$600 Computer Build!!!

[badjad05]

Hey everybody I just have a couple of build questions for you guys here. Here are some of my preferences

Approximate Purchase Date: this week (the sooner the better)

Budget Range: : 500-600, Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Media (Movies/Music), Casual Gaming

Parts Not Required: mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, I already have a 120gb 7200 rpm hdd and an optical drive (Might add on another HDD later)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Intel, not sure about the graphics

Overclocking: No, you obviously can't w/ i3-2100, probably w/ the graphics card though.

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, Will probably add on another graphics card in about 3-4 months

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900, but I will be upgrading to a 1080p monitor soon

Additional Comments: I really want a nice white case with blue leds, and also for it to be quiet.


Here is what I have so far:

Case
NZXT Phantom 410 CA-PH410-B1 White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087 -$100

Video Card
EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1363-KR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130750 -$140

Power Supply
Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016 -$65

Memory
Team Elite 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Desktop Memory Model TED34096M1333HC9DC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313072 -$23

MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3(R2.0) LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538 -$100

CPU
Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078 -$125

Total is about $550, $520 w/ rebates

You guys can give me any suggestions where you see fit! Thank You!!!!!

 

[badjad05]

Also, Do you think If I upgraded to a 2500k later on AND sli'd the graphics card my PSU could handle it?

 

[element2050]

Why not go with this option i5-2500k plus the GPU you have selected.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241992&CatId=4910


MSI H61M-P23 B3 Thermaltake Barebones Kit - MSI H61M-P23 B3 Board, Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Patriot 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 RAM, Seagate 500GB HDD, Optiarc 24x DVDRW, Thermaltake V2 Mid Tower, 450W PSU

 

[kcsmacker]

Few things here.

1. You can get a 6850/70 for the price of the 460 and will be much better
http://www.hwcompare.com/8240/geforce-gtx-460-1gb-vs-radeon-hd-6870/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047ZGIUK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005D6P0N8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XPKRR9SHW6KPYEBA5EY

2. The power supply for Sli later should be sli/crossfire ready (enough connections) and is suggested that you have 750-850 for two higher end GPUs. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Performance-CP-9020004-NA/dp/B005E98EI2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331831117&sr=8-2 (the 850 version)

3. If you want to upgrade to SLI or crossfire later, you will want another motherboard that will run two GPU's a x8. Your motherboard only runs one PCIe at x16 while the 2nd runs at 4x. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 would be better.

4. Yes the i5 would be nice, as would SLI/Crossfire. You will not however be able to met your budget unless you really cut prices in places that you should not.

 

[badjad05]

Are you sure $40 more for the MOBO is worth it(Including Shipping)? Also I don't really want to pay $130 for a PSU, lol. But thanks for the help!

 

[badjad05]

Why not go with this option i5-2500k plus the GPU you have selected.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241992&CatId=4910


MSI H61M-P23 B3 Thermaltake Barebones Kit - MSI H61M-P23 B3 Board, Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Patriot 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 RAM, Seagate 500GB HDD, Optiarc 24x DVDRW, Thermaltake V2 Mid Tower, 450W PSU

No thanks. They will probably include a *** PSU and I kind of want the case I already have selected or something as nice.

 

[genghiskron]

i would definitely go with an hd6870 in this budget range. the gpu is going to be the limiting factor for almost every game, this is where extra money leads to extra fps. id grab the sapphire bundled with 8gb of ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.851281
ram is so cheap right now its silly not to go for 8gb

this psu is cheaper and similar/better quality:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

go with an i3-2120, its only $3 more for a clock speed upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

you wont get any immediate benefit from a z68 mobo because u cant overclock i3's. it wont hurt though. if you want to spend a little less, a cheap h61 will do everything you need:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

thats an expensive case for a $600 build, but im not your dad.

 

[element2050]

No thanks. They will probably include a *** PSU and I kind of want the case I already have selected or something as nice.

450W PSU, the case is blah. I go with speed not show though.

 

[badjad05]

Yeah I understand. But im kind of a show off so idk.

 

[Outlander_04]

Why not go with this option i5-2500k plus the GPU you have selected.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241992&CatId=4910


MSI H61M-P23 B3 Thermaltake Barebones Kit - MSI H61M-P23 B3 Board, Intel Core i5-2500K CPU, Patriot 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 RAM, Seagate 500GB HDD, Optiarc 24x DVDRW, Thermaltake V2 Mid Tower, 450W PSU

a 2500K on an H61 is wasted money . The advantage of the K is that it can be overclocked so using it on a mb that cant OC is nuts IMO . Especially when you consider an oem windows install will be locked to that mb , then updating is harshly expensive

Better to get the Z 68 mb

The OPs budget has some head room though and if he's willing to spend the whole $600 he can get an i5 2400 and a better graphics card . The 6870 makes sense . Search by price

 

[badjad05]

I know I could make a build with a 2400 and a 6870. But I personally would rather spend the money on the case, as stupid as that sounds because I am not a hardcore gamer so I would rather not waste the money on stuff thats overkill.

 

[badjad05]

Also, I forgot to mention that I need I need a wireless adapter and keyboard to go with my build.