Budget-ish Gaming Rig - Help Please!

[Maverick2002]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be building a gaming PC for my sister primarily for Diablo 3. I don't have a strict budget would like to keep it around ~$800-900 if possible. I need everything except monitor/speakers. Might be getting a 30" since she only has a 22" widescreen so it would be up to $1100 in that case.

The PC I built about 2 years ago for myself is still a monster - which is surprising given that I didn't pay much for it. I guess we finally hit the computing sweet spot. Anyway, here's what I currently have (all stock):

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Asus P7H55D-M EVO
i3 530 @ 2.93 Ghz + Intel HSF
8GB (4x2) G.Skill DDR3-1333 <-- this is kinda overkill
Gigabyte GTX-460 1GB (the one with dual fans)
Intel XM25-G2 80GB SSD (OS + apps)
WD 500GB 7200 RPM (data)
Cooler Master Cosmos
Corsair 650 watt PSU
DVD-RW

--------------

This seems to run D3 at 1080p max settings just fine. I think I have minimal AA on, but the game looks about as good as it's going to I think. Sometimes I get a bit of a slowdown in A3 Rakkis Crossing, but I think that's actually a software issue on Blizzard's end like the beam crossing.

Anyway, I'd like to go with a similar setup. I'm sure I can get some decent upgrades 2 years later for the same price, but unfortunately I have been COMPLETELY out of the loop on all hardware happenings so I'm a little rusty.

We have settled on the following:

------ I have OS, so don't need to buy ------

Case: $180 Corsair - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139005 (I will never skimp on a case, my CM Cosmos I've had for almost 4? years now ... it's seen several upgrades)

Headset: $130 Steelseries D3 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826249066 (I might be getting these for myself too if they're that good, had the Fatality ones before and didn't like how hot my ears got)

Mouse: $58 Logitech G500 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104318

Keyboard: $71 Logitech Illuminated - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tem=23-126-043 (same one I have ... it's the BEST I've ever used and perfect in low light conditions)

= $439

----------------------

I'd like to build the rest for ~$400-500 if possible.

TIA!

 

[Ken g6]

$500 might be possible, but not as good as what you have.

First, I assume you need Windows:
- Windows 7 Home Premium OEM, $100 (unless you're a student or your sister is.)
Next, video card.
- Gigabyte 460, $120AR. This MSI is better for the same price, but is out of stock.

Presuming we stick with those, that leaves only $280 for everything else.
CPU: Pentium G860, $90 - best you can get after paying for everything else, unless you live near a Micro Center.
Mobo: ASRock H61, $45
RAM: 4GB G-Skill $20.5
PSU: Corsair 430CX, $25AR
HDD : WDC 500GB $70
DVD : Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Total: $489, with generally minimal hardware and no SSD.

Note that getting a less expensive case would open up many more options.

 

[Maverick2002]

Oops, my bad. Don't need OS, forgot to mention that. I have a copy so that opens up another $100.

SSD is a must.
Good video card is a must.

 

[Ken g6]

Well, replace the copy of Windows with a Crucial M4 128GB from Amazon (Newegg just raised their prices) and the total comes out to exactly $500.

I misread your specs earlier - I thought you had an i5. This system will be similar to or better than your current one in most areas.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Ken's build is great considering the budget, though I personally would step the CPU down to a G620 and up the RAM to 8 GB personally but that's because I found 4GB to be lacking for what I'm usually doing. I'd also spend a bit more on the storage drive, unfortunately you have to pay at least around $60-70 to get a decent drive in the first place, but once you do you can spend about $20 more and get 2-3 times the storage space. This is purely wasted money if you don't plan on ever using that much space but I find it easy to hoard files and max out my drives.

 

[mfenn]

Spending 1/2 your budget on a case, headset, mouse, and keyboard seems completely insane to me. I can maybe see the justification on the headset, keyboard, and mouse, but the case is completely out of control IMHO. You can get a good case for less than $100 these days. You're really hurting the performance of the PC itself with those by dropping $160 AR on one.

http://redirect.anandtech.com/r?url...duct.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506&user=u00000687i3 2100 $125
ASrock B75M $65
PNY DDR3 1333 8GB $39http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230
6870 $160 AR
M4 128GB $120
7K1000.D $90
Corsair CX430 $25 AR
Antec Three Hundred Two $70

Logitech G400 $45
Logitech 920 keyboard $71
Steelseries Siberia V2 USB $100 (branded products are ripoff)
Total $910 AR

