Building On a Budget: $780

[Slugbait]

Also, just found this while browsing. Not a big difference, but seems to be a similar product for $10 off.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428

Would it be the same as the one I intend to use?

This is a Frontpage deal at slickdeals. Good deal, but the Micro SDHC makes it hot. I'd say jump before the price goes back up (it's a shell-shocker).

You won't notice any difference between these and the Snipers.

 

[jvroig]

Slugbait, lehtv

You two knock it off. Help a rookie, and only help a rookie, or get out of the thread and deal with your personal beefs privately.


Moderator jvroig

 

[Manny2260]

Well, I can't say that one wasn't expected. At the very least it shows the moderator's desire to maintain high standards.


Anyway, just realized with the money I saved via the price match (Many thanks, ItsAlive) and from more appropriate selection of parts, I have about $240 for the GPU.

Any tips on what is that price and better than a 6870?

 

[aphelion02]

Manny: That RAM deal you posted is hot, I would probably get it since its about the same price as mine but gives you more flexibility in terms of chosing a mobo.

The 2 GPUs you posted are pretty much a wash, I'd go with ASUS for the cheaper shipping.

For a $240 GPU, I'd look into this Twin Frozr 6950 2GB. Its slightly more expensive than other 6950s, but it comes with a free game and a very nice cooler (the best stock cooler imo).

 

[Manny2260]

Nice, sounds good.
I was pretty much set on it due to slightly better reviews.

However, any ideas on the $240 aspect I posted on prior?


Edit: Ah, you beat me to it.
Edit (2): Im pretty much stuck at the $240 line, I dont really have a dollar over that to spend on this project. Any ideas on a work around?

 

[aphelion02]

Manny, see my above comment about GPU. Either way, look for a 6950 2GB. I also recommend you post your entire build here right before you order so we can take a look. Right now I'm not sure what you other components are.

 

[Manny2260]

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?BundleExist=N&ID=14918151&ChangeQty=0

Here's what I have so far. The 2500K has already been ordered but the rest is still open to change.

 

[aphelion02]

Wishlist is empty.

 

[ItsAlive]

With $240 left you could probably fit in a small SSD and a 6870. If you are getting a z68 you can use the ssd for caching with the harddrive and it should speed up overall performance a bit.

On the other hand a 6950 2gb would be ideal. Its really your choice, but ever since I've switched to an ssd I have been spoiled for the performance over traditional harddrives.

EDIT: Also there is a promo code NEWCUSTOMER10, if you have never used it you should be able to get $10 off of a $50 order, but you cant have any combo deals or other promo codes applied to use it. So if you were to place 2 orders and put one of the parts $50 or above, you could use the $10 off code on it.

 

[aphelion02]

SSDs are awesome, but with the budget I recommend going for a bigger graphics card, as it will probably be 1-2 years before you get to upgrade the graphics card again, but you can always slot in an SSD whenever you have the cash without needing to sell existing parts.

 

[Manny2260]

Well, I can afford the 1GB 6950 but the 2GB is out of reach due to budget constraints.

Is it worth the price to swap up to this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814125385?

 

[aphelion02]

Manny, the 2gb one I linked is $245 after rebate, with free game. Here's an XFX one for $230 after rebate : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150530

As for 1GB ones, I like this one. As you can tell, I am a big fan of the twin frozr line. You get a nice factory OC on that one too.

 

[Manny2260]

I would love to buy that one, but I cant afford the 8 week wait for the rebate.

I was looking at this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687) because it is affordable prior to any MIR that I may get from all the products i'd like to order.

Also, check the wishlist again?
Newegg seems to take a bit to update. All clear on my end, currently.

 

[aphelion02]

Post your whole rig, and lets see if I can shave $20 off somewhere so you don't have to compromise on the GPU

 

[ItsAlive]

If you put the harddrive in a seperate order I think you can get $10 off using the NEWCUSTOMER10 code. As long as you have never used the code before.

EDIT: Try making an order for just the harddrive and try the code to see if it works that way.

 

[Manny2260]

Sounds great, Aphelion.
And will do, ItsAlive. Giving it a shot right now. [Edit: Just tried it. Works great. Many thanks, again.]

Also, try the list? If its not working, ill post the rig here.

 

[aphelion02]

Still can't see it

 

[Manny2260]

Case: COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

HDD: HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721010DLE630 (0F13180) 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PSU: Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

DVD Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

MOBO: ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R695OC-1GD Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

Done adding em here.

 

[aphelion02]

I think I prefer the Samsung F3 for the HDD, but they are the same price. It seems the easy way to shave off $20-$40 dollars would be on the case. I like the Lian Li I posted earlier, but the Antec 300 and Haf912 are also popular budget cases that are great value.

Also, did you remember to use all the promo codes I posted? They can add up to $40 or so.

 

[ItsAlive]

You could combo the case with an LG sata burner and save some money that way instead of the Asus burner. You'd save another $10, not sure how the 2 burners compare, but I've used LG before and they are quality.

 

[Manny2260]

Yup.
I actually ended up saving a bit more than that from a few X's and Y's I was able to change.
The price match ItsAlive recommended also worked great. About $25 off.

And hmm, I was set on the case for the sheer aesthetics. Oh poor vanity.

Would the 1GB I posted be worth the upgrade? I guess I can settle for it if its not that big a deal.

 

[aphelion02]

Here's also a mobo + RAM combo that will save you $5. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.741513

 

[aphelion02]

IMO getting the 2GB MSI is more worth it. Otherwise just get any 1GB, no need for the Gigabyte version. Btw, have you checked out theHAF 912? Its a cheaper case that looks fairly similar to the Cooler Master

 

[Manny2260]

Sure. Just swapped out for it.

Ah, i'd love to but im between a rock and a hard place.
Is the performance difference that noticeable?

Im considering the HAF912 currently. Im a bit of an aesthetics whore, pardon my sophistication.

 

[ItsAlive]

Well if you're only running 1600 x 900 rez a 1Gb card should still give you great performance, but its hard to justify the 1Gb card when the 2Gb is so close within reach. Haha!

EDIT: Im unsure if the shaders are able to be unlocked on the 1Gb versions or not, but going with a 2Gb would definately give you atleast a chance for an unlock situation. That should get between 3 - 5% performance increase and essentially you'd be getting an hd6970 if successful.

EDIT2: If you havent purchased the harddrive yet, I would take aphelion's suggestion and go with the Samsung F3, its $5 cheaper and I'd trust Samsung over Hitachi anyday.