Budget build opinions.

[kamikazekilla]

Im attempting to build my first PC. Im not exactly sure what im doing so if this wouldn't work at all dont go too hard on me.

Budget is around $500.

Don't need OS and i have an old 500GB HD already so im not sure if i need a new one or not thats why i put the 60GB SSD in there.

Uses are for gaming - Skyrim/CS:GO/BF3


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.57 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($36.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($131.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $569.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[lchrisk]

You're not going to be able to play 1080 on high with that. This is better.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $526.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This'll rock all those games on high settings.

If you don't want that expensive of a case, get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Still decent.

 

[kamikazekilla]

Thanks for the help I don't really know much so I just went with the ratings I saw.
One thing though would I gain anything by getting that 60gb SSD or should I just wait and buy a better one later? And do cases matter much besides looks and price? Like I said I don't know much at all.

 

[lchrisk]

Thanks for the help I don't really know much so I just went with the ratings I saw.
One thing though would I gain anything by getting that 60gb SSD or should I just wait and buy a better one later? And do cases matter much besides looks and price? Like I said I don't know much at all.

To me, as I'm kind of poor as I'm a student, I could care less with what my case looks like, but the airflow is what's important. NZXT cases are really nice, and so are cooler master. TBH, just buy a CM case as they give you better airflow for the money, but NZXT cases looook amazing!

As the money hungry guy I am, I see SSD's as stupid. I think this because you could be putting the money somewhere else like your cpu or gpu, instead of having a few seconds faster loading of applications and boot time.

If you have the money and you really want that, by all means go ahead, but that's not what I would do.

If you really want one though, save up for at least 128 or 256. You will burn right through 60 gb and it will just be a waste.

 

[Outlander_04]

You're not going to be able to play 1080 on high with that. This is better.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mShC/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $526.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

This'll rock all those games on high settings.

If you don't want that expensive of a case, get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Still decent.

A couple of potential problems here
The minimum recommended power supply for the 7870 is 500 watts . The CX 430 might work to make the current , but it does not have the 2 x 6 pin pci-e power connectors it needs . It only has one . You could use an adapter to a molex but the whole thing is marginal at best .
Use another power supply

In online games I'd strongly recommend the quad core i5 3470 is decently priced

 

[kamikazekilla]

A couple of potential problems here
The minimum recommended power supply for the 7870 is 500 watts . The CX 430 might work to make the current , but it does not have the 2 x 6 pin pci-e power connectors it needs . It only has one . You could use an adapter to a molex but the whole thing is marginal at best .
Use another power supply

In online games I'd strongly recommend the quad core i5 3470 is decently priced

You sort of lost me there. Basically what you're saying is that i need a bigger psu? I don't really know too much about this stuff sorry :/

 

[Outlander_04]

You sort of lost me there. Basically what you're saying is that i need a bigger psu? I don't really know too much about this stuff sorry :/

you need a stronger power supply . The CX 430 doesnt have the right connectors and its not powerful enough .
If I was going to build the rest of that I'd power it with
Corsair CX600 watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

$50 after a mail in rebate


That has the extra power connectors that the 7870 graphics card needs

 

[kamikazekilla]

you need a stronger power supply . The CX 430 doesnt have the right connectors and its not powerful enough .
If I was going to build the rest of that I'd power it with
Corsair CX600 watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

$50 after a mail in rebate


That has the extra power connectors that the 7870 graphics card needs

Ok got it thanks.

Quick question though i currently use a VGA cord to connect to my monitor and with that graphics card i was wondering if i should use an adapter or use an HDMI?

 

[mysteryos]

Ok got it thanks.

Quick question though i currently use a VGA cord to connect to my monitor and with that graphics card i was wondering if i should use an adapter or use an HDMI?

Yes, you will need a DVI to VGA convertor. Usually the graphics card manufacturer's will include one in the box but in this case, XFX doesn't.

 

[kamikazekilla]

Yes, you will need a DVI to VGA convertor. Usually the graphics card manufacturer's will include one in the box but in this case, XFX doesn't.

Sorry i mean't which one should i use? I already have an HDMI cable and VGA cable and the converter is only like $5 on newegg so would it even matter which one i use? Like would it have a noticeable difference from one to the other?

Also do you guys recommend i buy a cpu cooler? if so does it matter which one?


Plan on buying Friday.. Just to make sure i got everything correct heres what im looking at

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $510.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[mysteryos]

Sorry i mean't which one should i use? I already have an HDMI cable and VGA cable and the converter is only like $5 on newegg so would it even matter which one i use? Like would it have a noticeable difference from one to the other?

Also do you guys recommend i buy a cpu cooler? if so does it matter which one?


Plan on buying Friday.. Just to make sure i got everything correct heres what im looking at

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $510.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Check your monitor's back and see if there is a HDMI or DVI connector. Else you are stuck with the VGA one & will need to get a convertor (DVI to VGA preferentially).

For your Core i3, you won't need a custom cooler. The intel heatsink will amply suffice.

 

[kamikazekilla]

Check your monitor's back and see if there is a HDMI or DVI connector. Else you are stuck with the VGA one & will need to get a convertor (DVI to VGA preferentially).

For your Core i3, you won't need a custom cooler. The intel heatsink will amply suffice.

Ok cool ill give the HDMI a shot first and see how it goes.

And also (sorry for all the stupid questions, I saved the worse for last,) but do I need to buy thermal paste?

 

[mysteryos]

Ok cool ill give the HDMI a shot first and see how it goes.

And also (sorry for all the stupid questions, I saved the worse for last,) but do I need to buy thermal paste?

To boil it down for you: DVI has display signals only; HDMI has display and audio signals.

They only fit their own sockets.

Your graphics card will come with both DVI & HDMI sockets. The problem is whether your display monitor has them too. What monitor do you have?

As for thermal paste, you don't need to buy any. Some will be pre-applied on the bottom of the intel heatsink. Just follow the instructions and you will be safe.

 

[kamikazekilla]

Just wondering since Cyber Monday is in a couple of weeks whether or not I would save any money buying on Cyber Monday?

 

[mysteryos]

Sure you can, but then you'll need to review the list of components all together since the suggestions are based solely on value per price point