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Small midrange build help

S

soulcougher73

Lifer
EDIT: updated components. It seems my video card will fit this case? Any input or recommendations? I know some of the prices can be cheaper on newegg but i use Amazon Prime and their Amazon Visa card so i get rewards points for using them.

I am looking to finally build a new computer after about 5 years on my old one. Im not the gamer i used to be so id like to reuse my video card if im able to. But i have a full size ATX case right now but want to go mini ITX i think on the MB. I do have a Microcenter in town. Id like to stay under $800. I do NOT plan to OC at all.

Things i currently have that id like to use in the system:

Asus 6850 1GB DDR5 (about a year old)
Dell U2412M 24" Monitor (just bought today at $295 on Amazon) - excited
Crucial 256GB SSD

Things i need:
CPU: i5-3570k (microcenter $189.99)
MB: ASRock H77M-ITC (microcenter $94.99- $50combo =$44.99)
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600 (Amazon $43.78)
Optical: ASUS 24x DVD burner (Amazon $26.20)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG06 (Amazon $145.00)
OS: Windows 7 OEM (Amazon $90.40)

Thanks in advance
 
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Those monitors are awesome; I just bought two of them for my setup. They came in today and I'm on them right now as I type this reply 😉

To begin with, do you need a small computer for some reason? If not, then I'd just go with a tried-and-true ATX case. Unless you have some kind of specific need, it's simply not worth the headache. So until you reply, I'm just temporarily ignoring the size of your computer....

The modern lineup of Intel chips are just awesome. Way faster than people even realize. So basically, I'd recommend an Intel Core i-whatever. The i3, i5, and i7 are all good. I'd bet that the best choice for you would be the cheapest Ivy Bridge i5 you can get your hands on (just check local Microcenter deals) and some kind of quality motherboard (Gigabyte, Asus, Intel, etc). Some might argue that you shouldn't get an Intel motherboard or that you should get a "k" series CPU, but since you already said you don't want to overclock, there is zero need for this. Besides, Intel motherboards are very reliable. But like I said, just look for a combo deal; Microcenter is known for this. If you're not playing CPU intensive games, an i3 may be just fine for you. But, judging by the fact that you're somewhat of a gamer, I have a feeling you'd want the extra power of an i5 😉

As for memory, just get as much as you can. Honestly, I'd go for 2 x 8 gb sticks (total of 16). This way, if you decide to go your ITX route, you'll have a bunch of memory for now and the future. If you go the full sized route, you'll have two more slots open for even more expansion in the future. Yes, it's true, you may not need 16 gb right now, but you'll probably use more than 8 in the near future, and 16 is really cheap enough these days.

DVD Drive? People still use those? 😉 Any how, get whatever's cheap. It's all the same crap at this point.

As for your case, it's really just personal preference. Just stick to the major brands, check community reviews, and use common sense. Personally, I like plain-jane looking cases (Antec, Lian-Li, etc), but you may not. This is really all your decision.

PSU: Use one of the many PSU calculators available online to get a feel for what wattage you should be shopping for. I can't stress this enough: don't be cheap when buying a PSU! Spend as much as you need to for a quality, efficient power supply from a major brand.

As for Windows licensing, I have no clue. 😛
 
soulcougher73 said:
I will game a bit but it most likely will not be anything too taxing. GW2 looks interesting to try out. Most games ive recently played were LOTRO, SWTOR, thought about loading up EQ again for fun lol
Click to expand...

Well then believe it or not, an i3 would be fine for you. But, since you live near a Microcenter, I'd just pay a few more bucks and wait for a cheap i5 combo. Any i5 will be plenty; just get the cheapest one 🙂
 
soulcougher73 said:
Things i need:
CPU: i5-3570k (microcenter $189.99)
MB: ASRock H77M-ITC (microcenter $94.99- $50combo =$44.99)
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3-1600 (Amazon $43.78)
Optical: ASUS 24x DVD burner (Amazon $26.20)
Case: Silverstone Sugo SG06 (Amazon $145.00)
OS: Windows 7 OEM (Amazon $90.40)

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

See case issue that Ken mentioned.

The rest of the parts look OK to me except the DVD burner is 50% more expensive than it should be compared to this LG and the RAM is about 33% more expensive than it should be. Unless the Amazon rewards card is completely obscene, it won't give you even 33% off after all is said and done.
 
mfenn said:
See case issue that Ken mentioned.

