$800 new build (downsize from $1300 build) budget/gaming upgradeable

ecoli8888

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Jul 7, 2012
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Approximate Purchase Date: By the end of July (Before I return to school)

Budget Range: Around 700-850 (total cost of pc+keyboard+monitor+mouse and OS)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, School work, Video/Audio applications, Internet

Parts Not Required: NEED EVERYTHING! (Except speakers, and I do have a 40 in tv but do not know if want to use as monitor)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com

Country: U.S.
Parts Preferences: I would prefer an Intel processor, with an NVIDIA graphics card

Overclocking: Maybe? I'm new at this so I'm not entirely sure what this means.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe? again chalking it up to I have no clue

Monitor Resolution: the best I can get for my money

Additional Comments: Recently posted a thread about possible build for $1300, now realizing I probably won't have this amount by the time I need a new computer.

I need a personal computer, my school bought laptop didn't live up to my expectations and it kicked the bucket at the end of the past school year (tech guys said the motherboard got fried, hp elitebook 8530p if you must know).

I'm a gamer, and soon to be audio/digital media graduate with a tight budget. Bottom line I don't want a new laptop, with the research I've done the performance I want in a small package puts the price tag way up. I'd like to be able to move the computer though so I can take it with me to college next year.

Right now I'm pretty confident that for the amount of use I'm going to get from the new computer I should attempt to build something (this is my first build, yes) that I can upgrade in the future when I get more money.

I would like to be able to play a few games at decent settings (witcher 2, total war shogun 2, tf2) that I already own that my old laptop could not handle. I also would like the ability to do some video editing/ audio editing since I will be graduating in that field.

/////My friends suggested these parts for me://////

GeForce GTX 670 2GB $399.99
Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) $319.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$129.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model $82.99
Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$99.99
Thermaltake TR2 RX 750W Bronze W0382RU ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$114.99
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$69.99
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
$39.99
Acer G235HAbd 23'' WideScreen LCD monitor
$179.99
Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Keyboard
/////////////////////

{{{{{{{{{{{And then my other post suggested these:{{{{{{{{{

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($58.50 @ B&H)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake V9 BlacX ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($159.98 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1299.36
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

Ideally I'd really like something to fit into my budget that looks like:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k or better
Motherboard: A compatible ASRock
Memory:?? I don't know
Hard Drive: I think I only need one so Seagate 1TB
Graphics Card: Nvidia card, perhaps GTX 560ti?
Case:Something basic
Power supply: Corsair something
Optical drive: Any
Monitor: 23in or less
Keyboard: Any (does not need to be a gamer one)

Can anyone help with downsizing one of those to fit into something like I have above?




 

mousseng

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Apr 13, 2012
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When you say you need everything, do you need an OS as well? Or can you get that from school? I'll edit this post in a bit with what I can come up with without an OS.

CPU - i5-2500k - $220
Mobo - ASRock Z77 Pro3 - $103
HSF - CM Hyper 212 Evo - $35
RAM - Kingston HyperX 2x4GB DDR3 1600 - $50
GPU - Gigabyte Radeon 6850 - $150
PSU - Corsair TX650 - $90
Case - Rosewill Redbone - $34
Monitor - Acer S220 21.5" - $130
HDD - Seagate Barracude 1TB - $90
ODD - Samsung 22x DVD Burner - $14
Keyboard - Microsoft Desktop 400 - $20
Total - $936

$800 for a computer with a 2500k is a bit difficult to do when you need everything. The easiest way to get this under 800 would be to use your TV as a monitor - that'd shave off $130. Problem is, your TV might not be a great monitor. Can you find out what resolution it is (1080p, 720p, etc) and what its refresh rate is (30hz, 60hz, etc)? If it is 1080p/60hz, it'd make a great monitor.

Other things you could do include not overclocking the CPU for now and dropping the HSF ($35 off), get a weaker GPU (wouldn't play games at 1080p very well), or simply get a weaker CPU (i3-2120 is $100 cheaper than 2500k; drop the HSF as well, $135 off).

Personally, I'd do the i3 thing, as that'd put you right at $801 or $806 before rebates and taxes.
 

ecoli8888

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Jul 7, 2012
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I have a 1080p 40 in tv that i could use as a monitor, i'd rather not but perhaps till i get more money i can make do...and yes I would need an OS...friend of mine said you can buy an upgrade disc and then upgrade? I don't know what he meant by that

@obsama which first one?
 

mousseng

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To buy Windows 7 64-bit new, it'll cost you a minimum of $90. However, considering you seem to still be a student, you should check with your school to see if you can get a discounted or free copy of it - a lot of schools do that.
 

