$500-600 First build ever

[kodern]

Approximate Purchase Date: 2-3 weeks after vacation


Budget Range: $500-600


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching movies


Parts Not Required: mouse and keyboard


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: AMD CPU


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: A decent pc that can run Battlefield 3

MSI 870S-G46 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130590

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

MSI R6850 Cyclone PE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127576

I need help on everything else I'm new to building a computer still learning so any help is appreciated. There's probably better parts than the above that's why I'm asking for help.

 

[striker410]

Ok, lets talk some stuff over.

-you didn't list OS or Monitor in parts not required. I assume you will be needing both?
-You specified AMD CPU, when right now Intel is dominating with their Sandy Bridge line. Are you open to changing that?
-Do you have any parts that we could recycle (ie, case, hard drives, disc drives)

Get back to me and I'll help you out.

 

[kodern]

I'll be needing both an OS and Monitor but I could probably just use one of the older monitors and buy a newer one later. As for the OS I'm not sure which one to go for in terms of gaming.

I went AMD CPU because from what I've read they're cheaper in comparison to Intel. But I'm open to Intel if it's better and not too expensive.

I don't have any parts to recycle into this build because all I've been using is a laptop. I could probably go up to $700 but I prefer keeping it between $500-600

 

[aznshinobi]

You need to get up to 700$ then. BF3 was running on a 580 @ E3 and during the gameplay. EA then stated that it was not running @ Max. So in terms of that, we should expect a 6850 or higher is needed. (Especially since my 5850 already struggles a bit on BC2 w/ Frostbyte 1.0 engine. Expect 2.0 to lag even more since there is 7 story collapses.

With that said, I think you should go with the 600$ build in my siggy, the 100$ would get you the OS putting you @ 700$.

http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

 

[geofelt]

You might want to read this article on <$200 gaming cpu's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html

 

[kodern]

After considering the info that people have given me so far I came up with this.

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

MSI R6850 Cyclone PE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127576

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-D3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128487

Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

~$630

The only ones I'm concerned about is the CPU and motherboard. Later on I'd like to add an SSD and probably some decent sound system.

 

[striker410]

That CPU is an excellent choice. I will however suggest you change the mobo, there are better ones out there. Try for one with 7.1 audio.

Also, swap the HDD to a Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB. It costs $60 on amazon, and is faster/double the capacity of the WD. And before you ask, yes it's still faster even though it's only sata 3.0GB/s.

I would also drop the ram to some 1333mhz stuff if you decide to go H67. the 1600mhz will be downclocked anyway.

All else looks pretty good!

 

[kodern]

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251

How about this? I also switched to the Samsung HDD.

 

[geofelt]

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251

How about this? I also switched to the Samsung HDD.

I like all the changes.

The 1333 ram will work just fine, and there will be no difference in performance vs. faster ram. <1%.

I also like the Z68 based motherboard. It gives you the option to add a small SSD as a cache to your large hard drive.
A small 20gb SSD will greatly improve your drive performance.
Today, a SSD will cost about $2 per gb. Some drives are starting to be sole at $1.5 per gb.
When you have the funds, add a ssd cache to your system. It can be done without needing a windows reinstallation.

 

[need4speeds]

A socket am3+ ready for "Bulldozer" system. At $104.99 the phenomII x4 is a good deal and it should be easy to sell when bulldozer is out to someone with a am2+/am3 system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.667961
$51.98 dvd burner/seagate 500 gig combo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119218
$49.99 COOLER MASTER Elite 460W Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435
$32.99 after mail-in rebate card Free Shipping Patriot G Series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128504
$64.99 GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P AM3+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$89.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
$104.99 (after $10 off with promo code) AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161349
$164.99 after mail-in rebate card HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Free DIRT3 game coupon w/ purchase

Subtotal: $599.92 ( with hd-6870, not counting rebates)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363
$89.99 after mail-in rebate card ASUS CuCore Series HD 5770 1GB
Grand Total:* $524.92 (with hd-5770 not counting mail in and pray rebates)

Unfortunately the cooler master 460 watt will not power the higher wattage 460 or 560ti or hd-6950 or 6970.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Wouldn't trust that 460 with a 5770. The 460w in that case is pretty bad, and can hardly be trusted to even power the 6870.

 

[striker410]

Agreed. the antec 300 with the BP 430 might be a better deal.

 

[kodern]

The current build I have exceeds my budget it's at ~$760 because I had to get the OS. So I'm thinking of switching my CPU to this:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=955-_-19-103-808-_-Product
$105

I'm also switching my GPU to this:

HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338
~$120
with rebate ~$95

Motherboard:

ASRock 890GX PRO3 AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157244
~$110

I know my original intentions were to build a computer for Battlefield 3 but I'll just upgrade later I just need a decent computer to replace this 3 yr old crappy laptop asap.

 

[striker410]

I would swap the Phenom X4 to an i3-2100, as it performs much better in gaming for like $10 more.

A quality H67 board is like $80-100, saving a bit there.

