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$500 and $1000 Builds

W

Westwood

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Nov 17, 2012
Messages
10,918
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, watching movies, and web browsing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$500 / $1000. Eh, as long as shipping is <$100 I guess.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

U.S.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Mobo, RAM, CPU, GFX, OS (Win7), SSD

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Antec Case, Corsair 750W PSU, CD drives

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not.

7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080. Two 24" Samsungs.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Building.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I'd like to do four 240 pin slots. Anything else, I have no real idea.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Win7 SP1 OEM. So I will need a new OS. OEM is fine.


$500 Build:
mlrvx5.jpg



$1000 Build:
2zoamoy.jpg


The usage of this is mainly for Guild Wars 2, some World of Warcraft, and movies. I don't own TV at my house so my PC is pretty much where all my entertainment comes from. I run two monitors as well if that matters.

My system right now is about six or seven years old right now. Here are the specs:

Q6600
4gb G.Skill DDR2
8800 GTS
P35 Gigabyte Mobo

I think that's all. Going to run the two builds by the parents. Money is tight this year with my mortgage so I'll see if they want to help chip in for xmas. Sounds bad to ask that as I'm in my 20s, but they want to get me something.

Any suggestions on things I can change? Is the $1000 build to overkill? I really want to have a system that can handle max settings with decent FPS.

Thanks. :)
 
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Maybe go in the middle with a 128gb M4/830 SSD, 3570/3570K IB cpu, CM 212+ cpu cooler, and whatever HD to hold data.
 
Please give us specifics (model name/number and age) on the case and PSU you're reusing. (You may need to replace the PSU, given its age, sooner rather than later.) If those optical drives are IDE or ATA, then you definitely need to replace them with a SATA drive.

Do you have a SATA HDD that you could reuse as a storage drive?

Are you playing your games on one monitor or two? Do you plan on playing any new or upcoming games?

I'll stop by later tonight with a "mid-range" build between $500 and $1000.
 
EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Western Digital WD Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor BX80562Q6600

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Antec 900 Case

I think that's everything. I thought I had a 750W PSU but apparently not. I can reuse a HDD. I'll have to wipe it though which sucks, but oh well. I don't have another drive to store everything on while I swap. I actually still have the order information email I got when I built this. Email is from 05/17/08 6:15 PM. I thought it was older than that. I was hoping my Q6600 would last a bit longer. But if anything, I can save the running parts now and build a second computer for my future stepson who is 4 now. 4gb of RAM and my graphics card is hampering me down a bit. my mobo doesn't support DDR3 so I'll need a new one. That's where this all started from.

I play on one monitor, but use the second for browser and movies while gaming. I also run Rainmeter which I think uses a bit of my capacity. As for new games, eh now and then I'll try a newer game out there. But I always return to the basics. I've played World of Warcraft for eight years but now its got me bored. I started playing Guild Wars 2 about two weeks ago and absolutely love it. Now and then I play Deadspace 2 for an hour or so. Perhaps do a month of EVE. But for the most part, its if I ever decide to return to Warcraft and Guild Wars 2.

When I first built this I had all my graphics maxed out. But now everything is on lowest. I'd like to once again have things on "ultra" or at least "high".

No rush on getting back to me. I feel so foolish seeing if my parents will help me out at all with this build. I'm in my late 20s and will be engaged next year. With that coming up and owning my own house, I'm beyond my limits. Besides wrenching in the garage, computer is really my only outlet.

Thanks for the replies. :)
 
I didn't think so either. I just picked up 16gigs for $64. This might be how this gets assembled. After two months or so I should have everything I need. I'm hoping by that time the items I get don't go the way of the Dodo. I'll just keep an eye out for deals.
 
I'd swap out that core i3 with an FX6300. It'll perform better across the board and there's only a small difference in price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130637
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286

I'd also avoid the Samsung 840 Pro and opt with a Crucial M4 or Corsair Neutron series SSD. You won't see a difference in performance and the extra $20-$30 can be spent on a better GPU

For that $1000 build the 560Ti is too expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999
Overclocks like a champ and you'll get better performance.

