Help with finishing my build!

[zantaff]

Hello!

I'm about done with all the big decisions on my new build and am looking for a GPU and some other parts.
I kinda splurged online when buying my first parts.
The original intent was to do a sub-$600 machine, and I've already spent $400... So now I'm kinda strapped for cash.

What I just bought:
i5 3570K ($190)
ASUS P8Z77-V PRO ($145)
Rosewill HIve 650w ($66)

What I'm going to reuse from my old PC:
HDDs
CD/DVD
2 1gb of RAM
Front interface ports

This will mainly be a gaming computer, but will be also used for some graphic design & 3-D modeling.


Because my original plan seems unrealistic... I'm dropping it. Now I'm just looking for good parts to finish my build.
They don't need to be THE BEST, just quality parts. Perhaps there are some deals out there?
I am willing to sacrifice in places right now where it is easy to upgrade later.

Keep in mind I still have to buy:
a CASE
Fans
8+gb RAM
1 SDD (boot)
Other things? (Am I being dumb?)

So, where should I go from there? Should I buy used or new?
Any suggestions are appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Ram? Others may have a different opinion, but I honestly don't see how you can build this with what you have already bought for less than 1,000.00. Your ideas are good, but a decent vid card alone will go for 170.00 or more.

 

[zantaff]

Ram? Others may have a different opinion, but I honestly don't see how you can build this with what you have already bought for less than 1,000.00. Your ideas are good, but a decent vid card alone will go for 170.00 or more.

Sorry, i derped the first time I typed it. Fixed it now.

I suppose my real question is: what could do without (or less of) until I get a few extra $$$ in my pocket?
What parts should I buy first while saving my cash for the nicer equipment?

 

[JJ24]

If I read your post correctly you have about $200 to get the following:

Case
GPU
RAM
SSD
(Maybe extra case fans)

Commonly recommended RAM:
Ram is easy - Samsung DDR3 1600 = $40 for 2x4gb
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...r3%2Caps%2C428

Commonly recommended cases:
Corsair Carbide 300R (200R is currently out of stock on Newegg but might find somewhere else...)
$79.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011
or maybe CM HAF 912 - $59.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=haf%20912

There are of course many other random brand cases for less, but these two seem to be regularly recommended.

We're already at $100-$110 leaving only $90ish for a GPU and SSD... At this point I'd drop the SSD and just go over your budget a bit for the GPU...

Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 - 164.99 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202004

That puts you at your original $400+40+60(Cheaper case)+165 = $665 without an SSD

Maybe someone else can come along and make some better recommendations or squeeze the SSD in somehow...

 

[zantaff]

If I read your post correctly you have about $200 to get the following:

Case
GPU
RAM
SSD
(Maybe extra case fans)

Commonly recommended RAM:
Ram is easy - Samsung DDR3 1600 = $40 for 2x4gb
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...r3%2Caps%2C428

Commonly recommended cases:
Corsair Carbide 300R (200R is currently out of stock on Newegg but might find somewhere else...)
$79.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011
or maybe CM HAF 912 - $59.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&Tpk=haf%20912

There are of course many other random brand cases for less, but these two seem to be regularly recommended.

We're already at $100-$110 leaving only $90ish for a GPU and SSD... At this point I'd drop the SSD and just go over your budget a bit for the GPU...

Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 - 164.99 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202004

That puts you at your original $400+40+60(Cheaper case)+165 = $665 without an SSD

Maybe someone else can come along and make some better recommendations or squeeze the SSD in somehow...

Thanks! That was really thorough.
I'd like to get am SSD to boot because I always seem to f-up my boot HDD... but like you said, it's one of the non-essentials in the build right now.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

You will need at least 4 gig ram, ideally 8 gig...should be matched. However, ram is cheap. The problem is the rest. You've already spent 400.00, and what you have bought is fine, but I repeat: with 200.00 left, that will buy a vid card. Your main components and where you want to spend the money are CPU(you have bought a good one) and video card. Also, you will also need a good CPU cooler if you plan on overclocking. As I said, I honestly don't know how you can buy all these components with 200.00. Maybe someone else will have a solution, at least for part of your build.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[lehtv]

You shouldn't have bought the P8Z77-V PRO. Even at $145 which is a great price for that board it's too expensive for your budget.

