$800 Budget computer

[coyotethunderhawk]

Not counting rebates(usually no point) This comes to $780(including thermal compound) - This is what i've come up for a gaming rig. This is my first build so far.

Gigabyte z68 Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

I5-2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

G-Skill 8 Gb ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

Samsung Spinpoint F3 HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Corsair 750w enthusiast
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Antec Df-85 Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087

As for the video card, I have a 7750 already, which I'll upgrade one day (but not atm). Also I plan getting a 32 gb ssd drive for the intel SRT. Which for both those reasons is why I chose a power supply a little bigger than what Ill need.

As for the cpu cooler, Ive read on so many forums how great it is for OCing the 2500k to around 4.5ghz stable.

Most parts I chose were by looking through reviews and peoples comments on them(except for the case which I like the look of).

Any opinions or thoughts on this build? Bring on the critiques, I'm a newbie I need it.

 

[jmsellars1]

Even if you plan to upgrade to a GTX 690, you're not going to need 750W. Currently, ~350W+ would be fine for you. If you upgrade your GPU to something like the GTX 670, ~500W+ would be plenty.

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

Yeah I wasn't actually sure about the amount of power I'd need, I'd like a little future headroom, but not too much. I've read that PSUs operate most efficiently at 50%, but I guess you also have to consider power usage at idle. Video card wise I'd like to upgrade to two 670s in sli ideally (when i can afford it, if I ever can). Or to whatever is around that range in the future. Im not obsessed with future-proofing, but I figured two parts I'd like to use as long as possibly is the power supply and the case.

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

Also, I chose a corsair, because Ive read seasonic is the best, and corsair runs a close second. Everything i've read seems to indicate that the psu is the one thing you don't want to skimp on.

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

What about this psu?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[aqualipt]

800$? no prob.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($57.08 @ NCIX US)
Total: $785.52

Count the rebates.

 

[jmsellars1]

I would avoid SLI if you plan to use it as a future upgrade option. If you get to the point where a single GTX 670 isn't cutting it, not only will you have difficulty finding another but also it wouldn't even be worth finding another because it would be outdated. SLI is only worth it for insanely high resolutions in my opinion.

(The reason everyone likes the higher end Corsair PSU's is because they ARE Seasonics , usually the slightly older Seasonic models.)

That particular Corsair looks slightly overpriced to me, the Seasonic X-650 is only $35 more and has all the bells and whistles.* Also, the SeaSonic M12II 650 SS-650AM 650W is only $5 more and it's modular. The SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W is also modular and would cope with pretty much any single card setup for $25 less than that Corsair. The non modular version of the 520W is $35 less than the Corsair.

*By bells and whistles I mean hybrid fan control, fully modular and 80 PLUS gold.

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

800$? no prob.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($57.08 @ NCIX US)
Total: $785.52

Count the rebates.

I don't live near a microcenter

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

I would avoid SLI if you plan to use it as a future upgrade option. If you get to the point where a single GTX 670 isn't cutting it, not only will you have difficulty finding another but also it wouldn't even be worth finding another because it would be outdated. SLI is only worth it for insanely high resolutions in my opinion.

(The reason everyone likes the higher end Corsair PSU's is because they ARE Seasonics , usually the slightly older Seasonic models.)

That particular Corsair looks slightly overpriced to me, the Seasonic X-650 is only $35 more and has all the bells and whistles.* Also, the SeaSonic M12II 650 SS-650AM 650W is only $5 more and it's modular. The SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W is also modular and would cope with pretty much any single card setup for $25 less than that Corsair. The non modular version of the 520W is $35 less than the Corsair.

*By bells and whistles I mean hybrid fan control, fully modular and 80 PLUS gold.

So really a lot of these power recommendations from companies and others are overestimated. The thing is I'm not trying to be a futureproofer, but the two things id like to keep as long as the last is the case and psu. So my question is, considering that power requirements may rise in the future, what would be a good psu and wattage to last me for awhile(5 yrs worst case, 10 yrs best case scenario)?

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

Would a Corsair VX550w provide enough power to run a high end single gpu setup(say like the gtx 680 just for a power-hog example)? I found a good deal with one for about $40. Im thinking if i can slice down a little on my parts cost, I might be able to get a better graphics card(Id like to get a 670).

 

[jmsellars1]

Yeah 500-550W is more than enough for an i5 and GTX 680 even with overclocking. Get a seriously good quality one like one of the better Seasonics and you should get a minimum of 5 years out of it realistically.

I'd grab one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151093

Great quality, modular and overall good value with a 5 year warranty.

 

[coyotethunderhawk]

Thank you for the info. That one looks pretty nice actually, plus the modular basically comes out to the same price as the nonmodular, when you include shipping.