$600-700 computer for the new year.

[zantaff]

I'm building my first computer from scratch and have been looking at the myriad of options for a few days now.
I do have a budget, but was also looking to make a computer could last a few years - finish me thru college and beyond.
I'm looking to build a machine for $600-$700 so that leaves about $250 for CPU, $150 for mobo, $250 for everything else.
This PC will mainly be used for gaming, CAD & Adobe software.

What I'm currently thinking of buying:
i5 3570K
ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
Radeon HD 7770 -or- GeForce GTX 650 Ti

I've heard GREAT reviews about the i5-3570K but was wondering if it would be worth the extra ca$h to upgrade to an i7 with a slightly higher price range, such as the i7 3820, 2600k, or 2700K.


CPU+Mobo combinations would help too.
I'd like to get a good combo, without being extreme, for I know that the CPU & mobo are the hardest parts to "upgrade" when RAM and GPU's are much simpler.


My main question: "Will the price difference extend the computer's usable life a few years, or just a few months?"
I don't necessarily want to "future proof" it, more of
"What can I buy now to make it usable as long as possible, without being ridiculous?

Thanks

 

[o1die]

The answer is no; so called "futureproofing" is almost an obsolete term. But your new pc can last 2-3 years without having to upgrade anything. Your choices so far look fine. I won't post a laundry list since you may decide to spend more.

 

[vtcramennoodle]

Agreed there is no way to make a computer future proof but this build is good.

There is no need to go up to an i7, for your uses it would just be a waist of money. Your choice of mobo is good and I would recommend the Radeon 7770 over 650 ti.

 

[zantaff]

Agreed there is no way to make a computer future proof but this build is good.

There is no need to go up to an i7, for your uses it would just be a waist of money. Your choice of mobo is good and I would recommend the Radeon 7770 over 650 ti.

Thanks for the reply! The 7770 does seem to be winning over the 650.

I don't necessarily want to "future proof" it, more of
"What can I buy now to make it usable as long as possible, without being ridiculous?"

 

[vtcramennoodle]

Thanks for the reply! The 7770 does seem to be winning over the 650.

I don't necessarily want to "future proof" it, more of
"What can I buy now to make it usable as long as possible, without being ridiculous?"

Understood and this would be the way to do it. Radeon is ruling the market right now in video cards and this i5 will be popular and useful for a while longer so going to an i7 wouldn't really increase longevity and it would generally cost to much. The build you have here is good.

 

[vtcramennoodle]

Since you plan to spend 250 on everything else. Here is how I would go about it. Also if you would like any suggestions on products just ask. Glad to help.
Case: $50
Ram: $40
Hdd: $70
Psu: $70
Dvd Drive: $20
Total= $250

 

[zantaff]

Since you plan to spend 250 on everything else. Here is how I would go about it. Also if you would like any suggestions on products just ask. Glad to help.
Case: $50
Ram: $40
Hdd: $70
Psu: $70
Dvd Drive: $20
Total= $250

Awesome. And since I have an old DVD drive & Case from an HP that crapped out, it will save me $70! Probably spent on a SSD boot drive.

 

[vtcramennoodle]

Awesome. And since I have an old DVD drive & Case from an HP that crapped out, it will save me $70! Probably spent on a SSD boot drive.

Well that really works out good. This is my personal favorite boot drive at the moment: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226247&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[camohanna]

Dont worry about futureproofing. The socket 1155 is going out the door in the next year so either wait for haswell, or get a i5 3570 and a B75/H77 Mobo or a i5 3570k and a Z77 Extreme4 mobo.