Budget First Gaming build ~700

[hafronix]

I realize that I posted almost this exact thing a couple of days ago. I hope it is not a sin or that it does not bother anyone that I'm posting again. I have reconsidered my build and have managed to put together a better build ( I think... I need your opinion that's why I'm here) for a cheaper price. I also think it's a nice thing to share for others looking at making a 700ish dollar build.


Approximate Purchase Date: More than likely this weekend due to VGA sale


Budget Range: ~700 preferably as close to 700 as possible


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web Surfing, School, Other (eg. Media)


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, tigerdirect ( those are main ones I know)


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: None really, probably sticking to Intel for processor (Sandy bridged and heard its better than AMD) and either Radeon or Nvidia graphics cards.


Overclocking: Maybe, in the future if needed


SLI or Crossfire: Nahh


Monitor Resolution: Probably 1600x1200


Additional Comments: No need for OS


Second Build

RAM
WINTEC AMPX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161279

OPTICAL
Sony Optiarc disc (with HDD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.679779

HDD ^^
1.5 Tb Barracuda 5900 rpm

CPU
Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (with mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.679697

MOBO ^^
1155 Intel H67 Sata 6Gb/s

PSU
Apevia 700w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148040

CASE
Raidmax Quantom (5 fans!!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156241&cm_sp=Cat_Computer_Cases-_-Clearance-_-11-156-241

VGA
Nvidia GTX 560
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500206&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-071511-Latest-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14500206-L03D&PID=2138476&SID=dl-116564-s-gos&AID=10440897


There is also the option of getting the MSI GTX560 with two fans but its more and with 5 case fans idk if i should worry about that much of a difference.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127592

Total: $698.68 (without rebates)
Total: $633.68 (with rebates)

Newegg does not tax for orders in Colorado which is my current location.

 

[aznshinobi]

Change the HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=F3%201TB
Faster, much faster in fact.

Change the CPU, the 2500 is going to perform the same as the 2400.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.675360

Change the PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047&cm_re=520w-_-17-371-047-_-Product
You don't need a 700w PSU especially when you're not planning to SLI. You also chose a terrible efficiency one and this one is cheaper and a better option.

 

[jeremy1183]

Change the HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=F3%201TB
Faster, much faster in fact.

Change the CPU, the 2500 is going to perform the same as the 2400.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.675360

Change the PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047&cm_re=520w-_-17-371-047-_-Product
You don't need a 700w PSU especially when you're not planning to SLI. You also chose a terrible efficiency one and this one is cheaper and a better option.

Would he want to keep the 2500 but get the K model instead because he said he might OC in the future?
Hmm..i see thats a combo deal though...

 

[hafronix]

As far as the CPU i've kinda got my heart set on the 2500k and i have the money anyways.

the HDD comes in a combo which is kinda nice is the difference from 5900 to 7200 that much and if so what difference does it make.

and thank you for the PSU catch, what exactly do you mean by efficiency ? and would I be alright running that computer at 520W I was thinking i would have to have 600+ watts. Also if I were to overclock would I need more Watts to do that?

 

[hafronix]

oh shoot didn't even realize it wasn't the K model... will it make a lot of difference?

 

[aznshinobi]

Ehhh... He said if necessary, but if he does plan to he could

 

[jeremy1183]

oh shoot didn't even realize it wasn't the K model... will it make a lot of difference?

it's the unlocked version...what I have always understood is that its easier to OC

aznshinobi could prob explain it better

 

[aznshinobi]

No K means no OC available.

The combo only saves $6 which isn't exactly a lot when it comes to parts. It would make a pretty big difference 5900RPMs HDDs boot so slow. 7200RPMS isn't like SSD fast, but it is pretty much industry standard now-a-days.

As for efficiency, you could get a 1000w PSU but if the efficiency is like 50% at load, you'd only get 500w max and that's a maybe. Also, the 560 Ti only needs 500w for load, you're using at 560 GTX so you'll have headroom. And even after overclocks the 520w is enough. 80+ Guarentees at least 80% efficiency, bronze is the middle. The best is Platinum but there are only 2 I believe that have it.

 

[hafronix]

Oh how very interesting. Thanks aznshinobi.

If I did need to overclock I would have to get the 2500k. However if I were to keep the non K version in what scenario would I have to overclock?

 

[gammerx]

if you are gonna get the k, go to microcenter and save yourself $80

 

[aznshinobi]

Yes you need a the K annotation to overclock. Any of the sandy Bridges without the K annotation have no ability to overclock because they have a locked multiplier.

 

[hafronix]

Yes you need a the K annotation to overclock. Any of the sandy Bridges without the K annotation have no ability to overclock because they have a locked multiplier.

The PSU I'm a little concerned with the feedback. Do you think I will be fine?

If not I found these two
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339036&Tpk=N82E16817339036
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152042&Tpk=N82E16817152042


Just in case I'm going to stick to the 2500k

Mobo by Biostar?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.676009

or

Mobo by MSI?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660242

 

[gammerx]

Bad link. Go with MSI, biostar typically sucks

 

[hafronix]

Bad link. Go with MSI, biostar typically sucks

there the links should be fixed.

But thank you for your input

 

[gammerx]

the G43 is good. What I will still recommend is go to microcenter if you have one local. the i5 2500k is only $180 and if you buy a compatible motherboard like that G43, you get $40 off. Essentially the i5 is $140 there so $140 for the i5, $110 (after MIR) for that mobo is just $250..quite a lot cheaper then that combo!

