1st Build: $650 Gaming, have PS

[eyecantell]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week
Budget Range: $650ish after rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet, software development

Parts Not Required:
Power supply: Silencer 750 EPS12V Quad 80
Monitor: 22" LG 1680x1050 (will probably get new one around Christmas)
Logitech G15 Keyboard and Wireless trackball (both usb)
Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com - open to others as well
Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type No preference.
Overclocking: Maybe - never done before
SLI or Crossfire: Seems unlikely in this price range, maybe as an eventual upgrade?

Monitor Resolution: Current 1680x1050, Next upgrade will likely be 1920x1200

Additional Comments:

I started with the September System Builder Marathon $500 Gaming PC and added some upgrades according to some recommendations elsewhere on site (eg http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/324058-31-what-good-gaming thanks ScrewySqrl!)

I5-2400 + PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) : $220

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case + Samsung 22x DVD Burner: $67

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $100

MotherboardASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel $70

SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card: $160

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $60

Total Price : $677


I have an old Radeon 4870 card in my current machine and its fan had to be revved up to stay cool so its quite loud. Will I need an after market cooler to keep this rig quiet? Will that big ole power supply fit in that case (and how do I tell)?

Edit: Changed to HAF Case + dvd combo (thanks cutebeans) - still would love to know how to tell if a case is big enough..

Thanks a ton,

Paul

 

[cutebeans]

I would get a better case than the Asgard. A Coolermaster HAF is cool.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728
Save $10 combo.

It would be best if you keep your monitor since the 6870 would easily max any game you throw at it at that resolution.

No need for a CPU cooler.

 

[Emelth]

Read this...
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,review-32280.html

Upgrade the MoBo or GPU's

 

[eyecantell]

Thanks cutebeans I changed the case (was Xigmatek Asgard II.) to the HAF one. I will figure on no additional cooling then too.

Read that thanks Emelth, in fact that and the post by ScrewySqrl are how I pieced the build together originally.

 

[cutebeans]

Thanks cutebeans I changed the case (was Xigmatek Asgard II.) to the HAF one. I will figure on no additional cooling then too.

Read that thanks Emelth, in fact that and the post by ScrewySqrl are how I pieced the build together originally.

Yeah don't worry. The HAF should be near Full tower case but did not meet the requirements so it went to Mid Tower class. The parts you pick are sure to fit .

 

[assasin32]

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $65 - 5 = $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770: $45 -5mail in = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

MSI H61M-E33 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard: $70 -10instant -20 mail in = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130588

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM: $77 - 10 combo = $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($15 off with promo code EMCJKJG34, ends 10/19)
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card : $400 - 20 combo -20 mail in - 15 promo on processor = $365 (enjoy the free game with this too dirt 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749771

Subtotal: $711.92
- Promo: $15
- mail in: $45
Total: $651.92

I didn't bother looking at HD's as I don't know your needs but there may be another deal lurking in there if your out to save every single penny, and the one you listed doesn't have free shipping. And for me it actually accounts for $5 of the $15 I would have to pay to ship to my location.

 

[Emelth]

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $65 - 5 = $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770: $45 -5mail in = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

MSI H61M-E33 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard: $70 -10instant -20 mail in = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130588

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM: $77 - 10 combo = $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($15 off with promo code EMCJKJG34, ends 10/19)
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card : $400 - 20 combo -20 mail in - 15 promo on processor = $365 (enjoy the free game with this too dirt 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749771

Subtotal: $711.92
- Promo: $15
- mail in: $45
Total: $651.92

I didn't bother looking at HD's as I don't know your needs but there may be another deal lurking in there if your out to save every single penny, and the one you listed doesn't have free shipping. And for me it actually accounts for $5 of the $15 I would have to pay to ship to my location.

+1 to this build

 

[FinneousPJ]

-1 to that build. Seriously, 2500K and a H61 chipset mobo. No...

 

[assasin32]

-1 to that build. Seriously, 2500K and a H61 chipset mobo. No...

