BestConfigs - Budget Intel-Based Gaming PC

[ojas]

^ A good build Ojas, but the PSU does not have the connectors needed to power 2x GTX 460's. The Corsair 750TX does if you can fit it.

Assuming that i need 4 PCIe connectors, i replaced the Corsair unit with a Cooler Master GX 750W psu for $10 more ($5 more with rebate). Having said that, the Antec case is selling $15 cheaper till the 7th i believe (haven't considered that in the total though) so till that offer lasts the build is actually cheaper...


Though i still need clarification on the connector part...

 

[ojas]

Yes, those cards need two six pin pci-e each so four total. Sometimes the quickest way to find out is to look at the pictures

Ahhh...i see...well fixed that in the build though...hehe never thought of the pictures

Thanks!

 

[mlcaouette]

Ahhh...i see...well fixed that in the build though...hehe never thought of the pictures

Thanks!

No problem

 

[troynewell47]

Troy's Cheap Build but Runs AMAZING

Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400 $189.99

Motherboard: ASUS P8H61-M LE/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $74.99

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL $69.99

Graphics Card: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1567-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $239.99

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $64.99

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99

Power Supply: XFX Core Edition PRO450W (P1-450S-XXB9) 450W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $54.99

DVD Burner: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $19.99

Total Price=$765


So could someone explain why this is SO CHEAP for such an AMAZING build

 

[UltraJake]

Troy's Cheap Build but Runs AMAZING

Processor: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400 $189.99

Motherboard: ASUS P8H61-M LE/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $74.99

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL $69.99

Graphics Card: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1567-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $239.99

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $64.99

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99

Power Supply: XFX Core Edition PRO450W (P1-450S-XXB9) 450W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $54.99

DVD Burner: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $19.99

Total Price=$765


So could someone explain why this is SO CHEAP for such an AMAZING build

1) I would recommend more than a 450 watt power supply. (The Graphics card recommends at least 500 watts and I recommend at least 650 watts)

2) Most people have used an i5 2500k which costs a bit more but can be overclocked to be much more powerful than a 2400.

3) Because they recommended an i5 2500k they also recommend a more expensive motherboard

4) Everyone is trying to fit in as much power as possible into as close to $1000 as possible whereas you just tried for a cheaper but powerful rig.

Did I miss anything?

 

[troynewell47]

Changed my PSU to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121080

 

[ojas]

^ Try this , this , or if you'd want 4 PCIe connectors, then this.

If you're sure you'd not want an SLI config with that card, then a really bang for buck PSU awaits you. Though i wonder if 37A would be too less for a 560, i think a 460 needs that much...in which case the M600 is a good choice.

Cuts cost+more power => more value.

Though you may say that a platinum rated PSU would cut cost and cover the cost difference in the long run...which i guess i'd agree with, though that depends on a number of factors. The biggest would be the cost of electricity in the US, something i'm unaware of.

 

[gqsmooth]

1. "Need a Cheap Gaming" Build
2. Processor: Intel i3-2100 Sandy Bridge $125
3. Motherboard: Asus P8H67-M LX LGA155 65W Micro-ATX $89
4. RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2x2) $44
5. Graphics Card: MSI N460GTX 1GB 256bit $195
6. Hard Drive: Kingston 64GB SSD $60
7. Case: Antec 300 Illusion $55
8. Power Supply: Raidmax Hybrid 2 530W $40
9. Cooling: Zalman 9500-A $45
10. DVD Burner: Using my external from my laptop. Cannibalize from another build....(read: be cheap)

Total: $650

The i3 apparently can run as good as the i5 when it comes to gaming. No need to spend the money when this will more than get the job done. Does anyone see any room for optimization (e.g. money better spent on better components for cheaper?)

Edit: Take out the Above Mobo and RAM and add AsRock H67M-GE $46 and G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB DDR3 1600 $70

New Total $588

 

[ojas]

^Hard Drive, dude, hard drive...

 

[striker410]

And a REAL psu. That raidmax should really just be called a firework, newegg might see more sales that way :lol:

 

[mlcaouette]

^you should also change that power supply with something other than raidmax, with at least 80+ certification, and an active PFC.

To add to what ojas said: windows 7 alone will fill half that SSD then once you add three games you're all filled up

If you want to stay in the same budget then change out the Zalmen for the hyper 212+ from amazon and invest the savings into a quality PSU

 

[gqsmooth]

^Hard Drive, dude, hard drive...

i have a couple spares that i could use with more than enough room.

Thanks for the advice on the PSU. I might get a better brand, but I don't think I need anything more than 550W.

 

[sadams04]

Thanks for the advice on the PSU. I might get a better brand, but I don't think I need anything more than 550W.

550w is enough power, however they were getting at Raidmax being an OK power supply at best. Best to stick with Antex, Corsair, XFX, Seasonic...

