First custom build Assistance needed

[KaizerSosa81]

Update: Thanks everyone who weighed in here. I usually know what is best for me but hearing out other opinions on builds doesn't hurt.

[Johncro]

Tbh what you have there is good. Thing with teh Mobo is that the green PCIe slot is in 16x while the orange one is 4x. Not a big deal, but really I never see a point to Crossfire or SLI if you have a good enough card anyway, like you do

So far this PC looks good, nice selection on the CPU, GPU.

Tbh I would go for a 600W PSU, 550 is enough but if you want to add more things later might aswell get it over and done with, PSU are relatively cheap, I got mine for 30 bucks, 550W and a GTX 550ti for 100.

It's all about the deals on newegg and tigerdirect, look for the rebates and free shipping deals, they really help.

[Cossack]

I know AMD is cheaper if you compare to Intel, but Intel is better option for gaming. Like going for i3-2100 is pretty nice option.

P.S. By the way, you forgot mention your RAM.

[KaizerSosa81]

Tbh what you have there is good. Thing with teh Mobo is that the green PCIe slot is in 16x while the orange one is 4x. Not a big deal, but really I never see a point to Crossfire or SLI if you have a good enough card anyway, like you do

It's all about the deals on newegg and tigerdirect, look for the rebates and free shipping deals, they really help.

Yeah, I knew that when choosing the mobo. I don't ever do Crossfire gaming so I should be okay for a start up rig. All the parts I'm getting from Newegg.

I know AMD is cheaper if you compare to Intel, but Intel is better option for gaming. Like going for i3-2100 is pretty nice option.

P.S. By the way, you forgot mention your RAM.

Right I agree, at first I wanted to get an i5 2500k Sandy Bridge but if left me little room in my budget for a good GPU. So I went AMD instead with the BE 955, still a great CPU.

Oh, right I did forget the RAM, I'll update the OP. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 1x4GB DDR3 1600.

[BloodBane611]

I have the Phenom II x4 945, it's a fantastic processor that is more than capable of taking whatever I throw at it. Good choice saving money on the CPU and putting it into the GPU.

However, I highly recommend 8 GB of RAM. It's not that 4 GB is particularly low, but even with most Windows 7 features turned off it will be crushing close to 1 GB of that RAM all on its own. So that leaves you with about 3 GB for games like ArmA 2, which really isn't enough imo. In fact, there's a newegg deal today for 8 gb for $50 - Newegg.com - Shell Shocker Deal. Exclusive Jaw Dropping Savings on PC Components and Electronics.

[KaizerSosa81]

BloodBane611;1638123']I have the Phenom II x4 945, it's a fantastic processor that is more than capable of taking whatever I throw at it. Good choice saving money on the CPU and putting it into the GPU.

However, I highly recommend 8 GB of RAM. It's not that 4 GB is particularly low, but even with most Windows 7 features turned off it will be crushing close to 1 GB of that RAM all on its own. So that leaves you with about 3 GB for games like ArmA 2, which really isn't enough imo. In fact, there's a newegg deal today for 8 gb for $50 - Newegg.com - Shell Shocker Deal. Exclusive Jaw Dropping Savings on PC Components and Electronics.

That's an excellent deal there. Problem is I won't start buying parts for this build until the last week of this month when the money is available. Unfortunately I don't think that deal will last that long until then.

That is fine though I can snag another 1x4GB after the build is complete. This rig is mostly for Red Orchestra 2 and a bit of PR on the side for starters so I'll be okay.

[Mad-Mike]

For a tight budget, this is a good pc!

- As of the CPU, what cooler are you getting? I dont recommend keeping the one that comes with it. Maybe go for somthing like this or this

- Mobo is fine! If I was to spend a tiny bit more on it, I would go for this

- Like mentioned above, the ram is low. 6-8gb is Highly Recommended. But like you said you can always buy another 4gb of the same ram once your pc is all set up and you have the money. Its no rush at the min.

- PSU is way too low in my opinion, Go for 600-650w MINIMUM. For $15 more than the 550w psu you are going for you can get a 650w one. Click for 650w psu

- I have seen the Cooler Master HAF 912 in lots of tight budget PC's now and for the money of it, you will not be dissapointed! It is well cable managed and has excellent air flow. It fits all modern hardware in it. So dont be worried about your big gpu not fitting

[KaizerSosa81]

For a tight budget, this is a good pc!

- As of the CPU, what cooler are you getting? I dont recommend keeping the one that comes with it. Maybe go for somthing like this or this

- Mobo is fine! If I was to spend a tiny bit more on it, I would go for this

- Like mentioned above, the ram is low. 6-8gb is Highly Recommended. But like you said you can always buy another 4gb of the same ram once your pc is all set up and you have the money. Its no rush at the min.

- PSU is way too low in my opinion, Go for 600-650w MINIMUM. For $15 more than the 550w psu you are going for you can get a 650w one. Click for 650w psu

- I have seen the Cooler Master HAF 912 in lots of tight budget PC's now and for the money of it, you will not be dissapointed! It is well cable managed and has excellent air flow. It fits all modern hardware in it. So dont be worried about your big gpu not fitting

Thanks for the recommendations. The cooler I'm going to buy is the first you suggested, thanks. I'm definitely getting a higher wattage PSU. That mobo you posted I might just get instead and the HAF 912 is a great little budget case ain't it.