If you remember the first post it was stated that the likely hood of overclocking wasn't guaranteed. So using a higher end motherboard isn't necessary as he is probably not going to overclock was my general impression since there wasn't a heatsink in the build, and it used a motherboard that didn't support it as well. So paying more for something that isn't going to be used is pointless. Not to mention for this type budget every penny counts, and doing it this way allows you to still keep good performing parts and remain in budget.

Had we put in a better motherboard and heatsink so he could overclock (overclocking with a stock heatsink is a waste, think we can both agree on that), that probably shoot cost up by at least $50-70. Than we are almost guaranteed to have to cut back on the video card as you can't trim enough off the ram, hard drive, case, dvd drive to make up the difference. So the gaming performance is going to take a drastic hit. But if you can find a way to build one that keeps the same performance and still allows him to OC in this budget please show me.

To OP
The H61 chipset doesn't really allow overclocks, and the 2500k processor has an unlocked multiplier which is more geared towards overclocks. So it's somewhat ironic to an OC friendly CPU but a motherboard that doesn't support overclocking the CPU.But at the time of me posting with the promo it was cheaper than getting the standard 2500. The 2 big differences between the 2 processors is the unlocked multiplier, which deals with OC's as I stated before and the 2500k has a better integrated GPU. Which for you I don't think really matters as your going to use a dedicated GPU. And yes the board does mention something about OC, but I believe you can only OC the integrated GPU or something along those lines not the actual CPU part.

 

[FinneousPJ]

If you remember the first post it was stated that the likely hood of overclocking wasn't guaranteed. So using a higher end motherboard isn't necessary as he is probably not going to overclock was my general impression since there wasn't a heatsink in the build, and it used a motherboard that didn't support it as well. So paying more for something that isn't going to be used is pointless. Not to mention for this type budget every penny counts, and doing it this way allows you to still keep good performing parts and remain in budget.

Had we put in a better motherboard and heatsink so he could overclock (overclocking with a stock heatsink is a waste, think we can both agree on that), that probably shoot cost up by at least $50-70. Than we are almost guaranteed to have to cut back on the video card as you can't trim enough off the ram, hard drive, case, dvd drive to make up the difference. So the gaming performance is going to take a drastic hit. But if you can find a way to build one that keeps the same performance and still allows him to OC in this budget please show me.

To OP
The H61 chipset doesn't really allow overclocks, and the 2500k processor has an unlocked multiplier which is more geared towards overclocks. So it's somewhat ironic to an OC friendly CPU but a motherboard that doesn't support overclocking the CPU.But at the time of me posting with the promo it was cheaper than getting the standard 2500. The 2 big differences between the 2 processors is the unlocked multiplier, which deals with OC's as I stated before and the 2500k has a better integrated GPU. Which for you I don't think really matters as your going to use a dedicated GPU. And yes the board does mention something about OC, but I believe you can only OC the integrated GPU or something along those lines not the actual CPU part.

Exactly.

 

[eyecantell]

Changing to this graphics card + processor combo, thanks assassin32. I see that the processor is faster than the 2400, is there any difference between the Sapphire card and the XFX?

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($15 off with promo code EMCJKJG34, ends 10/19)
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card : $400 - 20 combo -20 mail in - 15 promo on processor = $365 (enjoy the free game with this too dirt 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749771

After looking at more hard drives as per your suggestion, I found
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $40 w/ promo code EMCJKJG23, ends 10/19 and free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
I have a little 500mb external drive I keep around for extra storage (and not even close to filling it) so saving the $28 (smaller drive and free shipping) makes sense.

On the motherboard issue I am confused. I'm sure there is a difference between the two, but I'm not yet savvy enough to recognize it (what am I giving up for $10)...

I would like to be in a position to upgrade as I go in the future. Sound like first real upgrade on this system would be a new mobo and learn to OC?

 

[zooted]

Do not use a k series on a h61 chipset. If you do not plan on overclocking look at the i5 2400.

 

[eyecantell]

Do not use a k series on a h61 chipset. If you do not plan on overclocking look at the i5 2400.