And with this build you won't need a GPU right away, you can use IGP. Once you get some cash/want to game grab a 6850 or 6870 and you're set for BF3

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Ehh I think something more than a 6850 and 6870 is needed for BF3 depending on the resolution. EA already announced the EA demo was not run on max and it was using a 580, and the resolution was probably 1920x1080 at most. So with that said, idk about the 6850/6870. Though that's just me. But in terms of futureproofing, I actually think going with AMD would be a bit better, since 8x/8x mobos are pretty cheap for AMD and you can CF in the future. That's just me though.

 

[kodern]

And with this build you won't need a GPU right away, you can use IGP. Once you get some cash/want to game grab a 6850 or 6870 and you're set for BF3

I didn't even think about that I was always thinking I needed a GPU. I'll probably do that since I'm not really playing anything too graphic demanding.

 

[striker410]

If you can give me a minute, I'll whip you up an awesome build. BB in 30.

 

[aznshinobi]

I honestly think that you need 700$ for a setup where you need everything. A decent build can be 600$, but you need OS AND MONITOR. That's a lot to fit into a build to run BF3. BC2 needs a 6850 minimum @ 1680x1050. (Source, myself and my 5850 @ 1680x1050).

i3 2100 $125: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078&cm_re=2100_i3-_-19-115-078-_-Product
MSI P67A-G43 $125 ($115 AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583&cm_re=p67_msi-_-13-130-583-_-Product
Zotac 460 1GB 150$ (120$ AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500202&cm_re=460_1gb-_-14-500-202-_-Product
Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333 $40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226092&cm_re=4gb_ddr3-_-20-226-092-_-Product
Antec EA650 80+ BRNZE 65$: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Raidmax Atlas $40 ($30 AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156247
LG CD/DVD Drive + Seagate 500GB SATA III $52: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.668011
Total before rebates: $597
Total after rebates: $547

 

[kodern]

I can probably convince convince my parents to buy the OS and as for the monitor I have an old one that can use until I get a better one.

 

[geofelt]

The integrated graphics of the 2100 is entirely adequate for lots of games, like civ-4.

By delaying the graphics card, you will get a better idea of how much graphics power is appropriate for you.

Get a sufficiently strong psu up front so you can run a 5770 or GTX560 class card.
Look at the XFX psu's, they are well priced now.
The 450w unit is only $45 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207012
The 650w unit is $69 and can run a card as strong as a GTX580.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007

If you are a student with a .edu e-mail address, look into an academic license for w-7. About $30.

 

[striker410]

Check this build out, broski.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.654392 $295 i5-2400 plus gigabyte Z68

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044 $65 650w antec PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $46 1600Mhz Ripjaws 4GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 $60 (50 at Tigerdirect) haf 912

Throw in the dvd+HDD that shinobi linked and you get to $512 before rebates! I know it's a little outta budget, but the only real difference in my build is my mobo+CPU combo. The i5-2400 is a crazy good processor.

This rig will play DVD's and blu ray movies (if you get a blu ray drive), but it won't game. Save up $200 and get a 6870, or save $230 and get a GTX 560 ti. Then you're set for BF3!

 

[kodern]

Check this build out, broski.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.654392 $295 i5-2400 plus gigabyte Z68

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044 $65 650w antec PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $46 1600Mhz Ripjaws 4GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 $60 (50 at Tigerdirect) haf 912

Throw in the dvd+HDD that shinobi linked and you get to $637 before rebates! I know it's a little outta budget, but the only real difference in my build is my mobo+CPU combo. The i5-2400 is a crazy good processor.

This rig will play DVD's and blu ray movies (if you get a blu ray drive), but it won't game. Save up $200 and get a 6870, or save $230 and get a GTX 560 ti. Then you're set for BF3!

I like the build but my question is do I need a 650w?

 

[striker410]

No you dont. However if you want to add a 560 Ti or 6950 later on, a 500w would be good. And since the 650w is only $5 more, I did it in a case of "hell, why not?" Remember, the PSU only pulls what it needs from the wall. And PSU's generally run most efficient at 50% load.

 

[kodern]

Check this build out, broski.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.654392 $295 i5-2400 plus gigabyte Z68

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044 $65 650w antec PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 $46 1600Mhz Ripjaws 4GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 $60 (50 at Tigerdirect) haf 912

Throw in the dvd+HDD that shinobi linked and you get to $637 before rebates! I know it's a little outta budget, but the only real difference in my build is my mobo+CPU combo. The i5-2400 is a crazy good processor.

This rig will play DVD's and blu ray movies (if you get a blu ray drive), but it won't game. Save up $200 and get a 6870, or save $230 and get a GTX 560 ti. Then you're set for BF3!

I got all of this except the case I decided to just keep the Antec 300 and it tallied up to $512 that's without Windows 7.

 

[aznshinobi]

O.O 637 w/o including a gpu. Striker you've seemed to push the budget quite a bit. Even though you do get a better CPU. Even still... That's a lot of money.