I5 760 build. Core components - Under $800. Need help!

[rthai24]

Hey everyone, I'm pretty n00b at building this, but less than a week of researching I have concluded to a brainstorming build. I have not built a comp since my old AMD64, so I'm very rusty.

I used the CPU/Graphic card hierarchy and the 'best for price' on tom's hardware along with microcenter.com pricing guidelines. I'm about 30 miles from microcenter, so I'll probably get everything there since they have the best prices (give or take a few dollars). Hence I'm very much on a budget...
***And I'm not looking for a computer to play Crisis in full HD either. Preparing for a very quality build that will bring me into the future... I plan on playing SC2 on full settings which hopefully will prepare me for DIABLO III in full settings!! Not going to the extreme. But would like to have the flexibility to upgrade the items I do get.

**important** I already feel really bad about spending $800 because I'm not a heavvvvy gamer, esp not a first person shooter nut but do want to run HD 1080p rather smoothly. So I do consider the opinions on getting a cheaper build like AMD Athlon X4 but I'm worried that it will not last me long, please judge that!


I have the external hardware including the tower/dvd drive.


Intel i5 760 --- 169.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0341729
I prefer on getting the i5 760 because of the raves it got on tom's. Also, it prepares me for the future when I do get a better vidcard. It's at a good price too!

Asus P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 ATX Mobo --- 129.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0335792
I'm not too familiar with the mobo and it's difficult to research a good value one. Suggestions please. Especially with one that maybe has an option to add a second 5770 in the future!

Diamond Radeon 5770 1GB --- 154.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0322254
Okay... I know, I know, I need the 5850... But its 300 bucks and I just cant afford that. This one is half the price. I do not have an HD monitor yet.. I will after I build this, so maybe the option of a 2nd 5770 later on?? And is diamond a good choice? XFX is a few more bucks, giga is right around there, but if anyone wants to recommend a manufacturer I'll easily change! I have heard a lot about the GTX 460 1GB for another 60 bucks... but is that really worth it? Hierarchy and 'best of' kind of leans towards 5770. Plus... BUDGET! Hit me with all the opinions!

Corsair XMS3 4GB CL9 --- 109.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317421
Good? Any other suggestions are appreciated. I was looking for G.Skill products but microcenter does not carry.

Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB --- 64.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0321825
I know... this is not a good value pick. I already have a 750GB exterior and I only need a bare minimum quality hard drive.

@ CHECKOUT
>>>>> TAX --- 55.12
>>>>> TOTAL --- $685.07


Cooler Master GX 650W --- 90
I got it a FRY's

Grand total of $775.07
** not including rebates. But I'm worried more about what I pay today!

Please I really need some opinions and help on what to do. Again the MAIN thing i want is preparing for the future with the basic setup of CPU/Mobo that will run HD 1080p.

Thanks to any gurus and experienced owners and builders. I'm rather stressed on what to spend my money on... So help out!

 

[Twoboxer]

Well, here's the cheapest I was able to build a quality i5 750 using Newegg prices. So combine the two, but here's the list:

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.520621

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817341022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7261S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118040

NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan Black Steel / Plastic Gaming mATX Computer Case
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-146-065

Total $794.92, $10.73 shipping, before $30 MIRs

If you can get a good price on the 5830, go for it. A 460 would be ven better.

You might do better at your budget level with an AMD system, spedning less money on cpu/mobo and getting more graphics card performance.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Replace the WD black with the faster, cheaper Samsung Spinpoint F3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product


Faster ,cheaper memory: Lower cas latency

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303


Better video card: GTX460 1GB $179 after rebate


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333


Better MB for with Sli/Crossfire support:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131400

 

[Twoboxer]

Oooooh - how did I miss that Giga 460 - price must have changed today lol.

That's the card you really want with the i5 750!!

I'll stick with the rest of my parts lol.

 

[rthai24]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Change to Samsung HD - check
Change to G.Skill Ram - check

So Gtx 460 is really that worth it huh? even if i get the crossfire mobo and get a second 5770 in a few months? A single 460 should last me better until than?

Oh and twoboxer, i already have the case and dvd burner, thanks

Keep it coming, thanks!

 

[rthai24]

oh and Twoboxer, do you think your mobo/cpu combo is more worth than the discounted 160 intel i5 and asus mobo? Its more expensive but with the 160 pricetag, is it worth the better mobo?

 

[Twoboxer]

The mobo I suggested is a micro-atx mobo. It supports Crossfire only, and only at x16-x4 which would cause you to lose some of the crossfire benefit. I chose it to get you into a budget build. There's not much data I could find quickly on 2x5770 performance compared to other "new" cards.

But your Asus mobo has only one PCIe 16 slot, and so neither crossfire nor SLI are possible.

