Please put together a sub500 build and sub700 build...

[kurtcrosbie]

I can't seem to put a deal together like I had a few days ago. Should have just pulled the trigger. Building one for gaming, and want to base it around Eyefinity.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Today
BUDGET RANGE: 1 sub$500 and 1 sub$700 after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (iRacing Motorsports Simulation iRacing.com)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Already have 3 x 20" ASUS widescreen monitors, keyboard, mouse.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, but I'm not familiar with any other sites so fill me in. United States.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Whatever the best deal is. I'm guessing AMD. I want to use Eyefinity so an ATI gpu would be a must.

OVERCLOCKING: I have never overclocked before, but its definitely something I would consider if I was told how to do it correctly.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I think its 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My main use is going to be for iRacing, but I also want to stream the races through livestream, justin.tv, ustream.com, etc. iRacing currently only takes advantage of 2 cores, but they will be programming it to run sound from a 3rd core later this year. Again, the SOLE purpose of this computer is for iRacing.

 

[WR2]

Hello kurtcrosbie;

You did say 'please' but it would be nice to know what kind of build you're wanting.

*How To Ask For New Build Advice*

 

[kurtcrosbie]

Here is what I have so far:

Open Box: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

$16.99

Rosewill FB-02 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, come with 1x 80mm Fan

$29.99

Recertified: HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725025GLA380 (0A35399) 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

$28.49

Open Box: ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

$42.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

$69.99

GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GV34GB1333C9DC

$84.99

XFX HD-585X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
+
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

$424.98

TOTAL: $678.42 after $20MIR

 

[WR2]

The difference between the open box and full retail version of that motherboard is only $17. I think we can save $17 in other places and not have to worry about your motherboard arriving without drive cables or other necessities. Most often the open box item is for someone who needs just a motherboard replacement and already has the other items. You can look at the items in the accessory pack and decide if you want to worry about getting them separately if they're not in the box when it arrives.

Here is the open box policy fine print at NewEgg:
"If you purchase an Open-Box product Newegg guarantees only that you will receive the product itself; accessories MAY OR MAY NOT BE INCLUDED with Open-Box products. Newegg will not send you a missing accessory, even if the missing accessory is required in order to properly make use of all the product’s advertised functions."

I'm less worried about open box DVD drive or the reconditioned HDD. Not ideal maybe - but workable.
I could not find the $424.98 X4 955 & XFX HD 5850 combo deal. It's $520 now.

Here is a CPU/MB combo deal to think about: Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz and MSI 870-G45 770 MB $128 Has X3 core unlock option.

XFX HD-585X-ZAFC HD 5850 $295 Eyefinity support and I figure you can overclock the GPU yourself and save $90 over the factory OC'd XFX 587X-ZNFV.

PSU/DVD combo deal: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W PSU and SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner $90 and $25 rebate 'free' DVD burner and a modular PSU.

If I did the math right it's about $603 after rebate.

 

[kurtcrosbie]

The difference between the open box and full retail version of that motherboard is only $17. I think we can save $17 in other places and not have to worry about your motherboard arriving without drive cables or other necessities. Most often the open box item is for someone who needs just a motherboard replacement and already has the other items. You can look at the items in the accessory pack and decide if you want to worry about getting them separately if they're not in the box when it arrives.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/13-157-176-Z05?$S640W$

Here is the open box policy fine print at NewEgg:
"If you purchase an Open-Box product Newegg guarantees only that you will receive the product itself; accessories MAY OR MAY NOT BE INCLUDED with Open-Box products. Newegg will not send you a missing accessory, even if the missing accessory is required in order to properly make use of all the product’s advertised functions."

I'm less worried about open box DVD drive or the reconditioned HDD. Not ideal maybe - but workable.
I could not find the $424.98 X4 955 & XFX HD 5850 combo deal. It's $520 now.

Here is a CPU/MB combo deal to think about: Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz and MSI 870-G45 770 MB $128 Has X3 core unlock option.

XFX HD-585X-ZAFC HD 5850 $295 Eyefinity support and I figure you can overclock the GPU yourself and save $90 over the factory OC'd XFX 587X-ZNFV.

PSU/DVD combo deal: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W PSU and SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner $90 and $25 rebate 'free' DVD burner and a modular PSU.

If I did the math right it's about $603 after rebate.

Am I not gonna be missing out on much by going with the x3? Could you go ahead and put the whole build list together down to every part, like cooler and stuff too only if I need it. I don't have to use refurbished stuff, as long as it stays under 700.

 

[WR2]

Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz and MSI 870-G45 770 MB $128 combo deal
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB DDR3 1600 $100 & $10 rebate
XFX HD-585X-ZAFC Radeon HD 5850 $295
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3250318AS 250GB $45
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W PSU and SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner $90 and $25 rebate
NZXT GAMMA Mid Tower Computer Case $30 - NZXT GAMMA review

$688 before rebates, $653 a/r

If you need to trim costs more you could sub in a HD 5770 for the HD 5850. Add a 2nd HD 5770 when you get the chance (or add it now).
SAPPHIRE 100283L HD 5770 1GB $170 & $10 rebate
$563 ($518 a/r) With the 2nd HD 5770 now that would be $678 a/r

You have about a 50% chance you'll be able to unlock the 4th core of the Athlon II X3 440 CPU. It's just the 'luck of the draw' if you get a CPU with a stable unlocked 4th core. Worst case you'll have a 3.0Ghz triple core CPU. You do give up some top end CPU power but for gaming you're usually more GPU limited before you get CPU limited.

A 3rd option is sticking with the HD 5770 and plan for a 2nd HD 5770. And go for the X4 940 3.0Ghz CPU.
Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz CPU $140
MSI 870-G45 770 Motherboard $70
$645 ($610 a/r)

 

[kurtcrosbie]

Thanks. Would I not need more case fans, cpu cooler, arctic grease, etc?

I am literally starting with equipment at all.

Also, I was just messing around again on newegg and put this deal together. I could stomach the cost I think. The question is, is the gpu upgrade worth it?



Open Box: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$16.99

GIGABYTE gz-ph1a3 Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$16.99

Recertified: HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725025GLA380 (0A35399) 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$28.49

ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AM3 AMD 780L Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$64.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
$69.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
$1.99

GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GV34GB1333C9DC
$84.99

MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case Fan
$1.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
$34.98

XFX HD-585X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
+
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
$424.98

TOTAL: $734.38 after $20MIR