$1400 new build budget

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Seasonic power supplies are definitely better (I own two of them - an S12 430W and a X750 Gold) but there's nothing wrong with the chosen power supply.

That original build is OK, I have a few issues with it:

1. If you're not planning to overclock, get an i5-3350P and an H77 motherboard. Use the difference and drop the SSD cache (they're pretty worthless) and get a real SSD like the OCZ Vector or Samsung 840 Pro.

2. There's no point in two DVD burners, one is more than enough anymore.

3. Instead of the EVGA card, get a Gigabyte Windforce 3X - far better card and cooling solution.

Otherwise everything else looks good.
 
You can either save some money or gain some performance by altering some of those parts. Here would be my suggested alternative buid:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($125.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.19 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($433.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 (Gunmetal) ATX Full Tower Case ($171.24 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1316.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-14 01:21 EDT-0400)

Edit: This build is equipped to overclock. If you don't wish to overclock, you can drop the CPU cooler and downgrade the CPU to a 3470 and the mobo to an ASRock H77 Pro4 to save a bit of money.
 


Pretty nice build. Two questions: 1, why spend so much on a PSU? You can get one (a SeaSonic one, mind you, not some cheap brand) in that wattage for far less. 2, why an H80i? It's pretty well beaten by the Noctua DH14, which actually costs less in addition to being an air cooler.
 


In fairness, Jack, that build has some odd elements (requires a wireless card, OP can access Microcenter) which aren't present here.
 

Immaculate

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I was trying to match the OP psu power. In case they want upgrades. Water cooled because I don't want dust accumulating all over the heat sink and fan, if the case doesn't filter it.
 


Wouldn't you run into the same annoyance with the radiator on the H80i?
Fair point on the PSU, though.
 

Immaculate

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I guess. I don't think cooler performance would really be effected by other heat sources inside the case like air cooled would. Wouldn't there be less ambient temperature because the water is absorbing the heat and not the air inside the case?
 


Well, you're not going to have as much heat pollution in the case, but a good fan arrangement in a solid case deals with waste heat just fine. Given the added cost of getting a liquid cooler that's on par with a good air cooler, I tend to think it's more worthwhile (below the highest tier, where water does rule uncontested) to simply get an air cooler and spend the money you save on a case with better airflow, which will also benefit the cooling of your GPU(s).
 

fiveohnine

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Sep 30, 2012
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I do plan to OC and I also cannot find that gpu anywhere! I don't understand how you know all this stuff. Like if it can be oc'd or not and if one cpu is better than another etc...

 

Immaculate

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Well if its only single monitor 1080p I'm going to say that 4gb GPU is overkill.
Get the 660Ti 192bit GDDR5 with Metro Last Light and PhysX.
OR
7950 Vapor X. 384bit GDDR5. come with Tomb Raider, Crysis 3, Bioshock: Infinite, FarCry 3: Blood Dragon. <<< Thats what I want
 


I believe that he meant this card: http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=71107&vpn=GV-N670OC-2GD&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1397
You can tell if something can be overclocked by its designations. An Intel processor without a "k" at the end of its model number (such as 3570k) cannot be overclock. For motherboards, you need a Z motherboard (such as a Z77, like that Extreme6) to overclock.
If you plan to overclock, you will also need a CPU cooler. I would tend to advise the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo.