My 7 year old PC just pooped the bed, I need a new one...

csj0952

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Nov 30, 2004
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So, I'd like a relatively cheap PC preferably under 1K. I was thinking about going with a Puget Systems pre-built box or something like Alienware, but if you guys can do cheaper then let me know.

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mostly web browsing, media center storing tv shows possibly in the future, and I would like to play the new starcraft and the new diablo game when it arrives.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
1K, give or take a couple hundred

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

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.
None


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

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
No I'm sorry, I know I should be flogged for this...


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

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
No idea, something good though, I can see small stuff...


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
NOW

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

The above information IS NEEDED, in order that WE can help YOU make wise judgments on YOUR purchases :laugh:
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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Core i3 2100 CPU $130
random socket 1155 micro ATX motherboard $120
random 4GB DDR3-1333 or 1600 1.5v $40
random SATA DVD writer $25
random 1TB 7200RPM HDD $65
Cooler Master Elite 341 micro ATX case $50
random good quality 500-600W PSU (Antec NEO ECO, Antec EarthWatts, Rosewill Green, Corsair CX series, etc.) $50-70
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
GeForce GTX 560 Ti or Radeon 6950 1GB $250

~$850 + shipping and/or tax

~$950 with a Core i5 2500 or 2500K which bumps you up to quad core

Alternately use the extra $100-150 for a boot SSD.
 

csj0952

Member
Nov 30, 2004
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So I was reading another thread and Doclife recommended this:

I'd pick the following components for a quality system, reasonably priced and way less than your $1500 budget.


Intel i5-2500K CPU - $224.99 (FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115073

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-D3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $114.99 + $7.56 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128487

ZALMAN CNPS5X SZ 92mm Hydraulic CPU Cooler - $14.99 (after $15 Rebate, FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118090

G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $69.99 (FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416

XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express - $209.99 (After $30 Rebate, FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150523

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal HDD - $64.99 (FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185

SeaSonic S12II 520 520W Bronze ATX12V - $72.98 (Shipping included)
http://www.chiefvalue.com/product-_-...00159127010060

SAMSUNG SH-222AB DVD Burner - $20.99 (FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151233

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $49.99 (After $10 Rebate, FS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233

Total : $851.46 ($906.46 if you don't do rebate)

If you live near a MicroCenter store, you can buy the i5-2500K there for $180+tax instead of the $225 on Newegg.
If you want a better quality, quiet, minimum dust in the case, and good airflow case, take a look at Antec P183.


Here's a higher budget build sincd doclife covered the budget option so well

i5-2500k + EVGA Superclocked gtx 570

Gigabyte UD3 Mobo + Corsair Vengeance

Xigmatek Balder HSF

Crucial C300 120gb

Coolermaster HAF X + Samsung Spinpoint F4 2tb

XFX P1-650X PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136236

Use Promocodes : EMCKFHB23 , EMCKFHH39

Total: $1,355.90 - $110MIR = $1245.90


Problem is, alot of the combos and coupons are no longer available.
 

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
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^^Good build, but I prefer this Antec Neo Eco going for $40 now. Its pretty much the same unit as the Seasonic S12II, just a rebadge I believe.
 

Slugbait

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,633
3
81
^^Good build, but I prefer this Antec Neo Eco going for $40 now. Its pretty much the same unit as the Seasonic S12II, just a rebadge I believe.

Yup, that is correct, it's a Seasonic. Dead silent. I got the same unit back in February for the same price, the deal was propped to the front page at slickdeals after I posted it...note that this is a Shell Shocker deal this time around, so jump now without thinking about it, or you lose.
 

csj0952

Member
Nov 30, 2004
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I just got the power deal you guys recommended. Now onto the next deal...keep em coming
 

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
699
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Here's the budget version, still very similar to the one you linked if you notice:

i5 2500k + Gigabyte P67 UD3

G.Skill 8gb

XFX 6950 1gb

Antec Neo Eco 520C

Samsung Spinpoint F3

Coolermaster HAF 912

Sony Optiarc DVD Drive

Xigmatek Dark Knight HSF

Total: 896.20 - $30MIR = $866.20

This is an overclocking build, you can get the non-k version, a h67 motherboard and drop the heatsink if you feel like it. I personally think given the easy overclockability of Sandy Bridge you should at least leave the option for later. Tomorrow I will try to get a good build at the $1100 pricepoint. I hope to squeeze an SSD and a better video card in there, but that looks tough.
 
