Hello, I'm trying my hand at building a computer.

[thecrazydudesrd]

well... the topic title pretty much summed it up :D

 

I have a budget of about $800 US, and I know that this will be probably an 'incomplete' machine, but I'm hoping to build it as a foundation piece that will have a few interesting tweaks.

 

I'm plotting on using the i5 2500k as the Processor as it's shown strong potential across most stats that I've seen. I chose this because it also has about $100 less than an i7 with only maybe 5Mhz more speed starting out... (That and I'm not really overclocking anything as for me the speed of the pc would be rather high in compare to what I'm used to...)

 

I've found a price at newegg for $220 here[/here]

 

Now to the mobo, I'm very flexible with it, up to about $200

Zaldiir had suggested an ASUS Sabertooth p27 in chat, which is about my price range. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131702

 

I'm thinking something like this.. still an ASUS... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131773

 

And the graphics card I'm plotting on is this fine beasty... mmmm... MMmmmm... GTX 550 Ti type about 100-120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121435

 

So far about 500-600 spent.

 

I'm probably chincing on the case itself and the dvd-r is gonna be like 20 bucks so I'm not concerned with it..

 

I've also found a good $60-75 hdd

 

I'm also getting about 8gb ram...

 

So anywho any kind souls willing to help would be nice.

 

 

Edit-Figured you might need to know what kind of programs and OSs being used.

I'm plotting on having this thing dual-boot with both windows xp sp3 and Ubuntu

I'm also having my stock of PSElements 3, Gimp 2.6, Blender and I'm hoping to be able to play Skyrim at least on high.

Edited January 27, 2012 by thecrazydudesrd

[Quetzlsacatanango]

What's your reasoning behind going intel when you're on a tight budget? Just curious.

[hoofhearted4]

i would suggest this mobo. slightly cheaper which is always nice....Z68 is the latest chipset out at the moment. not too different from a P67, but there are some things. they perform better with SSDs if you ever get one....but this board in particular also has PCIe 3.0 which is nice for future GPUs when you upgrade for the future. (i also think it looks nicer then the Sabertooth, but thats my opinion lol)

 

everything else is fine. an HDD is an HDD. just make sure your getting a 7200RPM drive.

 

RAM is RAM. 8gb is plenty.

 

and if youre looking for a nice cheap case, look into something like this or this...and you can easily go even cheaper. idk what your price range for Cases is, and are you getting a PSU with your case or separate? (i would recommend getting a separate one)

[thecrazydudesrd]

Thanks for the responses,

 

Quetz, I chose intel for the CPU due to having a bad time with amd with my other machine (the processor fried about 5 months before the recent incident of the psu.) with that and the fact that I have an old Pentium 4 that is still running strong, I have strong conviction to intel's quality.

 

Hoof, I really like that motherboard there, it's capacity to go between generations is rather nice. I believe that will become my next motherboard due to that well designed feature. ASRock had been a good company for me, even though the last board I have is an AMD type, I have to say it's still a good board and still can go strong.

 

Found me a couple nice cases for about $20 bucks, I know I'll end up eating it with finding fans for it, but even still it's a good deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233073

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095

 

Might not be as beautiful as some of the 200-300 ones but I'm more interested in making the inside beastly, and then develop the rest as things come along.

 

I'll also deal with the psu separately as I'm wanting to try to have it set up somewhat future proofed, because when I have me that extra $150 for a second gpu, I want this machine to be ready to take the load. Perhaps a 600w to 700w would do me... What do you all think?

Edited January 29, 2012 by thecrazydudesrd

[hoofhearted4]

this is another mobo that ive been looking at. the only thing it doesnt have that the other one does it a USB 3.0 header. if your case doesnt have front USB 3.0 ports or if it does but it doesnt connect with a header, then it wouldnt be a big deal...id save you ~$60..something to consider.

[slimhouse]

Don't srimp on the ~Case too much as a good case now means more potential for upgrades later

and better design means increased ~Cooling / more scope for extra fans when you stick that Uber

Graphics card 'under the hood' or water cooling (perhaps).

 

Also better Cases come with more USB ports n stuff...

[thecrazydudesrd]

Small update; Got a power supply that will be used for the foundation build.

 

I went with a nice Thermatake 700w Model that set me back $80, but this machine is working rather solid and it looks rather nice in my old computer's case too

 

I'm currently using it with the old rig and it's running like a dream, even cooler than it was before. I think the old one sputtered out.

 

I don't want to skimp on the case but I have to be very cut-throat to how I manuever with my funding. But I do have plans to pour more funds into it as they come!

 

I'm hoping to just get a good foundation to work from. This is why I really like the Mobo Hoofhearted shown! Fine mobo FINE (mostly a bit of futureproofin' being nice too)... I'm quite set on the i5 unlocked with this board, Although with the board having ivy bridge support too, it looks like I'll be quite happy. I can max out my 32 bit WinXP while have room for Ubuntu, and Win7 when I can afford it. Although a blessing with the case, I have found a nice older Antec Case that has plenty of room and got it for cheap... (don't ever say that you can't get lucky at a goodwill XD)

 

I'll keep this updated once I have things in the pipeline!