My new cheap ass computer build

[Natheria]

Ok, so I'm finally breaking down and buying parts for a new machine (also my first time building a whole new computer). I've been looking around at parts for months now and I'm pretty confident in my choices. I just wanted to post here and know what you thought about it/recommend anything else. I'm basically trying to cut as many corners as i possibly can as i don't really want to spend any more than 600 USD max, while at the same time getting a decent machine for my money.

CPU: Intel i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R
Memory: G.SKILL Trident 4GB DDR3 2000
Case: XCLIO Windtunnel
PSU: XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P3 550W

I was looking at getting a Q9400 @2.66GHz but the i5 just looks so tempting for only about 50-60$ more for the whole set, plus (hopefully if intel stops changing sockets on us) i wouldn't have to worry about having an old socket type if/when i switched out my CPU or mobo.  


I'll also be taking out my old GPU and secondary HDD from my old computer (4 year old single core 3700+ AMD Athlon with a gig of ram that I'll probably be selling for $200 bucks  )

Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
HDD: 500GB Seagate Barracuda
Edit: Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE

Thoughts? Comments? Griefs? Complaints?  

 

[fohfoh]

If your comp tries to install drivers for your Seagate... stop it from doing so.

FUCK YOU MAXTOR... FUCK YOU GOOD.

Otherwise... I could think of a better use of money compwise... but meh.

[misachaos]

600 is a bit low for a custom pc. I spent atleast 1.3k on mine.

GeForce GTX 295 CO-OP  - $520
Corsair TX850W Power Supply $110
Corsair Dominator GT 6GB PC16000 DDR3 RAM - $350
Asus P6T Motherboard - LGA 1366 (i7 core) $300
Seagate Barracuda LP 2TB Hard Drive $200
NZXT Zero 2 tower $100
Auzentech X-Fi Forte 7.1 Low Profile sound card (pci) $120
Sabrent PCI-G802 PCI Wireless Card $50

the rest was supplied from my 2 old desktops, well the remains.

Take that Alienware D<

Take a look at some of the parts i listed. theyre all sexi. bit pricey, but thats what ebay is for. lol

*Prices are about right... *

You should get the Asus P6T Core w/6gb ddr3 ram package for $349.99 at compusa. its the lower version of the dominator but its still 6gigs. lol a 500gb hdd from WD is $69.99 a normal sound card is like... 20-30bucks. that takes care of ur CPU/Mobo/Memory. case and PSU can remain the same :3

[Mag-X]

Why spend all that money on the CPU just to put in a shite video card? If you're going to upgrade your video card in the future then OK. If you're not, you could save some money by getting a Phenom II X4 or X3, or even an Athlon II.

What is the primary purpose of this PC going to be? Gaming, 1080p video viewing, or just dicking around on the internet?

[Natheria]

I forgot to mention my sound card

And yes at some point in the future i certainly plan on getting a better video card than the one i have right now. At the moment though i couldn't really justify getting a new one until i get more money (one thing at a time  ).  I also use my PC for gaming, anime, and of course dicking around on the internet (who doesn't).

I'll definitely check some of those recommendations Misa, but holy shit 1,300!! I wish i had that kind of money to blow.  

[Tatsujin]

Ok, so I'm finally breaking down and buying parts for a new machine (also my first time building a whole new computer). I've been looking around at parts for months now and I'm pretty confident in my choices. I just wanted to post here and know what you thought about it/recommend anything else. I'm basically trying to cut as many corners as i possibly can as i don't really want to spend any more than 600 USD max, while at the same time getting a decent machine for my money.

CPU: Intel i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R
Memory: G.SKILL Trident 4GB DDR3 2000
Case: XCLIO Windtunnel
PSU: XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P3 550W

I was looking at getting a Q9400 @2.66GHz but the i5 just looks so tempting for only about 50-60$ more for the whole set, plus (hopefully if intel stops changing sockets on us) i wouldn't have to worry about having an old socket type if/when i switched out my CPU or mobo.  


