Does this sound like a good build to you?

[evanheminger]

Hi, I am going to be building a custom PC for the first time. I will primarily be using this computer for gaming, software developing, and just browsing the web. Do these sound like good components?

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G43
Processor: Intel Core i5-3470
Graphics Card: EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 660 (just 660, not Ti variation)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 (2 x 4GB) 1600MHz DDR3
Solid State Drive: OCZ Vertex 3 60GB (just for Windows and programs)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda Green 1.5TB 5900RPM
Optical Drive: LG SATA DVD Burner
Power Supply: FSP Group Aurum Gold 600W (80 Plus Gold Certified)

[dandelioneater]

Looks like a nice build. The 60GB ssd will fill up fast if you are planning on storing games on it. You could look at getting a 120-128GB ssd if you can muster a few more dollars. Other than that, what is the resolution of your monitor and what games do you play? (Just want to gauge if the 660 non-TI will be sufficient for the games you play.)

Check this bundle out: 3570K (overclockable cpu so it is more future-proof) and GD-45 board for $329 regular $415.

It may be a better value than the 3470 and g43 boad

[evanheminger]

I'll be running at 1920 x 1200, and playing games like Battlefield 3, Black Ops 2, and graphic-rich games like that. I don't plan on putting my games on the SSD, so I think the 60GB will be fine.

[MARSTG]

Or you could take advantage of the very low prices on AMD CPUs right now, there are Black Edition versions under 100$ on newegg.ca. An AM3+ mobo that will secure future upgrade will be around 120$, with 990X chipset and that will save you at least 100$ in your build. You don't really need to put latest technologies in a PC, you are fine with some older parts also, if you choose well. For SSD, you might want to know that 120GB Revo Drive is 110$ at new egg. With the money difference from the AMD build you could afford one of those and it will not bottleneck your system. Video card wise you could go with a GTX 560Ti 448 would be just fine too.

[guitarwiz23]

With the cheapest 448 being around $220 and the 660 being around $230 I would just go for the 660

[dandelioneater]

I'm sure that the 660 will be fine for your resolution that you game at with medium to high settings. I would seriously look at the 3570K cpu. It is only 30-40 dollars more and will allow you to overclock the chip at a later time when you need some more power. I'm not sure how much longer intel will release chips for the 1155 socket. They have a tendancy to leave you hanging unlike AMD who don't change their sockets as often. Something to consider.