RipTop - $600 CDN Budget Build

[dizmo]

 

So, 2018 marked a new year, and time for a new build as my last computer is back in storage. Which, let's be real, is an excellent excuse to build another one even though it'd be cheaper to fly back and ship it out I find it more fun to search out deals and build computers out of used parts to see what kind of sick systems I can build on the cheap, so that's what I set forth doing.

 

I've done this with many builds, however this time I had more issues than I have with any other build. Will I succeed? Will I be able to complete the entire set up within budget in a significantly smaller city that doesn't have easy access to those amazing US deals?

Join me on my descent into madness and frustration.

 

The Desire

A 1080p60 gaming machine. Nothing else with this guy; no business, I don't stream or do any kind of video work.

 

Budget

As cheap as possible, but I was aiming for the $600 mark for everything; tower, monitor, peripherals, etc.

 

The Beginning

I originally started massing parts and then put it on hold. So I had:

• 16GB of DDR4 ($100)
• Dell E2416HM monitor ($75)
• Logitech G410 Atlas ($50)
• NZXT Noctis 450 case ($80)
• 3x 800GB Intel SSD ($425)
• MSI X3700 SLI Plus ($80)
• CryOrig H7 ($47)

However, as we know, pricing on video cards is insane. What's one to do? Buying a complete system seemed like the best way to go, even though I knew I'd have to tweak it a bit to get exactly what I wanted. I ended up finding a great deal in one of the neighboring towns, so I grabbed for $1,450:

• Ryzen 1500x
• MSI X370 Gaming Plus
• 16GB of DDR4 2400mhz
• 2 GTX 980's
• 1 TB Samsung 850 EVO
• Corsair M65 mouse
• Corsair K70 keyboard
• Samsung 28" 4k monitor
• DX Racer chair
• Corsair case
• Computer desk

Pretty awesome deal! I know most people here would say just keep it, but it's monstrously overkill for what I need, and grossly over budget.

The fellow selling it said it had 32GB of RAM, which after looking it over on pick up realized was a lie; it only had 16GB. He didn't know much about PC's, and it was a killer deal, so I shrugged it off.

So I set forth selling off what I didn't need.

Spent so far: $2,307

• GTX 980 ($360)
• Computer desk ($60)
• DX Racer chair ($280)
• Corsair case ($80)
• 8GB of the 16GB DDR4 ($100)
• 16GB DDR4 ($160)
• Corsair mouse ($40)
• Corsair keyboard ($140)
• Corsair 850w PSU ($120)
• 2x Intel 800GB SSD ($440)
• Samsung 28" 4k monitor ($260)

Now, upon stripping down the computer I noticed the first problem. The SSD was damaged; the L bracket for the SATA connector, and I couldn't get it to work once I'd unplugged it. I contacted the fellow, explained that I'd been fine with the numerous discrepancies with the PC, but a broken part worth hundreds of dollars was a bit much. He said he'd pay for a new 250GB drive, then quickly changed his tune and said I was trying to rip him off. Right buddy. I gave up on the build for a couple of weeks. I ended up using one of the 800GB SSD's I scored instead of selling it.

Second problem:  I'd only looked at the monitor while playing a game, and I also noticed that the lower half was darker than the top half on some screens. Bothered me, as I'd have to now sell it for less than I was planning.

It took around 2 months to sell off the parts.

Adjusted cost so far: $267

 

Build time!

Step One. Case on the table, cleaned it up, got the PSU ready to install.

Spoiler

Step Two. Choose the cables I need, install PSU, get cables ready for routing.

Spoiler

That's where we encounter problem three. Apparently one of the wires in the molex connector for the fan hub had come loose from the contact pin. Awesome.

Spoiler

I'm not great with wiring, so I simply mapped out where the fan headers were, and ran them to the appropriate spots along with the other cables.

Spoiler

I seem to have deleted the pictures of the rest of that day, but I then proceeded to install the cooler to the motherboard. What a pain in the ass. CryOrig has a horrible AMD mounting system, at least on their cheaper coolers. I've always used higher end Noctua coolers, and the difference is quite noticeable.

That's when we encounter problem number 5. Upon turning the power on, it would flash the CPU and DRAM error lights on the motherboard. Bad BIOS? RAM incompatibility? Other issue?

No idea. I saw online that other people had the same issue and had to RMA their motherboards multiple times. Not interested. I've never had this issue with Intel before, so the answer was simple.

Sell the AMD bit of kit, go back to Intel, and avoid MSI.