I'll also be taking out my old GPU and secondary HDD from my old computer (4 year old single core 3700+ AMD Athlon with a gig of ram that I'll probably be selling for $200 bucks  )

Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
HDD: 500GB Seagate Barracuda
Edit: Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE

Thoughts? Comments? Griefs? Complaints?  

 

isn't Core i7 suppose to be better than Core i5? Just wondering.

[misachaos]

I forgot to mention my sound card

And yes at some point in the future i certainly plan on getting a better video card than the one i have right now. At the moment though i couldn't really justify getting a new one until i get more money (one thing at a time  ).  I also use my PC for gaming, anime, and of course dicking around on the internet (who doesn't).

I'll definitely check some of those recommendations Misa, but holy shit 1,300!! I wish i had that kind of money to blow.  

I dont i dont!

Wait, it was around...  1.7k .-. I used to have that money, It was supposed to be for college funds. but my dad took most to pay the bills, so i blew the rest...on...stuff.. . its rlly good and heck of a lot cheaper then a alienware. so it was worth it i guess. Deff since itll last a good 10yrs >> (knows cus i had crappy pc that lasted that long) 1.7k VS  700ish every 3-4yrs to upgrade pc's is like... more expensive in the long run. custom gogo. compusa died down to florida and illinois? but they got the best stuff for the lowest prices online too. thats how i was able to get the good stuff. and they have good CPU/RAM Packages. i7 w/ 6gb ddr3 for like 449 or 399 good deals like that.

[Mag-X]

If you're going to use the machine for gaming, that'll do fine. In a few months, when the new DX11 cards are out, the current generation cards will drop in price and you can get one then. I know plan to.

isn't Core i7 suppose to be better than Core i5? Just wondering.

Yes, but they're stupid expensive.

[misachaos]

If you're going to use the machine for gaming, that'll do fine. In a few months, when the new DX11 cards are out, the current generation cards will drop in price and you can get one then. I know plan to.

isn't Core i7 suppose to be better than Core i5? Just wondering.

Yes, but they're stupid expensive.

nah. o.o

http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4933864&csid=_22
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4959972&csid=_23

Like 140bucks over your limit, but... yah.

[Arveene]

The new Lynnfield i7s aren't nearly as stupid expensive. If you're looking into getting an i7 make sure you look very closely at the differences between Socket 1156 and 1366.

In fact, kureshii compiled a lot of excellent info here.

You build looks decent, but it's hard to give you good feedback without knowing what it's for. Sorry I missed your post. Are you planning on running SLI?

@misa: You really don't need to spend over $1,000 to make a great gaming rig. One of the main draws of building your own PC is that it's usually cheaper..

[Natheria]

isn't Core i7 suppose to be better than Core i5? Just wondering.

i7 has hyper threading, which is the only difference. Nice to have 8 threads running although i would spend the money on a better GPU or screen before i would spend it on an i7. The i5 blows away my video card already and is going to be a big choke point until i can upgrade it. The new Lynfields are certainly more affordable than the Bloomfield or Nahelams though. now if only they would stop changing sockets dammit!

I don't really see myself being able to afford two video cards. I would just get one good GPU instead of using SLI or Crossfire.

lol, and i guess i could blow my all my college funds on a computer like that, except I'd be in deep shit.   I'm currently looking at $415 for the RAM, mobo, and CPU as a combo deal and i think that's pretty good.

Also, Newegg matches the price of that mobo (with free shipping as well) and undercuts that same exact ram and mobo combo by $10. Go go Newegg!!  

[misachaos]

for that 415 does sound rlly good. (feels like a idiot now for spending so much .-.)

newegg rocks yah! got 2 1tb hdd's for 70 bucks each during that back2school sale, especially since they where WD-HDD's inside.

