First budget build i5-2500k around $750 need help!!

[kipay11]

Hey guys! I'm planning on my first ever build this month so I need some suggestions! I read that the i5-2500k is a great cpu and although I've never tried overclocking, I'm definitely going to get on it for this build. I don't know much about which mobos would be great cost/performance-wise, but the i5-2500k+biostar mobo combo at Microcenter (I live in Houston, btw) seems a great deal for a budget build. My budget is around $750 and it would be great if I could lower that without sacrificing too much on performance. So far, this is what I have:

Approximate Purchase Date:This month

Budget Range: 750 USD Before Rebates

System Usage: Mostly gaming and light photo editing, surfing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg/microcenter/amazon. or any other site

Parts Preferences: i5-2500k.

Overclocking: never tried but this would be my first try! better late than never!

SLI or Crossfire: maybe in the future when games get more demanding!

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900 but will be upgrading soon to a 1920x1080. Not included in budget though.


CPU + MOBO: i5 2500k + Biostar TP67B+ LGA 1155 P67 ATX = $260 w/o tax at Microcenter

GPU: XFX HD-687A-ZDFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521 $200

CASE: Antec 300 Illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 $55

RAM: G.SKILL 2x2gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 46$

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 $95

HDD: SAMSUNG F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $65

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! 😀

 

[kipay11]

that msi board is out of stock at microcenter!

What's your take on these boards?

ASUS P8P67 R3.1 LGA 1155 P67
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364220

MSI P67A-GD55-B3 LGA 1155 P67
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358069

GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364086

although they are more expensive than the MSI, I figured if I factor in the $40 savings from microcenter, it would more or less be the same price if I buy the $130 MSI board from newegg..

 

[striker410]

Umm, I guess I would get the P67A MSI board for it's SLI compatibility. The Gigabyte board is MicroATX, so kinda a no-no. And I think the P8 Asus is 16x-4x PCI-e lanes, also a no no.

 

[wenqi]

if you have sufficent case fans, then m-atx shouldn't be a problem, but it will still run hotter than a full atx. i would go with the gigabyte mobo because it is running z68, but like striker said it is m-atx, but this means less cable worries...

 

[striker410]

Actually, full size ATX is better for cable management since they can be spaced out on the MB. Also he won't really be using the Z68 features, although it would be nice to have if he ever got into media creation.

 

[mlcaouette]

The MSI board has some better features, if you like the onboard start/reset/clear cmos buttons. I'd go with the MSI between those three options.

 

[kipay11]

I decided to get this one together with the 2500k
Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364085
total $324.73 w/ tax

and these are the rest that i'm going to get from newegg today

GPU: XFX HD-687A-ZDFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150521 $205

CASE: ANTEC 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $60

RAM: G.SKILL 2x4gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231313
60$ with $10 each off promo code

PSU:Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049&Tpk=antec%20high%20gamer%20series%20750 $99

HDD: SAMSUNG F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185 $65

Okay, so what do you guys think? I'm not as sure as I should be about the case and psu though... should I go for the rosewill challenger instead? and will the cheaper 750 earthwatts make more sense for my build?

Thanks for the help so far guys! Appreciate it! 😀

 

[kipay11]

oh total cost comes at ~$780

 

[mlcaouette]

All looks good in my opinion, but the f3 should only come out to $50 with the promo code listed on the newegg page

 

[striker410]

^^ Keep the antec 300, but you can check out the HAF 912 (better case IMO) and the earthwatts would be just fine.

 

[grody]

I'm telling you the Antec 300 is junk. I mean, it works, but you'll get it and wonder why everyone recommends it.

 

[striker410]

Meh, It's a well ventilated, roomy, sturdy case. I think it's an excellent $60 case. However, I prefer the HAF 912 for looks and ventilation. I have used a challenger and they have close to no cable management and can be a little cramped. The HAF 912 would be my pick.

 

[kipay11]

Hmm.. I do like the look of the HAF 912 and it's only $50 at Best Buy...

One more thing guys, what do you think of this PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815010&cm_re=xigmatek_700w-_-17-815-010-_-Product

I know that you shouldn't skimp on the PSU but for $75 is it worth it? I'm not familiar with xigmatek brand PSUs but from the reviews I read, it seems okay... Or would I just be better of going with a brand name PSU for ~$100?