We can keep featuring you right out of your budget range. But the bottom line is, if you can afford it, an i5 750 and a 460 make a terrific gaming machine at 1920 resolution. (If you can't, an AMD platform with a 460 is next best. If you can't do that, you do a 5770/5830, maybe run some games at 1680 and/or lowered detail and maybe go crossfire if/when more is needed. Here's a comparison of 460 vs 5770, check at 1920 resolution: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/180?vs=172)

Spending more . . . Next best feature to add would be an SLI capable mobo to allow a second 460 if/when needed, and a quality 650W psu. The mobo Anort suggested supports SLI but is expensive and also x16-x4. This Gigabyte is a few bucks more, but runs x8-x8 with two cards installed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

Get a better feel for how these things fit against what you want to spend, and where you are willing to compromise. And don't hesitate to bounce a new budget/config past us after doing so.

 

[rthai24]

Thats what I really wanted to hear... I'm saving a few bucks here and there putting together your recommendations. I think the best choice i make is to get prepared for SLI. Spending a few more bucks to get that Gigabyte might be a very good decision. At least it will be capable of adding on another one down the line without replacing it.

Good deal? I figure i'd get this to prepare me for the SLI. Same price as the original setup but way more power. Or do you think 850 is way too much and rather save some money with that 500W, which is 40 bucks less

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514428

I'm going to play with a few more combo deals to see how much i can save. If you do come across cant miss deals I'd love to hear it, but so far, great advice

 

[rthai24]

with x8-x8 with two cards installed, a single would hold up great until i get the second right? might be a while down the line when i do get the second.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Whew 850 is big....like real close to 2 x GTX480s big. That sure is a great price though and thats how I ended up with a 750TX. A great sale.

 

[Twoboxer]

A single card would run at x16, same on all boards. Working on your combo question now, not gonna make it easy for you. And there's a brand new vid card available as of a few hours ago I gotta look at for you - may save a lot.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

with x8-x8 with two cards installed, a single would hold up great until i get the second right? might be a while down the line when i do get the second.

I run a GTX 460 on a 23" 1920x1080 monitor and it is pretty good. I do plan to upgrade to probably an i7 950 pretty soon and I will SLI when I do. My current board does not support it and this E8400 at 4.050ghz is still pretty strong.

 

[Twoboxer]

Your 850W Corsair and Ripjaws 1600 cl7 are great parts. But you're buying 200W more than you need, and the gaming improvement from memory is small. Your total price with shipping is $171 (Newegg often plays games with shipping costs, so need to add them in here.)

This 650W Seasonic and Mushkin 1333 cl9 is the minimum you can get by with and total $134 (saving $37):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151091
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

That same Seasonic with this Mushkin 1600 cl7 totals $154 (saving $17):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226154

In both cases, some would say we're pushing the psu - 2x460 will draw 525W or so under full load, so we're inside the 80% load we'd like to start with.

If we added a 750W psu, the difference would be smaller to non-existant. So, I'd probably buy it (your combo) personally, but not if it meant I had to sacrifice elsewhere

The good news is that this new card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125348&cm_re=hd_6850-_-14-125-348-_-Product

is as fast as a stock 460, at the same price as your OC'd Gigabyte 460, and eliminates the need for you to buy an SLI capable board:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/19

The Gigabyte 460 is OC'd and so a little faster than the benchmarked stock 460 above and the 6850. If you are not the kind of person to OC your vid card, my conclusion is you still buy the 460 if you buy today. Both require the same mobo to get the x8-x8 we want, and your 460 is faster at the same price out of the box.

 

[rthai24]

wow did that just come out? talk about a sick response... thanks. rounding out my options. may sit on it for a day to really get it together. Will post my revised setup tomorrow.

thanks a lot guys, saving me a huge headache with the knowledge u guys have. i'll continue to check back for any additional responses until i revise it so feel free to add-on.

 

[rthai24]

i just read that article u posted
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987 [...] -market/19
it seems like from the 6850 could be right there with the 460. Since it just came out I'd better sit for some reviews to come out in the next couple days. If you get any good deal links send them over if its recommended over the 460.

and just to clarify... the Giga above is already OC'd? How bout the MSI Cyclone or the EVGA? Worth the extra few bucks? Although rebate is a good thing for the Giga, I'm just counting as if I'm not getting one cause I wont get the $$ until laterrrrr.

 

[Twoboxer]

Yes, the Giga 460 is OC'd. Core/Shader clocks are 715/1430 vs stock 675/1350. Here's a list from Newegg you can scan - most have their clocks shown on the listing page:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709+600007323+600062521+600007779&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=48&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

Make sure to sort it into "Lowest Price" order.