[kureshii]

Ok, so I'm finally breaking down and buying parts for a new machine (also my first time building a whole new computer). I've been looking around at parts for months now and I'm pretty confident in my choices. I just wanted to post here and know what you thought about it/recommend anything else. I'm basically trying to cut as many corners as i possibly can as i don't really want to spend any more than 600 USD max, while at the same time getting a decent machine for my money.

CPU: Intel i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R
Memory: G.SKILL Trident 4GB DDR3 2000
Case: XCLIO Windtunnel
PSU: XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P3 550W

I was looking at getting a Q9400 @2.66GHz but the i5 just looks so tempting for only about 50-60$ more for the whole set, plus (hopefully if intel stops changing sockets on us) i wouldn't have to worry about having an old socket type if/when i switched out my CPU or mobo. 


I'll also be taking out my old GPU and secondary HDD from my old computer (4 year old single core 3700+ AMD Athlon with a gig of ram that I'll probably be selling for $200 bucks  )

Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
HDD: 500GB Seagate Barracuda
Edit: Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE

Thoughts? Comments? Griefs? Complaints? 

I'll spare you the "OMG budget too small blahblahblahblahbla h" talk and just tell you where I think you can save a bit. Mind you, none of the parts I recommend will be "great", "awesome", "fantastic" etc, but they are great value for money and will not blow up your PC.

PSU: OZC StealthXStream 600W
This review for the power supply seem pretty good to me.

Motherboard: Gigabyte P55M-UD2
If you don't mind microATX motherboards, the UD2 is much better value for money in a motherboard.

MSI P55-CD53
There're some people who don't like MSI motherboards, I don't have enough experience with them to say anything about them. If you're not one of those people, you could take a look at it.

ASUS P7P55D
If you must have an ATX motherboard, this is another potential contender.

Memory: DDR3-2000 is way overkill for memory; most of the time you won't even notice what all that bandwidth does for you. If you can find cheaper memory that has less bandwidth but better CAS latency, go with it IMO.

P.S. The i5-750 is great performance in a processor, and totally worth it if you have to save on the $100 over an i7-860. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

[Natheria]

Well I'm already getting 40 off the case+PSU and another 40 off the CPU+mobo+RAM which is pretty damn good for Newegg (i really should have mentioned that before). I'll take a look at those links a little more in depth in the morning in between my classes.

I was also looking at This case with the same PSU for 20 dollars less although i did like the Windtunnel allot more.

Maybe i should just crack and start taking out student loans early (I've been trying to put them off until now with what Ive been saving and making over the summers).

[misachaos]

Well I'm already getting 40 off the case+PSU and another 40 off the CPU+mobo+RAM which is pretty damn good for Newegg (i really should have mentioned that before). I'll take a look at those links a little more in depth in the morning in between my classes.

I was also looking at This case with the same PSU for 20 dollars less although i did like the Windtunnel allot more.

Maybe i should just crack and start taking out student loans early (I've been trying to put them off until now with what Ive been saving and making over the summers).

Education is better then a new pc (in the long run :])

I only did what i did because im not in college yet (wont be for 2 more years), and I have enough funds from elsewhere now.

If you need good for cheap  get this and swap the GFX card.

its upgradeble up to 16GB Ram. and 2-internal 3.5 HDD's.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366571&st=asus&lp=13&type=product&cp=1&id=1218092152238

its pretty decent for the price. just needs new gfx card. lol

[Natheria]

Better education = more computers in the long run.  

And holy shit, my own card is better than that POS. They allays screw you on the GPUs in those pre built best buy machines. they used to screw you on that and the RAM but now they have no excuse to short change you in that department anymore. That's why i had to get the card i have now in the first place. They also don't give much info on the "Intel Pentium". What is that, a single core?

I've never really cared for Best Buy. As far as computers go their shit is allways way overpriced.

Edit: ooooh! love the new signature Misa!  

[misachaos]

Better education = more computers in the long run.  

