Rate my $600 rig

[kench33]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.94 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($51.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($164.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex Vortex 3620 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $596.84
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-17 14:28 EDT-0400)

 

[geekapproved]

Looks decent.

 

[whatismyproblem]

u could get more 4 ur money if u hunt around

 

[kench33]

What parts are you talking about?

 

[mmilner1]

Personally I think the single greatest upgrade in the PC industry right now is the SSD drive, I would do whatever I could to squeeze and least a 120GHZ drive in especially since you can get one for around $100. Also your going to regret the 430 W power supply one day but with your current build it would work and Corsair is top of the line. Other than that your build looks to be personal preference as some may like a different case or ram or any item you listed but overall I'd say that's a pretty good build for $600.

 

[kench33]

What makes an ssd better than a hard drive?

 

[azeem40]

Faster since they don't have any moving parts, and meant for OS and programs as opposed to storage

 

[mmilner1]

What makes an ssd better than a hard drive?

There are several minor factors but speed is the overall attraction. My boot up is now just a few seconds compared to a couple minutes. I use to boot my computer and then go grab a cup of coffee, now with my SSD its ready to go in seconds. I have a 1 TB drive for all my major storage and keep my most used files on my SSD. The files on my SSD open instantly, i totally spoils me so much that it irritates me to now wait for something to load on another computer. There is no spin drive like a Hard drive so there is no searching for files its just click then open. There are a ton of information online if you want to research more about the technology.

 

[kench33]

So it basically makes it like a mac?

And if I don't really care for that and just care for the storage would it be better to choose the hard drive for me?

 

[DarkOutlaw]

SSD is considered a luxury item since you don't need it. Your on a budget, I would stick with what you have. If you want to upgrade parts upgrade your CPU or Mobo first. Kinda pointless to have a diamond set in a ring made if crude iron.

Build looks good. If you get some extra money I would definately look into the Asrock z77 Extreme4 + 3570k.

 

[kench33]

Is there a mobo that you would recommend that is better than the one I have listed that is still decently cheap? like maybe 100 or so

 

[DarkOutlaw]

I would get this motherboard over the one you have listed. You loose Sata III, but you can use 1600 RAM instead of the 1333. Your gonna shoot yourself in the foot either way, it is just a matter of the left foot or right foot. 1600 vs Sata III, Personally I would pick the 1600 RAM since most games do not rely on the hard drive.

If you can wait til, or afford this motherboard it would be the best route. But buying this one is pointless unless you get a 2500k or 3570k.

 

[kench33]

So with that first mobo you listed and a 1600 ram will be better than what I have?

Here's the new build
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eSHt/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.94 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($51.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($164.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex Vortex 3620 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $596.84
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-17 14:28 EDT-0400)

 

[DarkOutlaw]

I believe so. RAM is really the most important imo. ha, and that knocked you build down to less than $600.

 

[kench33]

Okay, is there a case that you would recommend for it?

 

[mousseng]

I really can't recommend trading SATA3 for 1600MHz RAM - the difference between 1333 and 1600 is virtually unnoticeable, whereas you'd be gimping any SSD you decided to get in the future by running it on SATA2. ASRock has this slightly more expensive board that supports SATA3, but not 1600 RAM. I guess this might've been your first pick? I didn't see it.

I don't know what you're assembling this computer for, but if it's strictly a gaming machine, you'd likely be better off running with an i3 or a PhII instead of an i5 - that way you'll have more money to put towards a video card (and other nice things, like a better mobo and case). Alternatively, you could drop the 1TB drive in favor of a 500GB Caviar Blue, which I believe is hovering around the $50-$60 price point.

Also, I wouldn't call the Corsair CX-430V2 'top-of-the-line' in quality, but for less than $30, it's about as good as you can get (I guess that's not really saying much, though).

 

[kench33]

Yes this is primarily a gaming computer. Why do you recommend the i3? And what changes would you recommend if I switched to the i3 cpu?

 

[DarkOutlaw]

Okay, is there a case that you would recommend for it?

Not really. Any mid or full sized case that holds a Micro ATX -and- ATX board will last you almost forever. Just make sure it has fans, or spots to add fans on the front, side, back, and top. I went with the Rosewill Challenger, and I am pretty happy with it, but my next case I think I am gonna want something with a plexiglass side.

