helping a friend with a new build

[busher16]

Hello all

I am helping a friend build a gaming computer for around $1000, he is planning on using his existing monitor, keyboard and mouse, so this budget is a little tight. I used canada computers because of the fact I have used them in the past and it cuts out any shipping charges. Here is what I have so far:

CPU: Core i3 2120 lga1155 3.30 ghz $139.99

RAM: Corsair Vengeance low pro 8G (2x4G) 59.99

HD: WD caviar Black 750g 64mb cache 109.99

PSU: Corsair enthusiast 650W 99.00

MOBO: Asus P8z68-V PRO z68 174.99 with rebates

ViD CARD: Sapphire HD 7850 2G DDR5 259.99

CASE: Antec 300 two 59.88

DVD: Asus Black SATA DVD 24.99


I went with the Pro Motherboard because of the option to upgrade to a PCI express 3.0 video Card in the future and the processor and a SSD could be added at a later date to help it last as long as possible

[glc]

Canada Computers | Motherboards | Asus P8Z77-V LX Socket 1155 Intel Z77 Chipset Dual channel DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz 1x PCI-Express 3.0 x16 1x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 GLAN 8-CH High Definition Audio 4x SATA 3.0Gb/s 2

Canada Computers | CPU | Intel Core i5-2300 Quad-Core Socket LGA1155, 2.80Ghz, 6MB L3 Cache, 32nm (Retail Boxed) (BX80623I52300)

[busher16]

Awesome, Thanx GLC I can't believe I didnt see that Motherboard I guess I was just looking in the $175 range.

My buddy had one question about the processor and I didn't really have an answer for him. since there arent many games that will use more than 2 cores what is the advantage of the larger cache on the I5 vs the higher clock speed on the I3?

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by busher16 Awesome, Thanx GLC I can't believe I didnt see that Motherboard I guess I was just looking in the $175 range. My buddy had one question about the processor and I didn't really have an answer for him. since there arent many games that will use more than 2 cores what is the advantage of the larger cache on the I5 vs the higher clock speed on the I3?

There are lots of games that use more than 2 cores, in fact any game that has come out in the last year or so are quad core capable.

[glc]

We are now recommending quads in everything but a barebones low budget machine now. You might as well get it, the increase in cost is balanced out by the motherboard savings. The rest of the components are excellent choices.

[busher16]

Thanx again for all the replies, you guys are always so helpful and always leave me feeling confident about my final decisions