 

Sold:

• 8GB of Corsair Vengeance RAM ($100)
• MSI X370 Gaming Plus motherboard ($100)
• MSI X370 SLI Plus motherboard (of course listing the issue I had) ($50)
• AMD 1500x ($145)
• 240GB SSD (from kit below) ($60)

Purchased for $250:

• Intel 7600k
• 240GB SSD
• MSI Z270 M5 motherboard
• 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4

Step One. Install RAM and Cooler. The cooler fit infinitely easier onto the Intel board than it did the AMD. Meant to be?

Spoiler

Step Two. Run wires, install into case.

Spoiler

Step Three. Install GPU, adjust wiring, SSD gets tossed into the basement.

Spoiler

 

And here's the final shot of the desk set up.

Spoiler

I had to buy a few extra things:

• Canadian desk pad ($20)
• G.Skill MX780 mouse ($65)
• DisplayPort cable ($12)
• 100 ft ethernet cable ($19)
• Powerbar ($15)
• Ikea desk ($20)
• Makie CR5BT ($80)

End Result

Overall I'm extremely happy with the build. It was a bit of a roller coaster, more so than I would have thought it would be, but in the end I think I came away better for it. Not using the AMD kit I bought got me looking, and I managed to double the amount of RAM in the system and realistically the K SKU i5 will be just as good as the 1500x in games. I know the values below aren't exact (GPU specifically) as there's newer stuff out, but if one were to build the same system new today, this is what it'd cost. I do want to get angled stands for the speakers, they run about $35.

Peripherals, desk pad, storage, etc (basically any little bits) were purchased new.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-7600K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($289.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($46.75 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: MSI - Z270 GAMING M5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($245.99 @ PC-Canada)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($225.44 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Intel - SSD DC S3500 Series 800GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($953.99 @ PC-Canada)
Video Card: NVIDIA - GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card  ($599.99)
Case: NZXT - Noctis 450 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($165.99 @ PC-Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit  ($118.50 @ Vuugo)
Monitor: Dell - E2416H 24.0" 1920x1080 60Hz Monitor  ($247.51 @ Amazon Canada)
Keyboard: Logitech - G410 Atlas Spectrum Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($134.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Mouse: G.Skill - RIPJAWS MX780 Wired Laser Mouse  ($64.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $3184.12

 

As well as:

• 100 ft ethernet cable ($19 @ Amazon Canada)
• Ikea table & legs ($60 @ Ikea)
• Power bar ($15 @ Amazon Canada)
• Desk pad ($20 @ Amazon Canada)
• DP Cable ($12 @ Amazon Canada)
• Makie CR5BT ($274.99 @ PA Shop)

Approximate Value: $3,585.11

Grand total spent: $323

Almost half the budget!

 

Lessons Learned

• Don't buy anything from Kijiji without thoroughly testing it. I've had issues with several other things I've purchased not build related, and I've had several people try to give me counterfeit money in exchange for goods. I've had more issues in 6 months than 10 years of constantly buying and selling in Vancouver.
• While AMD might seem like a good idea, it's not as stable as Intel. I hope they fix this soon, and look forward to Zen2 and beyond.
• When buying used, wait and something good will pop up. When eBaying, it might take a few weeks, but watch everything even if you think it'll be bid up. Eventually something will go through cheap.
• Check every little detail when purchasing items, if possible, buy them with Paypal so you can file a claim if they're not as described.
• When buying from eBay, make sure you're able to test items when you get them, or at least within the return window!
• Patience patience patience. Calmer heads really do prevail, and things will work out, even if you get dicked over several times.

I hope this shows that with patience, savings, and a little luck you can build some crazy systems for next to nothing. This is what I enjoy most about building a system. I could have gone out and purchased all new parts, but where's the fun in that?

 

For anyone interested, I bought the mothballed PC in my signature for $575 including a U2412M, Razer mechanical keyboard and mouse, speakers, different SSD/HDD storage (all of which I sold) making that computer around $400 once I'd purchased peripherals and the two Dell monitors.

 

Have fun out there. Get those deals!

Spoiler

This isn't related to the build, but after some thinking, I won't be around on the forum much for the foreseeable future.

Once I reach 20k posts, I'm going to go focus on other aspects of life. There's a few things I'd like to accomplish before I'm back on here as much as I once was.

I know it doesn't really matter, just thought I'd explain why I'll only reply a few times to this thread.

 

[kelvinhall05]

Literally anywhere in the world has good deals other than here in London. I could go to some random, uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean and still get a better deal on PC parts locally than where I live.

