Looking For a $600 Build

[underhill]

Recently I found a bundle on Tigerdirect that Contained an Intel ivy bridge i5-3570K a Z77 MB and a 1TB HDD with other additional parts, this bundle was only $500, leaving 100 for a good GPU.

The Bundle:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2580461&CatId=4910

I was wondering what you guys had to say about it and also what GPU you would recommend.

 

[Zero_]

If it's for gaming, you are better off getting a cheaper CPU + mobo combo (i3 + H77) and spending ~$200 on a GPU.

 

[underhill]

So I should go more with this?
GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538
ntel Core i3-2120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231542
RAIDMAX Seiran ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156272
Seagate Barracuda 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
XFX ProSeries 450W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207018&Tpk=xfx%20450w%20power%20supply

And also on the GPU would I really be able to tell a big difference between the Radeon 6850 and the 6870?

 

[C12Friedman]

It looks like a decent foundation... I'd suggest an SSD if you can afford it (small, boot/system drive) along with a graphics card... don't know about a "good GPU" for $100
An HD7750 for about $110 TigerDirect and NewEgg
or the GTX550Ti or HD6770 for about $120 at either
Best I can come up with... except that motherboard does not mention SLI support (X-fire yes) so might want to stick to the AMD HD6770 if you want to X-fire in future (note: some HD6770's are not X-fire, some are)
Don't forget $$ for OS unless you intend to use a Linux distro

 

[underhill]

Well right now I'm looking into getting into getting the OS from my school for a major discount since I am a student, but if not, I will most likely run Linux until I get the money needed for Windows 7. Oh and about the SSD I was looking and if I had enough from the MIR's I would get a small 32GB just to use to run the OS

 

[sharpiedpanda]

For the SSD try to shoot for 60-64GB. I have an 80GB with windows7 and a few applications and it feels a little tight; just a thought.

-SP

 

[dudewitbow]

be sure to cut cost before you make the final purchase by combo dealing it if your solely using newegg

 

[underhill]

Alright well thank you panda for your input, so with MIR's and shipping included the price comes to be $576.36 and that includes
ASUS Radeon HD 6850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121419

with a 60GB SSD an additional $59.99 with MIR the build comes to be
Total:636.35

 

[underhill]

please explain further dudewitbow.. I don't understand what this means.

 

[dudewitbow]

please explain further dudewitbow.. I don't understand what this means.

an example is this

hold up im looking for a post i made on another thread

edit:

Basically if you shop on newegg you can scroll down specific parts and find a button here

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6973/combosv.png

which allows you to combo certain items(usually pertaining to the same company) which cuts off 10+$ per combo

 

[underhill]

an example is this

hold up im looking for a post i made on another thread

edit:

Basically if you shop on newegg you can scroll down specific parts and find a button here

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6973/combosv.png

which allows you to combo certain items(usually pertaining to the same company) which cuts off 10+$ per combo

Oh, alright so that is just found under combo deals and from there I would just look for my select parts?

 

[dudewitbow]

Oh, alright so that is just found under combo deals and from there I would just look for my select parts?

yeah, sometimes you will find them. other times you wont find any deal, then you ask yourself the question: do i wanna change this part to another part so i can get more combo options and get something better for less price. for instance, cases and psu are usually hand in hand.

processors usually combo with all compatible motherboards in general(more mainstream ones) the one i linked above is an extremely common choice people make when on a certain budget.

 

[underhill]

Well here are the parts I'm going to probably order:
CPU MB Bundle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.911610&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1g5onv0q3kb27
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207018&Tpk=xfx%20450w%20power%20supply
GPU RAM Bundle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.926710
HDD Optical Drive Bundle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.937023
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227

The final price with shipping but before Mail In Rebates is $596, and with MIR's it comes to be $556
What do you think?

 

[C12Friedman]

I think that looks good but I think you would really like a SSD system/boot drive (the speed increase is incredible) there something like
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III Asynchronous MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) at $72 you might be able to swing it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226247
I have a Mushkin SSD for System/boot only and I am really impressed with its performance
or the
OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725
at $70

 

[underhill]

Would 60GB be able to partition to boot windows 7 and ubuntu?

 

[boodahz]

My go to $600ish list, more of the same

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.D 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 6770 1GB Video Card ($126.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $618.89
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-07 15:47 EDT-0400)

Its an all around upgradeable build. Room for 2 more modules of ram. Room for another 6770 for corssfire. Room for a SSD or more HDDs

 

[underhill]

My go to $600ish list, more of the same

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 AT Ball Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V LX ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.D 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 6770 1GB Video Card ($126.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $618.89
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-07 15:47 EDT-0400)

Its an all around upgradeable build. Room for 2 more modules of ram. Room for another 6770 for corssfire. Room for a SSD or more HDDs

So instead of having that $40 heat sink I could use the Intel one and then put that money to a better GPU and then get a smaller, better brand HDD, since HDD prices are still high and save that money for a boot SSD

 

[boodahz]

So instead of having that $40 heat sink I could use the Intel one and then put that money to a better GPU and then get a smaller, better brand HDD, since HDD prices are still high and save that money for a boot SSD

Oh geez, duh.... that cpu cant OC. If you drop the cooler and lower the size of the HDD you get like $60 more to spend on you GPU.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock P67 PRO3 (B3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Hitachi Ultrastar 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $572.92
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-08 07:36 EDT-0400)

btw, the hitachi deskstar is the best performing 7200rpm. The ultrastar (in the 500gb size, the same price as the deskstar) is a(n even) more reliable version that is meant to run 24/7. The deskstar is right up on the heels of the WD Velociraptor.

 

[underhill]

Best answer selected by Underhill.