I highly doubt you'll need 16GB RAM, and if you do you can always buy it later.
 
Do you really need 16GB of RAM? That alone changes a few of my earlier suggestions.

Regardless, grab this tonight:

$200 - Intel Core i5-3470 (has $15 instant discount promo code EMCJJJG29, which expires tomorrow, 11/19)
$75 - Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H

While the AMD FX-6300 is cheaper and has six physical CPU cores, the Core i5-3470 outperforms it in gaming. Your need for a standalone video card for gaming also negates the FX-6300's key advantage against the Intel processor: a much superior onboard GPU.

You'll probably need to split this build up between NewEgg and Amazon to grab some of the better deals available. Based on current availability -- I don't know what will be available for Black Friday -- I recommend grabbing this SSD from Amazon:

$100 - Crucial M4 128GB SSD

Since you just bought 16GB of RAM, you need to look at one of the Professional versions of Windows. Both Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 8 cap the system memory limit at 16GB. Amazon currently has the better prices:

$140 - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM
$125 - Windows 8 Pro 64-bit OEM

Windows 7, IMO, has the easier learning curve but Windows 8 is currently cheaper. You could also grab the much cheaper Upgrade edition of Windows 8 Pro, but you need to have an older copy of Windows XP, Vista, or 7 available to use alongside it.

I don't have a problem with pelo's recommendation of the Radeon HD 7850 (the Nvidia counterpart would be the GeForce GTX 660), but I'd still recommend a newer PSU given the age of your current one. The cheapest modular PSUs that I'd recommend are the SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze ($70 at NewEgg) and the Antec HCG-620M (on sale at NewEgg), but neither PSU is completely modular.

Please let us know what you get before you get it. If we need to change some of our recommendations, it's better for us to do so before you pull the trigger.
 
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The FX6300 is $140 and it has no on-die GPU. It'll outperform the Ivy/Sandy i3's and can be overclocked quite easily as well. You're confusing Vishera with Trinity here. Bulldozer's sucked, but these Vishera chips, particularly the 4300 and the 6300, are awesome bang-for-your-buck CPUs. Anything more than that and they stray too close to the i5 2500K and aren't worth it.

That core i5 is very good and better than the 6300, but it's also $60 more expensive. $60 more being spent on the GPU is going to mean more than $60 spent on the CPU here because you'll still be GPU-limited in gaming.
 
Damnit. I didn't even think of the memory cap on Windows. I'll get Profesisonal OEM then. I did read on /. that Windows 8 is cheaper, but Win7 seems to be the favorite.

As for graphics, I rather stick to nVidia. The reason being is that my first card years and years ago was a Radeon. It didn't last and the Catalyst program kept giving me issues. My 8800 GTS has been awesome. Iunno, seems foolish but I just want to stick with what works.

I won't be able to swing the CPU and Mobo tonight. But I planned on sticking with Intel either way.

This input has been great. I'll start a new wishlist on NewEgg tonight with your recommendations. I'll check periodically on things that may have rebates and stuff.
 
Oh, what do you mean by the PSU being modular?

I'm reading that one has the wires hardwired and the other the wires plug in? That mean I'd have to buy the cables too?
 
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Win7 Home will handle up to 16GB so you don't have to buy Pro.

I'd also reconsider both the CPU and GPUs you're favoring. The recent AMD drivers have been stellar and that 6300 will offer you better performance for your dollar. The days where ATi had Omega drivers which worked better than the official drivers are long over ;P
 
Ah, that's good to know on the Premium vs Pro. Whoops.

I have a MicroCenter about 2.5h from me. About 45m from my parent's place. I made this:

https://www.microcenter.com/Insider...6lwkYuXucOsMDRtB5nBg8Q3/du7Og8V5z0CvZ5V/pJjG0

This is what it came to:

Subtotal............$754.93
Tax...................$47.18
Grand Total.......$802.11

I took the same stuff from NewEgg and with shipping I got:

Grand Total:.......$797.49


In the end looks like online is going to be the way to go.
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
Oh, what do you mean by the PSU being modular?

