HTPC/gaming build (SC2)

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Watching movies, SC2, office apps/internet, coding projects, multitabling on pokerstars and running stat tracking software

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Looking for <$600 (hardware only)

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

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.
No strong preferences, have traditionally gone with Intel, Antec, Seagate

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Peripherals and Win7 taken care of

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I look around, but I'm sure I've missed plenty of good threads

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably not overclocking unless I lack performance, which I don't foresee

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1080, but running 2x 1080p monitors for everyday tasks

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Honestly, there's a chance this build will get put off.. But assuming I do it, it'll be in the next week or so

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
Righto

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Parts I have been looking at:

Antec NSK2480 with 380W PS ($120 Newegg)
--Let's be straight, I'm pretty attracted to this case.
--I think 380W is plenty, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

ASUS P7H55-M Pro ($62 open box Newegg)
--Don't think I have any particular mobo requirements besides stability.
--Just happened to see it open box. Is this reliable?

Core i5 650 ($140 Microcenter)
--How does this compare to my E8400?
--I assume it's a step up, but I really know very little.

Core i5 760 ($170 Microcenter)
--This may be a better choice, especially as future software increasingly is able to use more cores
--Thanks blackmage for the comment!

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 ($80 Newegg)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB ($75 Newegg)

DVD burner ($17 Newegg)

SAPPHIRE 4850 1GB ($77 open box Newegg)

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Ended up getting these parts:

Amazon
HD - 1TB Seagate, $66
Case - Silverstone GD05B, $90

Newegg
MOBO - EVGA mATX board, $55 after $20 rebate
RAM - Mushkin 2x2gb $80
DVD - LG DVD Burner, $18
PSU - OCZ600MXSP, $52 after rebate
Combo savings - $20

Anandtech
CPU - Core i5 760, FS/T $170
GPU - 4870, FS/T $75

Total AR: $586
 
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MisterDonut

Senior member
Dec 8, 2009
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Your E8400 is fine for most gaming for now. Save up some money and wait for Sandybridge, imo. Do you already have DDR2 and motherboard? What resolution?
 

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
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That i5-650 is a dual core cpu. If you want to get a new cpu, it has to be a quad core, like the i5-750, or it's just not really an upgrade over the E8400.

What's your current system like now? Maybe all you really need is just an upgraded graphics card or something.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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I should have included this in the OP. I left my old system with a friend back in Cinci, which is why I'm getting a new system. This isn't an upgrade, I just don't have a desktop at the moment.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1080, but running 2x 1080p monitors for everyday tasks
 

MisterDonut

Senior member
Dec 8, 2009
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Oh wait...I think I was looking at the wrong post when I said that -.-.

Anyways, I just punched in some quick numbers, and for a Propus + GTX460 rig, you're still looking at about $700 (unless you can find some really killer deals). Do you have an old case, any HDDs, RAM?
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Hmm, I don't have any stuff laying around =(

Let's say I'm okay with going up to around $700 max, but that I'd like to stick with Intel. What kind of build would you suggest? I don't think I need a GTX460.. I've been playing SC2 on low on a non gaming laptop heh, and it's almost playable imo. I think something like a GTX260 or Radeon 4870 would be more than enough for me. Does this seem right?
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Well, GTX 260's are not worth the money right now (and probably never again). A 4870, would be OK, but they are hot and loud compared to a 5770.

I don't think that you're going to get any sort of reasonable Intel system in your price range, but I'll try.

i5 750 $170
GA-P55-USB3 $120
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $82
5770 $125 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $75
DVD Burner $20
Antec Three Hundred + Neo Eco 520W $100
Total: $692

Add another $100 if you need a Windows license.

By contrast, the exact same build except with an Athlon II X4 640 and mobo would be $125 less. Is the 640 slower than the 760? Certainly. Is it $125 slower? Not at your budget.
 

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
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:thumbsup for mfenn's suggested build.

The i5-750 is a solid powerful choice, but you can squeeze more into your budget with the "bang-for-buck" Athlon II X4 build.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Well, GTX 260's are not worth the money right now (and probably never again). A 4870, would be OK, but they are hot and loud compared to a 5770.

I don't think that you're going to get any sort of reasonable Intel system in your price range, but I'll try.

i5 750 $170
GA-P55-USB3 $120
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $82
5770 $125 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $75
DVD Burner $20
Antec Three Hundred + Neo Eco 520W $100
Total: $692

Add another $100 if you need a Windows license.

By contrast, the exact same build except with an Athlon II X4 640 and mobo would be $125 less. Is the 640 slower than the 760? Certainly. Is it $125 slower? Not at your budget.

I have plenty of windows licenses from msdn =P

That build looks quite good. I think I can save another $50 or so by going for mATX and maybe looking around for deals. I do like the NSK2480 though. Can someone confirm that the 380W PSU from Antec would be fine for this build? And also whether cards like the 5770 fit in this case?

Thanks!
 

