Cheap CPU Better GPU vs cheap cpu/gpu SSD vs good cpu cheap gpu

[belezeebub]

Basic Gaming System, I have been roped into Building a Basic Gaming system for a 1080P 23”
All Parts are the same Except the CPU, GPU and Boot HD, Basically if they scrimps on the CPU they can get a SSD or a Better GPU setup (see below) Hard 700 Dollar Limit or if they scrimps on the GPU he can get a Better CPU
Wants to Play D3/Balance the checkbook surf web and do homework, has till First week of May to get the money so I can get it built before D3 goes Live.
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm $49.99
EVGA 015-P3-1480-KR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $209.99
Thermaltake TR2 RX 750W Bronze W0382RU ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular $89.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL $46.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $134.99
Intel Pentium G860 Sandy Bridge 3.0GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80623G860 $99.99
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III Asynchronous MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) 79.99
Total 712

(I am sure there are a few bundles that can shave a few bucks off the total cost the family I am building this for has a HARD 700 Limit
And nothing but a monitor no other hardware they can use)

System 1
1155 SB G860
60G SSD
1Tb HD
1155 MB
8 GB Ram
CD/DVD +/-RW
GTX 480 or 560TI

System 2
1155 SB G860
1Tb HD
1155 MB
8 GB Ram
CD/DVD +/-RW
2 460 GTX

System 3
1155 SB I3-2xxx CPU
1Tb HD
1155 MB
8 GB Ram
CD/DVD +/-RW
GTX 480 or 560 TI GPU

System 4
1155 SB I5-2300 CPU
1Tb HD
1155 MB
8 GB Ram
CD/DVD +/-RW
460 GTX or Other sub 150 GPU

 

[skaughtz]

If it is a gaming system for $700, your priority should be the following:

GPU > CPU > SSD

Games are more GPU-dependent nowadays than CPU, and quite honestly, an SSD is more of a convenience than a necessity.

 

[loops]

1

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136247
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$18.99
1

COUGAR Solution Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with 12cm COUGAR TURBINE HYPER-SPIN Bearing Silent Fan and USB 3.0
Item #: N82E16811553003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate


$59.99
$49.99
1

Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$89.99
$79.99
1

EVGA 015-P3-1480-KR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130759
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$90.00 Instant


$299.99
$209.99
1

OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
Item #: N82E16817341049
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$109.99
$89.99
1

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ...
Item #: N82E16820146748
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$22.99
1

Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.881815&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=14br2acnu8sr3

Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I32105
Item #: N82E16819115090
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157279
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Agree w/ akaughtz... GPU>CPU>SSD. I3 would be as low as I would go for a 700.00 build.

 

[Dogsnake]

I would get the better cpu. Since down the road upgrades are always available and items go on sale all the time. Many games are highly cpu dependent. My opinion is that if you start with the best cpu/mb/memory/psu you can afford in the system then add a vid card to fill out the budget. Those 4 base components will enhance everything the system is used for.

 

[belezeebub]

there are more then one schools of thought which is why I am asking, personally I would also lean towards the I5 but I know there is little chance of this family getting upgrade money in the near future and I really don't want to hear "My PC is so SLOW" everytime they come over for a BBQ I considered going with an I3 GTX 460 and the SSD as a balanced system is should post a good 7.2 on WEI and work for them but I wanted to get some input first.

 

[andystanley]

here is a nice $700 build for you that will blow your current one outa da water

i3 2120 3.3Ghz dual core/$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

Biostar z77 lga 1155 Motherboard/$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138352

Cooler master 450w psu/$45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060

Muskin 8gb ram/$45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226191

Rosewill challenger black case/$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Lite on dvd burner/$17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

250gb hdd/$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

crucial m4 64gb ssd/$85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

Sapphire 6850 1gb video card/$150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

Total $687 before rebates!

 

[Dogsnake]

+1 andy nice build for the dollars. So if you do not want to hear from your friends about a slow system then the better cpu is the way to go. Even modest priced video cards can run most games very well depending on resolution and quality of effects. Remember that the system will most likely be used for music, photos, word processing and other tasks as well as games. Even if at first they say this is not important, we all know how a good system gets used beyond what we first thought it would be used for.

 

[jerreddredd]

The D3 at the demo in Korea was run on a GTX 460 and I7 920 CPU. even the recommended system requirements aren't that high ( I would definitely shoot to exceed those).

most of the builds above are using the Z77 MB's and a dual core CPU's Why? the z77 doesn't offer the family anymore gaming, check balancing features or horse power than a $60 H61 MB. the main thing to keep in mind is BUDGET.

Keep it real!

Games are both CPU and GPU intense now days.

CPU: future upgrade wise, you should build on a good CPU, so you are not having to upgrade later. so I'm thinking Quad core over dual core. i5 2300/2400

GPU wise. D3 will play fine on a GTX 460 or HD 6850 (the AMD =) this card also plays most games at 1080 respectably, so that would be my starting point on a GPU. though the 6870's are more powerful and at good price point right now.

MB: z77 gains nothing for the family, they don't need any of the feature it provides. H67/H61 are better choices.

HHD: SSD is nice, but only if it fits in the BUDGET. the HDD needs to be at least 500Gbs - 1TB to hold stuff and should be 7200rpm, a Samsung Spinpoint would be my choice.

Ram: 4Gbs is plenty. PC 1333 if going with a H67/61 MB (ram is cheap so 8GB couldn't hurt as long as the budget holds it)

Case: chose a solid case under $50 with free shipping

PSU: they don't need to SLI/Xfire so a solid (corsair, Antech, Seasonic) PSU from at around 500W should be plenty

Operating system: is it included in the $700 budget? Win 7/64 OEM ~$100

I will post a good equipment list based on the above soon.

 

[belezeebub]

Best answer selected by belezeebub.