I'm reading that one has the wires hardwired and the other the wires plug in? That mean I'd have to buy the cables too?
Click to expand...

A modular power supply has removable cables (for SATA, IDE/ATA, and PCI-E connections). Many people prefer modular power supplies because the fewer cables they have to work with mean that they can better manage the cables they have inside their cases.

Most modular power supplies still have their primary power connections (ATX) permanently connected to the PSU itself. A fully modular power supply, like the Silverstone Strider series, has all of its connection cables removable. In most cases, you don't have to buy extra cables... but Silverstone sells a separate set of shortened modular cables for its Strider PSUs.

pelo said:
The FX6300 is $140 and it has no on-die GPU. It'll outperform the Ivy/Sandy i3's and can be overclocked quite easily as well. You're confusing Vishera with Trinity here. Bulldozer's sucked, but these Vishera chips, particularly the 4300 and the 6300, are awesome bang-for-your-buck CPUs. Anything more than that and they stray too close to the i5 2500K and aren't worth it.

That core i5 is very good and better than the 6300, but it's also $60 more expensive. $60 more being spent on the GPU is going to mean more than $60 spent on the CPU here because you'll still be GPU-limited in gaming.
Click to expand...

I agree with you that the video card is more important than the processor for most games. If the OP was planning on playing games more resource-intensive than Dead Space 2, then I would have suggested either the GTX 660 Ti or the HD 7950 instead of agreeing with you on the HD 7850.

But on the raw performance factor alone, the Intel Core i5-3470 is better than the AMD FX-6300 and the fact that the OP seems willing (at the moment) to spend more than $500 makes it easier to justify the more expensive Intel processor. But I'm not married to my choices. Depending on the final budget, we may have to do more than compare the price/performance levels of the CPUs and GPUs.

Westwood Arrakis said:
Damnit. I didn't even think of the memory cap on Windows. I'll get Profesisonal OEM then. I did read on /. that Windows 8 is cheaper, but Win7 seems to be the favorite.
Click to expand...
pelo said:
Win7 Home will handle up to 16GB so you don't have to buy Pro.
Click to expand...
Westwood Arrakis said:
Ah, that's good to know on the Premium vs Pro. Whoops.
Click to expand...

I'll make a simpler explanation: If you plan on running more than 16GB of RAM, then you need one of the Pro editions of Windows (regardless of whether you choose 7 or 8; and it must be the 64-bit version). Microsoft intentionally gimped Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 8 (non-Pro) to recognize up to 16GB of total system memory. That's not just RAM but also video card memory.

Westwood Arrakis said:
I have a MicroCenter about 2.5h from me. About 45m from my parent's place. I made this:

https://www.microcenter.com/Insider...6lwkYuXucOsMDRtB5nBg8Q3/du7Og8V5z0CvZ5V/pJjG0

This is what it came to:

Subtotal............$754.93
Tax...................$47.18
Grand Total.......$802.11

I took the same stuff from NewEgg and with shipping I got:

Grand Total:.......$797.49


In the end looks like online is going to be the way to go.
Click to expand...
Looking at the Micro Center shopping cart, it's not worth the over-two-and-a-half-hour drive. Unless better deals appear elsewhere, you should stick to NewEgg and Amazon.

Are the stuff in the MC shopping cart the same parts you're considering at this time?
 
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tiraides said:
Are the stuff in the MC shopping cart the same parts you're considering at this time?
Click to expand...

For the most part, yea. I mean, I can switch things out here an there if need be.

I'm no good at setting money aside; especially during the holiday season. So this will be something I get when deals come up or a part or two at at time. So if a similar item goes on sale through TD or Amazon, I'll get that one instead. No big rush in building this. My system works alright right now, but she's tired and needs to be rejuvenated.

