$900 Upgrade / $1300 New Build (Gaming PC)

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J

jjcybak

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May 8, 2013
14
0
10,510
Approximate Purchase Date: By Sunday 5-12-2013
Budget Range: Budget is ($ 900 for upgrade) ($ 1300 for Full System)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Streaming, Internet

Are you buying a monitor: NO (USING DUAL MONITORS)
Do you need to buy OS: NO

Parts to Upgrade: (Listed Below)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon / Newegg

Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA

Parts Preferences: (List Below)
Overclocking: MAYBE, Most likey not
SLI or Crossfire: (SLI if upgrade) (Non SLI if new build)

Additional Comments: Currently mainly using it for WOW and Internet and streaming. Sound of pc really doesn’t matter. I am using DUAL Monitors.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Having issues with PC randomly freezing. It locks up with image. Video of Issue: LINK

Current System/Parts:
Motherboard: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe (Don’t want to use)
LINK

Processor: AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ 2.8ghz ) (Don’t want to use)
LINK

Ram: DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 4x 1gb (Don’t want to use)
LINK

Video Card: XFX GTX 260 Black Edition at 1920x1080 (x2)
LINK

HD: Main: 250GB 7200 RPM WD
Secondary: 500GB 7200 RPM WD
Third: 1TB 7200 RPM WD

DVD: Asus SCSI
DVD Burner: Asus DRW SCSI

Keyboard: G15 Gaming Keyboard Logitech
LINK

Mouse: G9 Gaming Mouse Logitech
LINK

Case: Antec 900 ATX Mid
LINK

Power Supply: Antec 750 Watt (20-+4 Connection) 2x6 Video, Module.
(No Link)



WANTS Parts:
Currently I am open to other ideas of things I might need to change or what I can and cant use from my old parts.

Motherboard: ASUS or open to other MBs. (Want NEW)
Processor: Over 3.5 GHZ (AMD or Intel I7)
Ram: MIN. 16GB
Video Card: XFX GTX 260 Black Edition at 1920x1080 (x2 SLI) OR
Open to other cards
HD: Main: 250GB 10000 RPM WD
Secondary: 250GB 10000 RPM WD
DVD: Blue Ray (Burner not a must)
DVD Burner: Optional
Keyboard: Using my G15 Gaming Keyboard Logitech
Mouse: Using my G9 Gaming Mouse Logitech
Case: Open to bigger cases, Antec 900 is tight with SLI GTX 260s
Power Supply: (Open to new or old if it will work with new MB)


Possible Parts: (Some of the parts I was looking at )
Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower Unbeatable Gaming Case
LINK

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
LINK

Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770
LINK

XFX Double D FX-787A-CDFC Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support ...
LINK

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL10D-16GBXL
LINK
Western Digital WD VelociRaptor WD2500HHTZ 250GB 10000 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
LINK

LG Black 12X Blu-ray Combo Drive SATA Model UH12NS29 - OEM
LINK[/b]
 
Solution
ismaeljrp
Are you only buying from Amazon? Because you can save yourself some cash buying from other vendors aswell.

This is slightly improved from my first suggestions. This case is better, and I've included a PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid...
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M5P Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1128.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 21:19 EDT-0400)
 
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What would you suggest as a power supply for this system or just use my current one ? Will it be enough power for a beast of graphic card at only being 750w.



I came up with this set of items and wanted to know any suggestions to get it around 1300 ish. Change the case and the PS maybe ?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($212.07 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($131.55 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 500GB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($142.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($416.60 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D ATX Full Tower Case ($273.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1200W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($214.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1554.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 22:40 EDT-0400)
 
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I think your Antec PSU is fine.
As far as your selections, why exactly are you evading SSDs and opting for more HDDs ?
I think you're spending way too much on the case and PSU. You won't need such a large PSU unless you are doing Quad SLI/Quad CFX ... It's just not very wise selections on the PSU and Case.

The Antec 1100 is a Super-Mid-Tower, Almost a full tower, and it is an awesome case of great quality and not too large. Has great ventilation. It's sort of a mix of the Antec 1200/900/302 ... It's big, neat, cools great and Antec quality at a good price.

 
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Are you only buying from Amazon? Because you can save yourself some cash buying from other vendors aswell.

This is slightly improved from my first suggestions. This case is better, and I've included a PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ TigerDirect)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1232.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 02:46 EDT-0400)
 
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Solution


u don't need a z77 MoBo if u wont be overclocking get a b75 as they don't affect gaming
8gb of ram is enough
ur spending to much on ur case
ur psu is a huge overkill
 
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I have some gift cards left over from christmas only reason i was going to use amazon i have buy from other vendors also if its going to save a lot of $$$.


