Help me build a Core i5 2500K (microcenter deal) build under $700?

[enc643]

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully this weekend, if my parents will let me

Budget Range: hopefully $600-$700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (gaming, movies, surfing web

Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, OS) I need a monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com, us.ncix.com, Amazon.com, microcenter.com)

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: intel, best bang for buck

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 hopefully

Additional Comments: need a monitor, might try to pick up the acer deal of the week, Can get the i5 2500k from Microcenter in store for $180.

 

[thesnappyfingers]

Here is a rough outline of what things would cost
MOBO 120.00-200.00
GPU - 140.00 (thinking of an hd 6850)
PSU - 60.00 (will not be able to xfire or sli with this one)
Memory 30-50.00
Hard drive 120.00
dvd drive 20.00
CPU -180.00
total cost w/o monitor 660.00-770.00 with monitor expect to pay at least 750.00

can give you better numbers and specifics if you are still interested.

 

[azeem40]

I am not sure how you can keep under $700 with monitor. Is it part of the budget?

 

[thesnappyfingers]

I can't.

with the monitor expect to pay over 750.00

I also forgot about the OS and case so add another 150.00.

You might be able to score a deal on a cpu mobo combo from microcenter. However I am uncertain of their prices as none are near where I live.

 

[azeem40]

Same as newegg for the most part, but $50 off if you buy an i5-2500k.

 

[mightymaxio]

Are you a student in college by chance? I know you can get windows 7 at my school for only 25$ for ultimate x64.

 

[thesnappyfingers]

CASE HAF 912- Microcenter $55.00, 45.00 after MIR, http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331
GPU HD 6850 149.99 (semi weak gpu compared to the cpu would run games on high settings)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161384
PSU- $69.99 (there is a 15% off promo) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
OPTICAL DRIVE- 15.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244
HDD 500GB- 89.99 (there is a 10.00 promo) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
MEMORY- your choice you could opt for 4 gb for pretty cheap or 8 gb for pretty cheap, if you dont care about heatsinks you could get 8gb g. skill 1333 for about 38.00 from newegg.
OS- 100.00 from newegg
HEATSINK- stock

TOTAL=520.96
CPU 180.00+mobo of your choice (mine is this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271)

total cost w/o monitor 780.96.

this is a rough outline of what a pc would cost and it most certainly can be tweaked. When I saw your budget I was pretty sure it was unrealistic but I wanted to see if it was possible.

I am pretty sure you can also install windows 7 via an upgrade disk. However, I only recall this from reading not actually doing. so if your not a student then there is possibly another option for saving about 35.00.

Also what games do you play/want to play and at what settings would you be happy at?

 

[enc643]

CASE HAF 912- Microcenter $55.00, 45.00 after MIR, http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331
GPU HD 6850 149.99 (semi weak gpu compared to the cpu would run games on high settings)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161384
PSU- $69.99 (there is a 15% off promo) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
OPTICAL DRIVE- 15.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244
HDD 500GB- 89.99 (there is a 10.00 promo) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
MEMORY- your choice you could opt for 4 gb for pretty cheap or 8 gb for pretty cheap, if you dont care about heatsinks you could get 8gb g. skill 1333 for about 38.00 from newegg.
OS- 100.00 from newegg
HEATSINK- stock

TOTAL=520.96
CPU 180.00+mobo of your choice (mine is this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271)

total cost w/o monitor 780.96.

this is a rough outline of what a pc would cost and it most certainly can be tweaked. When I saw your budget I was pretty sure it was unrealistic but I wanted to see if it was possible.

I am pretty sure you can also install windows 7 via an upgrade disk. However, I only recall this from reading not actually doing. so if your not a student then there is possibly another option for saving about 35.00.

Also what games do you play/want to play and at what settings would you be happy at?

I decided to try to attempt a build myself, and here's what I ended up with:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=26310248

Note: The video card and power supply are bundled, and the hard drive and the case are bundled.

So subtract $30 from the wish-list cost. = $613
Add the $180 core i5-2500k +$180 = $793
Subtract $25 for rebates = $768
Grand total after rebates = $768

Now, I can use that spotrunner thing for free shipping.

Will there be tax?

 

[thesnappyfingers]

there is no tax (unless you live in certain states)

the power supply is of questionable brand name, plus you will not need 750 watts for one 6870.

the mobo is a micro atx and h61. Being an h61 mobo you will not be able to overclock you cpu, if you chose that board you would be better off getting an i5-2400.

I recommend this board from microcenter
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0384988
here it is on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[enc643]

How many watts would I need?

Cooler Master is a pretty well known brand, It is a combo deal, which saves money, and it shouldn't matter if you don't max out your watts on it if it is a good deal, right?

 

[azeem40]

No, quality is more important. A low quality PSU like the CM you selected has potential to fry your whole system. Corsair, XFX, PC Power and Cooling, and Antec are the best brand to get for a PSU.

 

[enc643]

No, quality is more important. A low quality PSU like the CM you selected has potential to fry your whole system. Corsair, XFX, PC Power and Cooling, and Antec are the best brand to get for a PSU.

