$500-$600 1st Build (Gaming)

[Suprax]

My First Build
-----------------
NZT Classic Series 210 Mid Tower $39.99
Core i3 2100 $99.99
GA-H61M-S2H 1155 Intel MOBO $74.99
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1024MB $119.99
4g DDR3 CL9 Memory $15.96
Corsair 500 Watt 12 Power Supply $57.99
Momentus 320G 7200 RPM Hard Drive $74.99

Sub-total: $488.90
+Tax: 46.46
Grand Total : $535.35

Puchase date: Tonight

Budget: 500-600 bucks

Parts not required: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, screen

Country: USA

Overclocking: Maybs

Crossfire: Dunno what that is

Monitor Res: 1280x1024


Parts Preference: Only buying from Micro center (Chicago) so any hardware recommendation have to available on the IL-Chicagoland/Westmont/Central tab on the "Select your location" bar

Additional Comments: Yes.

1. Do all these components fit together? (I know the MOBO and i3 do)

2. Is 500 Watts enough power for this build?

3. Will this box be noisy? Should I get some extra fans of some Niagara falls cooling in it? LOL

Was thinking about windows 7. Should I get the full so I could use it again on another build? OEM seems risky if some part fails or I have to return something. Might just yarrrr it, but that wouldn't be possible if I can't boot it up in the first place right?

Any other comments and criticism is GREATLY appreciated! :]

 

[Pezcore27]

1) Yes all the components will fit together just fine.

2) Yeah the 500w is a little over what you need, but the price is the same as the CX430, so stay with the 500w.

3) Box shouldn't be too noisy.

Some possible suggestions to your build:

For the Hard Drive, a 2.5" mechanical drive is not needed. For another $10 you can get a 500g WD Caviar Blue here:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347353

Swap the memory kit as you can get a more reputable brand for the same price.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382073

Other than those suggestions, looks good.

 

[boulbox]

If your at microcenter you can buy the i5 2500k for not that much more but what i would prioritizing is your Video card if you have the chance maybe upgrade to a 560Ti, 7850, or even a 570.

FYI: the purpose i priortized GPU over CPU because most games wont use 4 cores to its fullest and the GPU will give more performance over getting a better CPU

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0369035

450 watts is all you will need with your build cutting down on some stuff

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382073

few bucks more but a lot more reliable company(ram)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0334293

a TB of space around $20 more i would say a lot more worth it than a 320GB

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315397

This is optional i just like having a aftermarket heatsink rather than the stock

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355878

better video card $145 after rebate


These are all options I'm not telling you to take everything i say

 

[Pezcore27]

Try reading the budget he is working with, before you suggest a CPU or Video Card that takes up 1/3 of the funds available in the future.

 

[Zero_]

I'd suggest getting a CX430 or Antec VP450 (both around $40) and upgrading the video to a HD6850.

EDIT: There are also 500GB hard drives going for $75 on amazon.

 

[Pezcore27]

He is only buying from Microcenter as stated in the OP, so the CX430 and the CX500 are the same price. The Antec VP450 is an option @ 37.99

 

[loops]

I'd gun for a gtx 560 non ti or AMD Radeon HD 6790

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373329

Otherwise Prez has some good input and you build is fine. I am not a fan of the gpu card you have picked out but at the price it is not a bad call.

 

[michxymi]

Value case with USB III in front panel

NZXT Source 210 Elite White Steel with painted interior ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ Black Front Trim
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146077

80+ PSU with enough watts for the system

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

4 Core CPU with high chance to unlock into 6 core!

AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HD96ZTWFGRBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995

A motherboard with future 140W TDP CPU support (FX and Vishera) plus the classics SATA,USB,eSATA III, Raid and generally everything you'll need!

ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

A GPU that can play anything on MAX SETTINGS with FILTERS at this resolution!

PowerColor AX6850 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

And finally a Hybrid HDD..it's a quicker than normal HDDs until you can buy a SSD

Seagate Momentus XT ST95005620AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ Solid State Hybrid Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148591

SUM 617$ for a way way better pc, not only in gaming but also in overall perfomance!

With the first chance I would add a SATA III SSD!

 

[Pezcore27]

with no ram, no optical and already over budget, not to mention he is wanting to buy locally at Microcenter...

 

[Tman450]

might i suggest this power supply? 520 Watts and modular is a big help: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0383860

I would also suggest the radeon HD 7770, better at 20 bucks more http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0385588

 

[michxymi]

with no ram, no optical and already over budget, not to mention he is wanting to buy locally at Microcenter...

RAM is in the budget, I just forgot to add it!

Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PGD38G1600ELK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220558

Now about the optical, If he can't find 20$ ( ) then he can get this HDD

Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

and add this optical

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

And again he'll be within his budget! I didn't add an optical because he also did not...I'll check microcenter for a similar build

 

[Suprax]

Okay so here are the modifications as of now:

I switched the power supply from 500 Watt to 450 Watt.
I also switched the 350g Hard Drive to a 500g.

I was wondering if I could just leave the 550 Ti out and just use my 9500GT DDR2. Is this a good idea? I'll be playing Sc2 at med-low setting, minecraft, watching videos and movies and maybe some maplestory.

 

[mildgamer001]

^ there isnt much point suggesting any amd options unless in special situations, and also that isnt how you build a computer, its best to have a SET budget, if you keep saying, well i can save 20 bucks more, oh i can save 10 more, oh 30 isnt that much more, you will end up waiting and waiting, things go out of stock, your budget gets blown out of the water, and it take smuch much longer to get your computer built, it just doesnt work. so plz dont suggest to save more unless it really is the best option available.. and is it bad if i suggest he re use some parts from a previous computer? like the optical drive... or the fans.. little stuff like that saves a good deal of cash quite often..

 

[mildgamer001]

sorry, was replying to mich but didnt feel like waiting to load the quote (slow internet connection)
and if your current wideo card works for those games, maybe other hardware upgrades will help it out some, but if you can do okay now then there isnt as much need to upgrade, save up more money and get a better card than the 550ti later one when it is more needed?

 

[Suprax]

sorry, was replying to mich but didnt feel like waiting to load the quote (slow internet connection)
and if your current wideo card works for those games, maybe other hardware upgrades will help it out some, but if you can do okay now then there isnt as much need to upgrade, save up more money and get a better card than the 550ti later one when it is more needed?

You're right. No point in fixing what isn't broken.