I really can't recommend trading SATA3 for 1600MHz RAM - the difference between 1333 and 1600 is virtually unnoticeable, whereas you'd be gimping any SSD you decided to get in the future by running it on SATA2. ASRock has this slightly more expensive board that supports SATA3, but not 1600 RAM. I guess this might've been your first pick? I didn't see it.

I don't know what you're assembling this computer for, but if it's strictly a gaming machine, you'd likely be better off running with an i3 or a PhII instead of an i5 - that way you'll have more money to put towards a video card (and other nice things, like a better mobo and case). Alternatively, you could drop the 1TB drive in favor of a 500GB Caviar Blue, which I believe is hovering around the $50-$60 price point.

Also, I wouldn't call the Corsair CX-430V2 'top-of-the-line' in quality, but for less than $30, it's about as good as you can get (I guess that's not really saying much, though).

SSD is out of the quiestion. A HDD on sata II vs HDD on sata III is not going to be that noticable. 1333 and 1600 RAM is definitely more noticable. I would also never recommend an i3 over an i5 if it can be purchased, that should just be common sense. If he can afford an Asrock board with both go for it, but I am working with a $600 budget as the OP posted, and as I have stated if the OP can increase his budget to get a better mobo/cpu then that would definately be the way to go. For $10 extra dollars, I would definately pick 1TB over 500GB.

 

[mousseng]

Yes this is primarily a gaming computer. Why do you recommend the i3? And what changes would you recommend if I switched to the i3 cpu?

An i3 or Phenom II is good enough for gaming - sure, it'll be a limiting factor in certain games that are CPU-heavy, but they'll do the job well. The 6870 doesn't have enough power to be held back by either of them, as well - this way, you can save $60 or $70 and put it elsewhere (better case, PSU, or motherboard). Short answer: i3/PhII isn't better than an i5, but you're on a very tight budget. As for the changes I'd make, I'd take that $60ish and get this PSU instead; it's a much more reliable unit (read: much less likely to fail), is modular, and is more efficient (and higher capacity). You may have a little leftover to put towards a better motherboard or case.

SSD is out of the quiestion.

Yeah, it is right now. But when he gets another $100 he'd like to spend on his computer, that'd be the first thing I'd recommend. Hell, a 128GB SSD may even be less than $100 by then.

1333 and 1600 RAM is definitely more noticable.

No, it's not actually.

I would also never recommend an i3 over an i5 if it can be purchased, that should just be common sense.

I would if getting an i5 would mean compromising quality of other parts.

For $10 extra dollars, I would definately pick 1TB over 500GB.

Oh, definitely, I would too. But $600 is pretty tight, and 500GB is typically plenty to work with - so if he'd prefer to keep the 1TB, that's fine.

 

[whatismyproblem]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eTfR

 

[mousseng]

For the sake of actually helping the OP instead of just saying things (as I've been doing), I put this together.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ECS P67H2-A ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($166.49 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($66.79 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $598.71
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-17 16:44 EDT-0400)

 

[DarkOutlaw]

Whatever....look at gaming benchmarks. i5 always ALWAYS out performs the i3. On top of that the build with the i5 we have is cheaper than what your put up here.

 

[kench33]

Honestly I will probably keep my parts the way they are right now. Will a 430w psu limit my build though?

 

[whatismyproblem]

Honestly I will probably keep my parts the way they are right now. Will a 430w psu limit my build though?

no

 

[mousseng]

Whatever....look at gaming benchmarks. i5 always ALWAYS out performs the i3. On top of that the build with the i5 we have is cheaper than what your put up here.

I never said it didn't - I explicitly stated it was faster in my post above. One thing to note about CPU benchmarks is they max out the GPU so that they can actually quantify differences and limits between CPUs - they don't show framerates with a 6870. All I was suggesting is that he drops to an i3 or PhII to get the same build quality out of his other parts that he'd get from his video card and CPU.

However, the OP decided he'll stick with the list up top. @OP: While the CX430-V2 only puts out 336W on its 12V rail, that's not going to hinder the parts you have here (which will probably total no more than 270 or 280W). It'll limit your expansion options, though - SLI/Xfire will be a no-go (it's typically better to just replace the card, anyway) and depending on how much capacity it loses due to age over the next few years, it could prevent you from getting a top-tier card altogether. But for what you've got here, it'll do fine.