597$ or 777$ build - Advice needed.

[Guest]

Hello everyone.

I'm currently trying to make a new build of a computer. I've read the 500$ budget computer build here on the website, from august.

I'm under education, so my money are limited.. It's a computer I'm going to buy from the danish website http://www.shg.dk.

I want a computer that can run new games, but I dont require AAx16 and such settings. I want medium/high settings, but I dont want to run on low quality to be able to play the games smoothly. I've got an older Samsung 2232BW I'll be using, with the res of 1680x1050 and 2 MS.

I dont want to overclock, simply because I've never done it and I dont feel like trying out with the risk of loosing some hardware.

The two builds:


The 597$ build - inspired by the Tomshardware 500$ budget build.
- CPU (156$): Intel Core i3 2100 Sandy Bridge
- MB (76$): ASRock H61M-S
- RAM (41$): Crucial 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz
- Graphics (198$): Club 3D Radeon HD6850 Overclocked
- HDD (56$): Seagate 500GB harddisk
- PSU (65$): Antec EarthWatts EA380D Green 380W


The 777$ build - Put together mostly by research on the net.
- CPU (258$): Intel Core i5 2500 Sandy Bridge
- MB (125$): ASUS P8P67 LE B3 Sandy Bridge
- RAM (43$): G.Skill 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (2x2)
- Graphics (222$): XFX Radeon HD 6870 (1 GB)
- HDD (56$): Seagate 500GB harddisk
- PSU (74$): Corsair Builder Series CX500 V2


So with this info.. you can see the two different builds I've made. Its basicly

i3 vs i5
H61 vs P67
1333MHz vs 1600MHz
6850 vs 6870

The question is now.. should I wait another month and save up the remaining 180$ and get the 777$ build or should I just stick with the 597$?

Please consider my budget is low and I dont demand my computer being top elitess or that it'll be top notch for decades

I might add, I'm currently using an Celeron 700MHz with 512MB ram, running XP with an onboard graphic card, that actually takes 100MB ram away. (Ouch?)

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks

 

[aznshinobi]

Get the $597. Just upgrade the i3 2100 to the i5 2400. You don't need the i5 2500 (Let alone getting that build a P67 board even though the i5 2500 can't overclock.

 

[Guest]

Do you think it'll be sufficient just to upgrade the CPU and then I'll be playing newer games? At higher settings? Without AA etc.

The price difference on i5 2400 vs i5 2500 is 18$. I guess the 200MHz isnt worth the 18$?

Is the PSU sufficient for the i5? Only 380watts.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yes. And no it isn't worth the extra.

Get the CX500, actually just get it it's only a few bucks more.

What resolution are you using though?

 

[Guest]

1680x1050 on a Samsung 2232BW 2 MS 22".

What about the graphics, should I go for the 6870 instead of 6850? only about 24$ more.

 

[aznshinobi]

The 6870 would be worth the little extra.

 

[Guest]

Thanks alot. I made me pick then.

Asrock, i5 2400, 6870 and with a cx500 v2 to power it all

 

[aznshinobi]

Yep sounds good.

 

[aftcomet]

No, don't go with that build. The CX500V2 is not that good of a power supply (definitely not worth over $70) plus it's regularly on sale for much cheaper.

If you want an absolute killer build that's the best bang for buck go with this:

CPU: i5-2500K (get it for $180 at Microcenter or for when it goes on sale for $200. You can overclock for even more performance should you ever need it. But this will last you a long time.
MB: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 ($120)
RAM: Get the cheapest available ($25) 4GB is enough.
GPU: I'd get a GTX 460 for $130. It'll rival the 6870 and beat it in some cases.
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM (You can find it for $35)
CASE: Get one you like. But the best ones are HAF 932 or Antec 300/900/etc ($80 or cheaper depending on what you get).
PSU: Get a Seasonic USA one with enough watts for your needs. NEVER skimp on a power supply as a bad one could kill all your components. Seasonic USA makes hands down the best Power Supplies out there. (up to $150 but you can get for $100 - expensive but they last for 7 years and up and they'll last you through many upgrades.)

Total: $720 or a lot cheaper depending on your PSU and Case. Your computer will last a long, long time and is a top of the line beast.

If that is too much and you plan to go with other component at least keep this:

i5-2500k, GTX 460 (or better), Motherboard with z68 chipset

Whatever you choose to buy make sure you wait for Black Friday. You will save tons of money.

 

[aznshinobi]

Aft, please read the OPs listing better.
Notice .DK (The prices are converted by currency)
The website he is using is Denmark.

Also you're are just wrong about the 460 betting the 6870. The 6850 at stock can beat a 460 then how can it beat the 6870?

 

[aznshinobi]

The fact that the post about the NFL had something to do with what we were talking about. But still, reported.

 

[aftcomet]

My mistake about the prices.

I was under the impression that an overclocked GTX 460 has a slight edge to a 6870. I understand the OP doesn't want to overclock but GPU OCing is the easiest and should be done.

Here is a review. I also thought the 460 was cheaper and therefore worth it even if you lose some (if any) performance.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/37499-hd-6870-hd-6850-vs-gtx-460-1gb-overclocking-study-15.html

 

[computernugget]

take aznshinobis advice, everything he said pretty much works out for the best.

the asrock board from the 500 buck build, the i5-2400 and a 6870. its all good

 

[Guest]

Thank you.. Yes, I'm unable to buy anything from outside Denmark. Theres a ton of taxes and other stuff added to the cost, if I order outside my country.

So is the CX500 V2 a bad PSU?

If so, can you locate an alternative on this site?
http://www.proshop.dk/Stroemforsyning.htm

The CX500V2 is 403kr = (1$ = 5.5kr). So if you can find one within that reach, not above 500kr.

 

[computernugget]

actually its a really good psu, so get that.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I have a 2400 + 6850 + CX430. It works out wonderously for me.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Point proven. Get the CX500 V2 so as not to stress the PSU too much.
Do make sure it is the V2 indication. The V1 is not very good.

 

[aftcomet]

^ Point proven. Get the CX500 V2 so as not to stress the PSU too much.
Do make sure it is the V2 indication. The V1 is not very good.

Actually I believe the V1s were made by Seasonic USA while the V2s are made by CWT with inferior parts. I use the CX430V2 myself and it's fine.

 

[Sky03]

I'd get this, although it's right up there to your max (500 kr) http://www.proshop.dk/Stroemforsyning/XFX-Core-Edition-PRO550W-stroemforsyning-2273209.html

Ps. Just noticed the antec earthwatts 550w is about 50kr more than the xfx core. Here in the US, the xfx is a lot more than the earthwatts.

 

[aznshinobi]

Aft you're incorrect. Seasonic made only ONE CX unit and that was the CX400 which wasn't the same as the newer CX430/500/600. The newer (as stated) are all CWT units, most of Corsairs current units are CWT or Seasonic.

Just stick with the CX500 v2 it's not worth going to the XFX 550 even though it is better efficiency. It's not an extra 100 Kr over the CX500. Especially since either way you can't CF.