Would you look over my theoretical mid-range($700) gaming builds?

Hardware Build a PC
1

Ok, so I'm new to pc building and this forum, but I have two builds I'd like someone with any bit of experience to tell me what I did wrong, or if I can cut costs. It would be nice to have a little wiggle room because I'd also like to get a decent outboard soundcard because I produce music and I'd be using this as my studio computer aswell.

Now, mainly what I'd be playing would be valve games/gary's mod, arma2 and it's mods, and some newer titles like Skyrim, maybe BF3. And I'm not really obsessed with ridiculously high frame rates.(I'm saving that obsession for when I can afford it.)

The Builds:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DQAP

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DQGE

2

The I5-3570 is the choice for intel's side for many gamers so I'm not too worried about the intel build.

The FX-6300 I've not yet used but from the sources I've found with the gtx 660 it seems like it performs very well and for alot cheaper. 

Source:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPQgQyhLUGs - FX6300 + GTX660 - Farcry 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb1AVHXTFQw - FX6300 + GTX660 - BF3

Note: I've not yet found a source where they actually shown me the settings... or maybe I didn't care to wait for them to show me the setting but from what I see, it seems to be on high - max.

3

They both look fine to me, however, you will need to get a PSU from a trusted brand such as Corsair or seasonic. And, if you get an AMD card, you'll get better performance at the same price. Check out the 7870.

 

4

Take a look at this: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DR6k

5

Yeah, I had a fealing skimping on the PSU was one of my bad moves. But the Corsair PSU in build 2 is good?

6

Now, how does that radeon differ to the Geforce in my builds? I'm still learning here :D

One more thing, what about the CPU cooler, that build didn't have one so I thought I'd ask.