Hello, I am building a secondary gaming machine for my wife so that we can play co-op games together. I haven't scratch-built a pc since around 1995, but I'm sure I can figure it out. I usually get pre-built machines, but I really need to stretch out my dollars on this one. I only have $800 to spend and I have to buy a new copy of windows 
. So I am going to take apart an old machine that is collecting dust and reuse the case, HDD, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Here's the details:
Approximate Purchase Date: 7/14/2012 (next Saturday)
Budget Range: $800
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming only, dont care about heat or noise, just wanna play games at high/ultra settings
Parts Not Required: here is the old case I will be using. The HDD I'll be reusing is about 2 years old, 500GB Sata 2. I want to add an SSD to this rig if I can afford it.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.directron.com, microcenter, frys, compusa. I live in Houston and prefer to buy things at a brick and mortar store if possible
Country: USA, Houston, TX
Overclocking: maybe a little, but not much, I'll be using the stock CPU cooler
SLI or Crossfire: no
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I am a little over budget, but I am hoping you all can help me save a few bucks on the PSU and possibly the mobo. I would love to put in a 120GB SSD, but I can barely afford a 60GB, so I guess that will have to do.
Here's my current parts list:
CPU: Core i5-3450 - $149.99 at microcenter
GPU: PowerColor AX7850 2GBD5 - $239.99 at directron (Here's the Newegg description)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H - $119.99 at Frys (Here's the Newegg description)
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX600 V2 - $59.99 at directron (Here's the Newegg description)
RAM: Patriot 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Desktop Memory PGS34G1600ELK - $22.99 at Frys. (Here's the Newegg description)
SSD: Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 60GB - $54.99 at microcenter (Here's the Newegg description)
DVD: Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - $15.99 at microcenter
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM - $99.99 at microcenter
Total: $763.92 + $63.02 (8.25% local sales tax) = $826.94
Extra questions:
1) does this rig look ok to you?
2) Will everything fit in that old case ok? I would assume it would.
3) Is a 600W PSU big enough? I will not ever do SLI/crossfire, but I may upgrade the GPU and add another HDD later on.
4) I dont know much about mobo's or PSU's. Could I save some money on a different mobo or PSU? I tend to keep my machines for around 5 years, so I need a good, reliable PSU.
Oh, I usually don't even bother with rebates anymore. They almost never work for me. I suppose if there are a lot of them, then I'll try, but don't include rebates on your price considerations.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and help!
PS: I just noticed the 120GB Agility 3 drive is on sale at directron for $90, that would be sweet, if I could afford it.
. So I am going to take apart an old machine that is collecting dust and reuse the case, HDD, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Here's the details:Approximate Purchase Date: 7/14/2012 (next Saturday)
Budget Range: $800
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming only, dont care about heat or noise, just wanna play games at high/ultra settings
Parts Not Required: here is the old case I will be using. The HDD I'll be reusing is about 2 years old, 500GB Sata 2. I want to add an SSD to this rig if I can afford it.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.directron.com, microcenter, frys, compusa. I live in Houston and prefer to buy things at a brick and mortar store if possible
Country: USA, Houston, TX
Overclocking: maybe a little, but not much, I'll be using the stock CPU cooler
SLI or Crossfire: no
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I am a little over budget, but I am hoping you all can help me save a few bucks on the PSU and possibly the mobo. I would love to put in a 120GB SSD, but I can barely afford a 60GB, so I guess that will have to do.
Here's my current parts list:
CPU: Core i5-3450 - $149.99 at microcenter
GPU: PowerColor AX7850 2GBD5 - $239.99 at directron (Here's the Newegg description)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H - $119.99 at Frys (Here's the Newegg description)
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX600 V2 - $59.99 at directron (Here's the Newegg description)
RAM: Patriot 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Desktop Memory PGS34G1600ELK - $22.99 at Frys. (Here's the Newegg description)
SSD: Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 60GB - $54.99 at microcenter (Here's the Newegg description)
DVD: Samsung 22X DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - $15.99 at microcenter
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM - $99.99 at microcenter
Total: $763.92 + $63.02 (8.25% local sales tax) = $826.94
Extra questions:
1) does this rig look ok to you?
2) Will everything fit in that old case ok? I would assume it would.
3) Is a 600W PSU big enough? I will not ever do SLI/crossfire, but I may upgrade the GPU and add another HDD later on.
4) I dont know much about mobo's or PSU's. Could I save some money on a different mobo or PSU? I tend to keep my machines for around 5 years, so I need a good, reliable PSU.
Oh, I usually don't even bother with rebates anymore. They almost never work for me. I suppose if there are a lot of them, then I'll try, but don't include rebates on your price considerations.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and help!
PS: I just noticed the 120GB Agility 3 drive is on sale at directron for $90, that would be sweet, if I could afford it.
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