This is all from Newegg for convenience, but feel free to shop around for better prices.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Spending 1/2 your budget on a case, headset, mouse, and keyboard seems completely insane to me. I can maybe see the justification on the headset, keyboard, and mouse, but the case is completely out of control IMHO. You can get a good case for less than $100 these days. You're really hurting the performance of the PC itself with those by dropping $160 AR on one.

http://redirect.anandtech.com/r?url...duct.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506&user=u00000687i3 2100 $125
ASrock B75M $65
PNY DDR3 1333 8GB $39http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230
6870 $160 AR
M4 128GB $120
7K1000.D $90
Corsair CX430 $25 AR
Antec Three Hundred Two $70

Logitech G400 $45
Logitech 920 keyboard $71
Steelseries Siberia V2 USB $100 (branded products are ripoff)
Total $910 AR

This is all from Newegg for convenience, but feel free to shop around for better prices.

This is an awesome build, I was under the assumption that the Case and such had been purchased already though/will not deviate for whatever reason. And $70 is one hell of an expensive keyboard if it ain't mechanical imo. If you're willing to change things around mfenn's build is great and you could potentially step-up the case to what you like for roughly the same cost too.

 

[mfenn]

This is an awesome build, I was under the assumption that the Case and such had been purchased already though/will not deviate for whatever reason. And $70 is one hell of an expensive keyboard if it ain't mechanical imo. If you're willing to change things around mfenn's build is great and you could potentially step-up the case to what you like for roughly the same cost too.

I thought so as well on the keyboard, but it turns out that it is mechanical. It uses a scissors-style actuator like a Macbook or Thinkpad keyboard instead of a flat spring like say a Cherry MX.

 

[Maverick2002]

Yea it's a mechanical keyboard. I love the feedback and it has the best backlighting I've ever seen. I'm ok paying a premium for it. I have it on the lowest brightness setting all the time (except during a bright day) as it's very subtle lighting but accents the keys a little.

I just have a preference to get an expensive case and peripherals because I don't upgrade them. I've had 3 computers in my current case now. It's quiet, cool, looks beast, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Unless ATX standards change, I can see it lasting a good decade total.

 

[oynaz]

While you have a point about a good case lasting you a long time, I think you are overspending in this case (you see what I did there? Hur, hur!)
I would settle for a case in the $~100 range.

I agree about the peripherals. A good keyboard and mouse is a must.

 

[lehtv]

I thought so as well on the keyboard, but it turns out that it is mechanical. It uses a scissors-style actuator like a Macbook or Thinkpad keyboard instead of a flat spring like say a Cherry MX.

It still has rubber domes though but it's very comfortable to type on for a low-profile keyboard. The lifetime of the switch isn't what you'd expect from a proper mechanical switch. My keyboard's CTRL key was sometimes unresponsive, and after about 2,5 years of use my E-key literally broke off. But with the awesome 3-year warranty I got a brand new keyboard for no cost and no questions asked, so I'm highly biased in favor of this company now

 

[Maverick2002]

Thanks for the suggestions, working on getting the pieces in the "basket" right now. Is 430w enough for a GTX460+ ? I run a 650 in my system, always thought those were pretty power hungry and don't want crashes because there's not enough juice going in. Also if I wanted to upgrade CPU/GPU down the road, would I need to get a beefier PSU? Might as well get the 650 now if that's the case. For the video card the recommendation is "minimum 450watt PSU". I looked up an older AT article and some of the GTX460s hit 300watt during load, which leaves only 130 for the rest, kinda cutting it close no?

 

[Maverick2002]

Ok, final check:

(EDIT: added in RAM, got rid of keyboard/mouse looks like she already has what she needs there)

Items that are not changing:

$180 Case - Corsair (sister really wants this one) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139005

$130 D3 Headset - SteelSeries (she really wants this one, I realize it's $30 for branding) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826249066


Items that can change:

$18 DVD-RW - Lite-ON - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

$140 GPU - Gigabyte GTX460 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125412

$110 PSU - Corsair 650w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 (430watts might be pushing it during load)

$67 Motherboard - ASRock H61M - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157236

$45 RAM - 2x4GB G.Skill - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

$125 CPU - Core i3 2120 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115077

$120 HDD (OS) - Crucial M4 128GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148442

$70 HDD (Data) - 500GB Samsung (don't need 1TB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181

-----

Total: ~$1000.

Anything you would change before I pull the trigger? Why? Did I miss anything? (for example do I need Arctic Silver or is stock TIM ok? Stock cooler quiet enough?)

 

[mfenn]

I just have a preference to get an expensive case and peripherals because I don't upgrade them. I've had 3 computers in my current case now. It's quiet, cool, looks beast, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Unless ATX standards change, I can see it lasting a good decade total.

