First Build - $690 Build, Need input on choice of parts.

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delfuego

Honorable
Oct 11, 2013
6
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10,510
So I finally finished making my list of parts that I want for my first build, and I have some questions regarding my choices. My budget for my build is a maximum of $690 (including s/h) for now but I plan on purchasing more parts in the future (2-4 months). I plan on purchasing these parts in the next 7-10 business days which is when I receive my funds, with the possible exception of the motherboard and ram combo, which I might purchase today in order to not miss out on the deal. I plan on eventually being able to play the newest games in high detail and maybe dabble in overclocking. My list and their prices are:

i5-3570K CPU - $220
ASRock z77 Extreme 4 ATX motherboard - $125
G.SKILL Ripjaws X 4GB DDR3 1866 ram - FREE with purchase of motherboard
Seagate Barracuda HDD 1TB - $70
NZXT Tempest 210 tower - $46
Rosewill wifi adapter - $14
SeaSonic S12II 520W PSU - $67
Acer 23in LED 1920x1080 monitor - $127.50
Logitech K120 keyboard - $10.63
Gigabyte GM-M6800 mouse - $10
Linux OS (Not sure which distro yet)
Total : $690.03 with S/H

Here is the pc part picker link for more reference : http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Np8W
(Note: The ram is not listed, also the monitor in the link is not the one I will be getting. I instead will be getting http://tinyurl.com/l4ayekz at BestBuy. In the event that the price increases on that monitor though, I will then choose the one in the link)

Planned future purchases (when I get more funds) in order of importance:
1. More Ram (Ideally the same 4GB ram for a total of 8)
2. GTX 760 video card
3. Windows OS
4 Better CPU fan
5 More fans for case
6. SSD

Now, on to my questions!
1. I don't really need a discrete GPU right now. If the integrated graphics on the cpu is as good as the AMD integrated graphics on my old $350 laptop, then it will satisfy my current needs. I'm worried though if I will have issues when I first boot and install the linux OS. Will i be able to do so? or will I have to make some changes in the settings in the bios to make it work?
2. I'm also worried about the ram. I know the motherboard supports it. But will I have to make some changes in the bios settings to make it work? or will i be able to just pop it in and run it?
3. I read that the GTX 760 needs at least +12V@40A, which the PSU can provide, but taking in consideration of all the parts I will buy and and might buy in the future, will the PSU support my needs?
4.Lastly i guess, is everything compatible? I'm pretty sure it is though lol. Also, any changes you might make? keep in mind my budget though.
 
Solution
M
If you can go for the haswell cpu then I can definitely say that they are good enough to last you until the dedicated gpu. I was able to do both my everyday stuff including movie watching, as well as even doing some gaming (SWTOR on medium settings) with no issues. It's definitely a good temporary solution.
See if you can find some deals from microcenter if you live near them, some of the deals are as much as $40 off

Also...haswell cpu version is only $10 more on amazon at the moment


*Just something to consider
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delfuego

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Oct 11, 2013
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10,510


Not without having to sacrifice on that free ram. I'd have to purchase ram, I would need at least an extra $40, plus and extra $20 for that i5 Haswell. So i would need to make significant chanes in order to accommodate those $60. Also, the IGPU is really only a temporary solution, I will eventually get a discrete video card.
 
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ingtar33

ingtar33

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Dec 17, 2012
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anyone who's used intel HD4000 will tell you the drivers really kill it. open 2 or 3 web browsing windows and watch your system slow to a crawl (or outright crash)... it's really quite fascinating... so despite the "benches" that show hd4000, or hd4600 or hd5200 is somewhat competent know the end user experience is generally pretty poor for any one not in word or excel.
 
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delfuego

Honorable
Oct 11, 2013
6
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10,510


Hmm that's good to know. Really, the most intensive thing I would be doing these next 2-3 months would be running a web browser and some kind of word processor, perhaps with several tabs open in the web browser, with some netflix here and there. I don't see myself doing anything that requires a lot graphic processing power. No games or anything. With my Uni studies, I just dont have the time, till December when I have a break. Then I will consider playing games. But by then, I should be purchasing a GTX 760. I might purchase a cheap HD 6450 though to tide me over till I have enough funds for a GTX 760.
 
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mc962

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Jul 18, 2013
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If you can go for the haswell cpu then I can definitely say that they are good enough to last you until the dedicated gpu. I was able to do both my everyday stuff including movie watching, as well as even doing some gaming (SWTOR on medium settings) with no issues. It's definitely a good temporary solution.
See if you can find some deals from microcenter if you live near them, some of the deals are as much as $40 off

Also...haswell cpu version is only $10 more on amazon at the moment


*Just something to consider
 
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Solution
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delfuego

Honorable
Oct 11, 2013
6
0
10,510



Your post gave me confidence that the intergrated gpu would be enough for now. I ended up purchasing the ivybridge i5, and it definetely fullfilled my needs for now. Hell, I even played some Oblivion on medium settings. I have experienced some slowdowns, but only when loading multiple programs at once, and even then it's rare.

As for my questions (that nobody really answered) in case anyone needs the answers:
1. No, I didn't experience any difficulties with my first boot and install.
2. I did have to change the setings for the ram so that it would read properly at 1866 mhz, at first it only read at 1600 mhz.
3. I ended up buying SeaSonic G 550W instead, although I'm sure that 520 would have been enough. I'm glad I bought a modular psu though!
4. My build is working great!
 
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