Am I missing anything ?

[botasboke]

I'm dorming next year and I want something good enough for light gaming and wont be obsolete in a few years. I don't want to spend more than $800 (not including a monitor, keyboard & mouse, speakers, etc ...).

Approximate Purchase Date: This month

Budget Range: $800 or less After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies, photoshop

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, CD/DVD Drive, sound card

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, microcenter.com (theres a microcenter a few minutes from my house and they only charge 3.5% sales tax), pretty much w.e is the cheapest, i wouldn't mind splitting the purchase between websites.

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel processor, nvidia graphics

Overclocking: possibly

SLI or Crossfire: no

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: My biggest problem is that I dont know which parts work well together. I definitely want a SSD.


*EDIT* FINAL BUILD

CPU : Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor

RAM : 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)

SSD : m4 CT128M4SSD2 128GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Marvell Controller

PSU : CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Mobo : Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard ( $89.99 with a K series CPU )

Case : Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower ATX Gaming Computer Case

GPU : EVGA 01G-P3-1561-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card

Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler

After taxes and rebates my total came out to $806

I'm open to new ideas, I don't know much about building, open to suggestions (added the Corsair 300R case, Corsair 500W PSU, and raised my budget to $800)

 

[botasboke]

not sure if i'll need a wireless card either. if i do, ill buy one later

 

[thrakazog]

You seem to have picked decent parts. So adding a case and GPU seems to be all that's needed.

This is a good case at $80. High quality, long lasting, nice to work with...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139011

If cheaper is needed, this is a really nice at $45...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227

Video card is pretty much based on how much is left in your budget.

One of the new Nvidia 600 series or AMD 7000 series is the way to go.

 

[botasboke]

The Corsair 300R is actually the case i was thinking of going with after doing a little bit of research, and if i haven't forgotten anything, im at $600 with that case. how much does a Nvidia 600 series or AMD 7000 series go for ?

 

[azeem40]

GTX 670 is $400 and a Radeon 7970 is $450.

 

[botasboke]

nevermind then what can i get for the remaining $130 ?

 

[botasboke]

which PSU is better, the one i listed or this --> CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply , they come out to the same price. do i even need 500W ?

 

[Guest]

please no NOT get the cooler master! it is a horrible PSU the cosair is much better quality.
don't make me pull my links to reviews out :lol:
this is a great little card for the money, a little over budget upfront but falls in if you play the rebate game.
GIGABYTE GV-R777OC-1GD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB $139.99
$119.99 after mail-in rebate card
honestly though you are short changing your cpu by getting that low a a grfx card.

 

[manofchalk]

nevermind then what can i get for the remaining $130 ?

You can get a 128Gb SSD around that kind of money.
Crucial M4 is always a good choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

And yes, get the Corsair power supply, Coolermaster don't make good PSU's until you get to the top of their range. And yes you need 500W, id even suggest going higher to a 600W to be safe.

(God I'm jealous of you Americans, everything is so expensive in Australia. Same SSD, $33 more)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_1247&products_id=17685

 

[euansharp]

Maybe a nividia 560Ti would be more in your GPU price range, seems to be able to handle most games but only costs around half that of the 67

I agree with loonian you have a nice CPU there dont skimp out on the GPU.
In regards to your wireless card check out what your dorm is providing since most Mobo will take an ethernet cable with no card needed and to be honest if you can avoid Wi Fi all the better unless your like me and live in house with super thick walls where cabling is a nightmare.

Hope that helps I would quote prices but they'd be in pounds.
Good luck with your build.

 

[botasboke]

what GPU can i get for $150-200 ?

 

[cyclotop]

If your main concern is gaming then you can loose the Intel Core i5 3570K (if you don't intend to overclock), instead go for the Intel Core i5 3450 . Put the $40 into a better GPU , i would suggest HD7850 (around $240) . It makes for a far more balanced and future-proof system.

