Windows 7: Can I get your opinions on my 'budget' Guild Wars 2 rig?

This guy is going to be used almost exclusively for playing GW2 and browsing the interwebs. I might get a Black Magic card down the line and do some live streaming with it. Just wondering if anyone had any comments or criticism for the build. I'm planning on OCing the 2500k. I was trying to stay under $600 dollars, but with the rebates, what I have listed, everything winds up at $751.77.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before October 1st

Budget Range: Trying to stay as close as possible to $600 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Strictly for Guild Wars 2, surfing the web, and possibly live streaming in the future.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: N/A New build

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Tiger Direct, Amazon; I'm open to anyone with the best deal.



Location: Tampa, FL

Parts Preferences: Would like to stick with Intel i5-2500k, fairly content with the ASUS Mobo. Everything else I'm flexible with

Overclocking: Definitely OCing processor, in the air about touching the GPU

SLI or Crossfire: Would rather not.

Your Monitor Resolution: Capable of 1080

Additional Comments: As stated earlier; primarily building this to play GW2. I'd like to make sure I have a SSD for quick booting.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My MacBook can't handle live streaming or GW2.

For your consideration:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($207.86 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $751.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Already ordered the case as I'm rather fond of it, I'm also planning to apply for one of the Newegg preferred accounts so I can get another $20 off (puts me at $731.77, effectively. Just pondering the rest of my selections. Just debating on the GPU. I was hoping I could get something similar in the $180's, but nothing seemed to be as good as the MSI card. I was shooting for something with a similar benchmark to the Radeon 7850, the 6950 came close for $30 less, but it's probably better to spend the little extra.

Some other GPUs I was considering:
HIS IceQ X H785QN2G2M Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100312-3L Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

VisionTek 900505 Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100355OCL Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card OC Version

EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2048 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 02G-P3-1559-KR

Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2 GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 100312-3L

Just having a lot of issues picking out the best mix of value and performance amongst those GPUs.

You're going to want to invest a little more in the psu man.
Really especially if those are the graphics cards you are looking at.
If you want a stable system you'll get a bit more than you actually need in the psu department.

All of those graphics cards should be perfectly acceptable by the way.
I wouldn't personally buy visiontek though.

Current build is estimated to be only 314w. 600 gives me a bit of headroom. I was looking at one of the OCZ Modxstream 750w, but I didn't think I would require all the additional power.

Well the quality of the unit means a lot too.
I've ordered a number of high watt low cost units that arrive dead and it actually winds up cheaper to get another unit than to try and have the crappy one replaced.
The cheaper ones tend to be low on amps too. Which is a big factor in properly powering newer mobos and graphics.

Using a maximum price point of $60, here is what I'd choose from at Newegg for power supplies:

Newegg.com - SeaSonic S12II 430B 430W ATX12V V2.3/EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

You could likely find additional good choices if you waited for sales, but those are what I can find today at today's prices.

Just a suggestion but ...

I would consider a Intel SSD over the OCZ personally. Something in that same price range:
Newegg.com - Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT120A3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
There are faster ones, but they will cost more.

The OCZ may be a bit faster on the randoms, but from my experience the Intels are far more reliable.
Some may disagree, but to be clear, I've had issues with OCZ SSDs, and very good luck with Intel is why I suggest going this route. The only SSD brand I buy now.

Yes, I've been a bit skeptical about the OCZ SSDs. It has a great price point, but I've heard echoing concerns about reliability. My only gripe with the Intel one is the Sandforce controller, I'd much rather have a Marvell one. I may opt for this Crucial SSD instead:

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I'm currently on a samsung 830 series, it's on about 10 months of persistent (heavy even) use with no special steps taken at setup to try and lengthen it's lifespan.
I'm pretty happy with it.
Strange thing to mention but it also comes in a really well made box that I've been keeping little odds and ends in ever since.
It also came with batman arkham city which was a win. Don't know if that offer is still in effect.

In regards to intels having Sandforce, it seems they have thier own FW etc thats exclusive to the Intel drives. In a nutshell, the Sandforce on Intel is much more reliable that on other drives. Or at least, thats how it appears to be for whatever its worth.


I have heard lots of good things about Crucial drives though, and know a few people who have them and are very happy with them. Just no hands on experience with them.

I do think Id go with one of the 2 over the OCZ though, whichever you are more comfortable with.