My first build - ordering soon

[themasterpiece1]

This will be my first time building a pc. I have a budget of about $800. I need windows but already have a monitor, k/m. My current build would cost me about $850. So it is a little over budget but that is fine.

Power Supply - Antec hcg-520
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047YNHI2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

CPU - Intel Core i5-2400
Since I am not OCing, I figured this would be a good choice.

Case - Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZM7YTA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200 500 GB
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CT56R6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

GPU - Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C8RTTU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Windows 7
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premi...PT3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328769497&sr=8-1

Motherboard - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Ram - G.SKILL Value Series 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422

CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240

I would like my build to run most games in High/Ultra settings. I also want to be able to upgrade it in the future when I get more money. My monitor is 1920x1080. Will all these parts be compatible with each other?

Would downgrading from an i5-2400 to a i3-2100 be worth it? That would let me get a 6950 2GB from Amazon. So I can get i5-2400 with the 6870 or i3-2100 with the 6950. Which would be better for gaming?

By the way, the 6950 is apparently the one that cannot have the shaders unlocked.

 

[jpeyton]

The only thing I would change is the PSU, to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

 

[Charlie98]

If you are not OC'ing, and not using the Intel on-board graphics, the Z68 isn't necessary, either.

Otherwise, it looks pretty good.

The only other change I would make would be to a Hitachi 500GB HDD, but that is just my personal preference. I'm very pleased with my drive, so much so that I bought another as a backup storage drive. I have the 3.0GB/s HHD, but they make a 6.0...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145531

 

[DaveSimmons]

FYI, Newegg has the i5-2500 for $195 until 2/13 using promo code EMCNHNC39 (no rebate needed). I'd pay the extra $5 for the 200 MHz speed bump (300 in turbo).

This is right on the website so you don't need to get their email blast.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

 

[mfenn]

So basically your budget is $700 if we discount the OS? I think that we can do a little better than a 6870.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
i5 2500 $195 AP
ASRock H67M $80
PNY DDR3 1333 8GB + 6950 2GB combo $277 ARhttp://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145532
Seagate 500GB $85
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
XFX 550W $55 ARhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
NZXT Source 210 $40
Total: $750 AR AP

Same price as yours but has a better GPU and CPU.

 

[Danimal1209]

you CAN get the i3-2100, as it is a formidable gaming cpu, BUT the i5 is a better deal and a better gaming cpu. The i5 is a better value.

 

[FS]

can probably go with this H61 AsRock board to save $10 http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-H61M-U3S3-Intel-Motherboard/dp/B004S0CTNE

I have been using it for nearly a year with i5-2500k @ stock so i5-2500 shouldn't pose any problems either.

 

[General Kenobi]

If you are not OC'ing, and not using the Intel on-board graphics, the Z68 isn't necessary, either.

Otherwise, it looks pretty good.

The only other change I would make would be to a Hitachi 500GB HDD, but that is just my personal preference. I'm very pleased with my drive, so much so that I bought another as a backup storage drive. I have the 3.0GB/s HHD, but they make a 6.0...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145531

+1

Seagate HDDs can be really loud sometimes.

 

[mfenn]

can probably go with this H61 AsRock board to save $10 http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-H61M-U3S3-Intel-Motherboard/dp/B004S0CTNE

I have been using it for nearly a year with i5-2500k @ stock so i5-2500 shouldn't pose any problems either.

Also not a bad choice. It would limit the potential performance of a future SSD, but that's probably a non-issue in this price range.