So how many watts do I need?

 

[samdsox]

700 is not possible 750 on the other hand is



cpu: i5 2500k 180

mobo: GA-Z68AP-D3 ITS ACTUALLY PCIE 3.0/mislabled 50 dollars at with deal http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375352

monitor: hanspree 21.5 1080p 120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824262011&Tpk=hanspree%2021%2c5%20inch

so we are at 350 dollars with psu gpu case hard drive and ram to go

gpu: 6870 159 dollars with 20 dollar rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

psu antec 620 58 dollars 43 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031 (15 percent code)

ram: 8gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424 35 dollars

case: haf 912 45 after rebate at microcenter 55 normal

So far we are at 657

seagate hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767 85 dollars

742 dollars

oh and cd drive is 15 bucks at cheapst
so 755

LOOK FOR DEALS ON ALL THIS STUFF

Now for the os.

option one pay another 100 bucks for windows 7
option two use linux
option three *cough* non genuine copy/genuine loader*cough*(illegal but easily doable through google)

 

[enc643]

Unfortunately, my dad won't let me order until I finish some schoolwork, which may take a few days... So the PSU may need to be changed. I'll try to post back for when I can order, hopefully before rebates expire.

but here's the wishlist right now, I know the mobo I chose is cheap, but I can't go and spend $130 on the mobo and still stay near the price I need...

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=26310248

any suggestions welcome please.

 

[azeem40]

That MOBO cannot overclock an i5-2500k. You need P67 or Z68 for that. Either drop down to an i5-2400 or get the MOBO types I suggested.

 

[Dead Pixel]

i would go with newegg not microcenter

 

[thesnappyfingers]

I would go for microcenter for both your cpu and your mobo assuming the 50.00 discount. Its a local business for you and you get the products for a cheaper price.

 

[enc643]

Okay still havn't ordered... :/

Here's my wishlist, updated...

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=26310248

*graphics & ram combo'd
-$10 combo
$10 rebate

Hard drive & case combo'd
*-$15 combo

power supply
*-$25
............................
Cart minus rebate
$648 - $35 = $613

Cart plus CPU at microcenter
$613+$180 = $793

I'm around $100 over, but should be able to do it.


Hoping to order within the next few days. Maybe at latest, the final day the rebates allow, just to see if I can find any better deals in that time...

Any more suggestions?

 

[samdsox]

the mother board you have is bad. Get the asrock z68 extreme 3 gen 3
and the case you can get for cheaper the haf 912

 

[enc643]

the mother board you have is bad. Get the asrock z68 extreme 3 gen 3
and the case you can get for cheaper the haf 912

How is the motherboard bad? Those 2 seem to compare pretty equally.


As for the case, it is actually $10 cheaper than the haf 912, because it's bundled with the hard drive, which saves $15 combo. both cases seem to be about the same, except for one of the fans being 20mm smaller than in the haf 912.

 

[supremeoverlord]

OK man, here's my best shot:
CPU- I5-2500K $180
Mobo- Z68 $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 (Could look for an open box deal)
GPU- Radeon 6850/70 $135/160
RAM- 8 gig whatever manufacturer (G. SKill is good) $40
HDD- 250 gig 7200 RPM $45 - I can PM you a link, it's a 'top secret' deal
PSU- OCZ Fatal1ty 550W $40 after MIR http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0303417
Case- Xclio Godspeed $40
DVD Burner- $20
$635 + monitor (with 6870, after MIRs)

 

[supremeoverlord]

If your not interested in overcloking, just save yourself some money and get one
50 or 60$ Mobo + i5 2400.

He said yes under overclocking, but definitely a good idea if the OP isn't fully set on OCing- there really isn't much of a need to. This will save you $75+ if you get an H61 mobo, but keep in mind that those won't be upgradeable to Ivy Bridge, unlike the other 1155 mobos, if that's a concern for you.

 

[mightymaxio]

lol man i feel like i made out like a bandit with hard drives earlier this year. Me and a buddy went to bestbuy and bought 18 2tb drives for 74.99$ each after the whole flooding thing went down.

 

[enc643]

*** Please Read!*****

Microcenter has a Facebook deal on the i5 2550k (i5 2500k without the IGP)
for $160. Is it worth the $20 less to get it, and not have the IGP, or should I just stick with the 2500k?

link is here: https://www.facebook.com/MicroCenter?sk=app_263996086966257

 

[enc643]

OK man, here's my best shot:
CPU- I5-2500K $180
Mobo- Z68 $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 (Could look for an open box deal)
GPU- Radeon 6850/70 $135/160
RAM- 8 gig whatever manufacturer (G. SKill is good) $40
HDD- 250 gig 7200 RPM $45 - I can PM you a link, it's a 'top secret' deal
PSU- OCZ Fatal1ty 550W $40 after MIR http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0303417
Case- Xclio Godspeed $40
DVD Burner- $20
$635 + monitor (with 6870, after MIRs)

Can you please PM me the HDD deal? thanks!