The 650W PSU is also overkill. For a single GPU system requiring one 6-pin PCIe connector, you only need a 400W+ unit. For two connectors, 500W+.

CPU+Mobo i5-3570K + Asrock Z77 Pro3 $297
RAM 2x4GB Samsung DDR3 $40 (no point using your 2x1gb)
GPU Sapphire 7850 1GB $170 AR
SSD Plextor M5S 64GB $35 after gift card from 3570K
HDD Reuse $0
DVD Reuse $0
Case Corsair 300R $50 AR AP (you don't need additional fans)
PSU Corsair CX430 $20 AR AP

= $612 AR AP

This is what I'd recommend if it's possible for you to return what you've bought so far. If it's not, then I guess you'll have to splurge $700 to get both an SSD and a 7850, otherwise be prepared to forget about the SSD for now or settle for a 7770.

 

[zantaff]

This is what I'd recommend if it's possible for you to return what you've bought so far. If it's not, then I guess you'll have to splurge $700 to get both an SSD and a 7850, otherwise be prepared to forget about the SSD for now or settle for a 7770.

I really liked the P8Z77. I was also looking at the Asrock Z77 at the same time, but couldn't pass up the P8 for $145.

Also, with the PSU, I really wanted a modular system, so I splurged a bit there too.


I'm definitely gonna go up to $700. - My fault for spending the extra money beforehand, but I think it'll be worth it.

 

[lehtv]

But you don't need 650W. A 400-500W unit would have fewer connectors so there'd be fewer cables unused anyway

 

[DSF]

There's not a problem with what you want. The problem is that $600 is not a "get what I want budget" it's a "get what I need" budget.

Your "wants" are coming at too high of a price tag without adding performance, and they're getting in the way of needs that will make this a serviceable gaming rig. I agree with lehtv. If it's at all possible, return your motherboard and PSU for less expensive models. Even if you go up to $700 you're leaving performance on the table without doing that.

 

[Termie]

Drop the idea of extra case fans, buy the Samsung ram linked above and throw out the 2GB you have (it's worth like $5 and will probably screw up your build if you try to pair it with other sticks), and build the system without a gpu for now, running off the hd4000 until you have a bit more cash.

Trying to buy a case, SSD, memory and graphics card now, even with your increased budget of $300, is just going to lead to an unbalanced system and major disappointment.

And sorry, but the motherboard was still $50 too high for your budget, no matter how good the deal was. So save up more to make up for that slight misstep. You basically need another $50 in your budget for a proper gpu (the 7850, or if you aren't doing a lot of gaming, the 650ti).

 

[JJ24]

I really liked the P8Z77. I was also looking at the Asrock Z77 at the same time, but couldn't pass up the P8 for $145.

Also, with the PSU, I really wanted a modular system, so I splurged a bit there too.


I'm definitely gonna go up to $700. - My fault for spending the extra money beforehand, but I think it'll be worth it.

I understand the feeling of really liking something so sticking with it even if its more then you technically need (right now) if you're able to keep what you have and expand your budget enough to squeeze in the SSD lehtv recommended (EPIC price right now btw) and the Sapphire 7850 you could always keep the option open to add another 7850 later in crossfire with that 650w PSU and the P8Z77.

If you are not able to squeeze it all in right now I'd say drop the SSD but keep the 7850. You could add the SSD later if you wanted it and not miss out on the much better performance of the GPU right now.

 

[Termie]

I understand the feeling of really liking something so sticking with it even if its more then you technically need (right now) if you're able to keep what you have and expand your budget enough to squeeze in the SSD lehtv recommended (EPIC price right now btw) and the Sapphire 7850 you could always keep the option open to add another 7850 later in crossfire with that 650w PSU and the P8Z77.

If you are not able to squeeze it all in right now I'd say drop the SSD but keep the 7850. You could add the SSD later if you wanted it and not miss out on the much better performance of the GPU right now.

The plextor is already out of stock (not surprisingly), but honestly, I don't recommend he build without an SSD and then add it later. Way too much hassle to reinstall the OS.

