Look for parts now?

[jakket]

Hi all,

I plan on building my first gaming rig in about 6 months because I won't have the money until then. Currently, I've been looking for parts for the PC but thinking about it, I won't be able to get them until later.

This is what I've got so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/EAPU

After 6 months have passed, should I consider on keeping these parts for my rig? I feel that in 6 months, I may need to change/upgrade some of them because of prices, discontinued items, etc. :hmm:

TIA!

 

[Blain]

wait

 

[lehtv]

Just to expand on Blain's excellent insight, no, in 6 months the landscape will be quite different. Six months is a long time for hardware. Don't get set on any particular component until a few weeks before purchase, and be prepared to change up some components on a moment's notice before ordering. Deals come and go and to get the most bang for your buck, you have to grab the best ones.

However, it is a good idea to have a general outline for the build, based on these questions. Please post answers here and we can help you out better. The rig you posted looks decent for a gaming PC but there is one huge problem: Raidmax makes crap PSUs. Do not buy them, ever. And one lesser problem: 2500K is last gen, 3570K is current gen with lower power consumption many smaller improvements. But by the time you're ready to buy, Intel will have released the next generation of CPUs and motherboard chipsets.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Basically, you'll be looking at this:

Haswell i5-4XXXK - $230
$30 CPU Cooler
Z77 Mobo - $100
8GB RAM - $40
Some kind of GPU - $400
SSD - $100
1TB HDD - $75
Corsair, NXZT, or Antec budget case - $50
500W Corsair, Antec, or Seasonic PSU - $60
DVD Burner - $20
Total: Roughly $1105 (random sales may bring this price down)

Add $100 for an operating system, and another $150 or so for a 1080p monitor if necessary. A basic Microsoft or Logitech keyboard and mouse set runs about $20.

 

[jakket]

Just to expand on Blain's excellent insight, no, in 6 months the landscape will be quite different. Six months is a long time for hardware. Don't get set on any particular component until a few weeks before purchase, and be prepared to change up some components on a moment's notice before ordering. Deals come and go and to get the most bang for your buck, you have to grab the best ones.

However, it is a good idea to have a general outline for the build, based on these questions. Please post answers here and we can help you out better. The rig you posted looks decent for a gaming PC but there is one huge problem: Raidmax makes crap PSUs. Do not buy them, ever. And one lesser problem: 2500K is last gen, 3570K is current gen with lower power consumption many smaller improvements. But by the time you're ready to buy, Intel will have released the next generation of CPUs and motherboard chipsets.

Thanks lehtv for your input. I'll post my answers on that thread when the time comes.

 

[lehtv]

Please post the answers in this thread

 

[Carson Dyle]

Make a parts list, exactly like you've done, but keep an eye on developments. In another couple of months, re-evaluate your list. Keep reading about what's happening in the market, and stay on top of things.

What you _don't_ want to do is buy parts over a three to six month period, either because you're convinced you'll be using a certain part or you think that you're jumping on a really good deal. Almost everything will come down in price during that period, and some products will be updated. A deal in April on, say, an SSD, may easily be higher in price than you'd pay in August. And that case you're convinced is perfect may be revised by the manufacturer with a newer model with better cooling or better cable management.

 

[jakket]

Please post the answers in this thread

Ah sorry, misread your previous post :biggrin:.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

I will be using this PC primarily for gaming and normal usage. I would like to be able to play games at mid-level settings and above.

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

I would like to spend ~$1000 or less.

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

USA. I have a Microcenter near me so I will eventually buy some of my parts there along with other websites like Newegg, Amazon..

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.*

N/A

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

I prefer Intel, ATI or nVidia, and WD.


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

N/A

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

Plan on overclocking.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1600x900 and above. I plan on having a 2 monitor setup in the future, but as of now, one is fine

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

In 6 months. I will not have the money to buy all the parts until then.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

I will be using Windows 7 64bit


I know my time frame is fairly big on when I will be able to build the PC but I want to have some information on what I should look at now and possibly change it in the future.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Look at my old post (#4) to get a rough idea of what to expect in six months. Sales on specific around that time (and random deals) WILL bring the price down--my list uses an average price for each parts--try not to pay more than that for each one.

For example, right now there is a deal for a mobo and 8GB of RAM for $110 and some shipping. That's $30 less than average prices. There's a 7970 going for $360, which is a $40 savings (or a 670 for $300!) There's also a $50AR 500W PSU right now. All together, the price dropped below $1000.

That should give you a rough guideline.