I appreciate the input. :)
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
Oh, what do you mean by the PSU being modular?
I'm reading that one has the wires hardwired and the other the wires plug in? That mean I'd have to buy the cables too?
Click to expand...
No to the last question, all the cables and then some are part of the PSU package.
The so-called modular Corsair PSUs still have the 2 ATX cables and some have 3 PCI-E cables that are not modular at all. It's a minor cosmetic/air flow issue, not sure I understand why the PCI-E cables at least are not modular, since the HX850 has 4 more PCI-E modular power connectors...
 
That's good to know. I would have never of known that. I like the idea of having the cables being able to be unplugged. I had a Thermaltake and my Corsair now and I have like five cables coiled up on the bottom of my case. Be a lot nicer if they were able to be removed.

I appreciate the help everyone. Thanks. :)
 
So yea, my list looking good? Any changes? Looks like my folks are going to pick up the list for xmas. Any changes I should do? This going to do well? Just something that will last five years and will get me decent FPS with graphics on "high".
 
So I'm going to go with the i5 for sure. I'm having the hardest time deciding between a 660 and 670. Coming from an 8800 GTS, I'm sure both with be a huge improvement. If I did go with a 670 am I going to have to go with a stronger MoBo or PSU? And will there be a huge improvement on the 670 than the 660 in GW2? I've been reading the reviews but I still can't decide because they always seem to bicker about AMD vs nVidia; and I want nVidia.
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
If I did go with a 670 am I going to have to go with a stronger MoBo or PSU?.
Click to expand...
No
Westwood Arrakis said:
And will there be a huge improvement on the 670 than the 660 in GW2?.
Click to expand...
Haven't seen many reviews with GW2. But just to be clear, are you talking about the GTX 660 TI or the regular GTX 660?

With that said, do note that certain GTX 670 cards comes with two games: Assassin's Creed 3 and Borderlands 2. The GTX 660 TI only comes with Assassin's Creed 3. So you're getting a bit more value with the GTX 670:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782
 
Figured I'd give this an update.

Parents are putting $500 towards this build. I have a $50 card to Amazon as well now too. This is what I'm looking at:

i5 CPU

Crucial SSD

GTX 660

ASRock Z75

Win7 Home Premium

CPU Cooler

650W PSU

Already have this:

G.Skill 16GB

Thermal Compund

At this point I'm looking at about $300 out of pocket. Right now. Now, I can hold off for a few weeks and scope out some deals that may pop up in places like Amazon and SD.

Do plan on this later:

WD 750GB HDD


So this looks like a reasonable setup right? Primary game is Guild Wars 2. I've tried Planetside 2 but I haven't played a multiplayer FPS since CS 1.6. I'm beyond terrible; but I think some of it has to do with a lower end system.

My biggest thing I keep flipping back and forth on is the GPU. 660 TI, 2gb, 3gb, or 670. I keep switching it around. Motherboard is another one I'm a little hazy on. The rest I'm solid.

So, what does [H] think? :)

Thanks for reading.

Edit: Well stupid me for the PSU. hrm. I'll search around for that right now. oops

Edit 2: There. 650W should be fine I would think.
 
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Since you're not planning on overclocking, zero reason for you to go with the Core i5 3570K. You'll be fine with the Core i5 3470:
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5...1356512081&sr=1-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5+3470

Not a fan of AsRock in general. I think that mobo is overkill for your needs anyway. So I recommend this mobo instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Inte...F8&qid=1356512168&sr=1-1&keywords=ga-b75m-d3h

That HSF is not a good choice nowadays. I recommend this better cooling and cheaper Coolermaster Hyper 212+ instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...512230&sr=1-1&keywords=Coolermaster+Hyper+212

That PSU is fairly overpriced since it's of lesser quality than the cheaper Corsair 650TX V2 and only has a handful of modular cables. As such, it's not worth it IMO. Especailly since there's this awesome PSU deal right now:
$90 - Seasonic X650 Gold 650W Modular PSU

Bar none, that's one of the best PSU deals out there. So I highly recommend buying that PSU the second you read this post. Do not wait. Buy that PSU ASAP!

GPU wise, in terms of best bang for the buck value, you're better off with the HD 7870 2GB
 
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Okie doke. PSU ordered.

