750-850$ Budget Gaming Rig

[shamsz]

Approximate Purchase Date: This month.


Budget Range: 750-850$


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Streaming, Video-making, Surfing.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, headphones, OS


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I live near a Microcenter, I live in both Socal and Norcal, so I can use either store, besides that I don't mind shopping off any website, as long as it can ship to CA. Newegg is cool because I can pick up from them instead of ship.


Country of Origin: United States, Cali


Parts Preferences: I am pretty set on using the i5 2500k sandy bridges, 8gb ram, I want a mobo with 4 ram slots, and the potential to SLI/xfire. No decision made on PSU, GSU, Case and my decision can be changed on anything I am pretty set on if people make a point on why I should go in a different direction.


Overclocking: Yes, in the future.


SLI or Crossfire: Yes, in the future.


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: I like cases that don't look like a Transformer (crazy colors looks like its ready to go super saiyan).. I prefer the slick simple look, can include color as long as it doesn't look too over the top. I am willing to spend a bit over 850$, maybe 900-950 if it is absolutely required, but I'd really feel comfortable spending 800$ exactly. I am a first timer in building a computer, and will accept any advice given to me. Please halp!!! 😉 I definitely want the computer to be "future-proof".

 

[mjmjpfaff]

i5 2500k- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589 196$ after taxes

Gigabyte z68 UD4- http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Express-Motherboards-GA-Z68X-UD4-B3/dp/B004ZQ6F7C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311952315&sr=1-2 160$ this is such a great deal

G.SKILL 8GB 1333mhz- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 48.25$ w/taxes and promo code

OCZ ZS 750w psu- http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-80PLUS-Bronze-Performance-Supply/dp/B005A2RJOI/ref=sr_1_21?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311953252&sr=1-21 80$ after mail in rebate

ASUS DVD Burner- http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1311953651&sr=1-1&condition=new 21$

Rosewill Challenger- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153 54$ after taxes

Hyper 212 Plus- http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311954064&sr=1-1 25$

GTX 560 ti- http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-PCI-Express-Graphics-01G-P3-1567-KR/dp/B004XUCCRM/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311954177&sr=1-6 220$

Total=~805$

 

[genghiskron]

i like mj's build. i dont trust OCZ products at all, but i suppose i will call that a personal preference.
the z68 ud4 is a good deal, but id take microcenter's Z68x-ud3H:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364085
since they are offering $40 off mobos with the i5-2500k.
The two are very similar boards with slightly different feature sets that will likely have little significance to you.

 

[manu 11]

+1 for mj.

 

[shamsz]

Any reason for GTX 560 TI over any other GFX cards?

I hear the 6870 HD is better bang for the buck.

You also didn't include a hard drive in your build..unless I'm blind.

 

[manu 11]

560ti performs similarly to a 6950 and if overclocked, the card just rocks.

 

[shamsz]

This is something I've put together and want input on. All prices are after rebate w/o tax included.

CPU & Processer Bundle - i5 2500k Sandy Bridges / MSI P67A-G45
300$ total - 200$ for CPU, 100$ for MOBO

GFX Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit
160$

PSU & RAM Bundle - 8 GB G.SKILL / 600w(780w peak) hec PSU
80$ total - 50$ for RAM, 30$ for PSU

Hard Drive: Samsung 1TB 7200RPM
60$

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
60$

Heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
25$

DVD Burner - 20$

Grand Total after Taxes / Rebate --
$760.20

Thoughts?

I know I'm gonna have to replace the PSU once I start to SLI and I am fine with that. At 30$ a 4 egg review PSU 600w is too good to refuse, I think.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

Any reason for GTX 560 TI over any other GFX cards?

I hear the 6870 HD is better bang for the buck.

You also didn't include a hard drive in your build..unless I'm blind.

oops add the samsung spinpoint f3 1tb for 60$
the 6870 may be beter bang for the buck but the gtx 560 ti is a superior card

 

[mjmjpfaff]

i like mj's build. i dont trust OCZ products at all, but i suppose i will call that a personal preference.
the z68 ud4 is a good deal, but id take microcenter's Z68x-ud3H:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364085
since they are offering $40 off mobos with the i5-2500k.
The two are very similar boards with slightly different feature sets that will likely have little significance to you.

that psu scored a 9/10 on jonny guru so i trust it.

 

[shamsz]

oops add the samsung spinpoint f3 1tb for 60$
the 6870 may be beter bang for the buck but the gtx 560 ti is a superior card

Hm.. well, could I go with the 6870 for now until I need to SLI, when I SLI have my 2nd graphics card to be more powerful?

Also, will the PSU I chose be a liability pre-SLI?

 

[manu 11]

i would say, go with mj's recomendation with a 560ti and when you have the money in hand, sli it down the road.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

Hm.. well, could I go with the 6870 for now until I need to SLI, when I SLI have my 2nd graphics card to be more powerful?

Also, will the PSU I chose be a liability pre-SLI?

you cant sli/cf with a more powerful card it really needs to be the same. stay with the 560 ti and sli it down the road. 750w of power is enough to sli the cards.
since you can afford it go with the 560 ti. the ocz psu i chose is a great psu. no need to worry