If there's one thing I hate about "Console Killer" computers is that they're piss weak and give me a reason to hate the concept of switching from a console to a PC. I'm an enthusiast, if I have to run a Pentium or an Athlon, I have much greater problems on my hand than killing a console. That said, this build is for a client, and I told her that she has two options: used parts getting as low as $350-400 with a real kick behind it, or new, sub par parts starting at $500-550. She wants to run used parts, but I'll be keeping some parts new due to a lack of supply or lack of trust behind them.
The Plan
- Intel Core i5-2500k - Bundle for $140. She's going to be playing games like LoL and maybe some WoW, I could have sold her my FX-8350 but she benefits more from an i5-2500k, especially if I can run a high end GPU like I want to.
- I'm going to see if I can run the stock CPU fan and overclock a little. The guy said he had one with an aluminum core and one with a copper core, I really hope he has the copper one.
- Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H - Bundle with CPU. It works.
- 8GB DDR3 - Undecided on the brand or kind of kit. I may have to buy the RAM new, I'm not finding very many deals on it that justify going to used parts. I'm eyeballing a kit on eBay for $30, but if it goes higher than $40, I'm out.
- I'm going to see if I can grab a 1TB HDD for $40, which doesn't seem so hard anymore. My client was particularly impressed by the fact that I could squeeze a 1TB drive in, but there's a reason she came to me for building a PC.
- GTX 680 - A 680 in a $400 build!? Yea. I'm actually really thrilled I could grab this for only $140, since a 660 Ti still sells for $110 something.
- Zalman Z11 Plus - Bundle with CPU. It's an OK case, larger than I want in a case, but it works.
- EVGA 500B - I might be able to grab this for $30, and I hope I can.
Budget Limit: $420
I opted for $420 to include peripherals with a $400 build, but my client said she had peripherals, so... Let's buy something slightly more expensive!
Pictures and log!
Day 1: So I've been flirting talking to two guys, one with a GTX 680 and the other with the i5-2500k/MoBo/Case. I can pick up both for $140 each. The guy with a GTX 680 actually offered me a 560 Ti as a PhysX card for an additional $35, but I asked him if he'd go for $25 (the 560 Ti is coming outta MY pocket). He took it so I'm going to try and sell it. I really really really lucked out on the i5 bundle, though, I just wish I got an aftermarket cooler with it. It's not my build so I'm fine with leaving it a 2500k at stock, I just wish I could have gotten a good OC on it.
I contacted a guy with the EVGA 500B in "like new" condition, asking him if he can go with $30, even though he's asking for $40. Even if he says no, I'll grab it, because I can't find a better power supply for cheaper.
I also ordered some IC Diamond, I'm going to see if I can clean up the GPU and get some good overclocks on it, and see how it would fare in a benchmark against my 780. Probably not very well, but I'm running a $1,300 machine, and I'm building a $400 junkyard rig, so it would be a fun comparison. This is a single fan GPU from EVGA, though, so I can't go too crazy without making it obnoxiously loud.
Oh, and first problem. Case comes with NO FANS. Hopefully I have a couple spare Corsair fans from my C70, I can't find any to buy on Craigslist, so... Yay!