$900 gaming build

[micusthegreat]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, school work, web browsing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Although it's not set in stone I'd really prefer a $900 budget, not including shipping.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Dayton, OH...hour from Micro Center.
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.
CPU, mobo, RAM, optical drive, HDD (ssd doesn't really fit into my budget), GPU, PSU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Antec P180 case
6) Will you be overclocking?
No plans to OC.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Plan to purchase an ASUS VH236H 23" which is 1920x1080 (this isn't included in the budget).
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I would like to order this week or next.
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 know I don't need SLI/Crossfire or RAID. Since I'm purchasing a GPU I guess I don't need onboard video. As for the rest, as long as it doesn't hurt me to go without until my next upgrade (2-3yrs), then I probably don't need it.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, 64bit Windows 7.


These are the parts I was thinking about:
$60 Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W
$19 ASUS 24X DVD Burner
$47 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (haha didn't pick these just b/c they look cool..wanted DDR3 1600 and these seem to be recommended pretty often)

1. In the past for HDD's I liked to have a relatively small OS drive and then a larger, storage drive. I don't know if thats good or bad but I'm up for whatever combo you guys recommend.

2. For the CPU, I feel that I should aim for an IB equivalent to the 2400. Also, since I don't plant to OC I'm assuming that I don't need a HSF.

3. For the GPU, since I mainly plan to use this for gaming, I was thinking of a card somewhere between $250-$300. I have no idea who the price/performance champ is in that price range.

Thanks for your help I look forward to your recommendations.

 

[happyboy]

Well if you are going IB, I don't know which to recommend. But if you are going SB then get the i5-2400 or maybe just get the i5-2500. As for motherboard, get a p67 motherboard for around 100 - 110 bills. If you are mainly playing BF3 and other related games, then I suggest getting the AMD 78xx seriesGPU. If you mainly play RPG, then I suggest getting the AMD 77xx series GPU. However if you wish to get high fps (40 - 50 fps 1080p) in games I suggest getting a 7950. That $900 budget is higher than you think and you should spend more on the GPU.

 

[tiraides]

First, stick with a cheaper set of RAM, like the G.Skill Value Series. You don't need anything better than DDR3 1333 RAM for your needs.

Which games are you playing? That will help us recommend a good enough card for your needs.

The Neo Eco 520C is nice, but I recommend spending a bit more for one of the following:

$65 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA-650 650W PSU
$70 - Antec Neo Eco 620C (plus $4.99 ground shipping)

Since we're nearing the month of May, and both NewEgg and Micro Center both announced their sale of Ivy Bridge (aka "3rd generation Core") processors and motherboards, I'll need a few days to determine what specials are available. The worst case scenario is that we'll have a general knowledge of the May sales and specials by next weekend.

 

[micusthegreat]

First, stick with a cheaper set of RAM, like the G.Skill Value Series. Which games are you playing? That will help us recommend a good enough card for your needs.

D3, TF2, random fps's but not BF3. Heh I guess none of those are too graphics intensive. I'd still like to casually install games like Mass Effect 3 and play it on high settings without having to update my GPU in 3 months.

 

[micusthegreat]

I'm getting overwhelmed!

Initially, I was looking at H77 boards and i5 3550's...hoping to get a CPU and mobo for less than $300. But now that Micro Center's May ads are out it looks like I can purchase a 3570k or 3450 with an Z77 or Z68 mobo for a good price. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/95f7a97d#/95f7a97d/27

Any advice? I'm thinking a 3450 and a Z68 would be the best price/performance for my needs.

 

[Dangman]

Well is the two hour round trip+ another hour at the store + gas + local sales tax + possible traffic worth the savings you'll get from that MC deal?

 

[micusthegreat]

Well is the two hour round trip+ another hour at the store + gas + local sales tax + possible traffic worth the savings you'll get from that MC deal?

Heh when you put it like that...but my brother in law and sister actually do live in that area, it would be a nice visit.

Could you give me an idea of what alternatives I should be looking at, as far as CPU and mobo for around the $300 I could get from there? Or any other hardware that fits in my budget?

 

[Dangman]

Grab the Core i5 2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H for $235 + tax. That'll be your best bet for a a really solid deal from MC.

BTW, any chance that you buy today? I ask because there are two awesome sales going on right now:
1) The Antec Neo Eco 620C that tiraides posted is on sale for a whopping $55 SHIPPED. That's an excellent deal for a good PSU.
2) There's a $50 off promo code right now for the HD 6950 2GB wchich drops it down to $200 shipped.:
$200 - Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB PCI-E Video Card (Use promo code EMCYTZT1523 as shown in the link)

At $200 for a new HD 6950 without dealing with a rebate, you cannot beat that deal.

 

[micusthegreat]

Grab the Core i5 2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H for $235 + tax. That'll be your best bet for a a really solid deal from MC.

BTW, any chance that you buy today? I ask because there are two awesome sales going on right now:
1) The Antec Neo Eco 620C that tiraides posted is on sale for a whopping $55 SHIPPED. That's an excellent deal for a good PSU.
2) There's a $50 off promo code right now for the HD 6950 2GB wchich drops it down to $200 shipped.:
$200 - Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 2GB PCI-E Video Card (Use promo code EMCYTZT1523 as shown in the link)

At $200 for a new HD 6950 without dealing with a rebate, you cannot beat that deal.

Thanks for the link! Just got the PSU for $55 shipped, $35 after MIR. Don't want to upset you but I think I'll spend some extra cash for a 560 TI 448 or the 7850. Here's what it's looking like so far...

$55 Antec Neo Eco 620C
$235 i5 2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z77M-D3H from Micro Center
$17 Lite-On DVD Burner
$38 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
$80 Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 500GB
+ a GPU around $250-$300.
Total: $725

 

[Dangman]

Don't want to upset you but I think I'll spend some extra cash for a 560 TI 448 or the 7850.

Not worth the extra cash though if you can actually take advantage of that deal. The cheapest GTX 560 Ti 448 Core from a reputable manufacturer costs $300. The GTX 560 Ti 448 Core's higher peformance over the HD 6950 2GB isn't worth the extra $100. In addition, the HD 7850 is actually slower than the HD 6950 2GB.

 

[micusthegreat]

Not worth the extra cash though if you can actually take advantage of that deal. The cheapest GTX 560 Ti 448 Core from a reputable manufacturer costs $300. The GTX 560 Ti 448 Core's higher peformance over the HD 6950 2GB isn't worth the extra $100. In addition, the HD 7850 is actually slower than the HD 6950 2GB.

Ok, you sold me. $200 shipped. Thanks for your patience and help, I really appreciate it.

 

[Dangman]

No prob. Though I should add a correction: The HD 7850 performs on par with the HD 6950 2GB depending on the game.

 

[happyboy]

My vote would be to get the 7850. Why? Because you never know if AMD is going to stop driver supports the the 6 series. They already cut the 4 series and below. Who knows,maybe 4 years down the line, that card will not be supported anymore. But then again you might start thinking of a new build.