Build Ready to go, in need of review (Gaming, ~$1300)

[atphy42]

Hello,

First time building, any assistance at all is appreciated. How does this guy look in terms of value, upgradability, usefulness for the forseeable future, compatability, maximization of components, etc? I'm looking to run modern games really well without having to upgrade for a while (basically, until new games don't run at all). Very open to suggestions to lower price, of course. I'm considering using my TV as a monitor, but which will bring it down a couple hundred dollars, but that's the only idea I have as of now.

And given that this is starting from nothing, I won't need any supplies not listed here, will I (Cables, parts for assembly, thermal paste, sound card, etc)? I've read guides and FAQs, but I have a bit of mush-brain after comparing parts for hours at a time here for a couple weeks. Again, all the thanks in the world for any assistance!

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $1341.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 13:46 EST-0500)

 

[djosbun]

You're not going to buy an SSD drive? That's the biggest thing you're missing here. Use the Seagate Barricude as your storage drive, and get a minimum of 128gb for an SSD. I just purchased the Crucial M4 128gb for about $100 at NewEgg, and it also has a mail-in rebate. Having your OS on an SSD will give you a nice performance increase, along with much faster boot times.

Dave

 

[atphy42]

You're not going to buy an SSD drive? That's the biggest thing you're missing here. Use the Seagate Barricude as your storage drive, and get a minimum of 128gb for an SSD. I just purchased the Crucial M4 128gb for about $100 at NewEgg, and it also has a mail-in rebate. Having your OS on an SSD will give you a nice performance increase, along with much faster boot times.

Dave

I've read that an SSD may or may not be worth the difference in storage space. You're recommending that over (or in addition to?) the 1TB internal hard drive? I'm currently leaning toward the 1 TB storage, since I wouldn't be able to fit all that many games on the SDD anyway and I don't mind waiting a bit for the OS to load. But if there are other performance benefits, I'm definitely willing to hear about them.

 

[butremor]

Here's more reasonable build:
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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($354.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $1378.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 14:05 EST-0500)

 

[alvine]

howdy,
well for example when you purchase a motherboard it will include at least two sata cables, sata cables are used to connect your media to the motherboard. you will use sata cable to connect it to your hard drive and your optical disk drive (dont forget to attach power from the power supply)

when you purchase a case it will come with motherboard stand offs

video cards will come with dongles if you want to go from dvi port to hdmi out

I'm going to make you a list of compatible parts, I'm not including a monitor as you said above you might be using a tv for display

$120 NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel (pick a case that you like, they have differenct colors of this one or just go for a different one)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

$85 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB (terabyte hard drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

$380 SAPPHIRE 100351SR Radeon HD 7970 3GB (top dog of AMD's cards excluding 7990 for that eye candy goodness 😀 )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202008

$90 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650W (power supply)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

$33 PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (8 gigs is plenty for a gaming pc)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178382


$135 ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 (the most important thing, the motherboard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

$220 Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHZ (its an unlocked processor so you can overclock it down the line to squeeze more performance out of it, overclock once you read up on some oc guides so you know what you're doing)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

$100 Windows 7 64bit OEM (you can go with windows 8 as it's the same price, it comes down to which one you preffer more)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

$52 XIGMATEK Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition CPU Cooler (aftermarket shiny black heatsink, it will keep your processor cooler and its a must when overclocking)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

$55 LITE-ON Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Internal 12X Blu-ray Combo Model (since you will be using it with a tv you might as well have a blu ray drive to have an option for hd movies)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106374

Subtotal: $1,264.90


when picking parts its all about balance and what you will be using the pc for meaning you can downgrade the video card to a 7950 and get a super fast solid state drive to boot from for example

I hope this helps

 

[atphy42]

Here's more reasonable build:
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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($97.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($354.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VE248H 24.0" Monitor ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $1378.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 14:05 EST-0500)

What are the benefits of this build over the one I had put together? I'm very willing to accept all the suggestions you've made, just general curiosity to increase my overall knowledge of what I'm doing.

 

[atphy42]

howdy,
well for example when you purchase a motherboard it will include at least two sata cables, sata cables are used to connect your media to the motherboard. you will use sata cable to connect it to your hard drive and your optical disk

I'm going to make you a list of compatible parts, I'm not including a monitor as you said above you might be using a tv for display...

I hope this helps

Thanks! Given that two of you now have recommended smaller memory and the exact same motherboard (and, honestly, the motherboard was the part I was least sure about), looks like I'll go with that. Good point on the optical drive blu-ray possibilities as well.

