Guess what!? A BF3 build!

[gregulator]

Been a while since I upgraded my business compy at home (e4500, 9600GT, I think on a P5N mobo) and it is time!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Photoshop, video editing (Sony Vegas), and don't tell the boss, but BF3!

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

I really want to keep it cheap. $600ish

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

The People's Republic of Newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Anything that could be Hackintoshable as well, so Intel definitely.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I have an Antec case with a 430W PS, but it may not cut it huh? I have HDDs as well. I really just need CPU/MOBO/RAM, video card, and maybe PS.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

YES!

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Probably not, unless it is a 2500k.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

I am fine with 1600 x whatever, don't need to be at 1900 x 1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Now!

Thanks! I know there are lots of similar threads but I am just wondering if I can do it relatively cheap since I don't need mega-eye candy. Maybe I can get away with upgrading to a Qxxxx on my existing mobo (LGA775) and just get a fancy video card?

 

[Ken g6]

Photoshop, video editing (Sony Vegas), and don't tell the boss, but BF3!

Well, in your budget, which do you want to lean toward, Photoshop, or BF3? Photoshop and video editing could use a more powerful processor (in which case I'm going to get in trouble with mfenn again for recommending Xeon processors on h61 boards when they're not officially supported.) BF3 on the other hand would suggest spending just a little more on your GPU than you really need to or could use for Photoshop et al.

 

[lehtv]

No need for a PSU upgrade IMO. This of course requires your current PSU to have enough amps on the 12V rail.

I've got two ideas here. First build:

CPU i7-2600 $250 http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354588
Mobo MSI H67 mATX $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
RAM 2x4GB G.Skill $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU XFX 6850 1GB $120AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150551
(SSD) Crucial M4 64GB $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148447

Total = $497 ($592)

In this build, I'm assuming you do video encoding and photoshop daily, hence the 2600. Could probably fit BF3 on the SSD too. Or get the Z68 board below for using the SSD as a cache. Could also remove the SSD and add a new PSU e.g http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013 (seasonic built 5 yr warranty)

Power consumption: 2600 = 95W, 6850 = 120W (yes), the rest = 50W. Max power consumption = 265W, less 99% of the time.

Second build.

CPU I5-2400 $150 http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354590
Mobo Asrock Z68 ATX $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
RAM 2x4GB G.Skill $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU MSI 560 Ti $225AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127565

Total = $522.

And in this build, I'm assuming it's pew-pew 24/7 . Can add the SSD to this if you want or upgrade the PSU.

Power consumption: CPU = 95W, GPU = 175W, the rest = 50W. Total = 320W. Less 99% of the time.

 

[Ken g6]

CPU i7-2600 $250 http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354588
Mobo MSI H67 mATX $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
RAM 2x4GB G.Skill $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU XFX 6850 1GB $120AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150551
(SSD) Crucial M4 64GB $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148447

And if you don't have a Micro Center nearby, go with my unsupported suggestion:
CPU Xeon E3-1230 $240 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115083
Anecdotally, it should work.

For the gaming version, I'd go with a 2500k instead, $220 from Newegg. Overclocking is almost as good as hyper-threading for Photoshop and video editing. You could add a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ later and overclock a little higher.

 

[Rme4life]

That's a sweeet deal on the i7.

 

[Ken g6]

FYI, from another thread:

Newegg has a shell shocker deal today on G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL - $34.99.

 

[lehtv]

For the gaming version, I'd go with a 2500k instead, $220 from Newegg. Overclocking is almost as good as hyper-threading for Photoshop and video editing. You could add a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ later and overclock a little higher.

I agree, 2500K is a good choice too. It's as good a choice as an SSD, or a new PSU if needed.

 

[mfenn]

No need for a PSU upgrade IMO. This of course requires your current PSU to have enough amps on the 12V rail.

I've got two ideas here. First build:

CPU i7-2600 $250 http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354588
Mobo MSI H67 mATX $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
RAM 2x4GB G.Skill $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU XFX 6850 1GB $120AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150551
(SSD) Crucial M4 64GB $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148447

Total = $497 ($592)

In this build, I'm assuming you do video encoding and photoshop daily, hence the 2600. Could probably fit BF3 on the SSD too. Or get the Z68 board below for using the SSD as a cache. Could also remove the SSD and add a new PSU e.g http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207013 (seasonic built 5 yr warranty)

Power consumption: 2600 = 95W, 6850 = 120W (yes), the rest = 50W. Max power consumption = 265W, less 99% of the time.

Second build.

CPU I5-2400 $150 http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354590
Mobo Asrock Z68 ATX $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157251
RAM 2x4GB G.Skill $42 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
GPU MSI 560 Ti $225AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127565

Total = $522.

And in this build, I'm assuming it's pew-pew 24/7 . Can add the SSD to this if you want or upgrade the PSU.

Power consumption: CPU = 95W, GPU = 175W, the rest = 50W. Total = 320W. Less 99% of the time.

Given that his PSU came with an Antec case, It's probably the BP430. That has 33A available between the 2 12V rails. Should be more than sufficient for #1.

 

[gregulator]

Thanks for the help guys! Ended up with a i5 2400, Biostar TZ68A+ mobo, 8GB generic ram, M4 64GB SSD, and a Gigabyte 6850. It was all at Microcenter so just picked it up.

The PS was actually a Thermatake 430W, and seems to be doing just fine!

 

[lehtv]

:thumbsup: How much did you end up paying?

 

[gregulator]

About $600 with tax, but before $50 in rebates.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

awesome!

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the help guys! Ended up with a i5 2400, Biostar TZ68A+ mobo, 8GB generic ram, M4 64GB SSD, and a Gigabyte 6850. It was all at Microcenter so just picked it up.

The PS was actually a Thermatake 430W, and seems to be doing just fine!

Looks nice!