 

 

Now that my rant is over, nice build  

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

You way overpaid for that 980

 

4 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Literally anywhere in the world has good deals other than here in London. I could go to some random, uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean and still get a better deal on PC parts locally than where I live.

 

Now that my rant is over, nice build  

Try rural New England lol

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Literally anywhere in the world has good deals other than here in London. I could go to some random, uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean and still get a better deal on PC parts locally than where I live.

 

 

Now that my rant is over, nice build  

Haha, merci. I'm still super tempted to move to Liverpool. I have a feeling it'd only be laptop life for me after that though.

1 minute ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

You way overpaid for that 980

In the scheme of the build it was probably like $40.

Just now, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

Try rural New England lol

Nah, you live in the US. Reddit and eBay are things. You still have no right

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

Haha, merci. I'm still super tempted to move to Liverpool. I have a feeling it'd only be laptop life for me after that though.

In the scheme of the build it was probably like $40.

Nah, you live in the US. Reddit and eBay are things. You still have no right

Having lived in the UK for some time I can assure you it's worse here.

[dizmo]

Just now, ONOTech said:

Well, he sold it for $360 CDN which is about $280 USD. If he did this two months ago, then it wasn't an awful price.

 

Nice build OP. I hope you enjoy it! I do have a question here:

Wouldn't have been much cheaper (and probably better for longevity to be quite frank) to buy a new motherboard and CPU cooler than switch platforms entirely?

It was a couple months ago. I've just been to lazy to finally make this post

New motherboard would have been around $175. I wanted a particular look, so I didn't want a cheap board that looks like ass.

The cooler was the same one as I got for the AMD build, it was just infinitely easier to get it on the Intel mount. The X bracket you have to mess with was a nightmare on the AMD one, it adjusted perfectly for Intel.

Longevity isn't really an issue. I'll only have this for a year, maybe a year and a half. When I move I'll either get an ITX system (Vancouver) or a gaming laptop (UK).

1 minute ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

Having lived in the UK for some time I can assure you it's worse here.

In the US? Or is New England in the UK?

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, dizmo said:

It was a couple months ago. I've just been to lazy to finally make this post

New motherboard would have been around $175. I wanted a particular look, so I didn't want a cheap board that looks like ass.

The cooler was the same one as I got for the AMD build, it was just infinitely easier to get it on the Intel mount. The X bracket you have to mess with was a nightmare on the AMD one, it adjusted perfectly for Intel.

Longevity isn't really an issue. I'll only have this for a year, maybe a year and a half. When I move I'll either get an ITX system (Vancouver) or a gaming laptop (UK).

In the US? Or is New England in the UK?

New England is the northeastern part of the USA. Having lived in both actual England is better.

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, ONOTech said:

Gotcha. That i5 combo is also really hard to pass up for $250 CDN

 

yeah that's a sweet deal. 7600K isn't the greatest CPU nowadays though, 4c/t is bare minimum nowadays.

[Enderman]

lol cad

That's why I haven't upgraded my PC in like 3 years

 

I'm sure once you pass 20k you'll still be here as much as before

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

Just now, ONOTech said:

Yep it is, though it still has quite a bit of power left in it, especially after a beefy OC.

I guess there are still people gaming on Core 2 Quads.

[dizmo]

On 5/21/2018 at 5:32 PM, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

New England is the northeastern part of the USA. Having lived in both actual England is better.

Eh, you can still get stuff shipped to you from all over the US killer cheap. Reddit is a thing. My point stands

On 5/21/2018 at 5:33 PM, ONOTech said:

Gotcha. That i5 combo is also really hard to pass up for $250 CDN

Especially with an ending cost of $190 after I sold the SSD! The RAM alone is like $240.

I was shocked when it went through at that price. I bid, crossed my fingers, and voila. Parts. I might try bidding on a few complete systems in the coming months, the market here isn't great so the selling prices are decent.

On 5/21/2018 at 5:35 PM, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

yeah that's a sweet deal. 7600K isn't the greatest CPU nowadays though, 4c/t is bare minimum nowadays.

Kinda, not really. Remember, I'm only aiming for 1080p60 and Ultra isn't necessary, High is fine. It's not nearly as hard to fun as people think.

On 5/21/2018 at 5:36 PM, Enderman said:

lol cad

That's why I haven't upgraded my PC in like 3 years

 

I'm sure once you pass 20k you'll still be here as much as before

Nah, much to accomplish. I'm sure I'll be back in the winter when I don't leave the house because it's too cold

You're the last person I'll be quoting for many months. Special, I know.