Budget Gaming Desktop

[Xelc]

Budget: $750 or less, including monitor.
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Games: WoW on ultra preferably; other modern titles decently.
Location: U.S., not near a Micro Center.
OS: Will be using Windows 7, purchased separately.
Peripherals: Mouse, keyboard, and speakers will be purchased separately unless there's a decent combo deal.

Current concerns/issues:

1) The RAM is not on the motherboard support list - but is used in several builds I found in researching this build. Should I be concerned?

2) Is going up to the Caviar Black 1TB worth the price hike?

3) The case is not included in the PCPicker chart, but here is the link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208020

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($180.66 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer G246HLAbd 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $685.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-04 00:24 EDT-0400)

[jholdaway]

Tweaked your build a little though it is towards the high end of your budget. Switched out your psu since the builder series isn't that great, got you a MB that gives you the option to upgrade your CPU at a later date, and slightly more expensive monitor but nicer that then one you picked.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $741.10
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-04 08:12 EDT-0400)

[Deleted]

1. In 99% of cases; no. If you want to be sure, get RAM modules that are on the supported list. However, manufacturers don't have the time or the patience (=money) to test every single module out there - and definitely not modules that are released after the motherboard is.
2. Depends. If you will use the HDD as boot I'd say yes - but it depends on if you are annoyed by loading times or not.
3. Be ready for plastic galore. I'd pick something more recommended.

• Either get a 7790 or jump up to a 7870 in my opinion (or a GTX 650 Ti BOOST or a GTX 660). The 7790 is margins behind a 7850 and a fair bit cheaper. To note, it also uses less power. The 7870 would offer a significant performance increase over the 7850.
• I'd definitely get a different power supply. The Corsair CX-series aren't bad, but there are better options around the same money. XFX ProSeries (Seasonic OEM) or Antec VP are better alternatives. 400-450W is plenty - just make sure it has the proper connectors.
• I'd recommend the ASUS VE228H instead of the monitor you have suggested. They are both cheap TN panels so don't expect wonders, but the VE228H comes well recommended as a good budget choice.
• Any particular reason you are going with mATX?

[yurano]

Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)

Don't need Z77 or Z75 for an i3.

• Either get a 7790 or jump up to a 7870 in my opinion (or a GTX 650 Ti BOOST or a GTX 660). The 7790 is margins behind a 7850 and a fair bit cheaper. To note, it also uses less power. The 7870 would offer a significant performance increase over the 7850.
• I'd definitely get a different power supply. The Corsair CX-series aren't bad, but there are better options around the same money. XFX ProSeries (Seasonic OEM) or Antec VP are better alternatives. 400-450W is plenty - just make sure it has the proper connectors.
• Any particular reason you are going with mATX?

The current bang for buck goes to the 660. Avoid dropping to cards that are available with 1GB VRAM if you can afford 2GB cards.

The reason the OP's chosen CX 430 is so expensive is because it is modular. jholdaway's selected PC Power & Silencer unit is the only similarly priced modular alternative.

mATX is usually selected due to price. You can't SLI/CF without a Z77 chipset anyways.

[jholdaway]

[QUOTE=yurano;20729070]Don't need Z77 or Z75 for an i3.

If you read the paragraph above the build I stated that with the Z75 board he has the option of upgrading to a 3570k at a later date.

[Rafax]

Here goes my attempt at it, i went with a z77 plus the i 3220 so you can grab a 3570k later on, got you a 7870GHZ edition, downgraded your original monitor choice a bit and it has no optical drive, if you really need it i can try and squeeze it in but its just 20 bucks so you might be able to go a bit over budget.~

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ox7S

[yurano]

If you read the paragraph above the build I stated that with the Z75 board he has the option of upgrading to a 3570k at a later date.

This type of futureproofing is not worthwhile. You're either wasting the money spent on a Z75 motherboard (most likely scenario) or you're wasting the cost of an i3-3220 along with the fact that a Z75 Pro3 isn't the best choice for 3570K OC.

[chazus]

This type of futureproofing is not worthwhile. You're either wasting the money spent on a Z75 motherboard (most likely scenario) or you're wasting the cost of an i3-3220 along with the fact that a Z75 Pro3 isn't the best choice for 3570K OC.

How is the money spent on a Z75 'wasted'?

People seem to think you need a $130 board to overclock to 4.2-4.4. You don't. You simply don't. Spending an extra $50-60 on a 'good' Z77 in a limited budget (under $1000), is to me, money wasted. No performance gain, no benefit, more cost = money wasted to me