$600 budget build FFXIV PC

[Lyrai]

Came up with a simple budget build a few days ago. Nothing fancy, but planning on upgrading when I get my tax refund in the spring. Looking for opinions/suggestions. My budget is $600 and I don't have a lot of give with it right now if I want to have this computer before launch. All I need right now is a simple build that'll play FFXIV, and easy to upgrade later. Planning on replacing the processor with an i7, and graphics card to whatever is best/moderately priced when I can.

http://i30.tinypic.com/vpfc76.jpg

[firion]

I'd drop the RAM down to 4gigs, and use the $50 on a quad core CPU. You can get a 4850 instead 4670 for $15 more, and I think you'd be a little happier with your results.

[levish]

I suggest you look into 2nd hand parts of a higher spec, for example about 25$ more (maybe less) you could get a 2nd hand 4870 that would wipe the floor with the 4670, which isn't really saying too much.

Possibly you might even be able to find a decent i5 processor 2nd hand as well.

[Archimond]

Go this route, should be much more cost effect.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=12042871

If/when you plan to add a second GPU you'll need a new PSU, but until then your golden.

[Lyrai]

Go this route, should be much more cost effect.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=12042871

If/when you plan to add a second GPU you'll need a new PSU, but until then your golden.

That's not a bad build at all for the price, well within my budget and lower than the build I came up with, thank you for that.

What are your opinions on the case/power supply? I don't know too much about the mini-tower types, and since I plan on upgrading to an i7 processor, will the case have lasting power? Also concerned about heat and overclocking, though it really only needs to last till February or so.

Not sure how much I'll get back from my tax return, but I should be able to do a decent overhaul, just looking to save as much as I can in the end.

[Archimond]

Fixed the build.

I'm a little confused as to why you want a new comp if your going to replace half of it soon after.


Anyways, I would get this stuff with your rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125334 (SLI mmm!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103851 (instead of going with an i7)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171053 (to power the new power demand)

[Lyrai]

Oops forgot I changed the mobo. I'll fix the build, 1 sec.

I'm a little confused as to why you want a new comp if your going to replace half of it soon after.

I want a computer for launch-day FFXIV, and the most I can come up with before then is $600. Right now I'm only using a borrowed netbook to get online. The 6 year old laptop I used for FFXI crapped out, so I don't even have a computer I can upgrade. Basically looking for a starting point to build something for myself and the old parts I replace in the spring will either be used as a secondary computer for my mother, or resold, so I just need something to tide me over for now.

[Archimond]

Ah. In that case my build+recommendations should suit you very well :O

Oh, you also have the option of getting the 1gb version of the GTX460 if you want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125333


EDIT: before you buy, let me confirm that the GPUs will fit >.>

EDIT2: Theyll fit, someone says they have a GTX295 in it. =P
Also here's a review for kicks: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_elite_310/

[Lyrai]

Ah. In that case my build+recommendations should suit you very well :O

Oh, you also have the option of getting the 1gb version of the GTX460 if you want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125333

Yeah, it's a really nice build you came up with, ironically I've assembled computers for friends, but never came up with the builds myself.

[Archimond]

You could also get another fan to put on the case door to help with cooling. Mid towers do run warmer, but it shouldn't be a problem.

[Lyrai]

Do you think the wattage of the power supply that comes with the case is enough?

Edit: For the base build from the wishlist I mean.

[Dakin]

Where do you live? If you live next to a Microcenter, you can pick up an i5 750 for $169.99. If you don't, but have a friend who does, you can order one online for 18 minute in store pickup and have them grab it for you and ship it to you for cheap.

RAM/Case: 4gb DDR 1600 $119.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.432119

GPU/PSU: 5770 + 700W $159.98 (ridiculous deal) can crossfire 5770s later if you want
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.446101

DVD drive: $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

HD: 500gb WD $39.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...126&CatId=2459

CPU: i5 750 $169.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0317379

Mobo: $95.97
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0322017

My total comes out to be ~$630 after all shipping is considered. A lot of rebates, but worth it if you don't mind waiting for them. This build bumps you down to a 5770, but upgrades the processor quite a bit (and no need to rely on luck to unlock a stable 4th core in the Athlon). The i5 750 is a great overclocker, and if you decide to do it later on you can get an aftermarket heatsink.

