Budget Gaming Build ~$650

[DaKeD]

Hello everyone. This is a great site and i've learned alot from these forums. I thought i'd post my planned build and get some feedback.

Approximate Purchase Date: within 2 weeks
Budget Range: ~$650 USD
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, schoolwork, Gaming
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, best deals
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: amd build with am3+ crossfire mobo
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Yes
Monitor Resolution: eventually 1920x1080
Additional Comments: Trying to get best value on a budget, with upgradability. <-- is that a word? Contemplating going with a 750w psu and 6870(s)

AMD 955 + Corsair Vengeance 8gb 1600 combo : $167
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.724109

Asrock 970 : $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

PC Power 650 mk : $50 (after rebate and promo code: EMCKAHH42) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703026

Asus 6850 : $150 (AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121419

Seagate barracuda 1 tb + asus dvd burner : $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696141

Antec 300 Illusion : $45 (after promo code: EMCKAHH22)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Hyper 212+ : $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
_____________________________________________________
Total System Build : $622 (after promo codes and MIR)

I havent really decided on the case and power supply. These are weekly specials. Originally was going to go with 750w psu and 6870, but trying to save a lil bit as i will soon upgrade my monitor and mouse. Thanks in advance your feedback.

 

[abekl]

Well, I see no technical problems, although I think you might want to spend a few dollars more anf get that 750W PSU if you are going to X-fire.

 

[DaKeD]

I was under the impression that a 650w would be sufficient for x-fire 6850s, whereas 750w was recommended for x-fire 6870s. I think i saved around $50+ by downgrading to 650, 6850.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

A good quality 650w is more than enough for 6850 xfire. dont listen to abekl.

 

[AbdullahG]

X-Fire 6850s draw about 400W at load. Considering you aren't using a power hungry CPU (the review I looked at had an i7 965), your system will be using less than that amount. I would get a cheaper 6850 just to save a few bucks. Don't count on rebates too much; they all end up with different results.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

 

[danraies]

A quality 650W PSU is fine, but "quality" is important. Check the power supplied to the +12V rail. As long as it's about 650W to that rail (about 55A) you'll be fine. The PSU you've got is 648W to the +12V rail, which is good.

The build is really good, though. It's pretty close to the AMD build I'd have given in your price range.

 

[abekl]

A good quality 650w is more than enough for 6850 xfire. dont listen to abekl.

Manners dude, manners....

 

[DaKeD]

Although i've heard good things about the asus 6850, i think i will try to save more money and go with your recommended brand of PowerColor.

Will 4gb (2x2) of ram be sufficient? or is 8gb standard these days? Would there be room to add ram later on the Asrock 970 with crossfired 6850s and a heatskink? Should i be getting 1333 or 1600? and voltage of 1.5 or 1.65?

Thanks for the help, this is going to be my first build

 

[danraies]

1600 speed, 1.5V RAM. Also, CAS latency 9. 4GB of RAM is about enough, but RAM is cheap and if you can afford 8GB then you should do that. 2x2GB lets you upgrade to 4x2GB later on and 8GB is plenty. 2x4GB also lets you upgrade to 4x4GB later.

 

[008Rohit]

Processor : Intel Core i5 2400 - $185
Motherboard : ASRock H61M-U3S3 - $70
RAM : 2x4GB Gskill Value Series DDR3 1333 - $40
Graphics : Galaxy 56NGH6HS4IXZ GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB - $230
Storage : 500GB Seagate Barracuda SATA III - $40
PSU : Corsair CX500 V2 - $55
Case : Xigmatek ASGard II - $30

Total : $650 before rebates

No need of xfire. GTX 560 Ti will pawn it awl!

 

[DaKeD]

Thx for the intel build, i haven't really ruled it out. Are the h61/h67 boards gonna be compatible with the newer releases of processors? or would a p67 z68 be a better options. I would like the option to upgrade the processor/add an extra video card a couple yrs down the road to extend the life. would an i3-2100 be the bottle neck with 2 560 ti's? Is an i3-2100 and a z68 (x8, x8) be a good option for my price range?

 

[008Rohit]

Don't know about H61, but H67 will surely support Ivy Bridge processors.

Z68 is a good option. i3 2100 probably won't be a bottleneck even with 2 560 Ti's in SLI. As its a great gaming processor.