I5 Build for $800

LookOverThere

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Sep 25, 2009
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: First week of the new year.

BUDGET RANGE: I would like to stay under $800 if possible.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the internet, general use.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, OS, Keyboard, Mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg or any reputable site.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I'm thinking of going with Intel but I am not averse to being persuaded otherwise if the value is right.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm ultimately looking to build a PC that will handle games like Dragon Age, Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, and Call of Duty at max settings with no problem.

I don't really know where to start with this build, especially when it comes to choosing a good GPU. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any comments and advice and have a happy new year.
 
Solution
CoDMW2? If not, specify which one.

$800 isn't enough for a high-end i5 build. If you must have i5, you're gonna have to get a mid-end GPU:

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quantity of item 1


Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$26.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
Return Policy: Limited Replacement...

tunnelrat

Distinguished
Nov 23, 2009
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18,690
this is my planned build :

processor -core i5 750 2.66 ghz

motherboard -gigabyte ga p55m ud2

ram -2x 2 gb ddr3

gpu -ati hd 5850 or ati hd 5770 (5850 is costly but is worth the money....its a beast !!!!!........if my opinion goes i would buy a 5850 !!!)

cabinet -cooler master cm 690 or cooler master gladiator 600

smps -corsair tx 650

hdd -segate 1tb or samsung spinpoint f3 1 tb

optical drive -sony dvd writer

this is going to be a powerful built !!

 

p55ibexpeak

Distinguished
Dec 1, 2009
606
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19,060
CoDMW2? If not, specify which one.

$800 isn't enough for a high-end i5 build. If you must have i5, you're gonna have to get a mid-end GPU:

--
quantity of item 1


Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$26.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$50.00 Instant


$149.99
$99.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$54.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102864
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options14-102-864S7458|hide options14-102-864S7458)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info14-102-864.0.18)

* 1 year: $19.99
* 2 year: $35.99

-$10.00 Instant


$164.99
$154.99

1

OCZ Diesel 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model OCZUSBDSL4G

OCZ Diesel 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model OCZUSBDSL4G - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227331
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$13.99 Saving


$13.99
$0.00

select item 6 quantity of item 6


OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK

OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227346
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$14.00 Instant


$89.99
$75.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128405
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$109.99
$104.99

select item 8 quantity of item 8


Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$199.99
$194.99

Subtotal: $712.93
--

Mininum for highend would be $1000. You talked about max settings at 1080. That's high end. If you don't mind AMD, you can do it with a better gpu:

--
quantity of item 1


Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$26.99

select item 2 quantity of item 2


Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129024
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$50.00 Instant


$149.99
$99.99

select item 3 quantity of item 3


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$54.99

select item 4 quantity of item 4


ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131603
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card13-131-603

$84.99
$79.99

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ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814121361
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy



$309.99

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OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK

OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G10664GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227346
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$14.00 Instant


$89.99
$75.99

select item 7 quantity of item 7


AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX435WFGIBOX

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX435WFGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103724
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy



$87.00

Subtotal: $734.94
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The AMD build with a high-end GPU would be the one I get for a gaming rig. Most games are still gpu-limited. You don't play GTA4 & FSX which are quad-core.
 
Solution

dpaul8

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Sep 15, 2009
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P55ibexpeak -- Those are two great builds, with some excellent advice. Great work!

LookOverThere -- If you live near a Microcenter store you can pickup a i750 processor for $150. Of the two rigs above, the AMD build will outperform the i750 build because of the 5850 graphics card. If you want to stay with the i750 processor, you should consider exceeding your budget by a little bit and getting the 5850 graphics card. P55ibexpeak has given you excellent advice. Good luck!
 

LookOverThere

Distinguished
Sep 25, 2009
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I appreciate the helpful feedback p55. I will definitely look into AMD build as it more closely aligns to my budget. I guess my only other question would be how much I'm sacrificing by going this route and if it will significantly effect my performance? Thanks again for the help.
 

p55ibexpeak

Distinguished
Dec 1, 2009
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I don't think you'll sacrifice anything by going AMD. Your usage doesn't scream quad core. If you can get i5 for $150 at any mc, get it. You can get the $150 i5 + HD 5850 + the rest of Intel build from my list for $820-ish plus shipping & tax. It's over budget. AM3 has a better upgrade path than LGA 1156 cuz AMD has only AM3 on the map for a few years. So you could drop in, say, a Phenom II x4 black, down the road and you'd be quad-core ready. Still, I believe dualies & tri-cores are more than capable of gaming.