Edit: Found one for $230 with rebate : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406

 

[botasboke]

i need a k series cpu to get a $50 discount on the mobo so it wouldnt make a difference

 

[Goodeggray]

Gpus for $150 to 200 are 560ti, 560, hd6870 or hd6950.

 

[botasboke]

Gpus for $150 to 200 are 560ti, 560, hd6870 or hd6950.

I'm not familiar with GPUs. Could you provide some links ?

 

[cyclotop]

i need a k series cpu to get a $50 discount on the mobo so it wouldnt make a difference

You don't need a Z77 motherboard if you are not overclocking, go for a H77 Motherboard like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648

between Z77 and H77 all features are same just no overclocking on H77.

And if you are really strapped for cash then you can go for a B75 chipset mobo like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540
but you get only 1x PCIe 3.0 (for gpu) + 1xSata-iii (for ssd) , so not much room for upgrades.

 

[botasboke]

You don't need a Z77 motherboard if you are not overclocking, go for a H77 Motherboard like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648

between Z77 and H77 all features are same just no overclocking on H77.

And if you are really strapped for cash then you can go for a B75 chipset mobo like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540
but you get only 1x PCIe 3.0 (for gpu) + 1xSata-iii (for ssd) , so not much room for upgrades.

so should i just go for that mobo with the i5-3450 ?

 

[botasboke]

how's this one ? HD7770-DC-1GD5 AMD Radeon HD 7770 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card

 

[Guest]

so should i just go for that mobo with the i5-3450 ?

since you're getting the cpu/mobo in a deal from microcenter, it would be a better to stick with that.

since Nvidia released their higher end card, GTX 690, 680 and 670 amd has dropped their prices. when the mid range cards are released; 660, 660ti 650 and 650ti in a few months and prices drop again that might be a good time to upgrade from what $150-$170 you get now . . which now a good choice would be a 7770.

the philosophy is to get the best gpu then cpu but those deals from microcenter makes it difficult not to go against "popular wisdom".

 

[botasboke]

since you're getting the cpu/mobo in a deal from microcenter, it would be a better to stick with that.

since Nvidia released their higher end card, GTX 690, 680 and 670 amd has dropped their prices. when the mid range cards are released; 660, 660ti 650 and 650ti in a few months and prices drop again that might be a good time to upgrade from what $150-$170 you get now . . which now a good choice would be a 7770.

the philosophy is to get the best gpu then cpu but those deals from microcenter makes it difficult not to go against "popular wisdom".

thats why i dont see a need to downgrade my cpu and mobo (since microcenter gives such a good combo deal). what video card would you reccomend for 200 or less.

i guess i might even consider overclocking now since it will be available. also , what games will this set up be able/not able to handle. and will i need any extra cooling equipment?

 

[Guest]

thats why i dont see a need to downgrade my cpu and mobo (since microcenter gives such a good combo deal). what video card would you reccomend for 200 or less.

i guess i might even consider overclocking now since it will be available. also , what games will this set up be able/not able to handle. and will i need any extra cooling equipment?

a cooler master hyper 212+ or evo are very good economical choices.
XFX AMD Radeon HD 6870 900M 1 GB
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C31F2M/ref=asc_df_B005C31F2M2031749?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-469-34-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B005C31F2M
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 560 1GB
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051GK5K8/ref=asc_df_B0051GK5K82028640?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-469-34-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B0051GK5K8
both suggested from
Best PCIe Card For ~$170: Tie
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html

 

[botasboke]

a cooler master hyper 212+ or evo are very good economical choices.

will i need it though? and what about a video card for 200 and the gaming capacity ?

 

[Guest]

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus $29.99
$19.99 after mail-in rebate
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 $169.99
$159.99 after mail-in rebate card

 

[botasboke]

can someone tell me what the difference is between these 2 cards ???

from Amazon and Microcenter

 

[azeem40]

For non-OCing, it is still useful to have. Cooler temps means a longer lasting PC.