Thanks zooting, can you or FinneousPJ (or anyone else) expound on this given what assassin32 and Emelth have posted and keeping future upgrades in mind ? I'm ready to buy and here to learn.

 

[morgoth780]

well, if you plan to upgrade to 1920x1200, you'll probably want a card with more than 1gb of vram, so i'd either save some more money til you can afford, or just upgrade your gpu when you upgrade your monitor

 

[eyecantell]

Thanks morgoth780, I will definitely revisit card when I upgrade the monitor.

Here's where I am now.. found a sale on memory so changed that too.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500413AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701 (other discounted drive is out of stock)

Patriot G series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PGV38G1600ELK (4gb USB bonus): $50-$10 mailin= $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220484

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM: $77 - 10 combo = $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($15 off with promo code EMCJKJG34, ends 10/19)
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card : $400 - 20 combo -20 mail in - 15 promo on processor = $365 (enjoy the free game with this too dirt 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749771

MSI H61M-E33 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard: $70 -10instant -20 mail in = $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130588

Subtotal: $760
- Promo: $40
- mail in: $55
Total: $665

Big thing I still have concerns about is the mother board - just because of the conflicting opinions on it. If it would make a huge difference for future upgrades I can spend a little more, but want to keep the tag in ballpark.

 

[assasin32]

The motherboard is good, the only issue we were discussing is that you won't be able to overclock with it, the bios just doesn't support it. But with price vs performance I think your doing extremely good right now. Just keep in mind the -15 promo on the CPU ends today I believe.

Beyond that everything in your current build looks good, just keep in mind the ram you have is more than what the board supports so it should downclock it to what it does support. Not a big deal, it will work. It's honestly something I wouldn't worry about.

Oh and to come back and answer the question about the cards, they are the same just different brand. And the XFX has a lifetime warrenty compared to the 2yr on the Sapphire.

As for future upgrades and overclocking. I will own up to the fact that most of us here on Toms are huge fans of overclocking, but for 99% of the population it's not needed. And we have a tendency to push it on others. The CPU won't be a bottleneck for your current setup for a long time, by than you probably need a whole new system.

If you want to OC this CPU though you need a p67 or z68 board. Heres wikipedia for a quick reference they made a nice simple chart.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1155

If you want to OC this is the board I get this as most of the other boards are a lot more expensive. For some reason newegg isn't displaying z68 boards for me at this time so I can only look at p67.

MSI P67S-C43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard: $105 - 15 instant - 30 mail in = $60 total
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130576

If you can afford it I go this route since it looks like your thinking about overclocking in future. Just keep in mind when you do you will probably need an aftermarket heatsink for any decent overclock. A small OC you can probably get away with the stock heatsink if you really wanted to, but you won't get anywhere near as much improvement.

 

[eyecantell]

Thanks man, this is kind of like house shopping - you come in with a budget then go "ooooohhh for just a little more I could get this!" So I think I may just cave on keeping the budget quite so tight, but I need to buy soon before I end up spending a grand lol. I do want to learn to overclock (and maybe even crossfire) at some point, and will probably buy the heatsink then and better cooling then. I saw this motherboard recommended on some of the other systems and it seems to give me alot more upgrade-ability/future proofing? How does it compare to the P67 - worth the extra $?

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
bundled with
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL: $185
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.739611

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500413AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive: $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148701

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB - OEM: $77 - 10 combo = $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.743728

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K ($15 off with promo code EMCJKJG34, ends 10/19)
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card : $400 - 20 combo -20 mail in - 15 promo on processor = $365 (enjoy the free game with this too dirt 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.749771

The more I read the less I realize I know ha - I need to pull the trigger!

 

[eyecantell]

Best answer selected by eyecantell.

 

[eyecantell]

After thinking about it, by the time I'm ready to go SSD and want the Smart Response Tech, I can buy another mobo that supports it - who knows what will be avail a year from now.

Thanks for all of your help, I am pulling the trigger on the p67 board with the rest as-is.