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1500$ budget - help me build

ZorgoZorgo Member UncommonPosts: 2,254

Disclaimer: please disregard my other threads - I'm going a different route - but thanks for all who helped steer me away from Dell/Alienware.

 

So, if you had 1500 bucks to spend at New Egg, what would you do to build a gaming rig?

Comments

  • FalstaffFalstaff Member UncommonPosts: 78

    Micro-ATX  build

     

     

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 

    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($25.99 @ Newegg) 

    Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($129.98 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

    Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($279.99 @ Newegg) 

    Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($112.98 @ Newegg) 

    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer  ($15.99 @ Newegg) 

    Total: $1034.88

    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 19:12 EST-0500)

     

    Throw in an ssd, windows, monitor/keyboard/mouse.  put one similar to this together for a friend, and now slowly buying most of the same parts for myself

     

     

  • EpicentEpicent Member UncommonPosts: 648
    Why a micro atx and not an atx motherboard
  • ToxiaToxia Member UncommonPosts: 1,308
    Originally posted by Falstaff

    Micro-ATX  build

     

     

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 

    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($25.99 @ Newegg) 

    Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($129.98 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

    Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($279.99 @ Newegg) 

    Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($112.98 @ Newegg) 

    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer  ($15.99 @ Newegg) 

    Total: $1034.88

    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 19:12 EST-0500)

     

    Throw in an ssd, windows, monitor/keyboard/mouse.  put one similar to this together for a friend, and now slowly buying most of the same parts for myself

     

     

    why micro atx and not atx motherboard?

    To 'make sure' i always have ebough power, i go for 800w myself.

    But all in all, build looks good. would last a good long while

     

    The Deep Web is sca-ry.

  • ZorgoZorgo Member UncommonPosts: 2,254

    Looks pretty good; 

    I was wondering about this combo deal also:

     

    Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core, Asus P8Z77-V Z77 Motherboard, Mushkin DDR3 8GB Memory, Samsung 250GB SSD, Cooler Master Gaming ATX Mid Tower Case, Cooler Master 700W PSU SuperCombo

    777.79

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1134267

    with this vid card:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

  • FalstaffFalstaff Member UncommonPosts: 78
    Originally posted by Epicent
    Why a micro atx and not an atx motherboard

     

    the build i posted had a MicroATX Mini Tower case.  sweet case with that 180mm fan on the front pushing air over all the hot spots

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483
    Originally posted by Zorgo

    Looks pretty good; 

    I was wondering about this combo deal also:

     

    Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core, Asus P8Z77-V Z77 Motherboard, Mushkin DDR3 8GB Memory, Samsung 250GB SSD, Cooler Master Gaming ATX Mid Tower Case, Cooler Master 700W PSU SuperCombo

    777.79

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1134267

    with this vid card:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

    The problem with your combo deal, as with nearly all large combo deals, is that you're overpaying for several individual components by margins that overwhelm the combo savings.

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483
    Originally posted by Toxia
    Originally posted by Falstaff

    Micro-ATX  build

     

     

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 

    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($25.99 @ Newegg) 

    Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($129.98 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

    Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($279.99 @ Newegg) 

    Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($112.98 @ Newegg) 

    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer  ($15.99 @ Newegg) 

    Total: $1034.88

    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 19:12 EST-0500)

     

    Throw in an ssd, windows, monitor/keyboard/mouse.  put one similar to this together for a friend, and now slowly buying most of the same parts for myself

     

     

    why micro atx and not atx motherboard?

    To 'make sure' i always have ebough power, i go for 800w myself.

    But all in all, build looks good. would last a good long while

     

    Some things there look nice, but I wouldn't get four memory modules, and really see no plausible reason to cram everything into an artificially small case.  Larger cases are easier to work with and tend to give you better airflow.  That comes at the expense of being harder to transport, but that's no big deal if you're going to leave it in your home basically forever.

  • ZorgoZorgo Member UncommonPosts: 2,254
    Originally posted by Quizzical
    Originally posted by Zorgo

    Looks pretty good; 

    I was wondering about this combo deal also:

     

    Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core, Asus P8Z77-V Z77 Motherboard, Mushkin DDR3 8GB Memory, Samsung 250GB SSD, Cooler Master Gaming ATX Mid Tower Case, Cooler Master 700W PSU SuperCombo

    777.79

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1134267

    with this vid card:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

    The problem with your combo deal, as with nearly all large combo deals, is that you're overpaying for several individual components by margins that overwhelm the combo savings.

    I see. This is a recent build you made; considering my budget could handle another 600 or so, what would you augment? I'd go with a gtx 660 most likely, but open to suggestions.

     

    Processor/motherboard combo deal:  $335 before a $20 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033223

    Standard gaming enthusiast processor, with a decent enough motherboard.

    Processor heatsink:  $25 before a $10 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

    Because the stock heatsink is terrible.

    Power supply:  $70 before a $15 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

    High end quality for only $70?  Yes, please.

    Case:  $45 before a $15 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

    You could perhaps justify spending more on a case, but this will get the job done.  It has room for three additional fans (beyond the two that it comes with), in case you later decide you need more airflow.

    Memory:  $50

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

    Do you actually need 16 GB?  No, but look at the price tag.

    Solid state drive:  $140

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171568

    223 GB of capacity means plenty for all of the programs that you use much.

    Hard drive:  $65

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

    Do you even need a hard drive with such a large SSD?  If you do, then get one, but if you don't, then you can skip it.

    Optical drive:  $16

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

    It's cheap and it will work.

