1K Programming/Gaming Quiet Build

[Matthew Lesko]

I will use this computer for gaming and programming. Will run Linux VMs and Oracle. Want something that's quiet even when gaming.

Want to pull the trigger sometime before September.

Location: Baltimore, MD

In addition to the PC Parts Picker list below I already have the following from an old build that I was going to incorporate in the new:

Monitors: 2 HP LP2065 Silver-Carbonite 20" 8ms LCD Monitor (1600 x 1200 IPS)
Hard Drive SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Optical Drive LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe

Games I want to run, at max settings and resolution (also consider I may purchase a 27" IPS gaming monitor - most likely one of the 2560x1440 variety):

Witcher 2
Skyrim
Civilization

I also have an existing case and PSU, but I suspect it's underpowered, so I included an upgrade:

Case & PSU: Antec Performance One P150 White Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($140.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.50 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $974.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-27 19:39 EDT-0400)

 

[mattius92]

For the most part the build looks good. However, I do have a couple suggestions.

First I recommend this case (Factual Design Define Mini), because, its designed to be very quiet and its very good build quality.

Also you said something about wanting to get a new possibly 2560x1440 IPS monitor. I would suggest a more powerful GPU to handle gaming at the resolution. The GTX 660 will work hard enough at a 1080p resolution, but 2560p, it will really hurt. I recommend a GTX 670 or a HD 7870 Ghz Edition. The HD 7870 will be a little cheaper and once overclocked will perform equal to a GTX 670. Those GPUs will be able to handle 2560p much better.

Lastly, you need to get 2x4GB memory, with a single stick of RAM you are cutting your RAMs bandwidth and speed in half by only running in single channel mode, you need two 4GB sticks to run in dual-channel effectively doubling your RAMs bandwidth, making for a much faster PC.

To cut back on costs, you could get by with a 600 watt, Corsair CX600. Also, a SSD isnt a must, and it won't really improve speeds in game, but it will improve the OS environment. Windows 7 uses about 25GB, so I typically suggest 120GB, with this you can cut back further to save cost.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($212.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $942.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Added a CPU cooler, you need one if you want to take advantage of the overclocking capabilities of the i5-3570k

 

[Matthew Lesko]

Regarding the monitor, I'm wondering if in the near term then I'd be better served price wise to get a lesser resolution monitor (1920x1080) and possibly lesser video card too, say 650 Ti Boost? Then at some future point in time I would upgrade video card and monitor potentially.

Thoughts?

For the most part the build looks good. However, I do have a couple suggestions.

First I recommend this case (Factual Design Define Mini), because, its designed to be very quiet and its very good build quality.

Also you said something about wanting to get a new possibly 2560x1440 IPS monitor. I would suggest a more powerful GPU to handle gaming at the resolution. The GTX 660 will work hard enough at a 1080p resolution, but 2560p, it will really hurt. I recommend a GTX 670 or a HD 7870 Ghz Edition. The HD 7870 will be a little cheaper and once overclocked will perform equal to a GTX 670. Those GPUs will be able to handle 2560p much better.

Lastly, you need to get 2x4GB memory, with a single stick of RAM you are cutting your RAMs bandwidth and speed in half by only running in single channel mode, you need two 4GB sticks to run in dual-channel effectively doubling your RAMs bandwidth, making for a much faster PC.

To cut back on costs, you could get by with a 600 watt, Corsair CX600. Also, a SSD isnt a must, and it won't really improve speeds in game, but it will improve the OS environment. Windows 7 uses about 25GB, so I typically suggest 120GB, with this you can cut back further to save cost.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($212.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $942.54
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Added a CPU cooler, you need one if you want to take advantage of the overclocking capabilities of the i5-3570k

 

[mattius92]

The GTX 650ti Boost will run at 1080p but at reduced visual settings. If you can fit a GTX 660 or HD 7850 in your budget you will see almost max settings at 1080p.

 

[g-unit1111]

The GTX 650ti Boost will run at 1080p but at reduced visual settings. If you can fit a GTX 660 or HD 7850 in your budget you will see almost max settings at 1080p.

The 7870 XT is way overkill for playing Civ V and other top down strategy games.

 

[mattius92]

The GTX 650ti Boost will run at 1080p but at reduced visual settings. If you can fit a GTX 660 or HD 7850 in your budget you will see almost max settings at 1080p.

The 7870 XT is way overkill for playing Civ V and other top down strategy games.

Who said 7870 XT? I suggested the 7870, but that was because of the 2560x1440 monitor he was talking about. At 1080p you don't need no 7870 for Civ 5, a 7850 is only good to help give the build a couple years. Yeah man!