RE2 750GB $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136948
DVD: Samsung $18 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151256

Total is $510, I figure that I'd need to get at least an i5 if I want to see an FPS increase, but is it worth it? And is 1GB of VRAM enough to run games with higher quality textures for the next few years, or should I get the 2GB version?

 

[dmoney1980]

Case- comes down to personal preference

CPU/ Mobo- if you live near a Micro Center, you could pick up a core i3 3220 and motherboard for about $120.

RAM- when looking at RAM, be sure to llok for memeory that runs at 1.5v. the kit you pick runs at 1.65v, not good.

PSU - BAD! Stay away from that brand. Pick Antec, Season, XFX, or Corsair. A 450 to 550W unit is more than enough. Video cards and CPU's are getting more efficient these days. you only need 700W if you're running dual GPU's.

GPU- that card is OK, but it only has 1Gb of RAM, which is ok on most games at 1080p. Skyrim love vRAM, and games are trending in that direction.
For a few $ more you can get that same card with 2GB of vRAM- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131473

HDD- not sure If I would buy a refurb, what's the warranty?

EDIT:

Micro Center CPU/ MB options

1- core i5 3570k plus ASROCK z77 pro 3 $215

2- core i3 3225 plus same motherboard- $165

 

[Termie]

Absolutely agree with dmoney above on psu, ram, and MicroCenter deal. Do not buy a pentium for gaming, you will regret the loss of hyperthreading. It makes a big difference for dual core machines. With your budget, I think dual core with HT is ideal.

That HD 7850 is way too expensive for a 1GB model when 2GB models are $10 more. Only buy a 1GB model for $150 or less, but honestly, I think you should just save up for the 2GB models.

 

[0___________0]

The i3 3220 is only $20 more than the G2120, I can afford that. I wasn't too certain about the PSU, I've swapped it with a Corsair CX500. I chose that RAM because it was on the QVL, but I'll look for a 1.5v kit. The HDD's warranty is only 90 days, if I see something at the same price with at least 750GB I'll buy it. If more than 1GB of memory on the GPU is becoming relevant I'll get the 2GB version.

 

[mfenn]

Here ya go:

i3 3225 + GA-B75M-D3H combo $145 @ MC
Patriot Viper DDR3 1600 8GB $26 AP
XFX 7850 2GB $180 AR
Hitachi 7K1000.C $70
Lite-ON DVD Burner $16
Corsair CX430 $35
XCLIO 320 $35
Total: $507

You don't really need the HD4000 graphics in the i3 3225, but the MC $50 combo doesn't work with the i3 3220.

Also, if you don't mind hanging around in MC, you can gut your cost by $20 with the GA-H61M-DS2. Ask them to test the CPU and motherboard. If it doesn't boot with the Ivy Bridge CPU, they can update the BIOS for you.

 

[lehtv]

Nice build, but would change:

HDD Seagate ST1000DM003 $70
PSU Antec EA650D $40 AR
Case Elite 370 $36

 

[mfenn]

Nice build, but would change:

HDD Seagate ST1000DM003 $70
PSU Antec EA650D $40 AR
Case Elite 370 $36

Case comes down to whichever one the OP likes better, but :thumbsup: to the rest.

 

[0___________0]

Thanks guys; I saw MC has the FX-6300 for $130 with a free mobo, except the free mobo bundle is OOS at mine, next cheapest bundle is $145. For gaming is the 6300 better than the i3? Probably only in multithreaded games, right? Would it be a better investment, or will the i3 still be the better performer in games for the next few years?

 

[teh_pwnerer]

get the i3 because you can later upgrade to an i5 or i7.

As much as I like AMD, Intel's single core performance crushes the new chips.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks guys; I saw MC has the FX-6300 for $130 with a free mobo, except the free mobo bundle is OOS at mine, next cheapest bundle is $145. For gaming is the 6300 better than the i3? Probably only in multithreaded games, right? Would it be a better investment, or will the i3 still be the better performer in games for the next few years?

A tri-core Bulldozer (yes, the FX-6300 only has 3 full cores and 3 integer-only cores) is only faster than an Ivy Bridge i3 in the most heavily multithreaded tasks. Games don't fall into this category, even the ones that can take advantage of four cores don't get linear speedup from the extra cores.