MalVeauX

Senior member
Dec 19, 2008
653
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Ok, let's make you a cheap but powerful gaming machine that will munch SC2 no problem. SC2 loves a powerful CPU. The GPU is important, but frankly, SC2 was made to run on near anything modern. And it will. But if you want it to play well in scaled up big battles, you need CPU power, not GPU power so much. So a huge expensive card is not needed. Instead, just a good mid-range card. The 460 is excellent for the money these days, probably the best power/dollar right now. And it's overkill for SC2. But it's good for everything, so if it can be afforded, it's worth it. CPU wise, a simple Quadcore will do the job. No overclock necessary (unless you just want to).

ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO motherboard (AM3 board) and a Propus 640 3.0ghz Quadcore - $165 together. POWERFUL. And cheap. Even has built in HD4200 so you can power even more displays if you want. This is more than enough for SC2 and most other games. 3.0ghz Quadcore. AM3 for memory. And cheap. Also, note, it's mATX, so you can get a smaller case that is nice looking since it's for HTPC as well (who wants an ugly obvious computer in the room?).

4Gb of Mushkin DDR3 1333 RAM - $75, all you need, and it's mushkin. Not overclocking so you don't need fancy stuff. Just quality stuff that does the job and for a lower price.

Gigabyte GTX460 Fermi GPU - $169. More power than needed for SC2, but powerful enough to play your future games at 1080p as well at very good settings (it maxes most games today even). Price per dollar, it's hard to beat right now.

BFG 550W, 2 rails, PSU - $59. All you need, good quality, not too expensive. No rebate garbage, but has a 10&#37; off promo right now until the 15th this month. All BFG stuff will go for cheap and they're good units, so grab one.

1TB Hitachi 7200rpm HDD - $69. It's fast. It's reliable. It's cheap. You can save $10 and get half the space. Not worth it, so just go full 1TB.

LG DVD/RW Optical - $17. Simple, all you need.

Total: $554 without a sweet case.

All that's left is the case. That's up to you. I personally would spend more and get a very stylish case for HTPC. It's ugly to look at old styled computer cases. It's a box with buttons and is obviously a `computer'. Look into some smaller stylish cases. LianLi has a few. They're pricey, but in the long run, worth it if you don't want it to look like a computer from years ago.

LianLi PC-V351B - $89. Not cheap. But it's gorgeous, small, and very sleek. I have one and amongst other small cases, and it's got enough room to house even my big 5850 and other large GPU cards. It's a very quiet and handy case, plenty of room for drives too (can hold 4-6 depending how you configure it).

Otherwise, get a cheap $40 mATX case if you want to save money. But seriously, saving $30~40 on a really bad case compared to getting something that looks like it's worth way more than it is, when you look at it, and that is made of quality material that will last as long as a natural disaster doesn't crush it is worth the pennies more you truly end up paying for a life long friend of a case. It's the place I'd splurge. Especially for HTPC where you don't want it to be obvious like a junky old computer box.

Very best, :)
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
I have plenty of windows licenses from msdn =P

That build looks quite good. I think I can save another $50 or so by going for mATX and maybe looking around for deals. I do like the NSK2480 though. Can someone confirm that the 380W PSU from Antec would be fine for this build? And also whether cards like the 5770 fit in this case?

Thanks!

Sorry, totally spaced on the fact that you already had a case in mind. The NSK2480 does support full-height expansion cards, so a 5770 will easily fit. The 380W PSU should be sufficient for a 5770 as well. Here's a good basic uATX P55 board.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Thanks a lot guys. I'm going to look around FS/T and see if I can get some good deals. I'll update this thread w what I end up doing.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Ended up getting these parts:

Amazon
HD - 1TB Seagate, $66
Case - Silverstone GD05B, $90

Newegg
MOBO - EVGA mATX board, $55 after $20 rebate
RAM - Mushkin 2x2gb $80
DVD - LG DVD Burner, $18
PSU - OCZ600MXSP, $52 after rebate
Combo savings - $20

Anandtech
CPU - Core i5 760, FS/T $170
GPU - 4870, FS/T $75

Total AR: $586

EDIT: Changed RAM
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Would NOT have bought that OCZ RAM. They have too many compatibility issues. Also would not have bought the OCZ PSU, at $42 for a modular PSU, you really get what you pay for.
 

Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Hmm I've used OCZ RAM before and not had a problem.. I guess I got lucky. I had Mushkin and Corsair on the list before but it was a >$60 difference with rebates/combo.. It's not too late to cancel and change, but it's really a large price difference.

I'll have to think it over. I'm trying to check compatibility of the RAM and the mobo you suggested, but can't seem to find this info.

EDIT: I did change the RAM back to the Mushkin kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-092-_-Product). I think I'll tough it out with the OCZ PSU, though I did find that I could get the 600W model for about the same price, and hope it works out, since it is quite inexpensive and seems to have gotten okay reviews.
 
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Juked07

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2008
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Built the computer with the updated list in OP. It plays SC2 on Ultra at 1080p pretty smooth, at least as far as I can tell. And of course it's kind of overkill for my other computer uses ^^
 

Davidh373

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2009
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I guess just pray that your OCZ products don't go bad... and that Seagate stays spinnin'...