$700 Micro ATX Gaming Budget Build

[Exquisitee]

■ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

■Rosewill FBM-01 Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case

■SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

■SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

■CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply


■G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model F3-8500CL7D-8GBRL


■ASUS P8H67-M LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard


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

TOTAL: $685.92

Basically i dont wont a big bulky case, i wont a small low profile one since im in college. Only game i really play is world of warcraft and some betas sometimes.

Approximate Purchase Date: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better))


Budget Range: $700) Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: , gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)


Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)


Overclocking: NOOOOOO


SLI or Crossfire: no

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080p

I want a small case. And i normally stick to asus MBs, intel cpus, corsair cpus, gskill ram, and amd gpus. Those are the brands i trust, and the ones that worked the best for me in all my past builds.

 

[Proximon]

Oops wrong board. That's the previous platform.

You don't need a K series CPU if you are not going to OC. If you want the CPU to hold it's value longer you at least should pair it with a board that CAN overclock it.

Let me see what I can do.

Ok here's my build for you. The price reflects shipping to me, your mileage may vary.

■ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
■Rosewill FBM-01 Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
■SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
■SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
■Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
■G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
■ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
TOTAL: $688.72

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the build in my signature should be about $650 with windows 7 (substituting a 1 TB drive for my 2x500GB drive), Especially with combos.

It'll do WoW just fine (I get 62 FPS constantly in APB:R, 45 in COH, 120 in DCUO)

 

[Exquisitee]

Oops wrong board. That's the previous platform.

You don't need a K series CPU if you are not going to OC. If you want the CPU to hold it's value longer you at least should pair it with a board that CAN overclock it.

Let me see what I can do.

Ok here's my build for you. The price reflects shipping to me, your mileage may vary.

■ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
■Rosewill FBM-01 Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
■SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
■SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
■Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
■G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
■ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
TOTAL: $688.72

[strike]Well i do plan on overcloking it later, when i move out my dorms. SO i wanted to n kinda future proof it. When i move out im going to get a bigger case. I would hate to try and overclock in a small case where it will possibily overheat.[/strike]But overall thats a nice build. Although i kinda get a discount on Asus boards, so im going to go with an asus board. Although the usb 3.0 on that motherboard is nice for futreproofing. And that case looks real nice. Doesnt have all the colorful leds and looks a little professional.

 

[madchemist83]

For the case I would go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121003
both 10$ more but better quality and slightly bigger space
plus with non modular PSU u'll have problems with cable management
that mobo is $99 at tigerdirect with 3$ shipping
also I would get slightly expensive PRO version
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161364 same price 1333 vs 1066 frequency

 

[spentshells]

For the case I would go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121003
both 10$ more but better quality and slightly bigger space
plus with non modular PSU u'll have problems with cable management
that mobo is $99 at tigerdirect with 3$ shipping
also I would get slightly expensive PRO version
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161364 same price 1333 vs 1066 frequency

I have a friend who bought several o the case above, it's apparently awesome, there was never a 6870 in it so throw in an extra case fan. (awesome for the price)

 

[madchemist83]

which case ? rosewill ? yeah throw a case fan on top of 6870 and u have urself a can of sardines .. hehe

 

[spentshells]

Yep the EDIT-- HEC-- with the handle its good for a squeeze sharp inside though.

 

[Exquisitee]

For the case I would go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121003
both 10$ more but better quality and slightly bigger space
plus with non modular PSU u'll have problems with cable management
that mobo is $99 at tigerdirect with 3$ shipping
also I would get slightly expensive PRO version
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161364 same price 1333 vs 1066 frequency

Thanks!
I guess i forgot to edit my post, i had kept the orginal case (the HEC one). I compared it besides the rosewill one and thought it looked much better lol.

And thanks for that tigerdirect heads up.

 

[madchemist83]

also see if u have microcenter close by

 

[Outlander_04]

There is no substitute for air flow when you want cooling , and I think the rosewill wont do it , and the hec with a singe 80 mm fan especially wont do it

Hands down the best micro-ATX gaming tower
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4533/silverstone-temjin-tj08-fat-case-in-a-little-coat

couldnt find it listed on Newegg , but it is out there

 

[madchemist83]

yeah but the only problem with this case is cable management and basically requirement for modular PSU which will not fit in OP budget

 

[Outlander_04]

yeah but the only problem with this case is cable management and basically requirement for modular PSU which will not fit in OP budget

I suspect you are right .

I also suspect that using a too cheap case , with limited ventilation will run the computer too hot and lead to instability , so I think he needs to find a case he likes that is suitable for gaming . Not just a cheap m-ATX case

 

[madchemist83]

the HEC case I posted is biggest for it's size and quality build ... I think thats a best option for small case.
My only concern is that side air duct will be squishing GPu ... I mean u can always remove it and slap fan there

 

[Outlander_04]

the HEC case I posted is biggest for it's size and quality build ... I think thats a best option for small case.
My only concern is that side air duct will be squishing GPu ... I mean u can always remove it and slap fan there

The HEC case you posted above has no obvious front air inlet , and only a single small 80 mm fan at the rear .

For a gaming computer its an over heating problem waiting to happen

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the Rosewill R102 is a good gaming micro-atx case. add a second 120mm fan and an 80mm side fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

 

[Exquisitee]

There is no substitute for air flow when you want cooling , and I think the rosewill wont do it , and the hec with a singe 80 mm fan especially wont do it

Hands down the best micro-ATX gaming tower
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4533/silverstone-temjin-tj08-fat-case-in-a-little-coat

couldnt find it listed on Newegg , but it is out there

Wow, thats a very nice case. May look way worst then the HEC and Rosewill cases, but that USB 3.0 and the fans are pretty nice.

Although my little brother who occasionally visits is OCD, and he might go crazy seeing how the top fan on it isnt centered. And when i say crazy, i really mean crazy lol.

 

[madchemist83]

ehh how much heat will cpu that doesn't oc will get ? plus 6870 don't oc too much
I guess u might want something with two coolers but that 100$ case is ridiculous
wow it has USB 3.0 in front big deal .. it's good quality but overpriced

 

[51500]

Wow, this is a nice build. I was trying to build one for $500 but for 200 more getting this would be much more worth it.

Does anyone know if this would overheat easily even if you dont plan on overclocking, in a micro atx case?