Anyhow, it seems the 6850 is at best comparable to the stock 460. For your $180, the Giga 460 will outperform the stock 6850. And remember, this may well be the only card you need to buy. So that's why I still recommend the 460.

$ are $, but its your call on how to consider the rebate.

 

[cadder]

I prefer on getting the i5 760 because of the raves it got on tom's. Also, it prepares me for the future when I do get a better vidcard. It's at a good price too!

That i5 is very hard to beat, and that is a good price for it. It can be overclocked to just about equal any processor out there.

You didn't list an optical drive in your list, but those are cheap.

You didn't mention a CPU cooler. If you intend to overclock the CPU then you need to buy a good one. That CPU is a fast CPU, but you can gain a lot by overclocking it.

 

[mattimeo005]

If you want absolutely the best value for your money, you should consider the AMD 4870. They are widely available for around $130 before MIR, and performance wise, they are slightly behind the 460, while slightly ahead of the 5770. But bang for buck, they are hands down the best. And you can upgrade with a second one easily (as long as you buy before the stock dries up). Not to mention that Crossfire ready boards are much cheaper than SLI-ready ones.

The only cons to the 4870 are that you will not be able to take advantage of DX11, but at the moment, there aren't that many games that use it anyways, and those that do always have DX10 as an option. Until DX11 cards are ubiquitous to all consumers, which probably won't happen for at least another year, probably more, game companies will continue to offer DX10 compatibility. Therefore, you can buy your 4870(s) with complete confidence that you will be able to continue using them for the foreseeable future.

If you're willing to spend the extra money, then definitely the GTX460 is a terrific buy, I have 2 of them myself that I'm running in SLI and I love it. But I still had to throw down $450 for them, which is a lot if you're on a budget.

My recommendations would be in this order: 4870 (best bang for buck) > 5770 (if you must have DX11 support), gtx460 (if you're willing to spend 50% more for about 10% extra performance over the 4870, and also must have DX11).

 

[rthai24]

Thanks for the inputs. 460 it is. i'm leaning towards the cyclone, worth the few bucks? same price without the $20 rebate. Anyway, will get together of the final setup before I buy. Hopefully the 460 will drop in price to compete with 6850. *cross fingers*

I'd save heaps of money if i just get a single mobo w/o SLI, but is it worth it for the future? I mean... a quality mobo with i5 and the 460 should be good for a couple years won't it? that way i wouldnt have to spend too much on a PSU as well...

 

[rthai24]

hey mattimeo005,
thanks for the input but the gtx 460 1GB is only $170 on newegg. (check the links above)

and $199 for MSI Cyclone. Not bad for the extra few bucks =)

 

[mattimeo005]

yeah, but you can get the ASUS 4870 for $99 after MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121376&cm_re=asus_4870-_-14-121-376-_-Product

My system started out as a i5-760 with gtx460 cyclone before I added a gtx460 HAWK. I'd say the 460 is powerful enough to run anything that is out there today, not at absolute maximum settings, but you can still run Crysis with everything at High and have 65+ average fps. In comparison, with my 2 GTX460s, I can run Crysis with everything on Very High (max) with No AA, and have the same ~60 average fps. Visually, there's not much difference, to be honest, but there's some certain amount of satisfaction that comes from just being able to set stuff at max and knowing that your system can handle it . If that's important to you, then buying a mobo with SLI as an upgrade possibility for the future is definitely a must.

 

[rthai24]

Right now i'm locked in with...
Intel i5 - $170
G.Skill Ram - $98
Samsung HD - $55
GTX460 (have not decided on manufacturer/cyclone or not...) - ~$199
>>> if i mess with combos, I can save more.

Quality Mobo for ~$100
500-600W PSU ~60
Totals around = under $700, Might even get it to $600 if i play with combo deals on newegg...BUT

Up in the air...
A SLI capable mobo... this is the cause of the situation. It's either $100+ more.
Which is followed by the PSU... ~$40 more
So ~$140 more to either prepare for SLI or not... And i'm not planning to get another gtx460 soon but far down the line, i want the build to retain value.

Again... I just want it to be a quality build that has value down the line. But spending more only hurts more... I'm not a hardcore gamer either, but do want my build to have value most importantly.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

All of the top Nvidia manufacturers have about the same product. Gigabyte, Asus, MSI and EVGA are the top tier.


SLI Motherboard for $129 after rebate.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131601


Corsair PSU that will handle just about any 2 graphics cards. $90 after rebates:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[rthai24]

I'd get that mobo right now if someone can answer me...
will this ram...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

work with the mobo? Read the feedback, saying it will not run 1600 out of the box...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131601


IF ANYONE knows a better Mobo w/ SLI for under $150. Pls post!!

 

[Twoboxer]

Yes, that memory will work.