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Ziontosh - A Budget Build Journey

11K views 178 replies 13 participants last post by  animal0307 
#1 ·
Everything has been purchased! My build is complete (almost). All I need now is a new monitor.
smile.gif
(2/4/11)

Click Here for Pics!

Old updates in italics below.

I previously posted for help on my build and received a good number of replies. I am now ready to start making purchases and slowly building my computer. There also might be a few mods here and there.

I will be logging my build from start to finish, with much emphasis on finding good deals. I will log all of the retail and goal prices for each item and you can watch as I try to stay under the budget. I don't plan on having this completely built or having most of the funds until March, but there will be updates as I find deals on certain items and purchase them. However, at the same time, I am very specific about the parts I want and willing to wait longer to get exactly what I want.

All retail prices are NewEgg, which is usually cheaper than the actual retail cost. If NewEgg does not have the item, then it is the cheapest google shopping cost. Goal cost is my goal at finding that product shipped to my house. Actual is how much I actually paid. TBD = to be determined. Items at the end under "Not Included" is because I already own them or will not cost me anything to obtain.

I have reorganized everything below in purchased, yet to purchase, and extra purchases that weren't originally planned. Everything has been purchased cheaply and ahead of schedule. I still do not plan on getting a new monitor and keyboard until sometime in March.

Everything under "extra purchases" isn't included in the budget because they were purchased with extra money I've received along the way. If I didn't make all of my extra purchases, I probably could afford the monitor I want... but oh well. It'll wait. I have a monitor to use for now.


Here are the results for the budget and what was purchased for it:
Total Retail: 1300
Total Goal: 1000
Actual: 1049

So, I ended up a little over budget. No biggie. I ended up purchasing things much better than expected. I wish I had the old build saved, but I recall it having a $90 mobo, 4gb of ram, a 500gb HDD, air cooler, i3 processor, and a lot of low end stuff. I think I got a great bang for my buck!

Purchased:

Case - NZXT Vulcan
Retail: $70
Goal: $60
Actual: $70 profit
Note: Received case for free, resold for more than original purchase. Made $70 profit. See this post for more information.

Case - Lan Gear Da Box 100 - Blackheart
Retail: $190
Goal: $190
Plus: $70 for case bag.
Sub-Total: $276 for case and bag after shipping from Lan Gear.
Minus: $70 profit from previous case.
Grand Total: $206 (basically received the bag for free)
Note: See pics here.

CPU - Intel Core i5-650 3.2ghz
Retail: $182
Goal: $150
Actual: $135 Used from OCN member.

Motherboard - ASUS Maximus III Gene
Retail: $160
Goal: $120
Actual: $135 via Amazon.

GPU - ASUS ENGTX460 GTx460 1GB
Retail: $175
Goal: $175
Actual: $170 - Purchased the Direct CU version instead of SE for cheaper than my goal from NewEgg.

RAM - G.SKILL 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3 1333
Retail: $50 x2
Goal: $50 x2
Actual: $85 total.

PSU - Antec TruePower New 650w
Retail: $90
Goal: $70
Actual: $70 via Newegg.

HDD - Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black
Retail: $90
Goal: $90
Actual: $90

ODD - Sony Optiarc
Retail: $23
Goal: $23
Actual: $20

CPU Cooler - Corsair H50
Retail: $70
Goal: $60
Actual: $53 used.

USB Header to USB - http://www.amazon.com/Port-USB-Motherboard-Header-Adapter/dp/B002GNU2V6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1296081169&sr=8-7]Startech USB Header to USB[/URL]
Retail: $10
Goal: $10
Actual: $16 (forgot about shipping) via Amazon.
Note: To be used to install internal bluetooth dongle and infrared sensor. Will be mounted internally.

BT - ASUS USB-BT21
Retail: $22
Goal: $15
Actual: $16 via Amazon.
Note: This is to add internal USB. To be used to install internal bluetooth dongle and infrared sensor.

Already Owned
RF Adapter
Wifi Card

Extra Purchases
(purchases not originally planned)



Cost: $28 via Amazon.



Cost: $8 via Amazon.

