I need some help

You all mentioned setting up an installment plan for my $1000 build earlier. The issue is, I realized I have a credit limit of $867 for monthly payments. I wasn't aware of that, so I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how to fit those specific components into my budget. I am looking for a processor, a motherboard, some RAM, and a case. I already have a graphics card, a hard drive, an optical drive, and a power supply. Ideally, I would like the processor to be an Intel Core i7-4770K, and if possible, I’d love to squeeze 8 GB of RAM in there too. I suppose I can upgrade the rest of the parts later on as I save up more money. My current power supply is a 550W Corsair, the GPU is a Radeon 5750 with 1 GB of DDR5, and the storage is just a standard SATA drive and an optical burner. So, essentially, I need those four items for $867 via financing.......

That's a bit steep (likely slightly more)

1 x Intel Core i7-4770K Processor 3.5GHz,16MB,125W,LGA1150, FD8320FRHK
1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x MS PHOENIX Case without PSU, Midi tower ATX, mATX
1 x Spire Kepler Rev.2 Cooler, 1156/775/FM1, 96.5×51×125 mm, 92mm

$825 Message the admin for cash prices; if you're financing, expect an 8-10% markup. You should check specific store rates. Also, you really ought to pick a case with better airflow—this one is basically a brick. Selecting cheaper motherboards while skipping the cooler is just masochism; nobody sane would suggest that configuration.

With Intel, you could go the route of a budget motherboard without a cooler, but the total cost ends up being identical:

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Processor (3.20GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x ASUS H81M-E, 1150, AMD A520, DDR3, 2 Slots, 1333,1600 MHz
1 x MS PHOENIX Case without PSU, Midi tower ATX, mATX

$823 (You'll need a BIOS update)

So, if that’s too much for your budget, here is my advice: either drop down to 4GB of RAM, or if you insist on having 8GB right away, switch to an AMD FX-Series X4 6300 and grab a better case and cooler:

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x AMD FX-Series X6 6300 Processor 3.5GHz,14MB,95W,AM3+, FD6300WMHK
1 x Zalman Z1 Mid Tower Case. 199(W)x432(H)x457(D)mm. Standard MB support

$714 Admin (price for cash payment)

+ links LC-CC-120 (cash and financing prices are the same there) = $0.77

EDIT - There was no need to start 5 different threads🤣. You could have just asked everything in one single post.

Timothy Kim60 said:It might be a little more than that, I guess.

1 x Intel Core i7-Series 3.5GHz,16MB,125W,AM3+, FD8320FRHK
1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x MS PHOENIX case without power supply, Midi tower MB: ATX, mATX
1 x Spire Kepler Rev.2 ,cooler, 1156/775/FM1, 96.5×51×125 mm ,92mm

$825 You should ask the manager about cash prices; if you want to pay in installments, it’ll probably be about 8 to 10% higher. Maybe check specifically with different retailers. Also, it might be better to find a case with better airflow, because this one doesn't really have much. Choosing cheaper motherboards and skipping the cooler isn't really practical; I don't think anyone would normally suggest that.

With an Intel build, you could go with a budget motherboard and no cooler, but the total cost ends up being similar:

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (3.20GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x ASUS H81M-E, 1150, AMD A520, DDR3, 2 slots, 1333,1600 MHz
1 x MS PHOENIX case without power supply, Midi tower MB: ATX, mATX

$823 (you might need a BIOS update)

So, if all that seems like too much, my advice would be: either just get 4GB of RAM, or if you definitely want 8GB right away, maybe look into the AMD FX-Series X4 6300 with a better case and cooler:

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Crucial, 1600MHz CL11
1 x Gigabyte 970A-DS3P, AM3+, AMD 970 SB950, 4x DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866
1 x AMD FX-Series X4 6300 3.5GHz,14MB,95W,AM3+, FD6300WMHK
1 x Zalman Z1 mid tower case. 199(W)x432(H)x457(D)mm. MB standard

$714 Ask the manager for the cash price.

+ links LC-CC-120 (they have the same price for cash or installments there) = $0.77

EDIT - you didn't need to start five different threads; 🤣 you could have just asked everything in one place.

I suppose I would start with the option above. Now, I wonder if buying a separate cooler is mandatory, or if the factory one is sufficient? I don't plan on overclocking anything. I also have a case that comes with a power supply. Perhaps I won't even need to change that? The case is a THERMALTAKE VD2000BNS, MID TOWER MATRIX, NO PSU, BLACK, USB, FIRE WIRE, 1-120MM FAN. If the motherboard and processor fit in that, then I could skip the extra case and cooler. That way, I could probably squeeze in a new 500 GB hard drive...

You can probably hang onto the case, but you’re definitely going to need a new cooler.

crimsonstag84 said:You can probably keep the case, but you'll definitely need a new cooler.

So, if the case fits the motherboard and everything else, we should be good? Okay. I guess they won't match up those new parts with my old ones? For instance, could I just bring my tower down to their shop and have them assemble everything for me? Or am I expected to put it all together myself at home?

I believe they’ll be able to put it together if you just drop it off. You should check with Magazine, Futura, Centro, and likely ADM too—just shoot them an email to confirm. Just make sure someone pulls those components out of your current build first.

Regarding the Intel setup, you’re definitely going to need a different cooler. You won't survive the noise level of the stock cooler on a Core i7-3770, and honestly, it isn't going to keep things cool enough anyway—whether you want it to or not.