Hey guys, I've decided to go for a new build but I am troubled by the cheaper yet still expensive options. As from the title, I have come up with 2 complete builds ordering all parts from Newegg, an Intel i5 2500k build and an AMD Phenom II 955 build. They each have identical parts except for the CPU & motherboard only. However, although I definately want the 2500k over any Phenom, the price difference with CPU & motherboard is astounding! Basically I need help deciding whether it is worth shelling over extra (which is very painful) for the 2500k or whether the Phenom would perform better FOR THE PRICE. We all already know how much better the 2500k is but in a case where I have to spend much more than a Phenom build, which is still amazing in its own right, perhaps going with the Phenom would be a smarter option especially since I am pretty tight with the budget which is actually suppose to just be around 500-600, lmao!
Here are the two builds:
AMD Phenom II 955
CPU/Processor: $109.99 ($119.99 - $10 from promo code) AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Decided to go with 955 instead of a little more for 960+ etc since it has a $10 promo code right now.
Motherboard: $104.99 ($114.99 - $10 instant) + $10 additional rebate ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
This seems to be the cheapest solution to many features such as multiple PCI-E slots, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0gb/s, etc. Unfortunately, this didn't have a combo discount with the processor.
Fan/Heatsink: $29.49 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
This seems to be a cheap, reliable fan/heatsink that gets the job done well with either the 2500k or the Phenom.
Memory: $64.99 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
The standard memory. I love G. Skill and it just so happens that the 1600 version of the ripjaws x series 8gb (2 x 4gb) had some great combo discounts!
Hard Drive: $59.99 ($64.99 - $5 instant) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Although I haven't yet owned one myself everyone seems to keep saying this is the fastest, best mechanical hard drive you could ever get.
DVD/CD Burner: $20.99 (but over 5 shipping) LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
The standard DVD burner. I know I'm paying a few bucks more than I should but I don't know I kinda don't mind if I also get lightscribe support.
Power Supply: $103.49 ($144.99 - $30 instant x 10% off promo code) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Although originally I was just going to find a great deal for a 500-650watt range PSU for a single GPU configuration, I foudn this to be an amazing deal, with combo discounts as well so I decided it's worth it to invest the extra money to have a 1) modular PSU 2) active 850watt PSU plenty for SLI or crossfire 3) 80 plus bronze certified all for under 100 with rebates, discounts.
Graphics Card: $149.99 ($199.99 - $40 instant - $10 promo code) + $40 additional rebate ZOTAC ZT-40406-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Yes, I know this kind of brings down the superior parts of the build and I should try and get something better like HD 6850/70, GTX 560/Ti, etc. but I decided I would first focus on the best other parts which would be harder to upgrade (motherboard for example) then simply swapping a GPU which i could upgrade later but save money on now. And it's not like the GTX 460 is bad either, plus I stumpled across this card with 2GB of memory! Good discounts too so might as well right?
Case: $94.99 ($109.99 - $15 instant) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station (NewEgg Exclusive) SECC / Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Finally the case. There were so, so many options but I finally settled on this one also satisfied with paying about $20 for something that seemed perfect for me as well as very asthetically pleasing to me instead of other great cases around $50 after discounts. I like red LEDS more than blue, side windows I always like, lots of fans, great reviews, amazing discounts - why not?
PSU + RAM combo discount additional $25 off
Subtotal: $745.41
Tax: $50.92 (I live in NJ
)
Shipping: $13.52
Grand Total: $778.35
With Rebates: $678.35
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Intel i5 2500k Build
CPU/Processor: $219.99 Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Motherboard: $159.99 ($209.99 - $50 instant) GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
I would try and go for a cheaper motherboard, but this is a top of the line board with a discount of $50 is just too good to pass up, not to mention that combo with the memory is an additional $35 off!
Fan/Heatsink: $29.49 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
This seems to be a cheap, reliable fan/heatsink that gets the job done well with either the 2500k or the Phenom.
Memory: $64.99 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
The standard memory. I love G. Skill and it just so happens that the 1600 version of the ripjaws x series 8gb (2 x 4gb) had some great combo discounts!
Hard Drive: $59.99 ($64.99 - $5 instant) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Although I haven't yet owned one myself everyone seems to keep saying this is the fastest, best mechanical hard drive you could ever get.
DVD/CD Burner: $20.99 (but over 5 shipping) LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
The standard DVD burner. I know I'm paying a few bucks more than I should but I don't know I kinda don't mind if I also get lightscribe support.
Power Supply: $103.49 ($144.99 - $30 instant x 10% off promo code) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Although originally I was just going to find a great deal for a 500-650watt range PSU for a single GPU configuration, I foudn this to be an amazing deal, with combo discounts as well so I decided it's worth it to invest the extra money to have a 1) modular PSU 2) active 850watt PSU plenty for SLI or crossfire 3) 80 plus bronze certified all for under 100 with rebates, discounts.
Graphics Card: $149.99 ($199.99 - $40 instant - $10 promo code) + $40 additional rebate ZOTAC ZT-40406-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Yes, I know this kind of brings down the superior parts of the build and I should try and get something better like HD 6850/70, GTX 560/Ti, etc. but I decided I would first focus on the best other parts which would be harder to upgrade (motherboard for example) then simply swapping a GPU which i could upgrade later but save money on now. And it's not like the GTX 460 is bad either, plus I stumpled across this card with 2GB of memory! Good discounts too so might as well right?
Case: $94.99 ($109.99 - $15 instant) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station (NewEgg Exclusive) SECC / Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Finally the case. There were so, so many options but I finally settled on this one also satisfied with paying about $20 for something that seemed perfect for me as well as very asthetically pleasing to me instead of other great cases around $50 after discounts. I like red LEDS more than blue, side windows I always like, lots of fans, great reviews, amazing discounts - why not?
