Modified Budget Build (A Step up, Intel)

[Zerrigan]

Hey there everyone, I was looking at the budget builds and really liked the Intel one for around $900, but that is a bit out of my price range so I did a little tweaking and researching and here is what I came up with.

Case-Changed
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

PSU-Same
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Motherboard-Changed
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412R
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128429

CPU-Same
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

RAM-Changed *note I really could use some help here. I found quite a few options that seems good, but they all look the same to me, can someone tell me the difference and how to judge which is better for future reference?*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050008476%2040000147%20600006069%2060 0006127&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=147|20-231-400^20-231-400-TS%2C20-231-314^20-231-314-TS%2C20-231-401^20-231-401-TS

GPU-Changed*note I think it basically the same card, I am definitely open to downgrading here, the GTS from the budget build seems better actually but the steam processors was lower, I guess that makes it slower?*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130571

I already have my own hard-drive.

Optical Drive-Same
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

OS-Windows 7 but cheaper due to Microsoft's student special deal :)

All together, this runs up to $900-950ish. My main concern is if this is a solid build, after we establish that, I can start (or anyone can) suggesting some cheaper alternatives. I upgraded the RAM as a friend suggested to me that I might as well go all out with RAM with that kind of mobo.

[RickyTick]

The build you have listed is nice, but let's consider the new Sandy Bridge line from Intel. Here's a complete $900 build. If you substitute your hard drive and optical drive, the price is about $800. I like this a lot, and should be a good bit faster than what you listed previously, plus is much more future proof.

Case $67 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
PSU $82 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Mobo $138 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128460
CPU $210 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
GPU $258 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363
RAM $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427
HDD $65 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
OD $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

[Zerrigan]

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it!
That cpu is DEFINITELY better! However, what makes the gpu so much better? Also, you lowered the RAM, so I'm guessing you are saying 8GB really just isn't worth it currently?
Finally, if I wanted to downsize this a little bit, what would be the easiest way to do so? I imagine the GPU, but I don't want to end up in a situation where I have to buy a new GPU in 2 years.

[RickyTick]

oops...for some reason I was thinking you wanted a big time gamer rig, but that may not be the case. Your ram link doesn't work, so I wasn't sure what you were looking at there. You could certainly cut that video card back to maybe a GTS450 and put that savings into more ram.

[Zerrigan]

Would the difference with the gts be very noticeable?

[RickyTick]

Would the difference with the gts be very noticeable?

Only if you're a hard-core gamer.

[Zerrigan]

Ok thanks for the help I really appreciate it! One more thing though :) These new sandy-bridge chips are able to send power to power the graphics basically yes? So will I be able to run a computer with a graphics card with this processor? I'm not saying like high end gaming or video editing, just basic computer things like internet and whatnot. I ask because I am actually having to spend a bit of my savings on a book so I was wondering if I can go ahead and order everything but the videocard.