$1200-$1400 1st Timer PC Builder

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Apropo

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Sep 21, 2012
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Ok I'm nervous about building my own system. There are way to many parts to choose all with mixed reviews. I do not know what is quality compared to price so please help.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next 6 days

Budget Range: $1200-1400 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Complete system.

Do you need to buy OS: Can I still use Windows 8 for free until January?

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Location:San Antonio Texas

Parts Preferences: I'd like Ivy Bridge, also was looking at 670 or 7970 GHz ed. but I don't know the pro's/con's for each

Overclocking: Yes but in the future

SLI or Crossfire: No, I want a single card solution high end solution.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080p

Additional Comments: I'll be playing BF3, Black Ops 2, Guild Wars 2, Mechwarrior Online, Hawken.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current system is 8 years old and I want to build a PC that will last me a while before I need to over clock or upgrade.


____~~~~**** Todays the day****~~~~_____

This is what I'm looking at currently purchasing ASAP http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iBgH
I just need help picking the right Motherboard.
Does anyone know the differences between these that would concern me; such as over clocking CPU and GPU?

ASrock Extreme4 $139.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157293

ASrock Extreme3 $119.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157330

ASrock Performance (Only Allows Single GPU) $119.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157298

If it matters I do not plan on SLI / CF. Only plan on a Single High end GPU and OC'ing GPU+CPU.

any other suggestions on a different mother board in the same price range is welcome.

 
Solution
Why_Me
This XFX psu down below is manufactured by Seasonic as are all XFX psu's.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO750W-Semi-Modular-80Plus-Supply/dp/B005IUVYA2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1347949610&sr=1-4 $111.71 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping | Price after rebate: $101.71
XFX PRO750W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80Plus 750 Watt Power Supply (Silver)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1053944 $279.98 save: $18.00 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
Cooler Master TPC 812 RR-T812-24PK-R1 120mm Sleeve with Dual Vertical Vapor Chamber TPC 812 CPU Cooler Compatible with latest...
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Vertex 4 has nothing to do with OCZ's past issues because it doesn't use a crappy SandForce controller (which you should know had problems with a lot of companies and OCZ simply had it the worst, especially because they had the most sales). Vertex 4 uses a Marvell controller just like Plextor and Crucial use in their drives and has been proven to be highly reliable like they are while having better performance than even the Samsung 830s. Opinion/reputation of a company doesn't change how a product works, especially when its roots are in a different company.
 
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I think you've strayed from the corsair theme lol, this being the case, might as well change your SSD. There are better SSD's out there for lower prices, such as the kingston hyper X that goes on sale like every other month at 60$. There was some crazy SSD deals last week, crucial, intel, kingston, OCZ, etc. If you can get the hyper X on sale for 60$, I would use the money saved from that to get an HX. Wait for it, HX series goes on sale periodically, I got my HX 850 at 140.

If this happens you will end up with:
A better PSU
A better SSD

As far as graphics card goes, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414
The just release 7950s are able to unlock to a 7970. If you can do that, you could save enough money to get the HAF XM and the H60.

If everything goes perfectly you would end up with:

Haf XM
H60
A gigabyte 7950 3gb that unlocks to a 7970
HX 750w Gold PSU
i5 3570k
WD Blue Caviar 1TB 7200 RPM HD
Kingston Hyper X 120 GB SSD
Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 mobo
Corsair Vengeance 8GB Ram

For roughly near 1200. I like every part in that list. H60 (not the best performance but aesthetically beautiful, everything else is pretty solid on the list in terms of performance).
 
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Well for some reason I'm unable to edit my original post...

ok again I feel like I'm being stubborn or just need help clarifying a couple things. I apologize for making people repeat themselves because I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around this GPU discussion. 7950, 7970 GHZ Ed. or GTX 670 -

I also have done more research and realize its probably not the most reasonable thing to Corsair "Theme" my system when I can get better parts so here is what I have so far without a GPU:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iiDW

So can someone please help explain in non tech, dumbed down, reasoning as to why I'd go with a 7950 instead of a GTX 670 / GHz Ed 7970?
I like the Gigabyte GPU's unless someone can point out a better brand in those selections.

Thank you again, you all have been a great help and with such a big purchase it is invaluable to me to be able to bounce these builds off of people who know more then I do.
 
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It's not that easy to explain, non-tech.
If you look at "reference" (basic) versions of GTX670 and HD7970, on the basis of "bang for your buck", you find that HD7970 comes out marginally ahead, over a broad range of games, on average, BUT, in some of the most popular games, like BF3, Borderlands, Portal, Shogun, the GTX 670 has the lead. So if one of those games is your favourite, you might think 670 was your best bet. Unfortunately, not that simple. Individual manufacturers vie with each other to bring out "tuned up" versions, of each card, for which there's less data available, for comparason.
Frankly, I would say, if you are particularly into, specifically BF3, Borderlands, Portal go 670, and the best performing one you can get. If you want "general performance, go GHz HD7970, or flip a coin. Either way, you're going to get a beast, and we're only talking about a few fps, when we're over 60 fps anyway, for most things.
 
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Ok that makes sense to me, Thank you. Now where does the 7950 come into play? Does the 7950 give someone the ability to clock it as fast as a 7970? or is the 7970 GHz Ed. the best but at a premium price difference?

