Can someone give me an advise? $500 budge build

[wxyjac]

Hi, I am trying to build a computer that suits my gaming.
I am not heavy gamer (nor can I afford to be one), and I usually just play game casually. In other words, I don't need to have absolute beautiful graphic, but they are nice to have, just not necessary. I can stand terrible graphics, but I can't stand terrible game-play, or lags. Performance means much more for me.
Right now, I am mainly playing Vindictus (it's a source engine game, so the graphic isn't very stressing to be able to play), DoTA (a Warcraft III mod game), and maybe Diablo 2 from time to time. As you can see, they don't need extremely good computer to play. I do, however, planned on upgrading, but I think the Intel HD Graphics 3000 can handle all the game I play right now.


CPU: $220 - i5-2500K
(Will be using the Intel HD Graphics 3000 it comes with, so no need for GPU right now. Update later)
Or $150 on Black Friday Sale in Microcenter.

Case: $30 - Xigmatek Asguard II
(Should be good enough, as long as the airflow is good, and everything can be placed easily)

PSU: $70 ( $50 after rebate) - XFX Core Edition PRO550W
(Wondering if this is undervolting or not)

RAM: $30 - Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333 BL2KIT25664BA1339
(I have trouble finding $25 ones like the one in $500 budget build, anyone know where I can find them?)

GPU: Will put on hold for now. But most likely a Sapphire 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1 GB ($170) when I need the upgrade.



MOBO: p8z68? Asus p67? z68? I have absolutely no idea about mobo. Even just p67 there's different types of them. Is there a detailed guide I can look at? Or do I just have to go with my gut? I don't want to limit the choices, so any price is good, but I prefer cheaper the better, more bang for the bucks, note that I don't need insanely good graphic, decent is good enough.
(I probably won't use most of those PCI slots, although I probably need one for wireless adapter, and one for graphic)

DvD and Hard Disk:
Don’t need any extreme function, just enough to instal OS, and decent GB. Anyone know cheap but still good ones? I don’t want the cheap dvd or hard disk mess up my whole build.


Another few important things to address:
(1) Does my part come together nicely? Last thing I want is to buy all the components, and then realized that some parts are incompatible with each other.
(2) I don't have a speaker, keyboard or monitor (well I have one, but that’s being used on another computer).
(3) I can also go to microcenter, which I believe will have a lot cheaper items than on neweggs.



Thanks in advanced.

 

[crewton]

Case = Antec 300 $35 after mail in rebate. Technically $5 cheaper than yours when you consider the $10 that you'd have to pay for shipping.

For a dvd player any will do samsung $16

RAM for under $25? easy! Corsair 4GB 1333Mhz CAS9 or 1600Mhz Crucial CAS10

Motherboard = you want to overclock I hope since you are wanting to get the i5 2500k so yes p67 or z68 boards. Save you $50 and get ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 excellent mobo that will do what you need and PCIe 3.0 for your future needs

Yes your parts fit nicely, keyboards are like $10 if you want a plain jane one, and you can get low end speakers for $20.

Also you didn't mention a hard drive. Do you have one already or do you need to include that in as well? Oh and windows!

 

[wxyjac]

Hard disk = hard drive right? Yea, I am also looking for one.

Windows I think I can get student discount. Or if there's any one black friday sale that would be great.

I just realized there's also a RAM on microcenter's black friday sale.

XMS 8GB DDR3-1333 (CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit)
For black friday deal it's $25.

Is this RAM good?

I also need a new psu. What power range should I look into?

 

[scapegoat_44]

Mate , if you plan to use the HD3000 series that comes with the i5 2500K you have to go for the Z68 board . P67 boards won't do the trick ..

GL

Regards
scapegoat_44

 

[swifty_morgan]

Intel graphics are the worst on board graphics in the industry. did you look into AMD FM1 hardware ? probably more than just right for your situation.

 

[wxyjac]

hmm... I do plan on getting a new GPU later though, the Intel one is just right now since I can even run the games using integrated graphic card on my Laptop (HP 630).

And plus the black friday deal sounds really good.

Thank for the advise, though.

 

[wxyjac]

Okay, got back from store.

I got I5-2500k LGA 1155 (unlocked)
ASRock z68 Pro3-M (mATX)
A 20'' monitor
Corsair CX500 Builder Series V2
Corsair XMS3 1333MHz 8GB (2X4GB) Dimm kit

Didn't get a hard drive, lowest go for $100ish.
Casing I will still buy the one from newegg, and dvd/cd burner I will use the one crewton suggested.

My main concern is, is my mobo a good choice?

I want to install maybe a 6870 or better GPU later (when d3 come out ^ ^), and I was wondering if my mobo supports it or not.

And 500W should be enough right? Don't want to undervolt my computer.

Thanks in advanced.


Edit: Hmm, I think I probably need more PCI slots....
Which brand sells more reliable mobo? ASUS, ASRock, Biostar, Gigabyte, or MSI?

There's a MSI Z68A-G43 G3 1155 ATX for sale ($114.99)
MSI Z68A-G45 G3 1155 ATX for sale ($129.99)
Biostar TZ68A+ RCH 1155 ATX ($99.99)
ASRock z68 Extreme 4 1155 ATX ($189.99)
ASUS p8z68-v PRO 1155 ATX ($209.99)
ASUS P8Z68-V LX 1155 ATX ($119.99)
Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 1155 ATX ($99.99)
Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3B3 1155 ATX ($99.99)

Obviously the more expansive one are usually better, but I am looking for more bang for the buck. Or eh, just good one that can support my need.

 

[wxyjac]

I think I will get the P8Z68-V LX. Anyone disagrees?

By the way, I still need a hard drive.