Okay I just placed the order:

Case: $90 for COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP.
PSU: $120 for LEPA G500-MA 500W 80 PLUS Gold Certified Modular.
MOBO: $155 for MSI Z68A-GD55 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX.
CPU: $315 for Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core.
RAM: $61 for CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800).

With a $25 NewEgg gift card, that came to a total of about $716 (and $50 of that will be "refunded" with mail-in-rebates).

Yep, that's right. No GPU. After looking into the Z68 mobo and realizing that the CPU-integrated-GPU would be an upgrade from my current GPU, and also that I can use my current GPU in the new system, I decided to forego a new, expensive GPU for now.

This will give me a desperately needed new PC soon while still allowing me to save up for and decide on other important parts like the discrete GPU (in my opinion, the jury is still out on ATI vs nVidia), SSD, HDD(s), Optical drive, WiFi adapter, media card reader, UPS, more ram, HDD toaster dock, 70" HDTV, Ferrari, 60k ft² mansion, and private jet.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, feedback and other contributions so far. I'll probably keep this thread going a bit with updates on how the initial build runs as well as ask more questions etc. once I am prepared to make the next order.

Wait.....you're saying that the Intel integrated GPU is an upgrade from your current GPU?

Yes, I think so. As I understand it, the CPU-integrated-GPU on these new 2nd Gen Core i5/7s are equivalent to Radeon HD 3000 series. Or am I misunderstanding that?

In either case, I've got a GeForce 8600 GTS. It's a decent card, not nearly as old as the machine itself since the original GPU melted and this was the replacement, but it is getting long in the tooth.

Quote from: 4wd on July 23, 2011, 10:41 AM

Wait.....you're saying that the Intel integrated GPU is an upgrade from your current GPU?

Yes, I think so. As I understand it, the CPU-integrated-GPU on these new 2nd Gen Core i5/7s are equivalent to Radeon HD 3000 series. Or am I misunderstanding that?

Apologies, I mistook the integrated GPU for the previous GMA3000 Intel graphics.....having just had a look at it's specs it seems quite impressive compared to Intels' previous attempts.


But I'd still go for a Radeon 6850  

On another note, good choice with the case - I've been looking at getting the Scout for a while.  My friend has one, the LEDs are quite subdued and can all be turned off via one switch on the top panel.
The only bad thing I'd have to say about it is that the carry handle is not designed for human hands - its cross-section is equivalent to a piece steel rectangular tube and the corners dig into your hand.  You'll find it a lot more comfortable to wrap a bit a high-density foam, (1/8" thick), around it as I did with my friends.  But if you don't envision carrying it around, or only infrequently, then no problem.

The only trouble with on-board video is that it's often impossible to get a multi-monitor setup.

[snip]
It all depends on the monitors used

I have a pretty nice 25.5" 16:10 monitor with HDMI, DVI, VGA, and even component inputs. I love it and would like another but sadly this model has been discontinued.

My secondary monitor is a 19" no-name brand (DCLCD) with only a single VGA input. Not that great, but I got it nearly 10 years ago and it still works. I wish I could say the same about the more expensive 19" ViewSonic LCD monitor I bought about 6 years ago.

Either way, if the onboard video doesn't support multiple monitors, then I can make due with just my nice one for a while or plug in my GeForce 8600 GTS and use that in the meantime.

I do intend on getting a discrete GPU eventually, but it was really stretching my budget to get one now. So maybe by Christmas I can save up for (most of) the other parts I wanted.

On another note, good choice with the case - I've been looking at getting the Scout for a while.  My friend has one, the LEDs are quite subdued and can all be turned off via one switch on the top panel.
The only bad thing I'd have to say about it is that the carry handle is not designed for human hands - its cross-section is equivalent to a piece steel rectangular tube and the corners dig into your hand.  You'll find it a lot more comfortable to wrap a bit a high-density foam, (1/8" thick), around it as I did with my friends.  But if you don't envision carrying it around, or only infrequently, then no problem.

I was a little worried about the case and how noisy it is. Can you tell me if it was especially noisy or quiet? Or was it just average? I guess that may depend on what other parts your friend has inside, but I'd still like to know.

Keep us posted and maybe put up a picture or two?

Will do.

Quote from: JavaJones on July 22, 2011, 09:18 PM

Handle is extraneous in my view, but you may like the aesthetic, heh.

Didn't see this before.  The handle actually isn't extraneous in my experience.  It is *very* well built, and the handles have a metal core, even for being plastic.  It's come in really handy (no pun intended), and I'd not even considered that factor when I purchased it.  It's a very good case for the price point.

Yeah, I had similar thoughts with the Nintendo GameCube's^w handle. At first I thought it was kind of weird and unnecessary. But after owning it and using it I thought it was a really great and useful feature.


So when I saw the PC case with the handle I was pretty sure I'd really like it, even if I didn't move my PC as much as I moved my GameCube around.

Quote from: Deozaan on July 23, 2011, 12:01 AM

Is the case noisy or quiet or what?

Most of the time, I don't even hear the computer running.  I'm not sure if that's a factor of the case or not, but I hear my other computer running all the time.

Thanks. I was a bit concerned about the noise levels of the case. From the sounds of it I'll be really happy with my choice.

I'll definitely be getting a better discrete GPU, but I think the integrated one will suit me just fine for at least a few months.

Be on the lookout at that GPU.  It seems to have rebates/sales more often than others, at least in my experience following the prices for a few months.  That was one of the reasons that I bought it; my final price on it was $120 after sales/rebates.

Carrying it via the central handle, (not the rails on the side), the handle 'works' well - very strong - but the rectangular profile of it is uncomfortable in your hand.  The corners of the profile cut into your palm/fingers because it only has about a 3-4mm, (if that), radius on the edges.

Our definition of handle (I see that you classified the sides as 'rails') differs.  Using the center seems counter-intuitive, as you have to turn your hand to a weird angle to even use it.  To each his own, I guess, but I use the side handles depending on which side I'm carrying it on, and I don't have the problems that you enumerate.

Quote from: 4wd on July 25, 2011, 10:46 AM

Carrying it via the central handle, (not the rails on the side), the handle 'works' well - very strong - but the rectangular profile of it is uncomfortable in your hand.  The corners of the profile cut into your palm/fingers because it only has about a 3-4mm, (if that), radius on the edges.

Our definition of handle (I see that you classified the sides as 'rails') differs.  Using the center seems counter-intuitive, as you have to turn your hand to a weird angle to even use it.

Our knuckle-dragging primate ancestors would dispute that*

Not a weird angle at all - the hold is the same most people use to climb a ladder.

To each his own, I guess, but I use the side handles depending on which side I'm carrying it on, and I don't have the problems that you enumerate.

The profile of the side rails is the same as the handle so it wouldn't make any difference.

I would prefer to carry it at the point where the load is evenly distributed amongst the mounting points rather than cause unnecessary stress on just two of them.

* Now there's an opening