 

[bigheadagency]

GenghisKron's Lazy Leviathon:

Rosewill Challenger
i5-2500k
Antec Earthwatts 650w
Seagate Barracuda 1TB
MSI P67A-C43
GSkill Ripjaws DDR3 1600 CAS8
Combo- $509.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.644166
EVGA GTX 580 - $470 + 30 MIR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587
LITE-ON DVD - $19:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Hyper 212+ - when $30 MIR comes in:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309051429&sr=8-1

Total: $998.48

I really like this build a lot and I'm really considering making this my new build. My only concern is that the MSI P67-C43 doesn't support SLI, in the event that I would want to add another gtx 580 down the line.

 

[ChiefTexas_82]

1. "Need a Cheap Gaming" Build

8. Power Supply: Raidmax Hybrid 2 530W $40

You need to read the comments on newegg. Inaccurate as they may or may not be, I'll believe people when they say the PSU blows and takes the mobo with it. I just skimmed the comments and quickly found two instances of that. DOA is one thing, but a $40 PSU taking out a $90 mobo would not be fun. Again, read through the comments.

 

[gqsmooth]

You need to read the comments on newegg. Inaccurate as they may or may not be, I'll believe people when they say the PSU blows and takes the mobo with it. I just skimmed the comments and quickly found two instances of that. DOA is one thing, but a $40 PSU taking out a $90 mobo would not be fun. Again, read through the comments.

Noted. I was gonna switch it out after everyone else already commented on it.

 

[bigheadagency]

Ok, now that I've been reading the good reviews for the GTX 560 Ti, I'm re-thinking my strategy. I'm thinking of doing a build with 1 single 560 ti for now, and then possibly add another 560 ti later down the line when BF3 comes out. Let me know what you guys think of this build:

BigHead's "I'm Ditching My Apple" Build

CPU + MoBO combo: Intel 2500k + MSI P67A-G43 Price: $324.98

Case: Antec 300 Illusion Price: $54.99

PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W Price: $99.99

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Price: $74.99

HD:SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM Price: $64.99

Optical: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 (Model:iHAS124-04) Price: $18.99

GPU: 2 x Palit NE5X56T01102-1140F GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card Price: $219.99 x 2 = $439.98

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Price: $29.51

Total (before MIRs) = $1108.42 Total (after MIRs) = $1038.42

 

[genghiskron]

I really like this build a lot and I'm really considering making this my new build. My only concern is that the MSI P67-C43 doesn't support SLI, in the event that I would want to add another gtx 580 down the line.

Its a valid concern, but I think the real strength of this build is that it doesnt utilize SLI. its easy to compare the cost of 2x6950's (or gtx 560 ti's) to a single gtx 580, but this comparison often ignores the added cost of SLI capability for the mobo and psu (wattage). I'm not saying that a gtx 580 is a better value than 2x hd6950's, but i think the price/performance difference is closer than commonly estimated. Ive looked at my fair share of computer builds on this forum, and id say people tend to spend about $90 for SLI capability alone. You really have to take this added cost into account when comparing the value of the two setups.
I think the simplicity of a single card gtx 580 setup is a better choice for many people, particularly those who are uncertain of whether they will actually SLI, and those who do gpu-accelerated workstation activities.

I see people throw down $1000 builds every day with a single gtx 570/hd6950/hd6970/gtx 560ti with "plans to add a second card sometime in the future", and I can guarantee you that way more than half of those people never add a second card.

 

[striker410]

Ok, now that I've been reading the good reviews for the GTX 560 Ti, I'm re-thinking my strategy. I'm thinking of doing a build with 1 single 560 ti for now, and then possibly add another 560 ti later down the line when BF3 comes out. Let me know what you guys think of this build

Nice build! Swap the HDD for an F3, ditch the sabertooth for a cheaper mobo, and get a PSU that can support 2 560 Ti's. In the end, I don't think the combo is worth it.

 

[mlcaouette]

@bigheadagency I really like the looks of the storm scout case even though it is an old model, and just FYI it is twenty dollars cheaper on walmart.com. To find it you must search for it by name. With the savings you could probably get 8 Gigs of ram instead of just four, considering how often newegg puts 8Gb kits on sale

 

[bigheadagency]

Nice build! Swap the HDD for an F3, ditch the sabertooth for a cheaper mobo, and get a PSU that can support 2 560 Ti's. In the end, I don't think the combo is worth it.

Do you think I should go with a Z68 board or a P67 board? What's the difference?

 

[mlcaouette]

z68 can utilize Intel's built in HD graphics in tandem with the discrete graphics for faster video encoding and can also utilize SSD caching on small size SSD's. Unless you plan on using one of these two features it really doesn't matter which you pick. If you don't plan on using the extra features than just pick based on price.

 

[bigheadagency]

Ok check out my edited build above and let me know what you guys think. Looks like a lot of bang for under $900.

 

[bigheadagency]

Whoops I forgot a CPU cooler. Puts it at just above $900

 

[mlcaouette]

Whoops I forgot a CPU cooler. Puts it at just above $900

It's a nice build, just fyi you could get dual HD 6850's ($295.10 for XFX with the rebate) and still come under the $1000 mark. You're a few cents off on the hyper 212+ price it's $29.51