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!!! 😀

 

[striker410]

Well, now the 1st stuff is $15 more >.> I guess go with the second stuff haha

 

[grody]

Looking at:

PSU+RAM combo: Thermaltake XT TPX-775M + G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.681254

Get that. Get that now.

 

[kipay11]

Get that. Get that now.

The other option I was looking at was the ANTEC HCG series 750W which is $95 ($70 AR) plus the g.skill 2x4gb 1600 at $60 with promo code. But I figured I didn't want to deal with rebates and it's not modular (although not that important to me). So, yeah. I think I'm going with that combo. Unless someone comes up with a good argument for the Antec. lol

 

[kipay11]

Well, now the 1st stuff is $15 more >.> I guess go with the second stuff haha

haha yeah, it was only good for a day!

what about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416? how is this different from the other 2 g.skill 2x4gb 1600 rams??? 😱 it's all the same to me hah

 

[wenqi]

okay, i can't seem to get that link to work, but have a look for heatspreaders, CAS latnecy of 9 or higher and voltage, oh and BTW if you don't mind the colour of the PSU, get the combo that kipay was on about

 

[grody]

what about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 how is this different from the other 2 g.skill 2x4gb 1600 rams??? 😱 it's all the same to me hah

According to this Ripjaws vs Sniper thread:

The guts (IC chips) are different, but overall specs are the same. They will perform very similar. The RipJaws has more information/reviews because the Sniper was just released.

Apparently companies like G.Skill don't make the little black chips on the ram, someone else does. Here's a slightly outdated list for the curious.

 

[patti88]

excellent thread so much good information ty in particular to striker and wenqi