Under $750 Gaming PC (With OS & Monitor)

[ShrewdMood]

Greetings,

I am interested in building my first gaming PC. I would like to keep the budget under $750. This PC, as the title implies, would be used for gaming most of the time. I may be building such a PC in two to four weeks. Here is what I currently have configured:

Motherboard: MSI H67A-G43 (B3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard -- $64.99 @ Newegg
CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor -- $149.99 @ Microcenter
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6850 1GB -- $119.99 @ Newegg
RAM: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory -- $39.99 @ Newegg
Hard Drive & Optical Drive Combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB & ASUS DVD Burner -- $79.98
PSU: Corsair 430W ATX12V -- $26.98 @ Newegg
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-- $49.99 @ Newegg
Monitor: Acer S201HLbd 60Hz 20.0" Monitor -- $108.98 @ Newegg
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) -- $96.48 @ Amazon

Total: $737.37 (prices include shipping & mail-in rebate)


I am seeking additional opinions on this setup. My goals are to play WoW on Ultra with 35+ FPS in 25 man raids, and other games (ones that are actually GPU intensive) on Medium-High settings with 40+ FPS. If you believe you could make this a better build, or that my build will not meet my expectations, feel free to share your thoughts and modifications. I would be gaming on a 1600x900 resolution. Thank you for your time.

 

[jmsellars1]

Even at 1080P you should get ultra high settings in most games with that setup. At 1600x900 you should get ultra high settings in anything really.

I just see a few issues there:

- That motherboard should be compatible with that CPU but it will need a BIOS update and you can't update the BIOS without a compatible CPU. Unless you have a Sandy Bridge chip going spare somewhere, I would swap it for a H77 board. They are more expensive but better suited for Ivy Bridge chips such as that i5.

- Coolermaster PSU's (particularly low end ones) aren't known for fantastic reliability. The Corsair CX-430 430W should be slightly better at the same price, it also has a better rebate.

- Ivy Bridge natively supports 1600Mhz memory so for the sake of an extra $5 I would take advantage of that and go for 1600Mhz.

- That case is fine but the NZXT Source 210 and Fractal Design Core 1000 are some other good ones that are a tad cheaper. They don't come with as many fans but trust me, you don't need all of those fans for this setup. Even if you somehow did, you can add them later.

I hope this helps.

 

[ShrewdMood]

Thank you for the suggestions. The reason I went with 1333Mhz RAM is because I was under the impression that the motherboard I selected could only support 1333Mhz: www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138332

I'll switch the PSU to the Corsair one, but would an H77 board be worth the extra $40 when trying to stay under budget? How do you determine whether a motherboard needs a BIOS update? Would an H67 board be adequate? I'll look into those cases, as well.

 

[cin19]

you should consider to change the PSU to CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS for $30 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052212&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052212-_-EMC-052212-Latest-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139027-L011B

Also check the newegg,com Memorial sale, maybe you can find something you want
http://www.newegg.com/emailpromo/?cm_sp=shoppingguide-_-email-_-100111

 

[ShrewdMood]

I changed the PSU and the Motherboard in the OP. I think I will stick with the Rosewill Challenger case out of personal preference. Also, I was wondering if this i3-2100 build (same build as the i5 but with an i3) would meet my goals:

Motherboard: MSI H67A-G43 (B3) ATX LGA1155 Motherboard -- $64.99 @ Newegg
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor -- $89.99 @ Microcenter
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6850 1GB -- $119.99 @ Newegg
RAM: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory -- $39.99 @ Newegg
Hard Drive & Optical Drive Combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB & ASUS DVD Burner -- $79.98
PSU: Corsair 430W ATX12V -- $26.98 @ Newegg
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-- $49.99 @ Newegg
Monitor: Acer S201HLbd 60Hz 20.0" Monitor -- $108.98 @ Newegg
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) -- $96.48 @ Amazon

Total: $677.37 (prices include shipping & mail-in rebate)

I know that is way under the budget I set, but if I can save money and still meet my goals, I'm going to do so. If someone could answer the question I asked above on how to determine whether the Motherboard will need a BIOS update before working with the processor (and if the H67 I posted would work fine without a BIOS update), I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[bigcyco1]

I highly recommend you buy something worth it like this combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.910431 $364.98 save: $10.00
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K the motherboard your choosing is cheap and not very good.

 

[bigcyco1]

or you could get this

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
Item #:N82E16813157271
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$129.99 -$8.00 Instant $121.99


Update

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Model #:BX80623I52500K
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$219.99 $219.99
Subtotal: $341.98 @newegg

 

[ShrewdMood]

I can see where you're coming from, but with the budget I am trying to maintain, those options are not available to me without sacrificing on other components. I do appreciate your input, though.

 

[bigcyco1]

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard -- $121.99 @ Newegg
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor -- $89.99 @ Microcenter
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6850 1GB -- $119.99 @ Newegg
RAM: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory -- $39.99 @ Newegg
Hard Drive & Optical Drive Combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB & ASUS DVD Burner -- $79.98
PSU: Corsair 430W ATX12V -- $26.98 @ Newegg
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-- $49.99 @ Newegg
Monitor: Acer S201HLbd 60Hz 20.0" Monitor -- $108.98 @ Newegg
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) -- $96.48 @ Amazon
try that you be happier if not best of luck bud.

 

[ShrewdMood]

That build would indeed fall under the $750 budget, but I am not sure if getting such a motherboard would be overkill for what I want. I wouldn't be overclocking, so that is one feature of that motherboard that would not be put to use. I am new to building a PC though; so if a motherboard is truly critical to the stability of a build, I would heavily consider investing in a more worthwhile option, such as the one you posted. I'm just attempting to get the results I desire at the lowest possible price.

 

[bigcyco1]

Building a gaming PC is all about balance. If your graphics card is faster than what your CPU can handle then the CPU will max out at 100% and the graphics card(s) will not be fully used. I mean it's shocking and sad how many i see give people such bad advice getting them to switch to the shitty cheapest cpu and mobo and ram they can find and most poor quality cramped cases with no good airflow PSU that barley meet the minimal requirement all so they can add more money to GPU in the end they are not the one that suffers from their bad advice!(many could argue that but I'm talking in general and just giving you my thoughts and advice yes the motherboard is just as important part of any build anyway i wish you success )

 

[quilciri]

If you can get to a Microcenter, this rig will play every game in existence @1920 with high to max settings.

$100
win 7 home 64-bit

$60 ($40 after MIR)
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

$50
Pentium G620 LGA 1155
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367906

$55
ASRock H61M-DGS LGA 1155 Intel H61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

$40
Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1600
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360527

$230 ($200 after MIR)
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130623

$18
LG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136247

$75
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

$40
Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023

$120
Acer G215HVAbd Black 21.5" 5ms 1920x1080
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009306

$735 total after rebates and shipping. ($7 shipping, $50 rebates)