AS of going with HDD i guess its old habit of mine. I didnt know enough about the differences between SSD and HDD. Only worry about the ANTEC 1100 that sticks in my head is the problem with the Antec 900 not fitting bigger cards. Will I see this issue with the 1100 ?

 
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Pic of Antec with Crossfire gpu's, I think they are 11 inch cards .
http://www.pcper.com/files/imagecache/article_max_width/news/2011-10-22/03.jpg

The downside of the Antec is it doesn't have intake fans, I forgot to mention this. But that is why I switched to the Fractal Design Arc Midi 2, which also has support for radiators, and it includes 3 fans total with the option to mount more.

There is a big difference between SSD's and HDDs. Install your OS on the SSD and applications and games and your system will start to really fly.
 
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OK follow up after i looked everything over. The one I listed below is mostly everything you said but i did swap back to the 1100 cause i do like the looks and the quality of this case. Also after knowing that my PS will work with this card and you feel it will be more then enough I will use my own PS also . So this is what I came up as my final system. I also added a BR burner if you know of a better one. Thanks

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($131.55 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ TigerDirect)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply Using my own.
Total: $1239.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 09:57 EDT-0400)

Just looked at your last post now I am only stuck on Cases LOL

If I add fans to the Antec on the side and front will this improve it for a little extra money.

Suggestions on brackets for the 2.5 to 3.5 to mount it in the case ?
 
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Well if you go with the Antec 1100, I would just take out the Tri-cool fans in the 900 and install them in the 1100. That's what I did for my Antec 302, when I upgraded from my old Antec 900. I just took the Rear exhaust 120mm fan, and Installed it as an Intake.

The Fractal case is very good, if you want search for some video reviews on both cases on youtube and have a look at what they both are like.
 
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I will do this when I get home from work. As for taking from the Antec 900, I was leaning toward not doing that if possible. Thanks for all the feedback ismaeljrp it helps a lot :).
 
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Ok question after looking at all this and thinking, and the thinking more... I had a few questions

1. If I cut out Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ Newegg) and used my (GTX 260 Black Editions in SLI) How much worse would it be? I Know there is a HUGE Difference between The 7970 and my cards. But what I was thinking is then I can just do a completely new build and use my old system still.

2. If I needed a video card later I was looking at Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US) I guess the $400 price tag of a video card just make me think about it more lol.

This is what i ended up coming up with after over looking the parts and reviews so forth. I ended up going back to the Z77 the asrock mb i just wasnt falling in love with it and decided to up it. As for the Cases I am still stuck between them but ended up just putting the 1100 in there for now. I might go back to the other one.

3. In going with the Antec 1100 how many fans would you add to it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.13 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 12g Thermal Paste ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z77 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($239.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($131.62 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ TigerDirect)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1063.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 18:05 EDT-0400)
 
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A few things,
1. If you aren't going to get an unlocked CPU ( K ) then you won't need the 212 Evo. And also the evo comes with high quality thermal paste in the package.

2. That Asus board is very expensive, does it have something specific you want out of it? because it will NOT add any performance over the Asrock, or another more inexpensive board.

3. I would say buy 2, 120 mm fans and install in the front. But really, I just watched videos of both cases from Hardware Canucks, and the Fractal is a much better case, and you wouldn't need to install any extra fans in it.

4. Those 260 sli's are about the same performance of a single AMD Radeon 7850. If you like your gaming performance then stick with them. If you really want to upgrade the 7950 is a great option, it will literally double your performance, at the least.
 
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1. Going to at least go with the K with the price difference it doesnt seem like much.
2. I juess I just like that MB better after reading reviews. I will have to research the MB more.
3. I am going to end up going with the Fractal Case
4. The big thing with my gaming performance is im having freezing issues which i think are being caused by windows 8 rather then the video card. So that is what really started me looking at another pc. I guess spending another 400 on a video card when I have 2 that work makes me think save it till I need a new one or not. Guess that is something i have to decide.




 
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Ended up going with the following

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.13 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 12g Thermal Paste ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z77 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($239.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($131.62 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ TigerDirect)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.60 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1351.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-09 21:40 EDT-0400)

Upgrading to Video card later to or better
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
 
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1)a z77 MoBo with a locked cpu, a b75 would have sufficed
2)a cpu cooler with a locked cpu,stock cooler are just fine when u r not overclocking
3)16 gb of ram is unnecessary 8gb is the sweet spot for gaming
 
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I don't care what anyone says...The Antec 900 is one of the best game cases going. With a couple mods like around we're the mobo goes add a few more ovel holes to help with cable management..And there side window just sucks so what I did i replaced the old side with a new window I made it were I cut the hole side open and added a new window now your able to see whats inside then I replace the three 120 mm fans with Antecs true quiet pro which are totally silent...now you'd have a kick ass case
 
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