Gradual build

[crownjules]

I've figured that after nearly 5 years of dedicated, reliable service that it's time for my current rig to retire from active duty. It's just not capable of running games on my new 1920x1080 monitor at anywhere near max res/max settings. No doubt she will still find service as an HTPC.

So I've read a bunch and I'm fairly confident in the build I've got below. Feedback on something that might be better for nearly the same price is welcome. I'd like to OC the rig. It's mostly for gaming, browsing, media, and some programming.

CPU:       Intel i5-2500K ($199)
HS/FAN:    CM Hyper 212+  ($29)
Mobo:      ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ($120)
RAM:       G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB DDR3 1866 CL9 ($53, in hand)
GPU:       EVGA GTX460 1GB (recycled, will SLI in the future)
HDDs:      Corsair Force 3 90GB SATA3 SSD ($140) - OS/Games
           Velociraptor 130GB 10K RPM HDD (recycled) - Games/Programs
           WD 2TB HDD (recycled) - Everything else
Case:      Antec 900 w/all fans (recycled)
PSU:       600w (recycled - I forget brand but I always buy the reputable ones)
Sound:     SB X-Fi (recycled)
--------
Total Cost = $541

Not too bad for cost. And these parts I'll either get as gifts with my birthday 1.5 months away or at least be able to wait for sales since I'm not in a rush to build it, so I don't expect to pay the full $540.

 

[mnewsham]

Buying piecemeal is not the best idea, if you have a 30 day return period (or less) and you get one part one day and the next part in a month or two but you need one to use the other then you can't check if they work, if they don't you could be SOL if it beyond the return period.

If you can do it so you get all important parts at once that would be best, so Motherboard and CPU on the same day, not motherboard and 2 weeks later a CPU.

Besides that, looks like a good build. You spent a LOT on RAM however, you can also find SSD's on sale that go under $1/GB area, so $140 seems a bit much for that drive.

 

[Puppies04]

OP save your money and buy it when you have enough for the whole project, you are pretty much guaranteed to get either the same or better for the original price.

On a side not keep in mind that newer games are getting clocer and closer to being VRAM limited on 1GB at 1080p SLIing 460's at a future date might be a bad call rather than selling your existing card and buying something with more memory.

 

[crownjules]

I intend to get the CPU + mobo together. I just meant I'm not in a rush to get it now so I can wait on sales. $140 for the SSD is just the pricing now. Again, I'll wait for a good sale on something, though I've read good reviews on those Corsairs.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

1) Buy CPU+Mobo
2) Buy SSD or NEW GPU (sell old GPU)
3) Buy which ever you didnt buy

 

[mfenn]

Agree 100% with mnewsham and Puppies. Make sure you get components in such a way that you can test them immediately after that arrive so that you don't burn through your return window.

Also, if you're planning to buy in a month and a half, don't set your sights on specific parts just yet. You'll want to do some research (and a post a thread of course) a week or so before you want to buy. That way you'll get in on the deals du jour.