And holy shit, my own card is better than that POS. They allays screw you on the GPUs in those pre built best buy machines. they used to screw you on that and the RAM but now they have no excuse to short change you in that department anymore. That's why i had to get the card i have now in the first place. They also don't give much info on the "Intel Pentium". What is that a single core?

I've never really cared for Best Buy. As far as computers go their shit is allays way overpriced.

Edit: ooooh! love the new signature Misa! 

Thnx 4 shedding light on that. After reading i finally realized the crappyness >> (im nhot the sharpest tool in the shed obviously)
and thnx again, shabutie made it :3

[Xtras]

Hey hey, stop raggin on the 2600 XT. It has been a trusty card for me and has put me through plenty of video games. It even runs Crysis and Fallout 3. Agreed that it isn't for any extreme gaming, but hey, for those of us that leave our computers on overnight torrenting for weeks on end, a graphics card that requires a 6 pin is overrated anyway. Too much heat, even in idle mode. It overclocks pretty nicely also. Not to mention crossfire...pretty cheap to get two of them these days.

[kureshii]

Well I'm already getting 40 off the case+PSU and another 40 off the CPU+mobo+RAM which is pretty damn good for Newegg (i really should have mentioned that before). I'll take a look at those links a little more in depth in the morning in between my classes.

Ah, I see, wasn't aware you were buying it in a combo. In that case I can't really find cheaper combos I can bring myself to recommend, except perhaps this one.

As for memory, I still don't think that combo is worth it, considering that 2x2GB DDR3 memory starts at $73; that's already $32 cheaper than the memory in the combo you picked. Basic DDR3-1333 memory with another CPU+mobo combination would potentially save you more, and the extra bandwidth you get from more expensive memory isn't going to do anything for you unless you're going all out on a build.

Alternate CPU+mobo+memory combos:
CPU+memory #1 with P55M-UD2
CPU+memory #2 with P55M-UD2
CPU+mobo with any reputable budget memory

If you need good for cheap  get this and swap the GFX card.

its upgradeble up to 16GB Ram. and 2-internal 3.5 HDD's.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366571&st=asus&lp=13&type=product&cp=1&id=1218092152238

No... If I'm not guessing wrong, it's most likely an E5300 in that thing, pretty much the last thing you want unless your budget is so low you can't afford anything else (in which case I can recommend you a cheaper and better AMD build).

[Klocknov]

PSU: OZC StealthXStream 600W
This review for the power supply seem pretty good to me.

Okay from going with the OCZ SXS I will say it is very much well not worth it, it only lasted me a month and a half, after that I had the RMA come DOA and then took me 3 weeks of talking before they just upgraded me to a better PSU (PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750). So after this experince I will say always look for two things, first of all a 80Plus certification then for good reviews. I also found out that when my PSU fried it killed my MOBO so I am in the works of RMAing that also... let's hope they will respond soon.

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R

Motherboard: Gigabyte P55M-UD2
If you don't mind microATX motherboards, the UD2 is much better value for money in a motherboard.

MSI P55-CD53
There're some people who don't like MSI motherboards, I don't have enough experience with them to say anything about them. If you're not one of those people, you could take a look at it.

ASUS P7P55D
If you must have an ATX motherboard, this is another potential contender.

Okay down to those four, I would say Gigabyte would probably be the best choice, after that would come ASUS (as much as I hate them for having now 5 of their boards have the audio go out, which could easily be solved by buying a card) and then MSI. Then biggest downfall for MSI boards is the BIOS from what I have heard, it is said to be one of the biggest pains for OCing. (I have not played with any of these to know for fact.) So of those four listed that is how I would look at. I would probably go with the UD2 if I was going to only run one GPU or the ASUS if I planned on dual GPU setup. Only other boards you may want to look at is the ECS boards, though for Intel based systems I normally go either Gigabyte or ASUS and AMD Gigabyte or ECS.

Past that I also support the ram comment by kureshi, since for now DDR3-2000 really isn't the bang for the buck.