New Build Suggestions

[Hite]

Well my computer just bit the dust and it looks like I will have to pull the trigger and oh darn upgrade to a faster model.

I am not stuck on one manufacturer and have absolutely no plans to overclock and would be very doubtful if I would put more than one video card in it. Probably will get everything from Newegg.

The use is mainly for every day computing but I do play games but most aren't that new or spectacular (Civ, Unreal, Quake Wars Enemy Territory).

My budget set by the wife is about $500 but I could stretch it a bit if it is worth it. Maybe up to $600.

I am bringing over the hard drives, monitor, mouse etc as well as the case:

Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1.
Case

I am looking at the following components based on research I have done:

$51.99 G.Skill Ripjaws 8 GB DDR3 1600
$89.99 - $30 MIR XFX Core Edition 650 W
$109.99 AsRock Z68 Pro3-M
$189.99 Intel i5-2400

Total: $411.96 (less the rebate)

I have been reading that the GTX 560 Ti series would be a good video card but I am looking for some suggestions as that is a little more than I have in the budget. My area of no expertise would be the PSU but if there are any other suggestions I appreciate them. Thanks ya'll.

 

[lehtv]

You could power a 560 Ti and a 2400 with less than 650W easily. You won't use more than around 250W at load with a stock clocked 560 Ti. If you OC it add up to 30W or so. A 430W power supply will be enough for your system, assuming business as usual in the rest of the build (no crazy amounts of HDDs, fans, lights etc).

Here is the best deal on newegg for a while, grab it while you can: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026 $25 after rebate

Review: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-CX430-V2-Power-Supply-Review/1284/10

If you're on the fence about spending nearly $600 though, you could just grab an AMD 6870, they're more afforable. $150 with rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102948

With CX430V2 and 6870 you'll be at about $530 AR + tax.

You can always upgrade the VGA easily, just sell the old card and upgrade to next-gen in 2012. They won't be any more power hungry (probably less) than current gen cards, because the 28nm manufacturing technique allows for a lot higher performance/watt.

 

[Ken g6]

If you're not into overclocking, you probably don't need a Z68 board. Here's a nice little $55 one.

You don't need RAM that fast either. (It won't help with gaming.) I suggest a CPU/RAM bundle.

 

[lehtv]

I wouldn't go for the combo deal. PNY makes RAM? You can get 8GB DDR3-1333 from G.Skill for about $44.

As ken_g6 said you could really save on the mobo. I would get Z68 only if I planned to upgrade to an overclockable Ivy Bridge next year.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

PNY makes perfectly good ram

 

[mfenn]

I wouldn't go for the combo deal. PNY makes RAM? You can get 8GB DDR3-1333 from G.Skill for about $44.

As ken_g6 said you could really save on the mobo. I would get Z68 only if I planned to upgrade to an overclockable Ivy Bridge next year.

PNY has made RAM for a long time. The Optima is nothing special, but the price is right in that combo.

OP, I second the opinion to get a less expensive mobo. The ASRock H67M for example. Then you could get an HCG-520 w/o rebate and have about $50 more to play with on the GPU.

That should get you to the 6870 without breaking the bank. Given the games that you mentioned, a 6870 would be plenty.

 

[Hite]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I didn't know that you could go with such a low power supply.

...However I just read my emails and saw that the Antec Earthwatts 650 W is on sale for $39.99 after rebate. I think I might jump on that for a few extra $$ to have the extra room to grow or use it the next time I upgrade.

Also on sale is the i5-2500 for $194.99 so for $5 I figure why not go with that with the savings from the power supply?

Going to check out the suggestions on the motherboard and video card next when I have some time to compare. Darn working getting in the way.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

nice find!

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I didn't know that you could go with such a low power supply.

...However I just read my emails and saw that the Antec Earthwatts 650 W is on sale for $39.99 after rebate. I think I might jump on that for a few extra $$ to have the extra room to grow or use it the next time I upgrade.

Also on sale is the i5-2500 for $194.99 so for $5 I figure why not go with that with the savings from the power supply?

Going to check out the suggestions on the motherboard and video card next when I have some time to compare. Darn working getting in the way.

Yeah, both of those are fine.