PC build for $900 (monitor included)

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lgtw

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Sep 21, 2013
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I'm new to building PCs, so I want to run-by all of the components I'm currently looking at putting in my computer with our PFD (permanent fund dividend) that we get yearly from Alaska's oil money! This year, it's a solid $900 up from last year's $878 amount, but I have a little bit of extra breathing room as well (~$150).

My expectations for this computer is to be a reliable system that should give me a few years of great performance and be able to render videos + open up more gaming for me if I choose to do so.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($210 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Intel DP67BGB3 LGA 1155 ($92 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3 1866 SDRAM ($79 @ Newegg)
Storage: WD 500 GB SATA 6 GB/s [WD5000AAKX] ($55 @ Amazon) +
Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 60 GB 2.5" SSD ($65) Amazon (boot drive)
Video card: MSI N650-MD1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 650 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 ($99 @ Amazon/$74 @ Newegg, $20 mail-in rebate)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 ($145 @ Amazon)
Power supply: CORSAIR HX series HX650 650W ATX12V ($115 @ Newegg)
OR
SSP-550RT 550W ATX12V ($75 @ Newegg)
Monitor:HP W2072a Black 20" ($90 @ Micro Center)
Optical drive: LG Black Blu-Ray Drive ($50 @ Newegg)

Total (all with free shipping with the exception of the SSP-550RT power supply): $965 ($1000 /w Corsair power supply)

Anyone with more experience think this is a pretty solid build for the money? I can switch some things out, such as the optical drive for now, lower storage HDD, etc. I'll be buying the parts around the 7th of October!

Thanks!
 
Solution
Sangeet Khatri
Well.. just do NOT get that build. You can get much better build for the same price. Just don't overspend.

+ 4th Gen Haswell CPU
+ Much better motherboard than the Intel one.
+ 7970 is the best GPU from AMD and much much better than the 650 you are planning to get.
+ 1TB HDD = Double of 500GB HDD
+ Much better Monitor
+ Better DVD Drive

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: GeIL Enhance CORSA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western...
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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May 26, 2013
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Well.. just do NOT get that build. You can get much better build for the same price. Just don't overspend.

+ 4th Gen Haswell CPU
+ Much better motherboard than the Intel one.
+ 7970 is the best GPU from AMD and much much better than the 650 you are planning to get.
+ 1TB HDD = Double of 500GB HDD
+ Much better Monitor
+ Better DVD Drive

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.97 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI B85-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: GeIL Enhance CORSA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec GX700 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $890.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-21 12:52 EDT-0400)

Hence I suggest going with this build. Take a look at the build and tell me what you think about it. Your feedback would be highly appreciated.
 
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L

lgtw

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Sep 21, 2013
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I could see this build being a pretty solid machine. However, I was kind of deadset on the Switch 810 case, so I downgraded the video card because I'm not sure I'll exactly need a high-end 3GB card like that. Swapping that with a $100 video card, I could save more to put toward the OS to boot off of an extra SSD.

I really appreciate your help! I actually went with your suggestion on the CPU, motherboard, memory, storage (that's a huge bargain, thanks for that one!), the optical drive! I might even have to go for a cheaper monitor for now, but I'll definitely keep that monitor written down.

I see there's an Outlet PC store in the Las Vegas area, would they have cheaper in-store prices than online or would it just end up being more when adding the 8% Nevada state tax?
 
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lgtw

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I see what you're saying, Windows 8 wasn't all that bad to me when I used it in the consumer preview about 2 years ago. If I can find Windows 7 for cheaper than 8 (should be very easy), then I'll go for 7. 7 is just fine for me.
 
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Cameron Shaw

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i believe you misunderstand my recommendation i have and would encourage you to buy windows 8 its speed alone is worth the upgrade its very noticeable when you use it i was pointing out that you can change the start screen to the regular button so that there isnt a downside to windows 8
 
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Cameron Shaw

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I 100% agree with sangeet I can guarantee the massive graphics card upgrade is worth it pc gaming isnt really possible with anything less than a 650ti prefferably with boost or a 7850 the 7970 will certainlu be worth it im sure there are cheaper cases that look great and will suit your needs.
 