The rest of the parts look OK to me except the DVD burner is 50% more expensive than it should be compared to this LG and the RAM is about 33% more expensive than it should be. Unless the Amazon rewards card is completely obscene, it won't give you even 33% off after all is said and done.
Click to expand...

Yeah i think as far as the case goes with the Sugo series and my vid card id have to go up to the expensive SG-07 series to make it fit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163212
These sugo cases are enticing because of the quality psu they have included vs other smaller cases. Still looking/thinking on the case.

Originally i was looking at the dvd burner in your midrange build but newegg charged like $6 shipping on a $18 burner. So i looked around for a free shipping burner which was the ASUS which made it cheaper overall. But it looks like the one you linked has free shipping so ill most likely grab that one.
 
soulcougher73 said:
Yeah i think as far as the case goes with the Sugo series and my vid card id have to go up to the expensive SG-07 series to make it fit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163212
These sugo cases are enticing because of the quality psu they have included vs other smaller cases. Still looking/thinking on the case.
Click to expand...

Yeah, $200 seems pretty steep compared to $80 for the Bitfenix. The Bitfenix is a little bigger, but I don't think that matters when it costs half as much.
 
mfenn said:
Yeah, $200 seems pretty steep compared to $80 for the Bitfenix. The Bitfenix is a little bigger, but I don't think that matters when it costs half as much.
Click to expand...

Yeah i was looking at that Bitfenix as well. The microcenter near me has 3 of the black one in stock at $79 i think it was. Any good modular psu youd recommend if i went that route?

I may go check it out in person later today to see how the fit and finish is on it.
 
Ken g6 said:
Dustin recommends a small PSU. You want modular. That pretty much narrows it to one particular Silverstone PSU.That $200 case is starting to look better.
Click to expand...

I really like the look of the Silverstone Sugo SG-06 model. Amazon has it for $145 with the included 450w PSU. I know my video card wont fit but with the onboard graphics on the i5-3750k i think i can get by on that with the few games i do play for awhile. Maybe down the line ill get a GPU that is 10" or less in length if my gaming needs demand it.

It reminds me of my Silverstone Grandia GD-04 i use for my HTPC that i love 🙂
 
Here is what my final build will be. Case should arrive today which is the last part. I have friday off so i think ill start building it then.

Case: Silverstone Tek SG06BB-450-USB3.0 $145
CPU: Core i5 3570K $190
MB: ASRock Z77E-ITX LGA1155 Z77 $95
RAM: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $37
S.S.D. Crucial 256 GB m4 $165
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit $90
DRIVE: SAMSUNG 8X Slim Internal DVD Burner $20
MONITOR: Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" LED LCD Monitor $289

TOTAL: $1031

I'll reuse my keyboard, mouse, speakers and printer. In the future if i need more GPU power ill have to buy a new video card 10" in length or less as my current card seems it will be a bit to long.
 
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mfenn said:
Wow, very nice deal on the SSD! Let us know how the build goes.
Click to expand...

Yeah they had the M4's on Gold Box deals yesterday on Amazon. I had bought it the day before for $200 but htey refunded me the $35 no questions asked in about 3 mins on chat with them. Amazon rocks.
 
Just for a small update. I decided to see if my HD6850 would fit into the Silverstone SG06 and it did without too much trouble. Still probably had a 1/3" left or so. I was suprised since the case specs said 10" cards and that card specs say its 10.24".

Either way im glad and i dont have to spend money on a new video card at all 🙂
 
Nice use of 3 minutes with Amazon! Glad to hear the 6850 squeezes in there, always nice to be surprised in a good way.
 
soulcougher73 said:
Just for a small update. I decided to see if my HD6850 would fit into the Silverstone SG06 and it did without too much trouble. Still probably had a 1/3" left or so. I was suprised since the case specs said 10" cards and that card specs say its 10.24".

Either way im glad and i dont have to spend money on a new video card at all 🙂
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Thanks for the info!
 
slugg said:
Well then believe it or not, an i3 would be fine for you. But, since you live near a Microcenter, I'd just pay a few more bucks and wait for a cheap i5 combo. Any i5 will be plenty; just get the cheapest one 🙂
Click to expand...

Too late for the OP right now, but Micro Center's latest email ad specifies that the Core i3-3225 is now available to combo with a Z77 motherboard for $50 off. CPU is $130 and cheapest ATX motherboard is $95-50=$45, mATX $100-50=$50, mITX $145-50=$95.
 
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