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csj0952

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Nov 30, 2004
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I'm not so sure I'll need to overclock, I mean I'm not going to be doing any extensive video processing or what not. Diablo 2 and Starcraft seem like the most intensive video I'll do.

I'll probably go with the Antec Case cause I find that skimping on a case isn't a good idea. I have alot of dust in my room and I may run the computer sometimes over night in my bedroom needing some quiet fans.

And I got some crappy hanns g 216d monitor...I may upgrade that later on top of the 1K-1.2K price range.
 

csj0952

Member
Nov 30, 2004
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ALso, do i need artic silver paste or does the CPU come with it? THat head sink looks rather large and funky aphelion as well....sorta aprehensive. I'm a newb when it comes to putting together PCs.
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
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I wouldn't be too concerned with airflow on a SB build cause technically you don't even need case fans. I'm only using one 140mm front intake running at low RPM's on my rig. No exhaust fans. My GPU is locked at 45% fan speed and my place isn't exactly cool and gets fairly dusty. I've got no heat problems and your build will run a lot cooler than mine. A 570 will give off more heat than a 460 but not enough to affect anything.

Course it's always good to have some exhaust fans (will add some myself once I find quiet ones), the above is just FYI.
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
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ALso, do i need artic silver paste or does the CPU come with it? THat head sink looks rather large and funky aphelion as well....sorta aprehensive. I'm a newb when it comes to putting together PCs.

The stock HSF that comes with the CPU has pre-applied paste. An aftermarket cooler will come with paste too. Personally, I use MX-4 reguardless of heatsink.
 

Slugbait

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,633
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I'll probably go with the Antec Case cause I find that skimping on a case isn't a good idea.
I've had two Cooler Master cases for HTPCs, read a lot of reviews on others, and I've worked with a few Antec cases...you're not exactly "skimping" with Cooler Master, but you sure can skimp with Antec. It depends on which specific Antec you're talking about.
 

csj0952

Member
Nov 30, 2004
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I've had two Cooler Master cases for HTPCs, read a lot of reviews on others, and I've worked with a few Antec cases...you're not exactly "skimping" with Cooler Master, but you sure can skimp with Antec. It depends on which specific Antec you're talking about.

Antec P183
 

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
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Thats a pricey case for a computer under $100 imo. If you are willing to spend that much on a case, I'd recommend looking at the HAF X and the Corsair 600T as well.
 

csj0952

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Nov 30, 2004
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I'd like a cool looking case, preferrably a bit smaller (only need a couple harddrives and a single bay for a dvd drive....

I agree the antec is a bit much...don't really know what else to pick from though...
 

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
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The HAF 912 I recommended is a solid value oriented case under $100. You can also take a look at the Antec Three Hundred for the same price point.

Btw, I can sell you a used Antec Nine Hundred for cheap, PM if you are interested.
 

sigmanova

Member
Sep 30, 2010
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Antec 300 is far from a "cool looking case" but it's very unassuming and i love the simple, sort of classy feel it has.

My previous rig used an Antec 900 and while that is certainly a snazzy case it does cost up to $40 more than an Antec 300 if you can't find it on sale; which takes away budget from getting a better GPU for example.

(I'm an Antec-fanboy btw :D)
 

sigmanova

Member
Sep 30, 2010
113
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ALso, do i need artic silver paste or does the CPU come with it? THat head sink looks rather large and funky aphelion as well....sorta aprehensive. I'm a newb when it comes to putting together PCs.

If you do NOT plan on overclocking at all you do not need to re-paste the CPU as the stock heat sink will come with pre-applied paste.

I put together a computer for the first time a few months ago and while it does seem tricky at first with the CPU, follow the manual provided and it shouldn't be too difficult (this coming from the guy who didn't put his RAM in all the way and wondered why his computer wouldn't boot).

My CPU temps do get a little hot while playing Starcraft 2 but it is stable and I have noticed nothing out of the ordinary. If this worries you or you live in a hot area I would consider an aftermarket heatsink and paste.
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
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I'd like a cool looking case, preferrably a bit smaller (only need a couple harddrives and a single bay for a dvd drive....

I agree the antec is a bit much...don't really know what else to pick from though...

A case is largely a personal choice because of aesthetics. Course some people don't care. Best to just browse newegg and find one that suits you.
 

aphelion02

Senior member
Dec 26, 2010
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For reference, the usual suspects for quality cases are Antec, Silverstone, Lian Li, and recently Corsair. Most of their portfolio is above the $100 range though.