Mouse - http://www.amazon.com/Razer-DeathAdder-Infrared-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B000MF67VO]Razer DeathAdder 3G[/URL]

Retail: $40
Goal: $35
Actual: $35

120mm Fans -
90mm Fans -
60mm Fan - EverCool 60mm PWM Fan
PWM-Y Cable Adapter -
Note: So I can put both 120mm fans for the H50 on the same 4-pin. This will allow the CPU to ramp up fan speed when it needs it and will turn up both fans at the same time in push/pull.
Retail: $150
Goal: $0 (forgot them in the original budget build)
Actual: $100

Yet to Purchase:

Monitor - Asus Monitor 21" - 23" (Undecided)
Goal: $150
Actual: TBD

Keyboard - (Undecided)
Goal: $50
Actual: TBD
Note: I want one with a white led backlight. I like a dark room and white LEDs if you haven't noticed. Haha.

SSD 60GB - 80GB SSD (Undecided)
Goal: $120
Actual: TBD

HDD - Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black
Note: I want a second one.

If Money Permits or I Find Great Deals
(not included in goal or total price)

Headphones - Razer Carcharias
Retail: $88
Goal: $60
Actual: TBD

Router - ASUS Wireless N Router
Retail: $95
Goal: $80
Actual: TBD
Note: Would be used for wireless syncing to external hard drive and wireless printing.
 
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#5 ·
Well, believe it or not, this case calls for an 80mm or 92mm fan in the back. Come to think of it, I haven't even checked if it comes with it or not. I don't think it does. I just wanted one that kinda matched the other fans that come stock by NZXT (white fan, black housing).

Speaking of fans, I think I forgot to list a CPU cooler. I'll be on the lookout for one of those too. I need one that fits 1156 and possibly lets me mount my own 120mm fan to it (does that exist?), as I remember that's why I am ordering an extra 120mm fan.

So here's the lowdown on the fans:

The case fits:
3x 120mm fans
1x 80/92mm fan
1x 200mm fan.

It comes with:
2x 120mm fans, one LED, one not.

I only wanted to use LED fans, so...

I will ditch the 120mm fan that comes with it that doesn't have LEDs, then order 3 more of the 120mm LED fans from NZXT and one 200mm LED fan from NZXT. That gives me 4 120mm LED fans total. 3 will be used in the case, one hopefully as an extra or possibly for the CPU cooler, and then 200mm installed on the side.

Hope all of that made sense. Please keep asking questions, it should help remind me of things I forgot or figure out a better way of doing all of this!

Oh, and I actually have the case now. It comes with a story, so I am gonna wait to post pics with it tomorrow or Monday.
 
#6 ·
if youre planning on overclocking, you could probably mount an h50 to one of the top 120 fans. id recommend that, a silver arrow, or a nh-d14 as theyre the best air coolers, imo. as youre on a pretty tight budget though (and depending on the room in your case), those may be out.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by eloverton2;11684952
if youre planning on overclocking, you could probably mount an h50 to one of the top 120 fans. id recommend that, a silver arrow, or a nh-d14 as theyre the best air coolers, imo. as youre on a pretty tight budget though (and depending on the room in your case), those may be out.
Having seen tons of pictures of the Vulcan from the Vulcan club thread, I've seen H50s in there without a problem! However, I'm not quite sure overclocking is something I want to tackle just yet. This is my first build in a long time. I've mostly own Apple computers, but I want to be able to build a gaming computer and have fun building it. That's why I am doing this and I probably should have put that in the first post.

Anyway, it's something I will consider. Maybe I'll do it if I find it for a good price. I'll put it under the "If Money Permits or I Find Great Deals" section. Haha. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
#9 ·
Why "Zion"tosh?
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by eloverton2;11685308
if you aren't overclocking you can just use the cooler that comes with the cpu. it'll be fine, especially with the good airflow of that case.
Okay!! Thanks.
smile.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by newphase;11685329
Why "Zion"tosh?
I dunno? It sounded cool. Zion to me kinda means the end, the goal, and that one day it'll come. In making the computer, I knew it was gonna be my goal to get there eventually, no matter how long it took. It just fits me (and my lame user name). Tosh was just a play on Macintosh, I guess. Always been a Mac dude, but don't mind windows computers. I definitely miss making my own computer and how much fun it can be. Don't get that with an Apple computer.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by eloverton2;11685718
if you want to save $100 on windows 7, give ubuntu 10.10 a try. i really like it (i have it on two of my pcs) and its free

edit: are you planning on running osx on your new build?
I have access to a legal copy of Windows 7 at no cost to me. I've been thinking about Ubuntu, but my main focus is running World of Warcraft. Hahaha.

