Budget Final Checkup?

[gammerx]

[Part list permalink](http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ar/m6Y) / [Part price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ar/m6Y/by_merchant)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80623i32100) | $122.37 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock P67 PRO3 (B3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-p67pro3b3) | $109.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d4gbxl) | $43.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 460 SE 1GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-01gp31366tr) | $129.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Antec Three Hundred Illusion ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-case-threehundredillusion) | $54.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu650txv2) | $79.99 @ Newegg
|| **Total**
| (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.) | $541.32

Only difference is I am probably getting the antec 900 from microcenter instead of the 300. any suggestions? Should i change the 460 SE to the regular 460? and what are the differences in GTX 460 models?

 

[aznshinobi]

Drop that card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131397&cm_re=6790-_-14-131-397-_-Product
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

460 1GB SE review:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/38178-nvidia-geforce-gtx-460-se-1gb-review-7.html
Performs way below a normal 460.

Also are you going to be SLI? If not then drop that PSU and get this instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&cm_re=520w-_-17-371-030-_-Product
If you plan to SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044&cm_re=650w-_-17-371-044-_-Product

Also change the motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241&cm_re=h61_asrock-_-13-157-241-_-Product
If you plan to SLI this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130582&cm_re=msi_g45-_-13-130-582-_-Product

Please fill this out.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[cmcghee358]

I'd recommend CAS 7 latency RAM instead of CAS9. With prices where they are now, it's hard to justify slower latency RAM. My 2c

 

[gammerx]

aznshinobi - does EVGA vs ASUS gtx 460 matter? I don't plan on SLI ing for a while, I wanted to save the PSU for a few years from now when I can but I guess I would upgrade the PSU then...
fwhat difference is the H61 from the P67 boards?
that antec 520 W vs a corsair 600W?

 

[aznshinobi]

Doesn't matter, but the Asus has better cooling.

H61 = Doesn't allow overclocking, cheaper, can only CF depending on board.
P67 = Allows overclocking, more expensive, can SLI/CF depending on board.

In your case, you only need H61 as you don't plan on SLI/CF for a while. Plus the i3 2100 can't overclock.
Just get this to prep for future then.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044&cm_re=650w-_-17-371-044-_-Product

 

[gammerx]

Should I fill out that form still?
Micro ATX vs. ATX, most people say don't get micro? IDK why its just smaller

 

[aznshinobi]

Micro is a bit small for larger cards, IE 6950/6970/570/580/6990/590
However for cards like 460/6850 it's perfect sized. It's fine trust me. My father uses a M-ATX I built for him, it's perfect since it was cheaper and is enough for his usage.

If possible please do fill out the form.

 

[gammerx]

Approximate Purchase Date: a month

Budget Range: 450-600
System Usage from Most to Least Important: light gaming
Parts Not Required: HDD, optical drive, mouse, keyboard, speakers
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon, microcenter
Country of Origin: USA
Overclocking: no
SLI or Crossfire: no
Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024
Additional Comments:

Final Build:

CPU - i3 2100 $120
GPU - ASUS GTX 460 $150 with $30 MIR
PSU - ANTEC 650W green $75
MOBO - ASRock H61 U3S3 $75
case - Antec 300 illusion $55
RAM - G.Skill 2x2gb Sniper ddr3 1333 - $70

Total after MIR: $515

 

[gammerx]

Comparing this build and the original build I failed at posting properly, why dont I just drop the PSU to the 520 W cutting $20 and get the GTX 460 for $120 cutting $10? Comes out to be the same price just about but is better for the future?

 

[aznshinobi]

The 520 isn't enough to power 2x460's. But since you don't plan to SLI, just go with the 520w.

Where are you getting that the 460 is $120?

Also why is that ram so much? If you're thinking about buying the 8GB of ram, you don't even need 8gb for your usage. At most you need 4GB. Also, Just get the i5 2500L. You have room to spend and it's cheap off Microcenter, your microcenter is local right?

Take advantage of this deal if local.
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/julysave40_eNews.html
Get this motherboard.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087
It's $40 off if bought with a 2500K, and the 2500K is only $180

 

[gammerx]

I wanted to stay with G. Skill but the h61 doesnt support ripjaws, the only ones I found were the Snipers but they cost 2x as much for some reason. the link for the 460 you sent me has a $30 MIR making it 120. yeah not SLI so ill get the 520w then. I was just thinking, if i do want to get a k series when ivy bridge comes out, and I have more money then (better job when I'm older) why not be able to take advantage of overclocking?

Yeah I can get the i5 for 180, the motherboard link doesnt work

 

[aznshinobi]

Are you sure? It opens fine for me on my end.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087

I'm a bit confused by your question, it seems more like a statement rather than a question.

 

[gammerx]

Motherboard link works now. Yeah the GTX 460 u sent me is only $120 after MIR.

Im listing my ideas and hoping for feedback basically. What ripjaw RAM chips are compatible with H61s or H67s? and is it really not worth getting the asrock pro 3 for $110, and spending $45 less for a H61?

 

[aznshinobi]

OK I don't know if you are listening to my statement about the 2500K and Z68 board. Go with that @ Microcenter instead of getting the 2100 and the H61. The Pro3 isn't worth the price btw.

 

[gammerx]

I'm just trying to figure out the best MOBO to get with the 2500k.

Which RAM should I get?

 

[aznshinobi]

G45 would be the best budget board.

For your case 4GB is enough. Just get the cheapest kit, DDR3 1333 of course.

 

[gammerx]

the z68 supports 1600 though

 

[aznshinobi]

1600 vs 1333 is barely a difference. Z68 may support it, but you won't even need 1600 unless the board was heavily reliant on speeds which Z68 isn't like FM1 (Llano of AMD). So 1333 will do. you don't need to spend money for 1600.

 

[gammerx]

ok sounds pretty good. comparing alot of these, I don't really see differences between the G45 and GD65 or the Z68MA and Z68mx
I'm pretty much set on my build now, this will be interesting :]

 

[gammerx]

OH, if i am getting the 2500k, shouldnt I get a cpu fan??

 

[aznshinobi]

No it's fine, the stock fan can get an OC to about 4.1-4.2 ghz so yeah...

 

[gammerx]

ok, eventually I will upgrade the HDD, get a fan and maybe up the MOBO...adding RAM too maybe. Seems like everything is pretty much maxed out, not much else to add in there for under 600 :] Antec 520 W PSU right?

 

[aznshinobi]

520w is good enough. If you stick to the Z68 I mentioned you won't need to upgrade the motherboard. You defiantly don't need to upgrade RAM either. If anything GPU is the only thing needed to be upgraded.

 

[gammerx]

ok cool. Which I don't even really need a GPU upgrade past that because I won't be running crisis at max settings.

 

[aznshinobi]

OK GL