Here's what I have as of now. I went ahead and removed the monitor--still not sold on the SSD, though.

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($366.97 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White/Red) ATX Full Tower Case ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On ihes112-04 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $1159.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 14:46 EST-0500)

EDIT: Does anyone have any thoughts on this card? Quite bit cheaper, and I've read that the performance gap between 7950s and 7970s isn't all that huge: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161420

 

[butremor]

Are you planning to add second gpu later? If not then PSU you selected is just too powerful and you save 20$ on getting another psu.
What about optical drive? DO you plan working with bluray discs? If not, you can get cd/dvd reader just for 20$.

 

[atphy42]

Are you planning to add second gpu later? If not then PSU you selected is just too powerful and you save 20$ on getting another psu.
What about optical drive? DO you plan working with bluray discs? If not, you can get cd/dvd reader just for 20$.

I don't currently have any Blu-ray films, but the capability seems worth the extra $30. Then again, the last time I bought a physical film was a good long while ago, so going cheaper might be the better option.

No plans for a second GPU in the near future, but wouldn't it be better to have that option rather than just getting rid of this one when it's time to upgrade? It might not be, that just seems right to my amateur-hour sensibilities.

 

[atphy42]

More questions, as I found myself having some serious trouble hitting "buy" when that moment actually rolled around.

Are there any suggestions you'd make to get the total under $1000 without sacrificing upgradability? The performance on this guy is way overkill for most games and I'm not really looking to upgrade until I can't run newer titles at all, but I want to have the option to do that as efficiently as possible when the time comes around. I'd honestly be willing to take some pretty large hits to performance (coming off consoles, so as long as I can match that quality, we're fine) as long as I'm safe in terms of not having to replace the whole thing in 3 years.

 

[butremor]

Here's new build:
Gpu is good for overclocking so you can do it and bring its performance to non-oc 7970

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.95 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $981.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-19 13:50 EST-0500)

 

[atphy42]

Here's new build:
Gpu is good for overclocking so you can do it and bring its performance to non-oc 7970

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.95 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($14.50 @ Amazon)
Total: $981.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-19 13:50 EST-0500)

Looks like a winner! Extra points for primarily using Amazon which, unlike Newegg, doesn't charge sales tax in TN (nearly 10%).

 

[butremor]

Generally Cooler Master psu are not very reliable, i'd avoid it.

 

[atphy42]

Generally Cooler Master psu are not very reliable, i'd avoid it.

Gotcha. You're thinking I won't need a cooler with this one?

Bonus question: Are there any decent monitors available now for good prices? The cuts you've made have given me room to consider a monitor. (Don't go to excessive effort to locate one if none come to mind, though, as I'm not 100% set on getting one)

 

[butremor]

Gotcha. You're thinking I won't need a cooler with this one?

Here's a review if you're interested )
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-550-W-Power-Supply-Review/969/9

Thing is 3470 is not meant for overclocking (no 'k' in model name). Though it's still slightly overclockable, but for that stock cooler will do.

 

[atphy42]

Here's a review if you're interested )
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-550-W-Power-Supply-Review/969/9

Thing is 3470 is not meant for overclocking (no 'k' in model name). Though it's still slightly overclockable, but for that stock cooler will do.

Sounds good. Overclocking is still a bit intimidating to me anyway, and not really something I'm all that interested in doing.

 

[atphy42]

Best answer selected by atphy42.

 

[butremor]

Hey, you wrote before that you want to have an option of adding second gpu in future, but that cooler m PSU was just 550w and that too small to run two gpus. Does that mean you don't want that opton anymore? I can change PSu in build, which will save you extra $.

 

[atphy42]

Hey, you wrote before that you want to have an option of adding second gpu in future, but that cooler m PSU was just 550w and that too small to run two gpus. Does that mean you don't want that opton anymore? I can change PSu in build, which will save you extra $.

I was only looking at that one because of the massive price difference (happened to see it on the Newegg sales page). I'll hang on to that capability after all.

And besides, order = placed! Went with a well-reviewed case and hard drive from Amazon to pack on with 2-day shipping and to save on tax.

Hard drive: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0066130CM/ref=ox_ya_os_product

 

[butremor]

Hard drive: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0066130CM/ref=ox_ya_os_product

Excellent choices!

 

[Moustafa_Elsawy]

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1245.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-24 09:02 EDT-0400)

Sorry to bring this thread from the dead, how about this build?