 

[striker410]

Hmm, tough to say. I doubt it has the required 4x6pin PCI connectors, so I would say no. The $90 Antec Earthwatts is worth it to me, just because I know it won't fail.

 

[grody]

It has 2x6 and 2x6+2, so it has the connectors if you xfire 6870s (it was unnecessarily hard to find this info, I'll give you that). I say go for it. It has fair reviews. Nice find.

My only concern is that it splits the 12v rail, so you have 30 amps going to the mainboard and peripherals and 30amps going to the video cards. I suppose that's enough for 6870s, but you might want to double check that.

 

[kipay11]

Okay, so I already picked up the 2500k and mobo today. Got the HAF 912 too. Just about ready to order the rest of the parts from newegg but saw this Thermaltake XT TPX-775M + G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 combo for $155...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.681254

I'm thinking this is a better PSU than the earthwatts or the xigmatek since it's modular (partial) and according to reviews actually has 80+ silver rating. With the combo, the PSU comes at around 95$ vs the earthwatts at $90, Antec HCG 750 at $95 ($70 w/ rebate)

edited: forgot to put the link 😛

 

[striker410]

Seems like a lovely PSU. Not better or worse, but good. It's got good reviews, and I would say go for it! However you will not be disappointed with any of them.

P.S. it's 80+ bronze 😉

 

[kipay11]

Seems like a lovely PSU. Not better or worse, but good. It's got good reviews, and I would say go for it! However you will not be disappointed with any of them.

P.S. it's 80+ bronze 😉

haha yeahhh, but read something about it possibly being 80+ silver here
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=182

 

[kipay11]

Okay so far this is what I finally have! PSU and RAM not yet ordered.. still making up my mind lol

CPU + MOBO
i5 2500k + Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0364085
total $324.73 w/ tax

GPU: Sapphire 6870 1gb $175 + $8 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948&cm_re=sapphire_6870-_-14-102-948-_-Product

CASE: HAF 912 from Fry's $60 with tax

HDD: SAMSUNG F3 1TB $50 with promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=samsung%20f3 $65

Total: $608 with $10 off (newcustomer10) 😛


Looking at:

PSU+RAM combo: Thermaltake XT TPX-775M + G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.681254

or

PSU: Xigmatek 750W $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815010&cm_re=xigmatek_700w-_-17-815-010-_-Product
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&cm_sp=Cat_Memory-_-Daily_Deal-_-20-231-428

Thanks so far guys! You've all been a greaaaaaaat help! 😀

 

[striker410]

Might I suggest this GPU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121418&cm_re=6870-_-14-121-418-_-Product It's $2 less after shipping, and is quieter/cooler/more awesome and has a rebate! Just saying....

 

[kipay11]

Might I suggest this GPU? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121418&cm_re=6870-_-14-121-418-_-Product It's $2 less after shipping, and is quieter/cooler/more awesome and has a rebate! Just saying....

lol i've already ordered the sapphire 6870 thanks, though!

oh and another question.. what's the difference between these two g.skill rams besides looks?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428&cm_sp=Cat_Memory-_-Daily_Deal-_-20-231-428

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

 

[striker410]

Nothing. I would get the 1st stuff, it's a bit sexier.

 

[mojoe_24]

The XFX Core 650W could be an option too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014&Tpk=xfx%20core%20650w


Though for $10 more, I guess the 700w might be better. But the XFX is Seasonic which is a plus. Ended up picking it up today for my build.

 

[patti88]

sry to hijack thread, but op asked if

1x 4gb was better tahn 2x2 gb? i was wondering the same thing but for 2x4gb or 4x2gb memory

wat are advantages/disadvantages other than using up ur memory slots?

 

[striker410]

2x4 is better. Why? Room to expand. I would see no reason to go 4x2, since no mobo's support quad channel ram. Also, some mobo's have compatibility issues if RAM is in all 4 slots.

 

[wenqi]

in reply to that, it seems the first one is designed for the p67/ z68 chipset, it might suit you better, also the first one is the "X" series so it might be a bit higher quality, but looking at the latency, speed etc. they seem the same