Help with my first build please!!! Want to order ASAP!

[rambojohnj]

Guys please let me know if this is OK before I order it all, it's not 100% complete either I just have a couple of Q's.

HAF 922* case

Antec 520 watt PSU (40A one 12v rail)

i5 2500k processor

500GB HDD 7200 RPM

2x4 sticks of RAM -- Gskill DDR3

Pre-existing optical

Monitor resolution -- 1920x1080

Now the questions --- 1. Can anyone recommend me a good budget MOBO? Around 100-120?
2. I'm not a heavy gamer right now, I mess around with my PS3 but I think I want to try some PC games out. Does anybody have any entry level GPUs they can recommend? The problem is that I don't want to shell out like 150 and then realize that I'm not really utilizing it....
3. I haven't ordered the processor yet because the price recently went up. How much do you guys think I would be able to save by just going with the i5 2500 and a motherboard for that? I would like a 2500k -- but in all honestly I have no idea whether I will want to overclock or not in the near future.

Many thanks!!!

 

[madchemist83]

What's ur budget?

 

[rambojohnj]

around $7-800 but I can be a little flexible

originally it was lower...but I keep raising it haha

 

[cutebeans]

Get an i3-2100 and an H61 motherboard than an i5-2500k.

Then you can get a 6870. It's only $160.

never get an expensive CPU then buy a cheap GPU especially for gaming.

 

[rambojohnj]

What about an i5 2500 or an i5 2400, and an HD 6850? With an h67 or z68 motherboard?

I think it should still fit in my budget

 

[cutebeans]

Best get a 6870 if you can afford a i5-2500k. Games are more on GPU power than CPU power. Just make sure you squeeze a 6870 on your budget. You won't regret it.

 

[rambojohnj]

Best get a 6870 if you can afford a i5-2500k. Games are more on GPU power than CPU power. Just make sure you squeeze a 6870 on your budget. You won't regret it.

Okay, I'll go with the 6870. But I may have to cheap out a little bit on the MOBO.

What do you think of this mobo? -- ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251

I'm also debating the i5 2500k or just the plain 2500 because idk if I will actually OC. (then i can also save a bit on the mobo). But I'm leaning towards the K just in case and for better futureproofing. Your thoughts?

Thanks a lot!

 

[cutebeans]

If you are not planning to OC then you can get a chepear motherboard.

An H61 motherboard to be exact.

 

[rambojohnj]

Okay thanks I'll have to give it some thought I suppose. I will most likely just go with the K to make sure I don't regret it after I'm done with my build haha.

One more Q-- do you think my 520W PSU is good enough? 40A on a single 12v rail. For the 6870 and i52500k? I did the online psu calculator but I just want to make sure because I already ordered it hehe. Here is a link

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

 

[madchemist83]

Do u have microcenter close by?

 

[rambojohnj]

No I don't unfortunately. I live in NYC. Well I do but it would cost like $30 to get there and hassles.

FYI I found a good deal on a sapphire 6870 so I bought one for $158 and theres also a $20 rebate so $138!

Now all I need to order is the MOBO and processor.

 

[madchemist83]

$30 bucks ? that's nothing
u can get 2500k for $180 .. which is $40 off right there plus if u get it with z68 p67 mobo u get extra $60 off .. so go figure .. that was november special though not sure about december

 

[rambojohnj]

Well yea I guess but I don't have a car and I would rather save the time+money vs trying to figure out how to get there honestly.

I think I put together the final couple pieces

i5 2500k - 220

ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - 99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251

Does this mobo look okay?

Final question- is my 520 watt PSU enough?

Thank you!

 

[madchemist83]

mobo is ok but don't expect any good oc .. it only has 4 phases
and yes 520 PSu should be enough

 

[rambojohnj]

I'm also looking at this mobo

http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20z68%20extreme3

just not sure if its worth the extra $20

 

[madchemist83]

no it doesn't

 

[rambojohnj]

Okay thanks for all your help!!

 

[rambojohnj]

Best answer selected by rambojohnJ.