All right, narrowing it down - thoughts on build?

[Nebbers]

Putting together a build. Some notes:

- Not planning on gaming anytime soon.
- Looking to spend under $500, could go a bit higher if it's worthwhile
- Will mainly be used for Web design, Adobe CS5, etc.
- Do not need storage other than a small SSD to put Win7 and most-used programs on. Will use two SATA drives I already have for the rest.
- Do not need optical drives, kb/mouse, speakers, monitor
- Would like to overclock. Not to an extreme, but if I can squeeze a good deal more value out of it for less money I'm down.

I'm not that particular about brands, and would consider an AMD setup if I'd be better off that way - most of my research has been into Intel lately (I was pretty out of the loop).

Planning to use the integrated graphics on the CPU for the time being. May add a graphics card down the road if I decide to game, simply don't have time for it right now.

Here's what I'm looking at right now:

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
ASUS P8H67-V (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-8GBRH
Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular High Performance Power Supply
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

This is putting me at a little under $600 (buying the CPU elsewhere for $20 less, maybe can find slightly better deals on some other parts too)

Anything that could be changed out for some savings without sacrificing performance/reliability? Would an AMD setup be better for me, considering I'll be using the integrated graphics for a while and won't be gaming? Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[paperwastage]

cheaper H67/H61 board? probably dont need any fancy SLI/CF stuff

RAM, you can find 2x4GB ~ $30 if you want to

same thing for SSD, can find a better/cheaper one

PSU, could drop down to the corsair c430. $17 after rebate/coupon(expiring today)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=corsair 430w

if you arent gaming, i might drop down to an i3 2100 over an AMD setup, since you will have an option of a future upgrade to 2500k (or IB if supported), while your AMD, you'll be stuck with whatever you have (or a x6 / llano)

 

[Ken g6]

If you want to overclock, you need a P67 or Z68 board. For cheap Z68, you can't beat this ASRock. (Unless you're buying the CPU at Micro Center and they have a bundle.)

Cheaper memory with no heat spreaders, which is fine.

 

[mfenn]

If you want to overclock, you need a P67 or Z68 board. For cheap Z68, you can't beat this ASRock. (Unless you're buying the CPU at Micro Center and they have a bundle.)

Cheaper memory with no heat spreaders, which is fine.

:thumbsup: Agree.

OP, you will want to add an aftermarket HSF like the Hyper 212+ for any kind of overclocking beyond what turbo will to for free.

same thing for SSD, can find a better/cheaper one

Cheaper? Yes. Better and cheaper? Probably not.

PSU, could drop down to the corsair c430. $17 after rebate/coupon(expiring today)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=corsair 430w

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Nebbers]

Thanks for the input all. Ended up spending slightly more than planned but think it was worth it, as I got slightly better deals than Newegg on a couple of items. I'm very satisfied so far.

Ended up going with most of the original list, swapped the Corsair C430 for the PSU, went with 8GB Patriot Signature instead of the Ripjaw stuff. Otherwise the same.

Haven't delved into overclocking too much yet but it's already stable at 4.7ghz with just mostly auto settings. Love how fast Photoshop/Illustrator perform... really didn't realize how old my previous PC was getting to be.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

 

[mfenn]

Sounds good, glad you like it!