- Oct 14, 2012
- 3
- 0
- 10,510
This is literally my first ever post in these forums, so I apologize if I'm overstepping my bounds or not following protocol. I'm just looking for advice and feedback on a build I've had in mind for quite some time, now.
First, some build stipulations:
Approximate Purchase Date: I'm ready to buy these parts as soon as I get solid feedback.
Budget Range: This build is around $~1300, but cheaper with only purpose-related negligible sacrifice is better.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: I'll be using it for gaming. I don't limit myself to just MMOs or FPSs and I'd like to be able to play on the highest settings. I'll also be using it for web surfing.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, going with Win7 Home Premium 64-bit
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: see links below
Location: Elk Grove, CA, USA
Overclocking: I have no experience with overclocking, so I'd rather not take the risk of frying the first desktop I'd have in several years if it can be avoided.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Why I'm Building: I haven't had a desktop for several years and I'd like one for gaming.
Next, this is the build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/keaY
Now, I'll address my choices for each component as well as some alternatives I considered.
CPU: Intel i5-3550
I can get it for as much as a 2500K. Since I don't plan on OCing, I might as well go for an Ivy Bridge. I'd upgrade to a 3570/K, but not for more than $10.
Mobo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP
As far as mobos go, I wanted something with at least one 3 SATA 3 gb/s for the optical drive, at least two SATA 6 gb/s for the HDD and and a possible boot/cache SSD in the future, and USB 3.0. These are features found on the Z77 chipset. However, since I don't plan on OCing and using CF or SLI, I decided to consider H77s. Compared against the Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H, which has an mSATA port, and the ASUS P8H77-V LE, the ASRock was the cheapest of the bunch.
RAM: Kingston Blu 8GB (2x4) KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX
The difference between DDR-1333 and DDR-1600 is $1, so I'm going with 1600. I'm still not sure whether 4 or 8GB is the standard for gaming PCs, but RAM is relatively cheap, so it's better to err on the side of caution.
HDD: Western Digital Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM WD1002FAEX
I'm going with 1TB so I don't have to mind space restraints as I build up my game collection. There are 1TB 7200rpm caviar greens and blues available for cheaper, but I understand that blacks somehow have better performance. Can someone elaborate? Also, Seagate Barracudas are available for cheaper, but my dad had trouble with a Seagate HDD in the past, so I'm not as open to considering them.
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB GV-N66TOC-2GD
I want to play games on their highest settings, so I'm willing to shell out for a good GPU. 660 Tis are generally less expensive than 7950s. This model has a 1.03 GHz core clock, but there's an EVGA 915 MHz model available that's $15 less. I really want to make sure I have a good GPU, but I can be persuaded towards the cheaper model if the difference is negligible enough.
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced USB 3.0 Edition RC-692A-KKN5
With cases, I'm looking for front USB 3.0 ports, cable routing behind the mobo tray, and good airflow. I also looked at the Corsair 400R and Fractal Arc Midi, but I can get the Cooler Master for the least amount of money.
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified HCG-620M
Not much to say, here. Just looking for something that will give my parts good, clean power and won't fry easily.
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90
Also simple. Just looking for a cheap optical drive that performs decently enough.
Monitor: ASUS VH236H
I want low input lag (read: different from response time) and good HD picture quality out of a monitor. I'm not completely willing to use a CRT, so that limits me to LCDs and LEDs. EVO fighting game tournaments use this monitor because of its low response time, so it's good enough for me.
Mouse: Logitech G400
I hear Razer mice are also fundamentally good, but I'm going to be looking at these things every day. I much prefer Logitech's generally more understated designs. I didn't like the G500 when I tried it and there's no need to pay the premium for the G9x when I can get a G400 for much less.
Speakers: Logitech S220
Just looking for something affordable that'll give me good sound. 5.1 systems seem to be out of my range at the moment, so I figure I should just stick with 2.1s for now. This set is rated pretty highly on head-fi.org. From what I've read, the relatively small subwoofer can put out a surprisingly substantial amount of bass.
