New Build for less than 800$

[scarab89]

Here are the specs for a partial upgrade of my existing C2D machine ( 5 yrs old)...

Processor : i5 2500k
Board : Gigabyte GA Z68 XP UD3r or Maximus Genie Z (non Gen3 model)
Ram : Corsair Vengeance DDR3 4 GB RAM (CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9)
PSU : Corsair CMPSU-600GUK 600 Watts or Cooler Master GX 550W 550 Watts
HDD : WD 1tb 7200 rpm

I am a student, my expectations of this build are to be able to program in .NET,java, action script 3 (flash) and any other languages i decide to learn.. also my brother is a professional photographer so i would like my machine to be able to cater to his needs when he uses it once in a while.

I will add a GPU when i start working about 6mths to a year from now.. will probably not SLI or crossfire ne time in the future though... I like playing games but i donot mind lowered detail.

I dont buy or spend money on my computer often so i would like the build to last for as long as possible without lag, hanging or blue screens.. will overclock only when i see the processor becoming a bottleneck for work or play in the future.... Hence im unsure of buying a k series processor as i dont know the rules on overclocking slightly aged cpus.

alternatively i was thinking of going for a i7 2700k and cheaper H67 or P67 pairing.. or going for the multiplier locked i5 2500 / i7 2600... really confused though...

I live in New Delhi so a temperature issue (ambient temperature goes upto 48 deg C) may also need to be addressed coz i will be using the computer 16 - 18 hrs a day...

plz help

 

[scarab89]

Forgot to add........I will be buying this week...

 

[dormantreign]

I'm in love with my 2600k......don't tell my girl friend. I'd goto the i7, the HT and single threaded applications boost makes it worth the extra 70 bucks.

 

[sadams04]

I would look toward something along the lines of the build below. If you want to overclock, then swap the MB + CPU out (P67 / Z68 and K-Series respectively). You should have enough budget if you remove the GPU in favor of the onboard graphics as you originally stated. Sorry... Can't help you with New Delhi links since I don't know where you would be buying from.

MB - ASRock H67M (B3) - $80
CPU - i5-2400 - $190
MEM - Corsair XMS 4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 - $20 after MIR
GPU - XFX HD 6870 - $145 after MIR
HD - Seagate 500GB - $95
OPTICAL - 24x DVD-RW - $18
PSU - CORSAIR CX430 - $25 after MIR
CASE - CM HAF 912 - $50 after MIR
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - $100

$723


CPU Cooler - Hyper 212 EVO - $35
CASE FANS - Rosewill 120mm 4-pack 40CFM @ 18dBA - $15

 

[scarab89]

have decided on
CPU : i7 2600k - 18800 INR abt 376$ ( lured in by overclocking potential and hyprthreadin)
MB : Asus P8z68 M pro - < 200$ ( m-atx shld be fine since i dont plan to go multi GPU plus i knw the asus distributer in my area so hassle free after sales)
MEM : Corsair XMS 4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 - $30
PSU : CORSAIR CX430 abt 45$ (is it going to enuf? for 6870 or equivalent card in the future?) or should i go for CM GX 550W
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 1 TB (ST1000DM003) 110$
CASE : NZXT gamma for 45$ {CM HAF 912 costs more than 100$ in India }
CPU Cooler : Hyper 212 EVO - $35
CASE FANS : Rosewill 120mm 4-pack 40CFM @ 18dBA - $15

have windows 7 ultimate x64 and optical drive... total cost 860$ to 905$ depending on PSU...

 

[sadams04]

Be sure your memory are 1.5v modules, and the Corsair CX430 should be enough power for an HD 6870 but would still opt up for the 550w to be sure you have the headroom to upgrade further.

 

[scarab89]

thx for helping 550w it is then.........will post when i place the order in a day or two