Everything I've researched said 5770's scale very well in crossfire, so that is another upgrade you could get later on down the road. I've also researched the PSU quite a bit, and it seems to be a quality unit. The case is bottom mounted PSU, and has good airflow with options to add more fans if wanted (comes with 2 already).

[Archimond]

Do you think the wattage of the power supply that comes with the case is enough?

Edit: For the base build from the wishlist I mean.

Yea it'll be fine. People think you need ungodly PSUs, but most setups wont break 500 until SLI/CF comes into play.

Here are some power consumptions during a benchmark. Listed values are the entire system's draw.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...i,2684-13.html

[Lyrai]

I live in the Philadelphia area, and funny you mention Microcenter, I was just there a few days ago. It's a bit of a drive but it's definitely an option. And yeah, I'm all about rebates, I might have to order this in chunks, but I'd go for the Newegg stuff first.

[Fhuri]

I'm in the same boat of trying to get a PC on a budget. My old Compaq duo core Athlon won't cut the mustard(plus I'll have to up the gfx card and PSU.)So I figured that I will get a new rig before FFIV launch.

This has been catching my eye. I never built a whole desktop so I feel more comfortable just making additions.

I'd dump another 100-150 on the GFX and you seemingly have a pretty good set up for $700ish.

[Dakin]

I'm in the same boat of trying to get a PC on a budget. My old Compaq duo core Athlon won't cut the mustard(plus I'll have to up the gfx card and PSU.)So I figured that I will get a new rig before FFIV launch.

This has been catching my eye. I never built a whole desktop so I feel more comfortable just making additions.

I'd dump another 100-150 on the GFX and you seemingly have a pretty good set up for $700ish.

I wouldn't go lower than a 5770 for GPU (dx11 and xfire scaling for future upgrading), and that will put the price over $700.

For $700, if you are willing to do some research and take a few hours watching videos and reading step-by-step guides, you can build a much better system.

The plus sides to that HP are the 1TB HD and 8 gigs of ram, but you wouldn't need more than 4 gigs of ram for FFXIV anyways.

[Archimond]

I never built a whole desktop so I feel more comfortable just making additions.

Man up and build your own. Right of passage in the gaming world.

[Knyghtmayre]

Apologies for potential table breakers for those of you with tiny screens.
http://i32.tinypic.com/24wvzmg.png
$589.20 after Mail-in-rebates. I really don't think you'll be able to find a build like this anywhere else at all. The promotional code expires on Monday, so act quickly if you want to stay under your strict $600 budget. Goddamn I wish I had someone do this for me whenever I was building my first "budget" PC. I'd never have thought I could get a 5830, 4GB DDR3, X4 Processor, Modular PSU, and a case that is actually worth a damn (4 fucking fans in there) for under $600. Never.

It's really not hard at all to construct your own PC. It's as simple as reading the manual. The hardest thing you'll have to do is installing your CPU. Other than that, it is 100% screwing in screws and attaching cables properly. I'm sure you know how to use a screwdriver, and the motherboard manual will explain exactly where to insert all cables. They're even labeled.

[Archimond]

Samsung Spinpoint F3 outperforms Seagate 7200.12

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...hput,1010.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...hput,1013.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181


Also that mobo doesnt support CF (only 1 PCIe x16)

[Knyghtmayre]

I don't know if you realize this, but he has a $600 budget. He said he wants to replace all the shit anyway, and that he just wants the best he can get for launch. Sure, a Spinpoint might slightly outperform a Seagate, but the Seagate costs 29% less with that promotional code (which is substantial when you're trying to cram as much as you can into a $600 box). I didn't think crossfiring would be a problem now since the video card is plenty enough to run FF14 (not to mention far beyond what others have posted in their builds), and if he wants to replace the CPU with an i7 eventually anyway, he will need a new (intel) board. This is the cheapest board that Xfires (HERE) and that puts him above his $600 limit by $6 or so, and it runs the second card at x4 which is a pretty big loss in performance compared to even dual x8. Saying that the board doesn't Xfire as a negative is pretty dumb to me whenever he can't afford more than a single GPU anyway right now, and the board also lacks USB3 + SATA3, so for futureproof's sake, most boards under $100 or so are pretty crap. Using THIS combo (instead of the ram and board I posted above) offers USB3, SATA3, and x16+x4 Xfire for about the same price, though. Not to mention it's less money up front and less hassling with MIRs.