So, that's my proposed gaming build. Please let me know if there are any issues that I overlooked or if you have any suggestions. Thanks for your time.
First, some build stipulations:
Approximate Purchase Date: I'm ready to buy these parts as soon as I get solid feedback.
Budget Range: This build is around $~1300, but cheaper with only purpose-related negligible sacrifice is better.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: I'll be using it for gaming. I don't limit myself to just MMOs or FPSs and I'd like to be able to play on the highest settings. I'll also be using it for web surfing.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, going with Win7 Home Premium 64-bit
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: see links below
Location: Elk Grove, CA, USA
Overclocking: I have no experience with overclocking, so I'd rather not take the risk of frying the first desktop I'd have in several years if it can be avoided.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Why I'm Building: I haven't had a desktop for several years and I'd like one for gaming.
Next, this is the build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/keaY
Now, I'll address my choices for each component as well as some alternatives I considered.
CPU: Intel i5-3550
I can get it for as much as a 2500K. Since I don't plan on OCing, I might as well go for an Ivy Bridge. I'd upgrade to a 3570/K, but not for more than $10.
Mobo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP
As far as mobos go, I wanted something with at least one 3 SATA 3 gb/s for the optical drive, at least two SATA 6 gb/s for the HDD and and a possible boot/cache SSD in the future, and USB 3.0. These are features found on the Z77 chipset. However, since I don't plan on OCing and using CF or SLI, I decided to consider H77s. Compared against the Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H, which has an mSATA port, and the ASUS P8H77-V LE, the ASRock was the cheapest of the bunch.
RAM: Kingston Blu 8GB (2x4) KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX
The difference between DDR-1333 and DDR-1600 is $1, so I'm going with 1600. I'm still not sure whether 4 or 8GB is the standard for gaming PCs, but RAM is relatively cheap, so it's better to err on the side of caution.
HDD: Western Digital Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM WD1002FAEX
I'm going with 1TB so I don't have to mind space restraints as I build up my game collection. There are 1TB 7200rpm caviar greens and blues available for cheaper, but I understand that blacks somehow have better performance. Can someone elaborate? Also, Seagate Barracudas are available for cheaper, but my dad had trouble with a Seagate HDD in the past, so I'm not as open to considering them.
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB GV-N66TOC-2GD
I want to play games on their highest settings, so I'm willing to shell out for a good GPU. 660 Tis are generally less expensive than 7950s. This model has a 1.03 GHz core clock, but there's an EVGA 915 MHz model available that's $15 less. I really want to make sure I have a good GPU, but I can be persuaded towards the cheaper model if the difference is negligible enough.
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced USB 3.0 Edition RC-692A-KKN5
With cases, I'm looking for front USB 3.0 ports, cable routing behind the mobo tray, and good airflow. I also looked at the Corsair 400R and Fractal Arc Midi, but I can get the Cooler Master for the least amount of money.
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified HCG-620M
Not much to say, here. Just looking for something that will give my parts good, clean power and won't fry easily.
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90
Also simple. Just looking for a cheap optical drive that performs decently enough.
Monitor: ASUS VH236H
I want low input lag (read: different from response time) and good HD picture quality out of a monitor. I'm not completely willing to use a CRT, so that limits me to LCDs and LEDs. EVO fighting game tournaments use this monitor because of its low response time, so it's good enough for me.
Mouse: Logitech G400
I hear Razer mice are also fundamentally good, but I'm going to be looking at these things every day. I much prefer Logitech's generally more understated designs. I didn't like the G500 when I tried it and there's no need to pay the premium for the G9x when I can get a G400 for much less.
Speakers: Logitech S220
Just looking for something affordable that'll give me good sound. 5.1 systems seem to be out of my range at the moment, so I figure I should just stick with 2.1s for now. This set is rated pretty highly on head-fi.org. From what I've read, the relatively small subwoofer can put out a surprisingly substantial amount of bass.
So, that's my proposed gaming build. Please let me know if there are any issues that I overlooked or if you have any suggestions. Thanks for your time.
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