Help me with Microcenter i5 build

[tomhrxbfg]

Approximate Purchase Date: May

Budget Range: $500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: school work, multi-tasking, gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, ncix.com, microcenter, amazon.come, etc

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 for now, may upgrade later

Additional Comments: maybe I shall wait after ivy bridge come out? Or just stick with AMD for lower budget? Keep in mind microcenter only has mobo+cpu deals on i5 2500k /i7 2600k (no i3 deals for now) and some AMD cpu such as fx4100, 960T, etc.

These are the parts I found:

i5 2500k CPU $180
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

ASUS Motherboard $ 70 (combo with cpu deal)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W $60 ($40 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

HD: Hitachi 500g SATA 2 $60
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57878&vpn=0F10381&manufacture=Hitachi&promoid=1315

DVD burner $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236

Antec TWO HUNDRED Case $60 (45 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129074

MSI R5770 Hawk Radeon HD 5770 Video Card $115 ($ 100 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490

Edited memory:
Patriot 8GB (2 x 4GB) $35 ($25 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220545

OEM $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Total: $692 w/o tax, 627 after rebates... I want to lower the cost by using intel's integrated graphics for now, but the motherboard in combo does not have on board graphics so I an stuck with it. Anyone could give me any suggestions to improve this build? Thank you very much.

 

[QuietPC]

The ram you list is 1.65v and won;t play with the Intel. You need 1.5v

If you are gaming the video card is not going to do a great job for you.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

The ram you list is 1.65v and won;t play with the Intel. You need 1.5v

If you are gaming the video card is not going to do a great job for you.

Yea thanks for pointing that out. I am not going to play skrim or any latest games, and medium (high if possible) is good enough for me... Maybe I will upgrade later, but not for now

 

[Pezcore27]

The board will support the hd3000 onboard graphics the processor has.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

The board will support the hd3000 onboard graphics the processor has.

But in the spec I saw "Onboard Graphic Chipset--- None"?

Edit: however from newegg it says it could use iGPU..weird

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781&Tpk=P8Z68-V%20LX%20LGA%201155%20Z68

 

[vollman1]

That mobo does allow you to use the graphics from your cpu. Overclocking on it is kind of limited though.

If you are going to try for 4.5Ghz or higher, you may want to see if Micro Center has a deal on the P8Z68-V Gen3.

Also, you would at some point want to add a cpu cooler if you plan on OCing. You don't have to do it right away though, especially if you on are a tight budget.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

That mobo does allow you to use the graphics from your cpu. Overclocking on it is kind of limited though.

If you are going to try for 4.5Ghz or higher, you may want to see if Micro Center has a deal on the P8Z68-V Gen3.

Also, you would at some point want to add a cpu cooler if you plan on OCing. You don't have to do it right away though, especially if you on are a tight budget.

Yea overclocking is not a priority now, since the most I would go is probably 4.0Ghz, and that's until it could no longer handle my needs. Thanks for the info! Maybe I will add a cpu cooler.. Any suggestions?

 

[vollman1]

The ram you list is 1.65v and won;t play with the Intel. You need 1.5v

If you are gaming the video card is not going to do a great job for you.

Not true on both accounts.

1.5-1.65v RAM will work.

And the graphics will depend on the game. I am using a similar set up right now and am able to play SWtoR and other games just fine with the cpu graphics.

 

[Pezcore27]

The board doesn't have the chip for the onboard graphics. They are integrated on the processor. The board has connections to allow you to use them.

 

[vollman1]

As for cpu coolers, a basic air cooler should be fine for even 4.4-4.5Ghz. Something like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Its only 20 bucks right now in the US.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

Best answer selected by tomhrxbfg.

 

[confish21]

1. Get 240 pin ram!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

2.Your getting such a good deal with your CPU/MB you almost have to keep it. Even with the limited overclock. Consider your options. I'm unsure if the stock cooler will be enough for a "slight" overclock.

3. I know your over budget already but I think your GPU is the bottle neck. If you can save up Id shoot for a 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Or wait 2-6 months when everything might drop in price after Ivy Bridge, new boards(z77), and GPUs come out. Thats what i'm doing.

 

[confish21]

lol, your waiting till May! GJ

Hopefully there will be a new "toms" budget build by then. Maybe with an IB too...

heres an AMD build
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,3032.html

and an Intel one
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-overclock-performance-gaming,3097.html

 

[tomhrxbfg]

1. Get 240 pin ram!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

2.Your getting such a good deal with your CPU/MB you almost have to keep it. Even with the limited overclock. Consider your options. I'm unsure if the stock cooler will be enough for a "slight" overclock.

3. I know your over budget already but I think your GPU is the bottle neck. If you can save up Id shoot for a 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Or wait 2-6 months when everything might drop in price after Ivy Bridge, new boards(z77), and GPUs come out. Thats what i'm doing.

Thanks for the advice on RAM. Yea after adding cpu fan and thermal paste I was down to $540 (after tax and rebates) without the graphics card.. I can wait a bit since I do not play graphics intensive games, and maybe get a better deal on Black Friday.