Advice on PC build!

[Steel_Stallion]

I've got the following build lined up for my mid-high range gaming PC.

I just want to run Skyrim on max settings, pretty much.

- AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
- Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 GPU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
- G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 RAM http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
- ASUS M5A97 Motherboard http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131767
- Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB HDD http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697
- CORSAIR Builder Series 600W http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
- Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower case http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
- Samsung CD/DVD Burner http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

I've never built a PC in my life, but after hours of googling and comparing products this is what I came up with. It runs me $800 with tax and shipping.

Ok, three questions for anyone with experience in the matter (because I have none):

1. Will this build work well, or will it blow up in my face?
2. Is there any way to get just as much goodness for a cheaper price?
3. Am I missing a crucial component (lol)?

Thanks a lot in advance... I'm on a student budget and I absolutely cannot go over 700-800, so what I have lined up is really pushing it but I'm just sick of having a last gen computer. I've never been able to run up to date games on max settings despite being a gamer all my life!

Oh... and I won't have the money till probably Christmas time but I'm planning ahead.

 

[Magtheridon96]

The motherboard has 2 USB 3.0 slots while the Case has 1

 

[Gilles]

The motherboard has 2 USB 3.0 slots while the Case has 1

I assume you were thinking they're incompatible, but the 2 USB slots on the mobo go to the back of the case, while the case's usb is on the front.

I recommend the Antec 300 case, it's cheaper and I've been really happy with it.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Also that power supply seems borderline to me (for watts), and it's way too cheap. Maybe it's just a really good deal, but I'd spend at least $70 on a power supply. Never cheap out on them.
Here's a random one I grabbed to give you an idea, might be a better deal out there though.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139023

 

[Steel_Stallion]

Alright, well I revised the build a bit. Bit of a cheaper case and a more powerful PSU, I also swapped out the AMD for an i3 Sandy Bridge.

Updated first post with the revised build. Also saved a bit of cash, now runs me $776.

Edit: I just realized I had an intel processor with my AMD mobo.

derp.

Replaced i3 with an AMD Phenom ii quad.

It's now $756.

 

[Gilles]

I still don't like that PSU. I've never heard anything good about RAIDMAX.

Here's a guide for PSU's. Do not skimp on your psu, ever.
http://www.10stripe.com/featured/psu/brand.php

If you find a psu you like, google reviews for it.

 

[Steel_Stallion]

Yeah, I didn't like where the reviews were going either. I went with this guy instead http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Good reviews and 600W is good wattage for the price.

 

[Gilles]

Looks good to me. Have you posted this on any computer forums? If not, I highly recommend this website: Tech-Forums.net

 

[BlargHonk]

Or, you could throw all that out, and go with this:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722563
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

$775 for an Intel latest gen quad with the same GPU, case, and HDD you wanted. With faster RAM and a better board, PSU is slightly better quality as well. And extra powercord, yayyyyy

Oh and Good call on the Raidmax Gilles, Their lowest tier, motherboard killers.

 

[Steel_Stallion]

Or, you could throw all that out, and go with this:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.722563
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

$775 for an Intel latest gen quad with the same GPU, case, and HDD you wanted. With faster RAM and a better board, PSU is slightly better quality as well. And extra powercord, yayyyyy

Oh and Good call on the Raidmax Gilles, Their lowest tier, motherboard killers.

Yeah but you aren't including tax and shipping, that bumps it up to like $900+ which I just can't afford. Mine's ~$750 with tax and shipping.

Regardless though I'm really tempted to just go for an Intel i5. People IRL tell me there's no real noticeable difference and it's all a big hubbub over nothing (the whole AMD vs Intel thing), but people over forums keep telling me Intel Sandy Bridge is the be all end all.

I'm just going to wait until boxing day and get the best deal I can on either an Intel i5 Sandy, or one of those new AMD FX chips coming out soon.

 

[BlargHonk]

Regardless though I'm really tempted to just go for an Intel i5. People IRL tell me there's no real noticeable difference and it's all a big hubbub over nothing (the whole AMD vs Intel thing), but people over forums keep telling me Intel Sandy Bridge is the be all end all..

AMD can compete only against the lower end quads of Intel, and thats with their hexacore. They are the best at low prices, but once you get above about $150, Intel is the best.

Regardless, notice how it says 2500K? The K part means the clock multiplier is unlocked. Meaning that processor can reach mid-4ghz with a good aircooler. Most P2's only get to 3.8 on air.

It's a great buy, you can wait for better prices if you like, but all things considered, I wouldn't.