 

[aznshinobi]

Seriously... I know what I'm talking about. I would honestly go with the Antec but if you want to you can go with those two brands.
Can't find any legitiment reviews on them. But go for it.

By legit, I mean like JohnnyGuru, Guru3D, Tom's, TPU, etc.
Newegg reviews are bull ***, 5 tech stars mean nothing when what they say is retarded. DOA is not a reason for someone with a high tech level to give 0 eggs. Also saying that a WD Black is fast, quiet and cheap. Is false because it is more per gig/same speed as a cheaper F3 and louder than a F3. Those are reason why I don't trust newegg reviews.

This is a better deal, you don't plan to dual card/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660723

 

[hafronix]

Seriously... I know what I'm talking about. I would honestly go with the Antec but if you want to you can go with those two brands.
Can't find any legitiment reviews on them. But go for it.

By legit, I mean like JohnnyGuru, Guru3D, Tom's, TPU, etc.
Newegg reviews are bull ***, 5 tech stars mean nothing when what they say is retarded. DOA is not a reason for someone with a high tech level to give 0 eggs. Also saying that a WD Black is fast, quiet and cheap. Is false because it is more per gig/same speed as a cheaper F3 and louder than a F3. Those are reason why I don't trust newegg reviews.

This is a better deal, you don't plan to dual card/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660723

I'm definitely going to trust you. Thank you very much for your advice. It's good to know that newegg reviews at s**t haha I'm obviously very new at getting parts.

By changing my PSU, HDD, and getting that 2500k you posted. Would you agree I have a pretty solid computer for ~$700?

 

[aznshinobi]

Getting a 2500K for such a low price, and a 560 GTX under $700 for the total build. I'd say it's a solid build for such a low price.

 

[gammerx]

shinobi is completely right, for PSUs, don't get anything besides antec, corsair, enermax or seasonic. Some PSUs like XFX are just rebranded seasonics, but you have to look online to see which those are.

The only recommendation I do make is get the mobo/CPU at microcenter IF you can. saves you $80 and that's what I am doing as soon as I am ready to build my own computer :3

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Corsairs are rebranded Seasonics.

 

[gammerx]

which is why they are good

 

[browsingtheworld]

Seriously... I know what I'm talking about. I would honestly go with the Antec but if you want to you can go with those two brands.
Can't find any legitiment reviews on them. But go for it.

By legit, I mean like JohnnyGuru, Guru3D, Tom's, TPU, etc.
Newegg reviews are bull ***, 5 tech stars mean nothing when what they say is retarded. DOA is not a reason for someone with a high tech level to give 0 eggs. Also saying that a WD Black is fast, quiet and cheap. Is false because it is more per gig/same speed as a cheaper F3 and louder than a F3. Those are reason why I don't trust newegg reviews.

This is a better deal, you don't plan to dual card/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660723

Compared to JG's reviews Tom's, TPU and G3D are a joke. The only reliable PSU reviews are from JG and HWS, which you don't mention at all.

Newegg reviews tell us something that even JG can't, long-term reliability. You're not going to find a crappy product with hundreds of 5 egg reviews. In statistics you learn very quickly that large set of crappy data can be more significant than a small set of good data. Newegg reviews should absolutely be taken into account.

JG gave the Corsair CX430 V1 it's recommendation and it crapped out on everyone buying it and got like 2-3 eggs. Then the V2 comes out because the V1s were so bad.

^ Corsairs are rebranded Seasonics.

No, this is a generalization:
http://www.overclock.net/power-supplies/654983-corsair-psus.html

 

[aznshinobi]

Cooler Master Silent Pros are solid too. Also Lepa.

 

[aznshinobi]

Hmm... Not necessarily. I find other reviews are quite decent, certainly not as thorough as JG. However they are still solid. All of them I consider to be solid reviewers as looking at the Capacitors can also tell you a great deal of info about the life of a product. If they are crappy ones, don't be looking at a long life out of the PSU. Though Newegg reviews can be accounted for the amount of DOA's or just product life, the general Newegg reviews are not very accurate. Also, generally Newegg reviewers review the product as soon as they get it or use it. It's rare when a customer comes back and updates their review. If DOA they just say that and make the misleading conception of a product by giving it 1 Egg instead of waiting for the company to respond and giving it a decent 3 or 4 eggs.

Excuse my generalization of Corsair, I still don't exactly like the company as they overprice IMO compared to companies like Antec. Newegg discounts ftw.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Cooler Master Silent Pros are solid too. Also Lepa.

Problem with LEPA (Enermax) is they cost the same as SS.

Hmm... Not necessarily. I find other reviews are quite decent, certainly not as thorough as JG. However they are still solid. All of them I consider to be solid reviewers as looking at the Capacitors can also tell you a great deal of info about the life of a product. If they are crappy ones, don't be looking at a long life out of the PSU. Though Newegg reviews can be accounted for the amount of DOA's or just product life, the general Newegg reviews are not very accurate. Also, generally Newegg reviewers review the product as soon as they get it or use it. It's rare when a customer comes back and updates their review. If DOA they just say that and make the misleading conception of a product by giving it 1 Egg instead of waiting for the company to respond and giving it a decent 3 or 4 eggs.

Excuse my generalization of Corsair, I still don't exactly like the company as they overprice IMO compared to companies like Antec. Newegg discounts ftw.

I think DOA should get 1 egg. Many people do update their reviews.

Agreed, Corsair is overpriced.