Yes, I plan on running OS X, but I won't discuss it here as it's against the rules. I don't want to break any rules here.
wink.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by Morizuno;11685766
or ifyou can find someone with a .edu email I'm sure they can get a copy of windows for 30$
Thanks for the suggestion! If for some reason my free copy doesn't work out, I will see if that works out. Thanks much!
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#16 ·
Hahaha, thanks very much! (Cute is good, no?)

I honestly wasn't a fan until this case. I usually prefer minimalistic type cases, but I really love this one. I especially like it for the handle. Either way, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
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#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by zionic;11726464
Hahaha, thanks very much! (Cute is good, no?)

I honestly wasn't a fan until this case. I usually prefer minimalistic type cases, but I really love this one. I especially like it for the handle. Either way, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
wink.gif
I was the same way. NZXT converts people into ricers.
 
#19 ·
Here's the story:

I ordered the NXZT Vulcan on eBay. It was an open box. I probably should have purchased it new for a bit more, but I'm glad I didn't! Here's why.

I received the case and it was broken. Pics are below. The front bezel pieces that connected to the main body were damaged or broken off. I contacted the seller and waited 48 hours. No response. I opened a case and the seller responded and apologized. He then filed a claim with UPS stating he didn't send the case that way. UPS reimbursed him and I received a full refund, keeping the broken case.

Then I contacted NZXT. They sent me a replacement front bezel to the case absolutely free. That included all of the wiring and the top panel with the power button and all that. Along with that, they sent me three of the 120mm orange led fans for free!

I basically received three led fans and a case for FREE. I was extremely happy about that. Now that I've had the case a few days and been able to really look at it, I decided it's really not what I am looking for and I need something even more portable. With that said, I'm taking the money I will make from selling the case and putting it back into a new case.

But I need help on a case and would love suggestions. I'd really like something minimalistic and maybe even aluminum.

Thanks all for reading... I guess stuff like this is part of the adventure. Haha.

Free Fans (thanks NZXT!!!):


Broken Pieces:




New Bezel:
 
#21 ·
Thanks man! I truly appreciate your interest. Not sure if you read that part, but I did decide to actually sell it. I sold it on eBay for more than I paid. And will be putting it into a better case. I decided this case just isn't what I wanted. I want something smaller, more portable.

I am looking at putting the profit I made (from selling the free case) AND the money I originally intended to spend into: Lan Gear Da Box 100 - Blackheart

It's pretty expensive, but since my main focus is portability, I think it will be worth it. Let me know what you think.
smile.gif


I could still easily do an h2o loop in the future if I wanted. That's not a problem. We'll see how it goes. My budget could change in my favor or against my favor depending on expenses.
smile.gif


Like I said above, I guess this is all part of the adventure!
 
#23 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by eloverton2
View Post

haha good call... most people dont realize how important a case really is. i think you should love your case, because ultimately it is the part you have to look at all the time...

I'm really glad you agree, because I feel the same way. Plus, a case can be used for a long time while the parts inside may change. The site is out of stock so I'll be waiting until it's in stock. It will be my next purchase.
 
#25 ·
Up until now I've also done a lot of thinking about the case. The Vulcan was a sort of a quick decision because I found it cheap on eBay when I was looking at it. Either way, I'm still glad I got the case, it made me $70. Haha.
 
#26 ·
Just a quick update. Found out that the H50 works out of the box on the Lan Gear case I mentioned I was thinking about. It mounts right where the 120mm fan normally would without any issue. I'm excited about that. It might be a way to get me into overclocking, even though I have no idea where to begin with that.

I will definitely be ordering that case when they get stock in again.
 
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