I guess the disconnect that we're having is that you're thinking that a case won't be any good unless you spend $150+ on a it. That is simply not true, you can get plenty of mileage out of a quality $70 case.

 

[mfenn]

Ok, final check:



Items that are not changing:

$180 Case - Corsair (sister really wants this one) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139005

$60 Keyboard - Logitech Illuminated (use this myself) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126043

$45 Mouse - Logitech G400 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104577

$130 D3 Headset - SteelSeries (she really wants this one, I realize it's $30 for branding) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826249066


Items that can change:

$18 DVD-RW - Lite-ON - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

$140 GPU - Gigabyte GTX460 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125412

$110 PSU - Corsair 650w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 (430watts might be pushing it during load)

$67 Motherboard - ASRock H61M - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157236

$125 CPU - Core i3 2120 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115077

$120 HDD (OS) - Crucial M4 128GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148442

$70 HDD (Data) - 500GB Samsung (don't need 1TB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181

-----

Total: ~$1100 including shipping.

Anything you would change before I pull the trigger? Why? Did I miss anything? (for example do I need Arctic Silver or is stock TIM ok? Stock cooler quiet enough?)

The GPU is way underpowered for an $1100 build with no monitor. The 650TX is also overkill (wattage and price), so maybe things can be evened out a little. The Silencer Mk III 600W is $55 AR AP, so that frees up $55 for the GPU. You could upgrade to a GTX 560 Ti for $200 AR, which only increases your net cost by $5.

 

[Maverick2002]

I know it's not true. I used to run a hardware site and have reviewed well over 100 cases, many of them quite good for under $100. This is just a good case and she happens to want it above all others, so I'm getting it for her.

Can you look over my list and tell me if I missed something or of something is incompatible or not optimal?

EDIT: also added RAM (almost forgot) and ditched the keyboard/mouse - turns out she has what she needs there.

 

[mfenn]

I know it's not true. I used to run a hardware site and have reviewed well over 100 cases, many of them quite good for under $100. This is just a good case and she happens to want it above all others, so I'm getting it for her.

Can you look over my list and tell me if I missed something or of something is incompatible or not optimal?

See above.

 

[conscious_13]

If she is dead set on the case after the advice was given, I'd say get the case. I really like my Antec One gaming case. I feel like I stole from Antec for only paying $50. It's not super crazy but that's why it's $50. Quality and not much wasted space or gimmicks. That said, I still drool over the pricey cases. I was able to compromise. She obviously doesn't want to. I really wanted the Corsair Vengeance case.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Not really sure why you chose that motherboard as opposed to just getting something like this ASRock H61M. Also that is a massive case and a microATX board in a full tower looks quite weird and leaves quite a lot of space (might need some longer cables).

 

[Maverick2002]

What is the upgrade potential of that motherboard? The other one has more reviews/more slots so that's why I chose it.

The board looking "goofy" in the case isn't really a concern. I'm also getting some interior lighting for it. I'll look into the 560 Ti, might get that instead. Is it a big jump over the 460? Her monitor is a 22" 1680x1050 and she didn't want larger so I think either will be able to max it just fine.

 

[krnmastersgt]

The upgrade potential is the same as any other H61 board, and for your sister's uses I think it should be just fine.

The 560 Ti is a pretty big jump over a 460, but I think a 460 or a 6850, hell even a 6770/6670 would be enough for your sister's uses at her resolution.

 

[Maverick2002]

Gotcha, still deciding on that one. Last question, what's the difference between these 2: ?

$90 Corsair 650w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

$110 Corsair 650w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo

 

[lehtv]

650W is overkill. Would be just fine with 500W. Seasonic M12II 520W $51 after promo. This is a steal

 

[Maverick2002]

Seems like the 520w will be the way to go then. I'm still leaning towards the GTX 460 as I think it will max out D3 at 1680x1050 just fine even with some AA (since I have an i3 2.93ghz and a 460 in my system and it maxes D3 at 1920x1080). I'm biased towards NVIDIA.

What's the difference between H61 and B75 Intel chipsets?

 

[Ken g6]

B75 gets you a few more goodies built in: SATA3 (which makes SSDs a little faster), USB 3.0, more RAM if more slots are available, and generally better support for Ivy Bridge processors. Though most H61 boards should support them too with BIOS updates.

I finally dug up a benchmark of D3. The 460 looks good to me too.

P.S. I have that Seasonic PSU. It's really nice. I think I paid more than it's selling for now, too.