$500 Console Replacement!

[Pyr0monk3y]

I'm trying to talk my friend into building a media/gaming PC rather than buying the next gen consoles that will be launching soon.  Our budget is $575 firm. 

 

It needs to be as quiet as possible for watching movies and he will be playing games like call of duty, skyrim, and battlefield.  I know we won't be breaking any FPS records here but if we could get a playable system that'd be great. 

 

This is how I've speced it so far. 

 

 

CPU: Intel i3 3220

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

 

MOBO: Asrock h61m/u3s3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

 

GPU: MSi 650 ti

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127725

 

RAM: Patriot G2 1333mhz 2x4GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220557

 

Storage: WD Blue 500GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

 

Power supply: Corsair CX430M (already on hand, left over from other project)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139049

 

Case: Fractal Core 1000

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009

 

Optical drive: LG black SATA

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136252

 

Can you think of anything that could be improved silence or performance wise?

I know the stock cooler on my i3 2120 is pretty quiet but that chip runs very cold.  I'd love to throw a hyper 212 on there but I don't think the case is wide enough.

 

Do you see any compatability issues? 

 

Will this power supply be enough?

 

 

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[BlackOutCrisis]

I had to accept my stupid warning for you so you better take my advice :P Get the AMD 6300/6350, will be MUCH better for gaming than i3. Also I would get rid of the optical drive; you never need one anymore. Then I would get the Asus 2gb 7770, the 7770 will run circles around the 650ti.

 

Edit* yes that psu will be enough

 

Edit* I would also get a 8gb kit of corsair vengeance low profile Pretty much the same price. I would also get the cx500 (it isn't semi modular but in that case cable management isn't going to be really possible) which is the same price. And for the Motherboard for the AMD cpu I would get the  msi 970a gd46.

 

Edit* And for a case to fit a normal ATX board I would go with the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146102

 

Edit* The parts I listed will be a way faster/better gaming rig with overclocking potential and looks better :)

[Godlygamer23]

After calculating the pricing of everything, I came across a 650 Ti Boost 2GB from Gigabyte. You can find that here. Sadly, with the current setup, it'd be too expensive. I removed the optical drive, and got 576.93 dollars, which is still slightly over. I also found a 2GB 7790 from Gigabyte, which can also be found here. It's the same price as the 650 Ti Boost. 

[Pyr0monk3y]

I had to accept my stupid warning for you so you better take my advice :P Get the AMD 6300/6350, will be MUCH better for gaming than i3. Also I would get rid of the optical drive; you never need one anymore. Then I would get the Asus 2gb 7770, the 7770 will run circles around the 650ti.

 

Edit* yes that psu will be enough

 

Edit* I would also get a 8gb kit of corsair vengeance low profile Pretty much the same price. I would also get the cx500 (it isn't semi modular but in that case cable management isn't going to be really possible) which is the same price. And for the Motherboard for the AMD cpu I would get the  msi 970a gd46.

 

Edit* And for a case to fit a normal ATX board I would go with the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146102

 

Edit* The parts I listed will be a way faster/better gaming rig with overclocking potential and looks better :)

I like it but this will put me way over budget.  That case might be a winner though, it looks like it will have enough room for a decent heatsink.

 

Thanks

[mgsstar]

This is a build I created. This motherboard might require a bios update in order to support ivy bridge. I went for an i5 because this will help avoid bottlenecking if you plan to upgrade the gpu. Chose a Gigabyte board because I think they are better quality than the Asrock board:

 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($220.98 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D3V Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card  ($94.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($57.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $558.91

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-30 19:08 EDT-0400)

 

EDIT: Forgot to add the blu ray drive, so add $50, but it is over your budget... :(

[Pyr0monk3y]

 ...I removed the optical drive...

 

 ...Also I would get rid of the optical drive; you never need one anymore.

 

 

Sorry guys, the optical drive has to stay.  This PC is pulling media duty as well.

[BlackOutCrisis]

I like it but this will put me way over budget.  That case might be a winner though, it looks like it will have enough room for a decent heatsink.

 

Thanks

Nope it will come to to 590$ but the GPU has a 15$ mail in rebate which will bring you under!