So that 3470 would be sufficient you think? Don't want to end up replacing the CPU in two years.

MicroATX boards have me a little worried about space. Don't want everything crammed in there.

No idea on the CPU cooler. I just picked the most popular. =P

And I want to stick with nVidia. Its what I use now. Its been tested and proven as a great board for me. I'd rather stick with nVidia. :)

Thanks for the help. :)
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
So that 3470 would be sufficient you think? Don't want to end up replacing the CPU in two years.
Click to expand...
Yes.

Westwood Arrakis said:
MicroATX boards have me a little worried about space. Don't want everything crammed in there.
Click to expand...
Not going to be cramped at all considering that you're not planning on CFX or SLI.

Westwood Arrakis said:
And I want to stick with nVidia. Its what I use now. Its been tested and proven as a great board for me. I'd rather stick with nVidia. :)
Click to expand...
Then go for either the GTX 660 or GTX 660 TI.
 
Now, if I were to go with an i7, how would that affect my GPU/MoBo? I figure if I can hold out for another two weeks I should be able to afford the i7 and a 3gb660 or a 670. 680 would be an additional month or so. That being said, I wouldn't go any more than a 670 or 3gb 660 TI.

I'm looking over the i7s right now and I mean, for an extra $100 why not. I've held out for this long, I can wait another couple weeks. What I have to look at now is the difference between the i7s (Sandy vs Ivy, and all the "k"s). But if an i7 means I need a $200 MoBo, a bigger PSU, and whatnot I'll stick with the i5 that was suggested.

edit:

after reading, this looks like the one I would want since I don't want to overclock: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116502

edit 2: and would the PSU I just bought be able to run a 660 or 670 and an i7?
 
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Most gaming systems do not have a CPU bottleneck so i7 systems do not have much of an advantage over i5. And that PSU can run anything you throw at it as long as you're not doing CF or SLI.


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Well, I'm sure the i7 would help future proof it a bit right?. I mean, I'd rather spend the extra $200 now and get another year or two out of it. I mean, when I was shopping for my last system, everyone said I would never need a quad core. Well, I'm happy I got my Q6600 because I would have had to update quite awhile ago.

That's why I went with 16gb of RAM. I figure I'd get it now before it becomes typical. hrm
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
Now, if I were to go with an i7, how would that affect my GPU/MoBo?
Click to expand...
As Alai pointed out, you won't notice a difference between the i7 3770 and the Core i5 3470 when it comes to games. You're really not doing anything that'll justify the extra $110. No, it would not "future proof" it at all. That money will be better used with a larger SSD or a faster video card like the GTX 670 as either of those two upgrades would provide more of a tangible benefit than the Core i7 3770.
Westwood Arrakis said:
edit 2: and would the PSU I just bought be able to run a 660 or 670 and an i7?
Click to expand...
Yes
 
Hm. Good to know. So, what exactly is the purpose of going to an i7 from an i5? Editing and stuff? Just curious.
 
Westwood Arrakis said:
Hm. Good to know. So, what exactly is the purpose of going to an i7 from an i5? Editing and stuff? Just curious.
Click to expand...

Major video, 3D, and audio editing/rendering/encoding as well as a large number of virtual machines.
 
So here is what I'm looking at:

i5 3470

Crucial M4 128GB SSD

Windows 7 OEM 64 Bit SP1

Gigabyte LGA 1155 Motherboard

SeaSonic X650 Modular PSU

Cooler Master Hyer 212 CPU Cooler

G.Skill Ripjaw 4x4GB DDR3

GTX 670

I already have some of the items. What I need left to buy are:

i5

SSD

Win7

Mobo

CPU Cooler

GTX 670

Looking at the list on Newegg, as of right now my wishlist is $885. I have $80 towards Amazon and $500 coming from my parents. Now I shop around on Amazon, TD, Newegg, etc I should be able to get that lower. In the end, I have about $400 left coming out of pocket. Maybe $300. Looks like I'll be getting this sooner than I anticipated. :D

But this look good to everyone? :)
 
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