PC Upgrade Ideas?

So, I recently picked up an ATI HD 7850 (2 GB ddr 5)

And now I’ve decided it’s time to go out and grab a processor, a motherboard, and some RAM to go with it.

Since I'm trying to bundle all three of these components for under $1000 (and honestly, I really want to get them from Best Buy), I was hoping you guys could weigh in on my choices:

CPU: Intel Core i5 3350P BOX, LGA 1155, 3.10GHz, 7MB cache, QuadCore - $476
http://www.bestbuy.com/artikl-050.606.247

Motherboard: ASUS P8H77-V Le, iH77, DDR3, sound, S-ATA, RAID, G-LAN, VGA, PCI-E 3.0, CrossFireX, HDMI, DVI, D-SUB, USB 3.0, ATX, LGA 1155 - $243
http://www.bestbuy.com/artikl-050.306.865

RAM (set of 2): PC-15000, 4 GB, KINGSTON KHX1866C9D3/4G HyperX Genesis, DDR3 1866MHz - $158/each
http://www.bestbuy.com/?naziv=memorija-...kl=051.210.324

Basically, the goal is to hit that 8GB RAM mark and pair it with a decent enough CPU and board.

Do any of you have ideas for a better graphics card, or maybe a better combo for the CPU and memory that would still fit within a $450 budget?

Also, do you think this specific motherboard/CPU setup paired with that GPU will actually let me squeeze out the maximum performance those parts are capable of?

Thanks

Does it really have to be from Best Buy? Shipping is free over at USA...

1 x DDR3 8GB (2x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, HyperX Genesis, KHX1600
1 x Intel Core i5-4440 (3.10GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x Asrock Z87 PRO3, 1150, Intel ® Z87, DDR3, 4 slots, 3yr
1 x ZALMAN CNPS 5X, socket 775/1155/1156/AM2/AM2/AM3

$934 USA

Maybe you could use the multiplier to overclock the CPU when things get heavy (like if you pair it with a much beefier GPU).

1 x DDR3 8GB (2x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, HyperX Genesis, KHX1600
1 x Gigabyte 990 XA-UD3, AM3+, AMD 990X SB950, 4x DDR3
1 x AMD FX X8 8320 3.5GHz,16MB,125W,AM3+, FD8320FRHK
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo,2011,1366/1156/775/AM3/ 626g,13-32dB

$937 USA

If you're looking for more overclocking headroom 😁

If you’re shopping at Best Buy, you might be able to score a better deal if you just go for slower, cheaper RAM (honestly, paying $50 more just for a few extra MHz is pretty pointless since you won't even notice the difference), and you definitely don't need such an expensive motherboard. A newer 1150 socket should work fine for you:

PC-12800 Memory, 8 GB, G.SKILL RipjawsX series, F3-12800CL10S-8GBXL, DDR3 1600MHz
BIOSTAR Hi-Fi B85S3 Motherboard, Intel B85, DDR3, audio, S-ATA, G-LAN, USB 3.0, D-SUB, DVI, mATX, lga 1150
INTEL Core i5 4570 BOX Processor, lga 1150, 3.20GHz, 6MB cache, GPU, Quad Core

$964

I guess I should probably mention the AMD FX X8 8320 processor.
I've been looking into the ASUS M5A97 R2. It seems like a solid enough option depending on what you're trying to pull off with your build, though I guess there are plenty of other directions one could take. It’s a decent piece of hardware if you're specifically aiming for that particular setup, but I suppose it really depends on how much you value certain features over others. Maybe it's worth considering, but I wouldn't say it's the only game in town.
I was looking into some memory options recently—specifically that 8 GB kit from the G.SKILL Sniper series, the PC-12800 variety. It seems like one of those standard choices you'd find if you were just trying to get a build up to speed without overthinking things too much. I guess it's decent enough for most everyday tasks, though I'm always a bit hesitant about whether these specific series hold up as well as they claim to under heavy loads. Maybe it'll work fine, but I've learned the hard way that sticking to what's widely available is usually the safest bet.
I suppose we should talk about the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. It’s one of those coolers that seems to be everywhere, and I guess there's a reason for that, though whether it's actually the best choice depends on what you're trying to achieve with your build.

$979

I decided to go with faster RAM and a slightly beefier motherboard just so this rig actually lasts me a while. You know, if I decide to sink more money into it in a year or two, I want at least a few of these parts to still be useful instead of being total paperweights.

I’ve really gotta sit down and overthink every single detail before I pull the trigger on what I'm grabbing :P

And honestly, I went with Micro Center because it's right there in my neck of the woods near Indianapolis, plus they let me split the cost into monthly payments on my credit card, which makes things way easier.

Faster RAM doesn't mean your PC will last longer, and neither does a pricier motherboard.

You barely see any performance gains from faster RAM, and a more expensive board only really makes sense if you're planning to overclock or if you desperately need a ton of SATA3/USB3 ports or whatever.

I think I'd go with the one Amy Vaughn12 suggested...

I’m done with the USA side of things... I've officially made my move over to Intel.

And as for the RAM speed, honestly, I'm just thinking ahead toward a future build... if I'm going to be swapping out the CPU or upgrading other parts in a year or so, I might as well grab faster memory right now so I'm not stuck. That’s why I wouldn't even consider settling for 1600 MHz.

Do you even know what you're talking about? Faster RAM isn't going to do anything for you; you're basically just throwing money down the drain. I doubt you'll see any actual difference, even with a new CPU—the only thing you'll get out of it is being able to brag to people that your RAM runs at 1866mhz.

Maybe take that $100 and put it toward something actually useful. Like an SSD, for instance.

If you're planning on an upgrade down the road, I'd suggest sticking with the 1150 platform. Honestly, chasing faster RAM probably won't do much for you; it likely won't boost gaming performance by even 5% once you get past 1600 MHz, unless you're stuck relying on integrated graphics.

http://media.bestofmicro.com/X/R/369...leneck2013.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/X/P/369...leneck2013.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/Y/4/369...leneck2013.png

http://media.bestofmicro.com/X/H/369...leneck2013.png

Thanks to everyone for all the advice

Rachel Rogers8 said:I’m done with the USA side of things... I've officially made my move over to Intel.

And as for the RAM speed, honestly, I'm just thinking ahead toward a future build... if I'm going to be swapping out the CPU or upgrading other parts in a year or so, I might as well grab faster memory right now so I'm not stuck. That’s why I wouldn't even consider settling for 1600 MHz.

If you're running a dedicated graphics card, there is absolutely zero noticeable difference between standard and high-speed RAM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWgzA...RbSzag&index=3

An integrated graphics setup might see some minor gains from higher speeds and dual-channel configurations.