Dorm Built Gaming/CS Comp $600-650

[Itsachilles]

Hello. I'm starting from scratch with a new pc. I need something to play games on and be somewhat future ready. Budget can be stretched a little, but not much. Thanks for any help.
Edit* I am from the US and I live in Austin, TX

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: As soon as possible

Budget Range: $600-650

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming = Crysis 2, Dishonored, WoW, BF3 & CS projects for school.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: No parts being upgraded or reused

Do you need to buy OS: No

Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Whatever is cheapest. I have Amazon Prime if that changes anything.

Location: City, State/Region, Country - we need to know where these parts are being assembled and whether there are good store-only deals available

Parts Preferences: by brand or type:

Overclocking:Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I'd like to have a dedicated desktop for my room.

 

[Itsachilles]

Thanks jrgong. Would any of the build change if I said I wanted to possibly upgrade things in 8-12 months or would overclocking be something I should look into? Also, will having a quad core vs dual core matter much?

 

[Itsachilles]

Thanks! Ill be ordering today!

 

[eshepard]

I just built a system very similar to this, I think it's a great bang for buck build.

Samsung SSD

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/81456/newegg-256gb-samsung-830-series-2.5-sata-iii-mlc-internal-solid-state-drive-ssd-mz7pc256bww

160

3570K cpu

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/81440/tigerdirect.com-intel-core-i5-3570k-ivy-bridge-3.4ghz-lga-1155-quadcore-desktop-processor

180

radeon 7850 GPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=uhs8BBcIEeKOCB7tkVD5Sg0_0_MrJ_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16814150617

140

msi motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130653

60

thats 540, but powerful, with an ssd

cut the ssd to 120 gig to save some more money, pickup a cheap case and psu, ram is 40 for 8 gigs,

This system has some future in it also, the cpu can be overclocked if u want to spend money on a cooler later, and the board is crossfire ready, so you can add a second video card in the future

 

[ScrewySqrl]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX T1 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($74.48 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 330 Upgraded ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $612.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

i'd also wait for the 23rd, when piledriver chips come out

 

[Itsachilles]

Hmmm now I'm torn between the builds that have been posted. Which offers better gaming performance? And would I just be better off waiting for a few weeks?

Will Piledriver chips just drop current prices or should I be looking to purchase one for this build come the 23rd?

 

[eshepard]

The one i posted will destroy these other 2 hands down, and provides much better future upgradability, not to mention doesnt have any cheapo/noname parts in it either.

the 7870 is a bit faster than the 7850, a worthy upgrade, in my experience an SSD makes such an incredible difference in everything, I will never have a mechanical drive as a boot drive ever again.

I just did a build a couple weeks ago and went with an antec one case and a 7870 i got for 200

I think a quad core i5 will be a big step up over the dual core i3

get the cheaper motherboard, put the money towards the quad core processor

430 watts is under powered especially if you want to upgrade in the future

adding a second video card in crossfire mode down the line is a cheap way to add some oomph to your system, impossible with a 430 watt psu

deals come and go all the time on newegg, 3 weeks ago i got an ocz 550 watt psu for $25 bucks

 

[Itsachilles]

One last question. The 7870 is out of stock from NCIX US and all other comparable prices are at $249-259. Should I pay the extra cash or are there other cards with better bang for the buck in that range?

 

[eshepard]

This is an HIS with a nice aftermarket cooling solution, a total steal for 5 bucks more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161404

I agree, I bought that card on newegg for my build 3 weeks ago, it was only $200 bucks on special

 

[Itsachilles]

Thank you.

 

[bliq]

If you're willing to drive to Microcenter in either Dallas or Houston, I'd pick up this combo over the A10, but everything else ScrewySqrl got, I'd get- price is basically a wash. If you have a little stretch room, step up to a 7870 over the 7850.

Core i3-3225 $129.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.aspx?sku=866350

Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 ATX Intel Motherboard $59.99 (bundle price with processor)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.aspx?sku=391573

 

[Kiowa789]

heres a solid start
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/koL7
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/koL7/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/koL7/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $630.48

That i3 will bottleneck that 7870

 

[Kiowa789]

what basis do you have for saying that? No it wont, AT ALL.

Prove that it won't.

 

[maxalge]

Prove that it won't.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-4100-core-i3-2100-gaming-benchmark,3136-9.html



The measly i3 2120 with a 7970 beats the 8150 with the same at gaming.


The superior 3220 will have NO problems running a 7870 till he updates to a i5.

 

[Reverend_Mason]

^

lol gtfo...

What he said.

Also the i3 system is the best option posted here. I'd post one but that would almost be redundant.

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower. ($44.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP LGA 1155. ($79.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155. ($129.99)
♦ http: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

GPU: XFX HD 7850 1GB GDDR5 256 bit. ($159.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150617

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 4 GB (2x2) 1600mhz. ($28.90)
♦ http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-PC3-12800-1600mHz-KitCMZ4GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004O69XAY

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache. ($54.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO 550W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified. ($59.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Optical Drive: SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X. ($16.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

SSD : Kingston SSD 120GB SATA III Internal 7mm Solid State Drive. ($84.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239374

♣ TOTAL: $661 GooD LucK

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

That i3 will bottleneck that 7870

lol dude check more reviews and read more about cpu's and gpu's , and he dont need to prove it to you. you should prove it to us.

 

[eshepard]

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower. ($44.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP LGA 1155. ($79.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155. ($129.99)
♦ http: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

GPU: XFX HD 7850 1GB GDDR5 256 bit. ($159.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150617

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 4 GB (2x2) 1600mhz. ($28.90)
♦ http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-PC3-12800-1600mHz-KitCMZ4GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004O69XAY

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache. ($54.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

PSU: XFX Core Edition PRO 550W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified. ($59.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Optical Drive: SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X. ($16.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244

SSD : Kingston SSD 120GB SATA III Internal 7mm Solid State Drive. ($84.99)
♦ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239374

♣ TOTAL: $661 GooD LucK

That video card also has 10% off ending today, dropping it to 142

 

[Itsachilles]

Ok so I purchased the Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case and the HIS IceQ H787Q2G2M Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB but the card does not fit inside the case. The housing that goes around the fan for the GPU bumps into the drive bay mounts on the front of the case. Any suggestions or any ideas for a good replacement GPU?

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

seriously i dont know you should ask the guy who recommended it for you.

 

[wr6133]

Ok so I purchased the Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case and the HIS IceQ H787Q2G2M Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB but the card does not fit inside the case. The housing that goes around the fan for the GPU bumps into the drive bay mounts on the front of the case. Any suggestions or any ideas for a good replacement GPU?

You should have read the case measurements before buying or whatever "expert" told you to get that should have checked rather than leaving his thumb up his ****.

To answer your question measure the max card length you can fit in there then go look at the length of cards see whats the best you can fit, you may even find a like model with a shorter shroud.

 

[eshepard]

Ok so I purchased the Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case and the HIS IceQ H787Q2G2M Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB but the card does not fit inside the case. The housing that goes around the fan for the GPU bumps into the drive bay mounts on the front of the case. Any suggestions or any ideas for a good replacement GPU?

I bought that exact same card and exact same case 3 weeks ago. I read the measurments ahead of time and was ready for the problem. I used a tin snips and made one cut in the drive cage between some of the 3.5 inch bays, near the top of the cage, it lets it flex enough that card fits without problem.

you sacrifice one drive bay, no biggie in my opinion.

You may want to make two cuts about an inch a part, leaving a gap in the drive cage for the plastic fan housing to poke through, instead of just one snip and having the cage flex slightly.

I can send a picture later if you want.