$750 budget, in the dark.

[Danith]

So I've been out of the computer world since I built my last PC (4200+ X2, 8800GT, 2GB). I'm not up to date with current hardware but I'm looking for the best PC I can build for the price, preferably around $700 but willing to go up to $750. I don't need a monitor nor do I need Windows.

My goal: Well, it seems as if BF3 will soon become the standard - SO I HAVE TO RUN BF3 ON MAX! Kidding, but as close to max as possible with this budget of course. In reality, I'd be happy to run The Old Republic, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 etc on high settings without any hitches. Not expecting a god machine with my budget, just something that I can continue to upgrade as I receive future paychecks and perhaps transform into a god machine over time.

Thanks guys!

 

[Danith]

I assume you mean ATI 6950, 6970. Unfortunately I can't pull the trigger for a few days late as I'm waiting on a paycheck, is 4GB going to be enough for a ram-intensive game as I'm sure The Old Republic will be?

 

[madchemist83]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[008Rohit]

Processor : Intel Core i3 2100 - Dual Core - 65W - 32nm LGA1155 Sandy Bridge - $124.99
Motherboard : ASRock H67M-GE/HT (B3) LGA 1155 - $99.99
Graphics Card : XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $209.99
RAM : Corsair 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz Dual-Channel Memory - $45.99
Storage : Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s - $59.99
Optical Drive : LG DVD R/W - $19.99
PSU : Corsair CX500 V2 500W - $59.99
Case : Your Choice - Rosewill Backbone Plastic/Steel ATX Mid Tower - $39.99

Total : $660 after rebates.

You can get the i5 2400 for $65 more i.e. $725 total. Though i3 2100 is enough for playing any current and upcoming games.

 

[madchemist83]

Look if there is a microcenter close by

 

[008Rohit]

Thats why I wrote "Case : Your Choice."

 

[wintermint]

Intel Core i5 2500k $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H ATX $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

XFX HD-685X-ZNFR Radeon HD 6850 $160 [$130 after MIR]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150551

Kingston KHX1600C9D3X1K2/8GX 8GB DDR3 1600 $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104266

Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200RPM $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Rosewill Challenger $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Antec Earthwatts 650W $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

Some $20 DVD Burner

$743 before MIR. You should bump up to 700-750W preferably from Antec/XFX/ Seasonic/ Corsiar [can try OCZ] if you want the crossfire HD 6870 instead. I would just stick with a 6850 for now and wait for Keplar or how the newer generation AMD graphics turn out [I believe it's releasing this year]. The parts you can get and won't regret are pretty much everything other than the GPU. The HD 6850 will continue to be a good priced card with great performance though. 650W is enough to add on another HD 6850 if you want.

 

[Danith]

Definitely keeping that in mind, and my apologies for not posting in the correct format. I definitely like the newer vid card in 008' and if its' true the only thing I could possibly regret is not going all out on a video card, than I'd rather go that route. Just debating between the I3 and I5

 

[008Rohit]

Like I said, You can buy the i5 2400 for $65 more, but the extra price is worth it only if you do a lot of other things (heavy multitasking, HD Video transcoding etc) on your PC, too, instead of just gaming, watching movies and browsing the internet.

 

[Danith]

So I'm pulling the trigger tonight on 008Rohits build, any last minute suggestions would be appreciated . Hoping it really does come out to $660 when all is said and done

 

[008Rohit]

Good Luck, mate.

 

[madchemist83]

it won't cause there is shipping and tax

 

[008Rohit]

^^

The CX430 is the bare minimum I'd recommend to run a mid end GPU.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here's my slightly off suggestion fora $700 build:

i5-2400 + 8 GB DDR3-1600: $221.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723828

AS Rock H61M/U3S3: $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

Lite on DVD + Seagate 1 TB HDD: $72.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696126

PNY GTX 560ti: $219.99 w/ $30 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133377

SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze PSU: $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Rosewill R102 Micro ATX Case: $24.99 w/ Promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

Rosewill 120mm Blue LED Fan: $7.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200049

Masscool 80mm fan: $2.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150007

This is $680.90

Optionally, you could drop to a GTX 560 (no ti)
MSI GTX 560: $189.99 (saves $30: $650.90)

and then add a Crucial C4 64GB SATA III SSD: $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441
(Total $740.89)

Or you could keep the higher end GPU, and get the SSD, a bit over budget at $770.89