I'd get this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147188.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Drop the idea of extra case fans, buy the Samsung ram linked above and throw out the 2GB you have (it's worth like $5 and will probably screw up your build if you try to pair it with other sticks), and buildthe system without a gpu for new, running off the hd4000 until you have a bit more cash.

Trying to buy a case, SSD, memory and graphics card now, even with your increased budget of $300, is just going to lead to an unbalanced system and major disappointment.

And sorry, but the motherboard was still $50 too high for your budget, no matter how good the deal was. So save up more to make up for that slight misstep. You basically need another $50 in your budget for a proper gpu (the 7850, or if you aren't doing a lot of gaming, the 650ti).

I agree with everything here. Spending $145.00 on a motherboard when your entire system budget is $600.00 is just silly. Save $50.00 off the mobo and put it towards a SSD boot drive. Save up more for a 7850 later on.

When you're on a super tight budget you need to maximize performance per dollar spent. And you sould also try to eliminate bottlenecks if you can. 3570k(oc) + 7850(oc) + SSD will give you a nice balanced system.

 

[zantaff]

I'd get this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147188.

Question about buying SSDs - is it ok to buy used, or should I make sure to stick with new? (Also I guess that applies to all parts)

 

[lehtv]

Buying used is fine when the item has most of its warranty left, and the savings compared to a new comparable item are substantial

 

[zantaff]

Changed first post, because I realized my goals were unrealistic.

 

[DSF]

I take it you don't consider returning things an option? You really could more effectively allocate the money you've already spent.

 

[mfenn]

Changed first post, because I realized my goals were unrealistic.

I don't see a budget in the first post? Other than the original $600 one.

 

[Termie]

Changed first post, because I realized my goals were unrealistic.

Are you saying that you're skipping the gpu for now?

If so, just get the Samsung SSD for $100, the Samsung memory for $40, the Corsair case for $50, and hold on to the remaining $100 until you have enough for a $160 gpu.

 

[zantaff]

Are you saying that you're skipping the gpu for now?

If so, just get the Samsung SSD for $100, the Samsung memory for $40, the Corsair case for $50, and hold on to the remaining $100 until you have enough for a $160 gpu.

Not necessarily. However, I do have an old xfx radeon 4550 that I can use to get by until my next paycheck.
~
Also, the graphical programs I use are: Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, Revit & 3DS Max.

I take it you don't consider returning things an option? You really could more effectively allocate the money you've already spent.

I could, but since I ordered things online, I don't think the shipping costs would make it worth wile.

One upside of the Asus Pro is that it has a good built-in WiFi, so I don't need to spend another $60+ on a reciever.
(Literally no ethernet sockets in my apartment.)
I figured that way, it balances out the difference in the Asrock, and I get a better performing board as well.

I don't see a budget in the first post? Other than the original $600 one.

That's right. Since $600 was so unrealistic, I dropped the budget so I wasn't constrained by it anymore.
I'd like to see what people will come up with, and then decide what to get based on that.

I /guess/ the budget could be $700-800 now?
Still looking to spend less, while getting bangs out of my bucks.


~

 

[Termie]

Not necessarily. However, I do have an old xfx radeon 4550 that I can use to get by until my next paycheck.
~
Also, the graphical programs I use are: Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, Revit & 3DS Max.

~

You don't need to use the Radeon HD4550. The built-in video on the 3570k is faster.

So you're set for now - when you have the extra funds together, an HD7850 would be a perfect choice.

 

[zantaff]

Is the HD 7870 higher price tag not really worth the speed boost, then?

 

[Termie]

Is the HD 7870 higher price tag not really worth the speed boost, then?

Depends what you're paying. The 7870 has recently gone up in price. It's now at least $35 more than a 7850. It's about 20% faster at stock. Overclocking is luck of the draw, but the 7850 may have a bit more headroom.

Given your budget, I'd say the 7850 is the better option.

 

[zantaff]

Depends what you're paying. The 7870 has recently gone up in price. It's now at least $35 more than a 7850. It's about 20% faster at stock. Overclocking is luck of the draw, but the 7850 may have a bit more headroom.

Given your budget, I'd say the 7850 is the better option.

So in other words, with OCing the 7850, there's no real world difference between the two.