JohnJones

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Jun 24, 2012
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Yeah, a weaker GPU is a lower number pretty much. Maybe drop the graphics card down to the 500 series.
 

mousseng

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From my build, I'd say the lowest you'd consider going would be a Radeon 6770/7750 or a GTX 550Ti. Those won't be very powerful at all, but you'll be able to run most games at lower details. This isn't going to save you that much money though, maybe $40 tops.

Provided you're still stuck with the $800 budget, using your TV as a monitor and trying to get W7 64-bit from your school would be best.
 

ecoli8888

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Jul 7, 2012
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My friend said he was selling his gaming pc for 700 his specs are:

Socket 1155 LGA
i5-2500k @ 3.3 ghz -> 3.6
nVidia GTX 560ti 448 cores
8GB Patriot DDR3 1066 mhz RAM.
CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU cooling.
Razer DeathAdder mouse.
19 inch LCD LG monitor.
M-Audio speakers
750 GB hard drive

Should I take him up on that?
 

ecoli8888

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Jul 7, 2012
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@mousseng well what's the nearest I can get to a GTX 560 ti? is there a better card for cheaper? you first mentioned the Gigabyte Radeon 6850


and then "Radeon 6770/7750 or a GTX 550Ti. Those won't be very powerful at all, but you'll be able to run most games at lower details. This isn't going to save you that much money though, maybe $40 tops."

Is there such a big difference between the 6850 and those 2 and then the 560 ti and the 550 ti?

I'd like to be able to play witcher 2/total war shogun2 at a decent mid to high setting? (my old laptop played them like it was watching paint dry and then it attempted to burn itself through my desk)

@guererro in regards to an i3 processor a few people suggested I try for an i5 or an i7 rather than an i3 because of running multiple apps at once... so I was wondering how well that would do instead?

@obsama what did you mean by A 7950/7870/7970? (its a bit up there^) also could i easily upgrade the ram in my friends gaming pc?


bottomline i'd like to get the best quality parts i can, i can go over 800 a little but preferably not much...anyone have suggestions for what I can buy now and then upgrade later to?
 

mousseng

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For $700, that's a very good deal. Bought new, the CPU and GPU alone cost close to $500. Like obsama said, you'll want to upgrade the RAM later, and the monitor is likely a low resolution (1366x768 or 1440x800). Try to find out what the PSU and motherboard are specifically before committing to purchasing it.

On the downside, you may not have warranties on these components, but if they haven't failed yet I doubt they would soon. But be sure to find out what PSU and mobo he's got.
 

JefferyD90

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Jun 1, 2012
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Case:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6447916&sku=T925-3064

PSU:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=899123&sku=T925-5002

Monitor:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6256830&sku=A179-2352

Motherboard:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1963472&sku=M452-6253

CPU:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1372438&sku=A79-4100

RAM:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1818722&sku=A79-1007

Hard Drive:(You can replace with a platter if you want, BUT I wouldnt)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=91218&sku=O261-6380

Video Card: (You can back down to a 6850 if you like, but this really sets the "Gaming" part off)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2316882&sku=M452-7870

Wireless adapter:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5472483&sku=YYI1-CD2588

Speakers:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3832359&sku=L23-8622

Headset:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6524877&sku=L23-0093

Total price $947.88 with $45 worth in mail-in rebates.

You could save a little bit of money, if you wanted, by geting a 6850 video card instead of a 7850. Also, getting a smaller monitor, just using speakers or headset and not both, there is slower RAM available but this is the best bang for you buck, you dont need a wireless adapter, dont worry about it, and you could get a platter hard drive, but I dont see why you would want to.

The mother board is awsome and has a lot of head room for upgradeability, you should be able to use one of the Piledrivers when they come out (that is not official yet) and you can add a second video card if desired in crossfire.

And look at the ratings... everything is 4stars +.
 

JefferyD90

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Jun 1, 2012
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Thats why I picked the 7850, but its just a way to save money. The 7850 is a little much for a "Budget" PC.

You could also get a Athlon x3, and hope you can unlock the 4th core and L3 cache, that would save quite a bit of money, but for the performance difference, I would go with the FX processors with Windows 8 as my OS.
 

JohnJones

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Jun 24, 2012
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I have heard pretty bad things about them, just go for an i5 ivy bridge. Same price, better performance. And no, clock speed*cores is NOT the only important factor for buying a CPU.
 

JefferyD90

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Jun 1, 2012
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I have heard pretty bad things about them, just go for an i5 ivy bridge. Same price, better performance. And no, clock speed*cores is NOT the only important factor for buying a CPU.

You have only heard bad things about them to people that dont own one. If you had one it will do anything you asked plus they are not the same price as a i5. The FX-4100 is ~$110 can you even get a i3 for that price? Not to include with Windows 8 as the OS your looking at least a 15% performance increase, if not more.