Budget $500 computer

[bombatwist]

sadly, my desktop was stolen from my apartment a little over a month ago. so i'm looking to build a new one. trying to spend no more than $600 for the tower only and this is what i have so far.

Intel i5 2500k
Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX

subtotal(before tax, from microcenter): $214.98 (the discount shows up when you add both to cart)

i'm trying to build everything based on whats listed above so i wanna leave those alone. here's the rest.


Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB - $84.99

Asus 24xDVD±RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black) - $22.87

HIS H775F1GD Radeon HD 7750 1GB (128bit) GDDR5 Displayport HDMI DVI (HDCP) PCI Express X16 3.0 Graphics Cards - $109.99

NZXT Source 210 -Inch ELITE-Inch Midtower Case with 3.0 USB - Black - $39.99

OCZ ZS Series 550W 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply - $71.99

G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 240-Pin. - $48.20

Subtotal(from amazon (i have prime so free shipping also) ): $378.03
Subtotal(from both): 593.01

thoughts? anyone know if i can swap some parts out for cheaper and better parts? i want this computer to be able to run starcraft 2 on at least high on 1900x1200 res. be able to run d3 when it comes out also as well as mass effect 3. thanks!!

 

[Skott]

Do you have to build right now or can you wait another month? New mobos and cpus release in April. I think it is April 8th for the new chipset mobos and April 28th/30th for IB cpus.

 

[bombatwist]

i don't have to build right now but since i saw the cpu + mobo combo deal, im tempted to build one now. plus i dont know if my budget would work with the new mobos and cpus released next month. i don't plan on spending more than $600 regardless cause money is very tight and i still need to buy myself another monitor and keyboard.

 

[Charlie98]

I was comparing prices to Newegg and you can save a little more money on some of those components. Some have free shipping.

I would get this HDD. I have 3 Hitachis in my new build and love them. Same price but I believe it's a better unit.

This Corsair PSU is on sale for $50 (After rebate...)

Save a few bucks on your memory.

 

[bombatwist]

ahh. forgot to mention, i chose amazon over newegg because i get taxed on newegg . no tax for me from amazon.

edit: but i guess i can swap out the psu i had on my list for the corsair psu on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Certif...2469423&sr=8-1

edit2: brings my subtotal down to $588.28
also, do i really need 600w? i could probably lower the price even more by going for the 500w.

 

[mfenn]

The main issue I see with that build is the GPU. The 7750 is really bad from a bang for the buck point of view. If you're looking to build a gaming PC that runs games at 1080p, you need to shift your focus around anyway.

i5 2500K + GA-Z68AP-D3 $215 @ MC (good deal)
Mushkin DDR3 1600 8GB $40
6870 $160 AR
Seagate 500GB $85
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Corsair 500CX $50 AR
NZXT Source 210 $32
Total: $600 AR AP

Feel free to comparison shop between vendors.

 

[bombatwist]

i don't need my games to run extremely well on 1080p resolution. i was actually still pretty satisfied with my old computer (specs in signature) and its ability to run games even though its not that great. but then again i know what you mean by the 7750 being a bad card to choose, so heres the list now.

i5 2500K + GA-Z68AP-D3 @ MC - $214.98


Western Digital Caviar Blue 320 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB - $74.99

Asus 24xDVD±RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black) - $22.87

Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6850 PCIE Video Card (100315L) - $134.99

NZXT Source 210 -Inch ELITE-Inch Midtower Case with 3.0 USB - Black - $39.99

Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply - CMPSU-500CXV2 - $56.74

G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 240-Pin. - $48.20

subtotal(amazon): $377.78
subtotal(all): $592.76

i decided to add in a better card (not better than the HD 6870, but close) and drop down to a 500w corsair psu. i also opted for a 320gb instead of a 500gb. i have a 750gb and 1tb external harddrive anyway so i could use those if i needed more space.




edit:.... i've decided... might as well go for the 6870 lol. sorry i'm really indecisive sometimes.

HIS Radeon HD 6870 1 GB (256bit) GDDR5 DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCI Express X16 2.1 Video Card H687FN1GD - $169.99

subtotal(amazon): $412.78
subtotal(all): $627.76

 

[Charlie98]

Might want to look around in the FS/FT here at AT, I just got another Hitachi 500GB drive, as-NIB for $65. If you have the time to sift through even just the first page of listings you may be able to find something you are looking for and save some money.

 

[mfenn]

Amazon's pricing is a little high, especially on the RAM, but the build looks good overall.

 

[Skott]

Like mfenn said the components are solid. If you have to go with Amazon then that is what you have to do. A 2500k + 6870 + 8Gb RAM is going to be a good budget gaming rig that will last you a while.

 

[bombatwist]

thanks for the help guys!!
i went ahead and went for

i5 2500K + GA-Z68AP-D3 @ MC - $215

Western Digital Caviar Blue 320 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB - $75
Mushkin DDR3 1600 8GB $45
Corsair 500CX $60
Sony Optiarc DVD Burner $18
Antec 300 Case $28 (after price-match credit which i should receive in a couple days)
SAPPHIRE AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB $170


subtotal(before tax, before rebates): $611


Also planning to get this monitor
ASUS VH236H 23 Inch $160

as well as a DAS Keyboard Ultimate Silent S (Cherry MX Browns) for my sc2 needs.

 

[mfenn]

Nice deal on the case! Rest of the parts look solid.

As for the keyboard, I have the Pro version of the one you've picked out (same thing but with labels on the keycaps) and I love it. Two things to keep in mind:
- "Silent" is relative in this case. The keyboard will still make plenty of noise if you have a tendency to bottom out the keys like I do.
- The Cherry MX Blue/Brown (same thing except for the clicker) aren't the optimal keyswitches for gaming. They have a sharply defined breakpoint which makes it take a little more finesse to bounce the key. Not that that is particularly required for SC2, but something to keep in mind.