EDIT: For anybody joining the discussion, this build has changed to an AMD Athlon ii x3 or Phenom ii x4 with a Radeon 5770 or 6850/6870 pending on later price range. Links provided a few posts down. Thanks!
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Hi all!
Thanks in advance for any insight into this build. I will be a first time builder. After a couple weeks of research through the forums here and abroad I felt comfortable enough with my build to post it and ask for some experienced help.
NOTE: The purchase date should be late December (maybe even after Christmas). I really want to see if my current build is heading in the right direction and this feels close to a final draft.
Thanks!
Approximate Purchase Date: Dec. 2011, Jan. 2012
Budget Range: Hopefully <$500~$550. With the distance from purchase I am looking at a ballpark number, but under $500 seems doable w/o monitor.
System Usage: Light gaming online with HoN, Starcraft2, D3, and Skyrim if my build fits. medium settings are fine. web browsing and microsoft office apps.
Parts Not Required: I'm keeping my monitor budget separate though I would appreciate advice and which size/resolution might best fit my current build.
Preferred Websites: Prefer Amazon, but others are fine. Newegg, Tigerdirect - any other site recommendations too... but Micro Center is not nearby.
Country of Origin: US, AZ
Parts Preferences: Intel cpu, Radeon5570, and Antec PSU... mobo is most uncertain but Gigabyte, ASUS, or MSI
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: I'm planning on hitting sales over the holidays to find a monitor hopefully under $100 @ 18"-21.5". I know resolution is important toward the build so any advice will be taken. Again, not included in final price.
Additional Comments: Budget is important and must include OS. I have an AMD build too, but for gaming it seems the i3 beats the Phenom iix4.
i3 $500 Budget Build
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P61-USB3-B3
RAM: Kingston 2x2GB 1333 DDR3
Hard Drive: Anything from Seagate, WD, Samsung, (any others?) for $50... Pref at least 500GB @7200rpm and 3gb/s. Is this reasonable?
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100293L Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready
Case: Rosewill R218-P-BK Black ATX Mid Tower
PSU: Antec EA-430D Power Supply EA-430D
Optical: Sony Optiarc AD-7260S-0B 24x DVDRW Drive
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
Oh man that felt like a lot to write/read for anybody. Again, thanks for any advice for the build or for posting here.
-----------
Hi all!
Thanks in advance for any insight into this build. I will be a first time builder. After a couple weeks of research through the forums here and abroad I felt comfortable enough with my build to post it and ask for some experienced help.
NOTE: The purchase date should be late December (maybe even after Christmas). I really want to see if my current build is heading in the right direction and this feels close to a final draft.
Thanks!
Approximate Purchase Date: Dec. 2011, Jan. 2012
Budget Range: Hopefully <$500~$550. With the distance from purchase I am looking at a ballpark number, but under $500 seems doable w/o monitor.
System Usage: Light gaming online with HoN, Starcraft2, D3, and Skyrim if my build fits. medium settings are fine. web browsing and microsoft office apps.
Parts Not Required: I'm keeping my monitor budget separate though I would appreciate advice and which size/resolution might best fit my current build.
Preferred Websites: Prefer Amazon, but others are fine. Newegg, Tigerdirect - any other site recommendations too... but Micro Center is not nearby.
Country of Origin: US, AZ
Parts Preferences: Intel cpu, Radeon5570, and Antec PSU... mobo is most uncertain but Gigabyte, ASUS, or MSI
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: I'm planning on hitting sales over the holidays to find a monitor hopefully under $100 @ 18"-21.5". I know resolution is important toward the build so any advice will be taken. Again, not included in final price.
Additional Comments: Budget is important and must include OS. I have an AMD build too, but for gaming it seems the i3 beats the Phenom iix4.
i3 $500 Budget Build
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P61-USB3-B3
RAM: Kingston 2x2GB 1333 DDR3
Hard Drive: Anything from Seagate, WD, Samsung, (any others?) for $50... Pref at least 500GB @7200rpm and 3gb/s. Is this reasonable?
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100293L Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready
Case: Rosewill R218-P-BK Black ATX Mid Tower
PSU: Antec EA-430D Power Supply EA-430D
Optical: Sony Optiarc AD-7260S-0B 24x DVDRW Drive
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
Oh man that felt like a lot to write/read for anybody. Again, thanks for any advice for the build or for posting here.