 

Edit* if you get the fx 4300 instead of the 6350 it will bring you under and with the mail in rebate it will bring you way under and will still be a better gaming cpu than the i3 in my opinion

[Glenwing]

I'd go for this case.  It's a more expensive case but the free optical drive promo makes it basically the same price as the other two you were considering: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139018

 

I can't recommend the CX430 power supply, they are not really very high quality and have known issues with coil whine.  Think about exchanging it with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151072

 

Save a little on RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1250228

[Pyr0monk3y]

I'd go for this case.  It's a more expensive case but the free optical drive promo makes it basically the same price as the other two you were considering: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139018

 

I can't recommend the CX430 power supply, they are not really very high quality and have known issues with coil whine.  Think about exchanging it with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151072

 

Save a little on RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1250228

I actually already have the power supply on hand so I'm gonna give it a shot.  Thanks anyway though

[Glenwing]

Alright.  It may or may not coil whine, but I have heard a lot of stories about it and half the units I've used personally have exhibited it, so yours may be fine.  In any case it's just a potential noise issue, at least the unit isn't dangerous like some other ones can be xD

[Pyr0monk3y]

Alright.  It may or may not coil whine, but I have heard a lot of stories about it and half the units I've used personally have exhibited it, so yours may be fine.  In any case it's just a potential noise issue, at least the unit isn't dangerous like some other ones can be xD

yea lol, I've seen some $20 specials from a certain retailer here in the states that were scary.  One got so hot under load the sticker melted and the paint started to bubble.

[BlackOutCrisis]

I can confirm the coil whine. I have a cx750m and it does it, it isn't very loud (I can barely hear it) but it definitely is there.

[Guerrero]

I had to accept my stupid warning for you so you better take my advice :P Get the AMD 6300/6350, will be MUCH better for gaming than i3. Also I would get rid of the optical drive; you never need one anymore. Then I would get the Asus 2gb 7770, the 7770 will run circles around the 650ti.

 

Edit* yes that psu will be enough

 

Edit* I would also get a 8gb kit of corsair vengeance low profile Pretty much the same price. I would also get the cx500 (it isn't semi modular but in that case cable management isn't going to be really possible) which is the same price. And for the Motherboard for the AMD cpu I would get the  msi 970a gd46.

 

Edit* And for a case to fit a normal ATX board I would go with the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146102

 

Edit* The parts I listed will be a way faster/better gaming rig with overclocking potential and looks better :)

GTX 650ti is better than the 7770.  Have you seen any benchmarks between the two?

 

http://us.hardware.info/reviews/3233/19/nvidia-geforce-gtx-650-ti-review-gigabyte-vs-msi-vs-zotac-geforce-gtx-650-ti-vs-radeon-hd-7770

[WoodenMarker]

 

This is a build I created. This motherboard might require a bios update in order to support ivy bridge. I went for an i5 because this will help avoid bottlenecking if you plan to upgrade the gpu. Chose a Gigabyte board because I think they are better quality than the Asrock board:

 

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/U7d0/benchmarks/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($220.98 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D3V Micro ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($54.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card  ($94.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($57.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $558.91

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-30 19:08 EDT-0400)

 

EDIT: Forgot to add the blu ray drive, so add $50, but it is over your budget... :(

 

Tax alone would destroy the budget.

[WoodenMarker]

Here you go: http://gyazo.com/6bbb9ac58d62ccce7f3a9bc6edd3d64c

Should be a bit over $500 after taxes or other fees. 

 

If it's not impossible, replace the 7770 with a 7850. It will be about $600 in all but will be able to play just about everything at high settings.

 

Edit: I forgot you already had a psu. The 7850 should totally fit in the budget.

[crystal6tak]

Here's my take on a setup: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=22211812

 

Squeezed the optical drive, 7850 2GB, Phenom 965, Hyper 212+ and other stuff into $525.92 without tax and shipping. Should be under $575 with shipping and tax. Since you said you already have a 430w psu I didn't add a psu in the build. Your 430w psu should be ok for a 7850. 

 

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE       ($94.99)

GPU: PowerColor AX7850 2GB      ($184.99)

MB: ASRock 760GM-GS3 AM3        ($39.99)

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 4GB  ($28.99)

PSU: None                                          ($0.00)

CASE: NZXT Source 210 S210-001  ($34.99)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB     ($59.99)

COOLER:  CM Hyper 212 Plus         ($31.99)

OPTICAL: LG Black 12x Blu-ray       ($49.99)

 

Total: $525.92

 

One thing I would like to say though is that the build I made has little options to upgrade without buying new parts.