$900 budget gaming computer

dande_01

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Hey all my brother is looking at a budget gaming computer and I've come up with this so far but just wondering if you guys could suggest other parts that may be better for a similar price.


PSU:Corsair TX-750 $140
MOBO: ASRock Z68 PRO3 $120
CPU: Intel Core i3 2130 $145
HDD: Seagate SATA3 1TB $108
GPU: Sapphire HD6850 $158
CASE: Sharkoon T9 $68
RAM: G SKill 4G(2x2G)DDR3 1600Mhz $33
DVD: Asus DRW-24B3ST BLK/G/AS 24X DVD-RW $23
Anti Virus: Kaspersky Pure R2 Total Security 2012 Retail 2yrs 3 user $89

Total: $885


There is a few things I'm wondering, this PC is only going to be used to play WoW and possible Diablo 3. It's not going to be Overlocked or SLI/X-fire, so just wondering if I could get a basic motherboard instead (If so which one would you suggest)?

The case I choose was the one he wanted becase he likes it, will the graphics card fit in it and leave enough room?

Obviously if you think something is better please let me know but can't go over $900, ovbiously the lower the better.

Thanks anyway for having a look at this build and appriecate all the feedback :)


EDIT: BTW I'm based in Australia so if you could look at Umart and post items from there would be muchly appreciated :)
 
I would get some free anti virus software like AVG free or Microsoft Security Essentials for a start. Next I would get a cheaper 500GB hard drive since HDD prices are a bit inflated at the moment. You could probably get a slightly cheaper case too, the Antec 100, Antec 300, Coolermaster HAF 912, Coolermaster Elite 430, Fractal Design Core 1000 etc. They are all good choices and probably a bit cheaper. You will also need nowhere near 750W, that system as it is currently would never pull any more than 250W, a decent 400W+ PSU would be recommended.

Those are plenty of places you can save money without actually losing performance, I would go for a 500W PSU like the Corsair CX-500 or Antec EA-500 etc. Then change the CPU for an i5-2500k and the GPU for something like a GTX 560Ti or HD 6870.

EDIT: If you definitely won't overclock then the i5-2400 and an H61 or H67 motherboard would be best.
 

dande_01

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Thanks for the reply, only reason I choose that case was because my brother really wanted a case with green on it, so providing everything will fit in it alright I'll stick with the case thanks for the options though.

The only reason for the 750watts psu was just incase later on he decided to upgrade and maybe SLI/crossfire but in saying that i might drop that down.

Would this PSU work better then? OCZ ModXstream Pro 600W modular PSU

Is there any motherboards you would suggest?
 
If going with the i5-2400, the ASRock H61M/U3S3 is a good option.

Even 600W really isn't needed for this setup. The i5-2500 is 95W, any GPU at this budget will be 140-200W. The rest of the system will be around 40W. 500W really is fine. My first choice would be a ~500W Seasonic PSU, failing that the Corsair CX-500 is excellent. It's up to you though obviously.
 

dande_01

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Seems that umart sells either of those PSU's and seems to be the motherboard is out of stock, I was looking at ordering this computer in about 8 hours when they opened up, any other suggests?

Thinking about getting the 560ti or 6870 aswell btw. Any thing about that case? reckon it will fit the graphics card in it? he seems persistant on a green case :S
 
I'd be pretty surprised if it wasn't big enough for one of those cards.

The OCZ Fatalt1ty 550W looks like the best value from the PSU's they stock. If you can afford it, the Gainward GTX 560Ti 1GB looks like the best value from their cards.

EDIT: For the motherboard, the Asus P8H61-M-LX looks OK, you miss out on SATA 3 and USB 3 but I don't think you will miss them.
 

g-unit1111

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I would get some free anti virus software like AVG free or Microsoft Security Essentials for a start. Next I would get a cheaper 500GB hard drive since HDD prices are a bit inflated at the moment. You could probably get a slightly cheaper case too, the Antec 100, Antec 300, Coolermaster HAF 912, Coolermaster Elite 430, Fractal Design Core 1000 etc. They are all good choices and probably a bit cheaper. You will also need nowhere near 750W, that system as it is currently would never pull any more than 250W, a decent 400W+ PSU would be recommended.

I agree - I don't include small items like anti-virus programs in my builds. You can always get that stuff later. I like AVG Anti-virus but I also like Vipre as well. Software is

I like those case choices too - they're far better than Sharkoon.

If going with the i5-2400, the ASRock H61M/U3S3 is a good option.

Why mATX though on a full desktop system? Get a full ATX board like the Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3. mATX on a full ATX system - big no no for me.

Even 600W really isn't needed for this setup. The i5-2500 is 95W, any GPU at this budget will be 140-200W. The rest of the system will be around 40W. 500W really is fine. My first choice would be a ~500W Seasonic PSU, failing that the Corsair CX-500 is excellent. It's up to you though obviously.

The Seasonic M12 II is usually my go-to CPU on a budget build.