Here's the deal, if a 7950 can perform as good OC'ed as a 7970 OC'ed then why on earth would anyone purchase a 7970? I mean I can't wrap my head around the idea of a lower card out performing a higher card unless they have identical parts and you just need to turn up the 7950 to match a OC'ed 7970.

Ok I guess here is what I'm getting at:
I'm getting the impression that a 7950 OC'ed can match a OC'ed 7970. Is this true? Does that equate the same compared to the GHz edition?

Like the GTX 660 ti has less memory compared to the 670 so it makes sense it can't catch the 670 even if you OC it. But if the 7950 is just a tuned down 7970 then hell why would anyone ever buy anything above a 7950?

See my confusion?
 
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Once you get to the level of GTX660Ti and HD7870, most games can be played, very well @ 1080p. Going beyond that starts to give less practical gain for each step. It's more about the ability to handle the extra "bells and whistles", or higher resolution. You often find that the best of one level "overlaps", basic versions of the higher level, but a good 670 will beat a good 660Ti, and a good HD7970 will beat a good HD7950. As you probably realise, which is best value is something we argue endlessly about, because there simply is no right or wrong answer. If there are specific games, you want to play, you can sometimes judge, which is likely to be slightly better, but that's about it.
 
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HD 7970 is overkill tbh, imo getting the gigabyte 7950 for 309$ after rebate, and then selling the game that comes with it for 20$ on ebay = 289$. Upon further research, it appears that only certain boards as of this time can unlock to the 7970, it's probably better to OC the 7950 to 7970 levels, the windforce was built to OC, so it should be fine.

http://videocardz.com/32782/amd-radeon-hd-7950-modified-to-7970
 
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I found this while doing some research and this, correct me if I'm wrong, indicates that some 7950's are basically a 7970 tuned down. So from the looks of it, again correct me if I'm wrong, I can get one of these 7950's that has a 8 pin + 6 pin power connectors (just like the 7970) and over clock the heck out of this thing as good as a 7970? This boggles my mind as to why anyone would even bother getting a 7970, unless they don't want to bother trying to learn how to OC themselves >_< <---- is that the only reason why someone wouldn't?
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2261626

So I just need to find a good 7950 with 8+6 pin power connector.
 
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Personally I think the 7950 really doesn't compare to the gtx 670 when he is planning to play BF3

and the 7970 vs the 680 is a neck and neck race.

there is just way too many games that run better on NVidia than AMD these days.

here is an actual benchmark comparing the two cards.

7950 vs 670
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=598

7970 vs 680
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/508?vs=555

Since he said he will be playing BF3 i wouldnt touch an AMD card. Just look at how much more frames you get in BF3 when it comes to the gtx 670 vs 7950

You get about 20 more fps running at 1920x1080
 
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Be a little careful with an assumption of overclocking. No card, unless it's factory overclocked, comes with guaranteed overclocking. Yes, you can overclock most graphics cards. Some particular models of GPU are know for being good to overclock, but it's not GUARANTEED. You can be lucky, and get a card that will let you overclock, like mad; or you can get one that's absolutely useless. The only way you get guaranteed OC, is factory OC. Factory OC cards usually use higher quality components BECAUSE they have to be guaranteed at that OC level.
 
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Most non-reference GPU's with a modified cooler will be able to overclock. Depending on their housing, some cards are able to overclock at higher frequencies. The Twinfrozr and windforce architectures were meant for overclocking, highly unlikely that you wouldn't be able to overclock those cards to stock 7970 levels. In fact I would be appalled if you couldn't. They are highly reviewed and popular for a reason.
 
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Totally agree you would be unlucky to get a poor overclocker; but that's the point, there is an element of luck. Didn't want OP to get the impression that a particular overclocking ability was guaranteed. What you can achieve has an element of "luck of the draw", unless you get factory OC, where there is some guarantee.
 
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Ok today is the day🙁still can't figure out why it wont let me edit OP)...
I need help picking the right Motherboard.
ASrock Extreme4 Z77:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

ASrock Extreme3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157330

ASrock Performance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157298

If it matters I do not plan on SLI / CF. Only plan on a Single High end GPU and OC'ing GPU+CPU.

any other suggestions on a different mother board in the same price range is welcome.
 
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right but I can't find one that is modular for the same price >_< Unless you have any suggestions on one? I prefer Semi / Full modular PSU for $89.99 - $119.99 I was considering the HX650 which has a combo at newegg.com with some ram which is pretty attractive.

What do you think?

Also about the Performance ASrock is it a good board? compared to lets say quality vs the Extreme4 just built for Single GPUs? I figure since I prefer to just get a single GPU 7970Ghz or what ever, if this board is on sale and is good quality doesn't seem like a bad deal. Thoughts?

Maybe like this? http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
 
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The best two modulars in the 500-600 range are Seasonic M12ll, or PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mklll. Seasonic X series is outstanding, but pricier.
When it comes to the mobos, I've no experience of that "performance". The Extreme4 is a decent budget board. If you want something with rock solid "conservative" quality, Asus P8Z77 range are very good. It just a question of picking out the one in that line that best suits you needs.
 
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awesome thanks,
I feel like a tard... I don't know how or what I did but some how I'm posting on the UK / Ireland forums??? 😱

Still having a heck of a time narrowing down a good modular powersupply for appropriate wattage or what ever. 😛
 
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So this Power Supply should run my system and allow me to Over Clock as much as I want both the CPU and GPU? Even if I'm running lets say a GTX680?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703036&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 
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