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lgtw

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I was kinda deadset on the Switch 810 because I'm one of those guys that wants to show their stuff inside and light it up with LEDs and everything. I could probably dish out another $20-50 for the video card, especially for a 7850. I was looking at the Asus Radeon HD 7850 2 GB, it's about $170 normally, and $130 right now with promos. Then there's the HIS Radeon HD 7950 3 GB for about $190-210 on Newegg. Which one do you think would be the better card for the price?
 
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Cameron Shaw

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the 7950 is way better than a 7850 i am currently running one and its great however i can see it having trouble with something like crisis 3 on high i can see myself having to either overclock it or lowering my settings on some games in the future so see if you can afford the 7970 by shuffling some things around however definetly ge 7950 atleast there are multiple cases with big side panels and leds heres a few to get you started antec 1100 antec p280 thermaltake chaser mk antec 900
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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I would still say, do not get anything less than a 7950. I consider it to be the Minimum for Enthusiast level gaming, the games nowadays are much more demanding. I mean just look at BF4, Far Cry 3, Crysis 3 and a lot more are coming. So with a 650 it would be like playing at 720p at Medium settings and in my book that is not considered a gaming rig at all.

With 7850 you can play at like 1080p Medium, but still that is not what is called good performance.

But with 7950 you can play high-very high at 1080p at 30+ FPS easily, with High res textures (3GB VRAM, 384 bit bus, WOW!!).

Seriously, for about 180-190 dollars, that card is very good.

What will you do of a good case when you don't have good parts inside to show it off to other guys? I mean performance matters more over anything especially for gaming.

Take my advice and go for a good card instead. Seriously, I don't know what else to say.
 
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Cameron Shaw

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codbo2 is easy to run ive heard you can run it on intels hd 4000 graphics bf4s requirements have been released and the recommended requirements include atleast a7870 so i have to agree with sangeet you really need a 7950 its a great card you could get away with a 7870 but you will find your self dialing down a couple of things.
 
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lgtw

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Good point. I still wanted something with a nice side panel display, so I went with the Corsair Carbide 300R windowed version. It's about $80. I'll see if I can get an MSI 7950 card, they're about $200 on Newegg right now. Not exactly who I wanted to buy from (Outlet PC has a physical store in Vegas, where I live), but it'll do!
 
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lgtw

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Just to be sure (since I'm buying all of the parts in about a week).

Intel Core i5-4670K - $235
MSI B85-G41 LGA 1150 Motherboard - $80
Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 - $72
WD Caviar Blue 500 GB HDD - $60
Corsair CX600 600W PSU (80 Plus) - $65
LG Blu-Ray Optical Drive - $50
Windows 8 - $95

Total from Outlet PC: $663.51 + $54 8% Nevada State Tax (from picking up locally) = $717.51

Corsair Carbide 300R Windowed Mid-Tower Case - $80
PowerColor AX7950 3GBD5-2DHV5E Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card - $210

Total from Newegg: $290 (free shipping)

Total: $1,007.
Anyone know of anything I can do to down the price a little without exactly sacrificing the case? I also want to be able to overclock the processor easily, which is why I'm going with the 4670K.
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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If you want to overclock, then get a decent Z87 motherboard. You cannot overclock with a B85 or a H87 board.

For overclocking you need a decent Z87 board.

My recommendations would be Asrock Z87 Extreme 3 if you are on extreme budget.
 
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Cameron Shaw

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+1 sorry forgot to check the chipset.
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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If at any point of time, if you feel that you have got your answer, then you can mark the thread as "Solved" by "Picking A Solution". It would be appreciated by people who are looking for similar answers.

If you have any more questions, then feel free to ask them too. We would love to help you.
 
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