Here's my $900 build:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
PSU: Seasonic M12 II 620W - $89.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $121.99
CPU: 3.1GHz Intel Core i5-2400 - $189.99
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600MHz 1.5V - $44.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $84.99
Optical: Lite On DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 - $259.99

Total: $871.89
 

dande_01

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Really appreicate all the replies but about the case it seems like thats the case he WANTS, no idea why but figured might aswell give him the case he wants (providing that everything will fit in it). The PSU u suggested g-unit1111 seems to be out of stock aswell so I might go with the The OCZ Fatalt1ty 550W and get the 560 ti aswell. Any reason you're suggesting the i5 2400 over the i3? it's basically just for World of Warcraft and maybe Diablo 3, So I was thinking the i3 would be sufficient enough.
 

g-unit1111

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The i5-2400 is a dedicated quad core where the i3-2120 is a dual core, quad is ideal for gaming - you can certainly get by with a dual core, but the quad core CPU is the sweet spot right now. I know Blizzard games certainly aren't as resource intensive as, say BF3 is, but having the better CPU will certainly give you an advantage.

I choose the Cooler Master HAF 912 because for the price it has features that are unmatched in its' price range. I have the same case so it's not like I'm shilling for Cooler Master - I've used tons of cases in this price range from garbage brands like Apevia, Ultra, Xion, and Xclio to this case and the Antec 300 and the HAF 912 is the clear favorite in this price range.
 

dande_01

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Yeah no problems, like I said I really appreciate all the replies, I've decided to go with

OCZ Fatalt1ty 550W Modular PSU - $69
Intel Core i5 2400 Processor LGA1155 3.1GHz CPU - $195
G SKill 4G(2x2G)DDR3 1600Mhz PC3-12800(F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL) - $33
Gainward GTX560Ti 1G DDR5 2XDVI HDMI - $228
Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM SATAIII 6GB/S 3.5 - $77
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 MB, LGA1155 Intel Z68 - $125

as for case I'd like to go coolmaster since both mine are it, but hes making it pretty stern that he wants that green case, providing everything will fit in it i will go for with that case making a total of $795



 

hotthree

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088&Tpk=seasonic%20x650

Get this 650Watt seasonic if it comes back in stock...Amazing Deal

Case should fit the card. But Your missing out on a lot of great features by going with that case. Imo colors can always be acheived by other means...fans, lights, sleeving choosing mobo's / ram etc with the colors.

Do not go with OCZ Fatality PSU if you don't have to ..go back to the CORSAIR!!!!! Fatality runs on 4 12v rail...Big mistake if you buy it.
 

g-unit1111

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I agree - I'm not the biggest fan of OCZ either. I know their PSUs have improved somewhat since their takeover of PC Power & Cooling but I don't know how dramatic of an improvement it is.

I like the 560TI but at the same time it'd be a big mistake not to check out the 7850 as it's getting rave reviews and beats a lot of competitors in it's class easily.
 

dande_01

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Problem is, I know im on an american site but you guys have helped me with two previous builds so I had to come back for more help haha. If you could link me a GPU and PSU from Umart I'd muchly appreicaite it :)
 

g-unit1111

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I don't see why he needs the Z68 board over the H61 one personally, he can't overclock the i5-2400 and won't SLI/Crossfire. I'm guessing he won't need SRT or RAID either. I don't think he will see any benefit and it costs twice as much.

EDIT: Again, that Corsair PSU is nearly double the cost and I'm sure the OCZ one would be fine. It's all personal preference though.
 

dande_01

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Yeah I'm australian said it a few times in posts so far :p I guess by getting the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 MB, LGA1155 Intel Z68 it's allowing for future upgrades incase I do decide to SLI/Crossfire? So with that in-mind I'll probably stick with that motherboard.

With the Graphics Card.. 560 or 560ti?

and PSU? Corsair maybe? Corsair TX-650 V2 for $113 alright?
 

g-unit1111

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Yeah but mATX is so limited and H61 doesn't have any access to the BIOS or overclocking should the OP upgrade to Ivy Bridge later on, I always try to plan my builds for future access and limiting expansion isn't good at all - and trust me - nothing sucks more than having to buy the same part twice, I'd rather get one and be safe, than buy two. It's always better to plan ahead rather than plan now and regret later, that's my two cents.
 

dande_01

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So the end build is looking like this

PSU: Corsair TX-650 V2 650W ATX Power $113.00
CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 Processor LGA1155 3.1GHz CPU $195.00
GPU: Asus GTX560 1G DC/2DI GDDR5 $183.00
RAM: G SKill 4G(2x2G)DDR3 1600Mhz PC3-12800(F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL) $33.00
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM SATAIII 6GB/S 3.5 $77.00
CASE: Sharkoon T9 Value ATX Midi Tower Green(9Bay,USB3,USB2) $68.00
MOBO: ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 4x DDR3 2133 (OC) $120.00
DVD: Asus DRW-24B3ST BLK/G/AS 24X DVD-RW $23.00

Bringing the total up to: $812

Which then leaves him 80 bucks to buy his anti virus software and what not. Any last minutes changes you guys can think of?