900$ PC build help ?

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trflach

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Jun 17, 2012
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Hi everyone, just want to start off saying that I'm a new member on here, but I've been reading forums and reviews here for a couple years now. I'm looking to build a new computer (I've built a 500$ budget desktop around 4 years ago), so I'm not a total noob >.<

Approximate Purchase Date: within a month

Budget Range: 800-950 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, movies

Parts Not Required: monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ncix, newegg, tiger, microcenter

Country: US

Parts Preferences: Intel, AMD/ATI

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution:1920x1200

Additional Comments: I've been looking around and I seem to be leaning towards the i5-2500k from microcenter for 170. Also I'm stuck between the 7850, 7870, and 7950. I know you can overclock the lesser ones to reach the next one up, but the 7950 overclocks higher than the other two, so yea. Possible SSD, and I was thinking like a 600W psu, as the redeons are relatively low power consumption. Any thoughts?

EDIT: I already have the OS, and I won't need an optical drive either.
 
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2fast4thetown_down

2fast4thetown_down

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Apr 7, 2012
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It is 3rd gen but i would personally get the 2500k but most people prefer the 3rd gen. The 2500k will overclock to 4.5 ghz easily so if you will over clock get it. The 7870 is a great card so I would get it. If you want a little more balance get the 560ti but the 7870 is better.
 
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bigcyco1

bigcyco1

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Feb 11, 2012
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can Mobo + HDD:$189.98
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

bundled with:

1x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.977954

CPU:Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504#top


ODD:ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204#top

RAM:Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1339DS1S00 $42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543#top

PSU:CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028#top


GPU- SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card (OC Edition)

Free BF3 & Dirt3 coupons w/ purchase, limited offer $199.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987 Case:NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025 $59.99
CPU Cooler:COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 $34.99 If you have any questions just ask! ;)
 
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bigcyco1

bigcyco1

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Feb 11, 2012
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($35.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $857.90
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
 
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trflach

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Jun 17, 2012
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Why the 6950? Couldn't I just save on the other parts, and go with a 7870 or 7950? I figure even with the 7950 itd come out to be around 950$ considering I saved on other things. Also, why the 3750 vs the 2500 ? You're the second to suggest that
 
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z_4

z_4

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Apr 21, 2011
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Here's a build suggestion, having components from both newegg and microcenter. Have a look:
From microcenter:
CPU: $190- i5-3570K(Though i5-2500K & this chip perform similarly, i suggest this because, buying this with mobo comes cheaper)

Motherboard: $70- Asrock Z77 Pro4

From newegg:
Optical Drive: $15- Samsung

HDD: $75- WD Cavier Blue 500GB

PSU & RAM: $96- Corsair CX500 & Corsair Vengeance 8GB( 500 watt PSU is more than enough unless you plan to add another GPU)

SSD: $80- OCZ Vertex 3 128GB(Great SSD, also cheaper due to the ShellShocker deal, get this before the deal goes off)

Cooler: $30- CM Hyper 212+(For your overclocking needs)

GPU: $250- Sapphire Radeon 7850(A great card , ideal for gaming)

Case: $40- NZXT Source 210(or whatever you like)

Total(Excluding Rebates): 835 USD

Rebates,promos: ~$25

Now, you can get a GPU like GTX 670 if you are wiiling to spend $150 extra( EVGA GTX 670 worth $400). It will go above budget, but it will be an awesome card for gaming.
You can still get GTX 670 and stay within budget if you can ditch the SSD(save $80), or get 64 GB SSD(like Mushkin Enhanced Callisto 64GB worth $60. Save $20). Your choice.
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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The i5-3570k is an Ivy Bridge chip, which is based on a smaller manufacturing process (22nm if I recall correctly, Sandy is 28nm). This allows Intel to essentially shove more transistors into a smaller space. So you get better performance. If you clocked an 2500k and a 3570k to the same speed, in theory the 3570k should have +10% performance. Along with the fact that the newer technology means it supports newer features like PCI-3, better memory controller along with a more powerful integrated GPU.

However, because there are more transistors in there, it does get hotter than the 2500k when overclocking (Ivy kicks up the heat once you start messing with voltage). So you cant get to higher clock speeds on it unless you have a good cooler. But your clocks are worth more on it, so I personally see the point as moot. If your looking for a pure clock speed number, not performance, than the 2500k would do better.

Either chip will be fine, but you might as well get the 3570k as its newer, better performance and is essentially the best mainstream processor for gaming. As for limited overclock ability due to heat, most overclockers don't mess with voltages unless they have very good cooling anyway. With the 212 EVO you seem to be getting, I wouldn't advise going above ~4.3ghz on it.
 
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bigcyco1

bigcyco1

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Feb 11, 2012
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The reason why the 6950 is because i wasn't sure if you need OS you didn't list it as not needed so i assumed it is needed that's another 100 right there which if i would have included 7850 would of went past your budget of 800-950 Before Rebates it would of come out to roughly around $997 then you still have taxes charges which would of made the total way past what you listed as your budget and the reason for 3750K seems to be what everybody wants on this site and most the time if you recommend the i5-2500K somebody will just come along and convince the buyer that ivy bridge is the way to go so it's pretty much standard here anyway,if you don't need OS and want i5-2500K and R7850 i will throw you together something in a bit let me know.
 
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z_4

z_4

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Radeon 7950 prices start from around $370. It is recommended that spend $30 extra and get GTX 670 as it performs better than Radeon 7950, it competes with GTX 680 with 4-5% performance difference. Also it competes neck to neck with 7970, winning in some game benchmarks and losing to the others, but at a lower cost than 7970.
Here's a review of the GTX 670. Do read it:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200.html
 
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trflach

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Jun 17, 2012
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Ok... but that seems to be getting eXtra pricey (was barely going to go with the 7950 if I can save on the other stuff). And it seems that the power consumption does not differ much between the two based on the review, but I was under the assumption that the 7xxx series was much less power hungry than the nvidias. thoughts?
 
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z_4

z_4

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Regarding power consumption both are GPU form Nvidia & AMD are very efficient. They are somewhat better than previous generation GPU like like 6xxx series & 5xx series,. No matter what you go for you will have no problem as such.
 
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z_4

z_4

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For 7850 500 watts PSU is good, GTX 670 - around 600 is ample,
Crossfire of 7850 or SLI of GTX 670 , a 700 watt PSU should be more than enough
 
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z_4

z_4

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Yes it's definitely good. In say next two/three years, the GPU may not be able to handle games at that res. at ultra setting but you can tone it down a little.
For example,User who had 8800GTX, series GPUs are still able to play games they just have to tone down the setting.
 
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trflach

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Jun 17, 2012
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Okay that makes sense. My biggest thing right now is whether to spend the money on the 7870 or 7950 now... overclocking the 7870 is very good supposedly. If I get the 7850 that would open up options for bigger ssd, etc..
 
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