Sub $500 i5 Build Advice

[pdxgolf]

Approximate Purchase Date: 2-4 weeks (I'd ideally be buying in pieces - Newegg e-blasts)


Budget Range: ~$500 before rebates. Ideally $450 or less after.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Light HD movie editing to movie making (kids sports), net surfing.


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, OS, monitor, speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg (I'm not opposed to anything if it's cheaper).


Country of Origin: West Coast, USA


Parts Preferences: No preference


Overclocking: Maybe sometime down the road...


SLI or Crossfire: No


Additional Comments: I personally have a CM 690 case, I love the cable management... I don't know if it'll be in the budget for this one, but I do like something easier to work in with at least decent cable management. Modular (or semi) modular are preferred, but I could do without if it was at the expense of a great price on a reputable power supply.

I realize the constraints when building within the budget. I priced one out last week and came out to about $480, but didn't have the go-ahead to buy it just yet.

A couple parts I am considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033111-_-EMC-033111-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231428-L0B G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL033111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL033111-_-EMC-033111-Index-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22136769-L03B Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB - $36

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL040111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL040111-_-EMC-040111-Index-_-CDDVDBurners-_-27136177-L0ELG DVD Burner - $20

 

[johnnyb_27]

What motherboard and exactly what i5 were you getting?

 

[pdxgolf]

I'm pretty open to any suggestions...

I just priced this out:

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 $19.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $39.99

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $69.99 + $20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory $84.99

GIGABYTE GA-H61M-D2P-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Intel Motherboard $77.99

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400 $189.99

Total after discounts: $457.82

Still need a case. Thinking COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case $50

 

[johnnyb_27]

You can not overclock with that processor or motherboard. But if you don't really plan on to that will be fine. If you wanna save some money 4gb of ram will be more than enough. G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) For 44.99.[\url]. Also if you wanted to just buy one single 4gb ram you can and just add one later.

 

[johnnyb_27]

I'm pretty open to any suggestions...

I just priced this out:

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 $19.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $39.99

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $69.99 + $20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory $84.99

GIGABYTE GA-H61M-D2P-B3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Intel Motherboard $77.99

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400 $189.99

Total after discounts: $457.82

Still need a case. Thinking COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case $50

You can not overclock with that processor or motherboard. But if you don't really plan on to that will be fine. If you wanna save some money 4gb of ram will be more than enough. G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB 2 x 2GB For 44.99 Also if you wanted to just buy one single 4gb ram you can and just add one later.

Sorry here the link

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I think you can manage if you start thinking bargain-basement

Rosewill R101 Case: $29.99
i3-2100: $124.99
AS Rock H61-VSL: $59.99
G.Skill 4 GB: $39.99
Seagate 500 GB: $39.99
Corsair CX430: $44.99
GTX 550 ti: $124.99
DVD Burer: $18.99

total about $484. $5 more gets you a second 120mm fan, optionally

 

[Onus]

I'm under the impression he doesn't need a video card; planning to use Intel's HD video; so take ScrewySqrl's build, subtract the video card and put the money on the i5.

 

[pdxgolf]

I'm under the impression he doesn't need a video card; planning to use Intel's HD video; so take ScrewySqrl's build, subtract the video card and put the money on the i5.

You're right.

Thanks all for the recommendations. I'll probably go with something similar to ScrewySqrl's... just with an i5 and WD Drive (I hate Seagate on principle alone).

Can I get away with just 4GB of RAM?

Also, I just had someone tell me I could look into the AMD X6, but the prices come out pretty close.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

an i5-2xxx will beat an X6, but if you're going without a video card, you can probly afford to step up to the 2500K, which has the much better HD 3000 in it, instead of the HD 2000 in the non-K series. (its +$105 for that of the $125 for removing the 550). 4GB is plenty for the light use you'll put it through.