Building on a budget.. $450

[SeductivePig]

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of building a gaming PC on a budget. I plan on playing diablo 3, battlefield 3, mass effect 3, skyrim, and old republic.

So far I have:

Samsung Monitor, 19'' LCD 1440x900 resolution
Logitech G5 Mouse
Saitek Eclipse Keyboard
250gb 7200 RPM Harddrive
Thermaltake Soprano Case
LG CD Drive

I need:
Processor
Video Card
Memory
Power Supply
Motherboard

I was thinking of this:

Processor - Intel 2500k - $185 @ amazon (I have a $30 credit)
Graphics Card - XFX 6870 - $130 @ newegg ($10 off for new customers, and $30 rebate)
Power Supply - OCZ Fatality 550W Modular - $40 @ newegg ($10 off for new customers, and $20 rebate) already bought this
Motherboard - Asrock H61 - $50 @ newegg ($10 off for new customers)
Memory - Gskill 8gb (4gb x2) DDR3 - $45 @ newegg already bought this

Total is $450

I was told by another forum to get a better PSU, better motherboard, switch to an amd x4 955, and get a 6950.

Personally I don't plan on OC'ing the 2500k that much, so I don't see the need for a new motherboard, and I don't see how I would need more than 550W of power.. and I thought the 6870 was fairly future proof.

 

[mnewsham]

PSU is fine, I think that build looks fine, if you can find the money for the 6950 that'd be better (obviously) but i wouldnt get stuck with a Phenom x4 for any reason at this point.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can't overclock the 2500K at all with a H61 or H67 motherboard, you need P67 or Z68.

So, you should either drop to a 2500, or spend extra on a P67 / Z68

 

[Patrese]

You can't overclock the 2500K at all with a H61 or H67 motherboard, you need P67 or Z68.

So, you should either drop to a 2500, or spend extra on a P67 / Z68

This.

If you can get a 6950, great, but other than what DaveSimmons said I think you made great picks for the money you got.

 

[Meghan54]

Power Supply - OCZ Fatality 550W Modular - $40 @ newegg ($10 off for new customers, and $20 rebate) already bought this


I was told by another forum to get a better PSU...

Personally I don't plan on OC'ing the 2500k that much, so I don't see the need for a new motherboard, and I don't see how I would need more than 550W of power.. and I thought the 6870 was fairly future proof.

First, there's no such thing as future proof in computers, only how "obsolete" the part has become.

Second, OCZ power supplies have never been viewed as reliable, meeting specs, or in other words....decent units. OCZ has one of the highest failure rates of amy brand out there of the major brands, witnessed by all the refurbished units on almost all the part etailer websites.....no other brand has as many refurb'd power supplies for sale as OCZ, which says a lot. (OCZ's reputation in power supplies is horrid......most view OCZ power supplies as just a step above junk.)

And while 550W is probably perfectly fine for running your computer, a 550W OCZ power supply is no equal to a similar Antec, Seasonic, XFX, or Corsair power supply (much less chance of failure, much better electrical output quality----ripple/noise generation, voltage regulation, efficiency.)

 

[mfenn]

OCZ's reputation

Spoiler

in power supplies

is horrid......most view OCZ products as just a step above junk.

Fixed that for you. :awe:

OP, the OCZ definitely wouldn't have been my first choice, especially seeing has how the Corsair 500CX is $40 AR. It probably won't blow up though.

Agree with the others about dropping the 2500K to the something lower. I would probably entertain the thought of an i3 2100. That would allow you to get a 6950, which will help quite a bit in gaming performance.