CPU + PSU combo discount additional $25 off
MB + RAM combo discount additional $35 off
Subtotal: $865.41
Tax: $59.98 (I live in NJ )
Shipping: $11.52
Grand Total: $915.31
With Rebates: $825.31
Here are the two builds:
AMD Phenom II 955
CPU/Processor: $109.99 ($119.99 - $10 from promo code) AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Decided to go with 955 instead of a little more for 960+ etc since it has a $10 promo code right now.
Motherboard: $104.99 ($114.99 - $10 instant) + $10 additional rebate ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
This seems to be the cheapest solution to many features such as multiple PCI-E slots, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0gb/s, etc. Unfortunately, this didn't have a combo discount with the processor.
Fan/Heatsink: $29.49 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
This seems to be a cheap, reliable fan/heatsink that gets the job done well with either the 2500k or the Phenom.
Memory: $64.99 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
The standard memory. I love G. Skill and it just so happens that the 1600 version of the ripjaws x series 8gb (2 x 4gb) had some great combo discounts!
Hard Drive: $59.99 ($64.99 - $5 instant) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Although I haven't yet owned one myself everyone seems to keep saying this is the fastest, best mechanical hard drive you could ever get.
DVD/CD Burner: $20.99 (but over 5 shipping) LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
The standard DVD burner. I know I'm paying a few bucks more than I should but I don't know I kinda don't mind if I also get lightscribe support.
Power Supply: $103.49 ($144.99 - $30 instant x 10% off promo code) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Although originally I was just going to find a great deal for a 500-650watt range PSU for a single GPU configuration, I foudn this to be an amazing deal, with combo discounts as well so I decided it's worth it to invest the extra money to have a 1) modular PSU 2) active 850watt PSU plenty for SLI or crossfire 3) 80 plus bronze certified all for under 100 with rebates, discounts.
Graphics Card: $149.99 ($199.99 - $40 instant - $10 promo code) + $40 additional rebate ZOTAC ZT-40406-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Yes, I know this kind of brings down the superior parts of the build and I should try and get something better like HD 6850/70, GTX 560/Ti, etc. but I decided I would first focus on the best other parts which would be harder to upgrade (motherboard for example) then simply swapping a GPU which i could upgrade later but save money on now. And it's not like the GTX 460 is bad either, plus I stumpled across this card with 2GB of memory! Good discounts too so might as well right?
Case: $94.99 ($109.99 - $15 instant) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station (NewEgg Exclusive) SECC / Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Finally the case. There were so, so many options but I finally settled on this one also satisfied with paying about $20 for something that seemed perfect for me as well as very asthetically pleasing to me instead of other great cases around $50 after discounts. I like red LEDS more than blue, side windows I always like, lots of fans, great reviews, amazing discounts - why not?
PSU + RAM combo discount additional $25 off
Subtotal: $745.41
Tax: $50.92 (I live in NJ
)Shipping: $13.52
Grand Total: $778.35
With Rebates: $678.35
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Intel i5 2500k Build
CPU/Processor: $219.99 Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Motherboard: $159.99 ($209.99 - $50 instant) GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
I would try and go for a cheaper motherboard, but this is a top of the line board with a discount of $50 is just too good to pass up, not to mention that combo with the memory is an additional $35 off!
Fan/Heatsink: $29.49 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
This seems to be a cheap, reliable fan/heatsink that gets the job done well with either the 2500k or the Phenom.
Memory: $64.99 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
The standard memory. I love G. Skill and it just so happens that the 1600 version of the ripjaws x series 8gb (2 x 4gb) had some great combo discounts!
Hard Drive: $59.99 ($64.99 - $5 instant) SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Although I haven't yet owned one myself everyone seems to keep saying this is the fastest, best mechanical hard drive you could ever get.
DVD/CD Burner: $20.99 (but over 5 shipping) LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
The standard DVD burner. I know I'm paying a few bucks more than I should but I don't know I kinda don't mind if I also get lightscribe support.
Power Supply: $103.49 ($144.99 - $30 instant x 10% off promo code) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Although originally I was just going to find a great deal for a 500-650watt range PSU for a single GPU configuration, I foudn this to be an amazing deal, with combo discounts as well so I decided it's worth it to invest the extra money to have a 1) modular PSU 2) active 850watt PSU plenty for SLI or crossfire 3) 80 plus bronze certified all for under 100 with rebates, discounts.
Graphics Card: $149.99 ($199.99 - $40 instant - $10 promo code) + $40 additional rebate ZOTAC ZT-40406-10P GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Yes, I know this kind of brings down the superior parts of the build and I should try and get something better like HD 6850/70, GTX 560/Ti, etc. but I decided I would first focus on the best other parts which would be harder to upgrade (motherboard for example) then simply swapping a GPU which i could upgrade later but save money on now. And it's not like the GTX 460 is bad either, plus I stumpled across this card with 2GB of memory! Good discounts too so might as well right?
Case: $94.99 ($109.99 - $15 instant) + $25 additional rebate Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station (NewEgg Exclusive) SECC / Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Finally the case. There were so, so many options but I finally settled on this one also satisfied with paying about $20 for something that seemed perfect for me as well as very asthetically pleasing to me instead of other great cases around $50 after discounts. I like red LEDS more than blue, side windows I always like, lots of fans, great reviews, amazing discounts - why not?
CPU + PSU combo discount additional $25 off
MB + RAM combo discount additional $35 off
Subtotal: $865.41
Tax: $59.98 (I live in NJ
)Shipping: $11.52
Grand Total: $915.31
With Rebates: $825.31
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