Newbie student needs help.

[JohnnyS]

Hello there,

I have been living in a cave somewhere for sometime now and I decided to finally upgrade my system to catch up just a little bit. I bought my computer around 2004 and have never done anything to it ever since. I have a HP Media Center m1070n and I am planning to switch up the mobo, GPU, PSU, CPU and leave the rest as it is. Please keep in my that I am a student on a very tight budget. Literally, im not supposed to spend anything. Lol.

Approximate Purchase Date: Month of January 2012

Budget Range: $300-$450 (450 is my max)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Microcenter and newegg.com

Country: US

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe in the future (but prefer stock since im not good with computer stuffs)

I have 2 builds that im deciding on. I'm mostly going to use this system for Gaming, Medium to High settings with games like WoW, HoN, Skyrim, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3. Also, I would love to have a system that can play HD movies/videos and can run AutoCAD.

Here's what im planning: 2 Diff Mobos/CPU. Same GPU/PSU/MEM

$74.99 for HIS H675F1GD Radeon HD 6750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCIE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379)
$43.98 HEc HP585 585W ATXx12V power supply + 2x 4GB PNY Optima 8Gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.788221)

i5-2400
$79.99 for MSI H67MS-E23 (B3) LGA 115 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130598)
$149.99 for Intel Core I5 2400 LGA 115 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354590)

i5-2500k
$94.99 for Gigabyte GA-P67A-D3-B3 LGA 115 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128487)
$179.99 for Intel Core i5 2500k LGA 115 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589)

with the i5-2400 build, I will have to pay around $380 after tax comparing to i5-2500k build which is around $426.25 after tax. Also, would it benefit me if I switch to a cheaper video card like Power Color Radeon HD 5570 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131342) for $54? I am basically basing the video card of Diablo 3 Supported/Unsupported GPU. Would the $20 in GPU and $45 in CPU make a difference? Will this build last me 4-5 years?
I know HP tatooed their mobo and since im buying a new once, do I have to buy a new system for it?

Thanks,
-Johnny S

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the Hec power supply is a poor choice. I'd suggest the Corsair CX 500W instead

the 2400 is a good chip. Get your mobo at Microcenter, they have select mobos $40 off with purchase of a CPU.

use that $40 for a better PSU and up your GPU to a 6770

 

[JohnnyS]

Thanks for the reply. How about changing my Graphics to 8800GTX? It will save me $50. Isn't 8800 the same as 9800? will that be better than 6770 saving $50? Also can I get more info about the $40 off mobo with purchase of a CPU at microcenter? I live right next to it so I guess it will save me alot buying there.

 

[jessterman21]

How about changing my Graphics to 8800GTX? It will save me $50. Isn't 8800 the same as 9800? will that be better than 6770 saving $50?

No. The 8800s draw a lot of wattage for little performance. The 8800GTX is the same as the 9800GTX, but neither are as good as the 6770.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the 8800gtx is a 6 year old design. Ancient history by microchip standards.

 

[JohnnyS]

Best answer selected by JohnnyS.