    Operating system:  $80

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416550

    On discount for Black Friday.  While I wouldn't upgrade an older computer to Windows 8, on a new one, you might as well take it.

    And then you use your GeForce GTX 560, and perhaps keep your old peripherals.

    Total:  $825 including shipping and before $60 in rebates.

     

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483

    Here you go:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033223

    Standard gaming enthusiast processor, together with a decent enough motherboard.  There's a $20 promo code on the motherboard, too, but you might not be able to get it with the combo deal.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413

    Prices on the Radeon HD 7970 have dropped enough that I think they make more sense than the GHz edition cards.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226237

    The great SSD deals of the weekend have sold out, so we go with what's left.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

    You don't really need 16 GB, but it's cheap, so why not?

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

    This was once the highest quality consumer power supply on the market.  It's not that anymore, but it's still very good.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008

    Plenty of space, and plenty of airflow for whatever you decide to do in the future.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151256

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416550

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236380

    With such a large SSD, do you really need a hard drive?  If so, then get whatever capacity you need.  This one is a shell-shocker deal (currently $65), but the prices on those only last a few hours or so.

    That comes to $1334, before $25 in rebates.  You said you needed a monitor, too, but I really don't know what's good.  I'm also assuming that you reuse your old peripherals (mouse, keyboard, speakers, surge protector), though I don't know if that's an option for you.

  • neobahamut20neobahamut20 Member Posts: 336
    I'd buy something worth 500$ but with an apple on it so I could spend 1500$, that way, I will convince myself that I'm rich even if I'm poor.

    Boycotting EA. Why? They suck, even moreso since 2008.

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483
    Originally posted by Zorgo
    Originally posted by Quizzical
    Originally posted by Zorgo

    Looks pretty good; 

    I was wondering about this combo deal also:

     

    Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core, Asus P8Z77-V Z77 Motherboard, Mushkin DDR3 8GB Memory, Samsung 250GB SSD, Cooler Master Gaming ATX Mid Tower Case, Cooler Master 700W PSU SuperCombo

    777.79

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1134267

    with this vid card:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810

    The problem with your combo deal, as with nearly all large combo deals, is that you're overpaying for several individual components by margins that overwhelm the combo savings.

    I see. This is a recent build you made; considering my budget could handle another 600 or so, what would you augment? I'd go with a gtx 660 most likely, but open to suggestions.

     

    Processor/motherboard combo deal:  $335 before a $20 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033223

    Standard gaming enthusiast processor, with a decent enough motherboard.

    Processor heatsink:  $25 before a $10 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

    Because the stock heatsink is terrible.

    Power supply:  $70 before a $15 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

    High end quality for only $70?  Yes, please.

    Case:  $45 before a $15 rebate

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

    You could perhaps justify spending more on a case, but this will get the job done.  It has room for three additional fans (beyond the two that it comes with), in case you later decide you need more airflow.

    Memory:  $50

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

    Do you actually need 16 GB?  No, but look at the price tag.

    Solid state drive:  $140

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171568

    223 GB of capacity means plenty for all of the programs that you use much.

    Hard drive:  $65

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

    Do you even need a hard drive with such a large SSD?  If you do, then get one, but if you don't, then you can skip it.

    Optical drive:  $16

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

    It's cheap and it will work.

    Operating system:  $80

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416550

    On discount for Black Friday.  While I wouldn't upgrade an older computer to Windows 8, on a new one, you might as well take it.

    And then you use your GeForce GTX 560, and perhaps keep your old peripherals.

    Total:  $825 including shipping and before $60 in rebates.

     

    Part of the problem is that prices change.  The case, power supply, SSD, and OS are all now more expensive than they were when I linked that for someone else.  And the SSD is out of stock, too.  The person on the other thread also had a video card that he could re-use, while you need one new.

    If you want to save some money on a video card and get a GeForce GTX 660 or Radeon HD 7870, then go ahead.  But you said a $1500 budget, and that lets you grab something further up the line if so inclined.

  • miguksarammiguksaram Member UncommonPosts: 835
    Originally posted by Falstaff

    Micro-ATX  build

     

     

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 

    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($25.99 @ Newegg) 

    Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($129.98 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($24.99 @ Newegg) 

    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

    Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($279.99 @ Newegg) 

    Case: Silverstone TJ08B-E MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($112.98 @ Newegg) 

    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 

    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer  ($15.99 @ Newegg) 

    Total: $1034.88

    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-26 19:12 EST-0500)

     

    Throw in an ssd, windows, monitor/keyboard/mouse.  put one similar to this together for a friend, and now slowly buying most of the same parts for myself

     

     

    I also recently build a system that is very similar to this one although I have a different MB (Gigabyte Sniper series), different GPU (Asus GTX680 DirectCU II OC) and a Samsung 830 128Gb SSD.  The case itself is also a different version of the same case you listed (Silverstone PS07) but is otherwise the exact same dimensions.  

    I can tell you that this little machine will and does eat up every game on the market at Ultra settings (1920x1080 res).  Don't let the small form factor fool you, it also runs very cool and is silent to boot.  Check out the below pics for an example of the build and size comparison to a my Silverstone FT02 Full tower case.

    image

    image

    image

    EDIT: BTW I am not advocating following my build as some parts are obviously personal choice of power savings/silence over performance per dollar.  The reason for posting was to show you that small form factor builds such as one in a quality Micro ATX case can be done and done well for the price range you are looking at ($1300 total for example on this one).

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