Building a Gaming Desktop, needs recommendations on some questions.

[n00b82]

Hello to all who are reading this! As you may have already seen from my previous posts, I am building a gaming desktop, and I had a few questions that were not getting answered. So here I am, with my updated list, and more questions. To start off, here are all the components I plan on using:

1. Case $59.99
a. NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case, Black 921RB-001-BL
i. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004351H9G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004351H9G&linkCode=as2&tag=newbc06-20

2. Motherboard $94.99
a. ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
i. http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-M5A97-R2-0-SATA-Motherboard/dp/B008V9959O

3. Processor $159.99
a. AMD FX-8320 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.0GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8320FRHKBOX
i. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

4. RAM $84.99
a. G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR
i. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460


5. Graphics Card $154.99
a. SAPPHIRE 100355OCL Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card OC Version
i. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999

6. Hard Drive $64.99
a. WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX
i. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088PUEPK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0088PUEPK&linkCode=as2&tag=newbc06-20

7. Disk Drive $22.69
a. Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
i. http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Serial-ATA-Internal-Optical-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382389461&sr=8-1&keywords=Optical+disk+drive

8. Power Supply $62.00
a. Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX600)
i. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092ML0MY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0092ML0MY&linkCode=as2&tag=newbc06-20

Total Price: $704.63

OK, now for the questions:
1. Will all these components work together? (will the graphics card and CPU fit in the motherboard, etc.)
2. Will these components all fit in the case I selected?
3. Will I get optimal gaming performance out of these parts? (run most games on at least medium settings?)
4. Will it be able to run the upcoming game, Watchdogs?
5. Can I overclock this setup? If so, do I need extra stuff, such as a fan?
6. Will my selected PSU be able to power all these devices?
7. Is this a bang for your buck deal?

 

[NoL1c]

Check out www.pcpartspicker.com to replicate your build, and it will tell you if you have any problems.

I'm not an AMD specialist, but I do believe that the 7850 will be just fine for running games at at least medium settings.

I've heard rumors that Watchdogs is a 50GB-sized game -- if so it's gonna be pretty graphically demanding.

Looks like you have pretty good parts for the money, but keep in mind you want to get parts that will not become obsolete anytime soon, and you want to have upgradability -- meaning if you want to add another GPU (or something of the like) down the road, you'll have all the parts there to support the added components.

Other than that, you're going to be pretty happy with your system.

 

[navask01]

Like what Nol1c mentioned,use pcpartspicker.You could also look through some of the completed builds there.You might get inspired. This could be a good reference for you.Just keep the parts you want from your original build and make any changes if you see fit
http://pcpartpicker.com/b/FY0
Do you intend to crossfire later on?At any rate,you could change your CPU to the FX6300 and use that money to get a better GPU.Prices for the 7870 and 7950 are flucuating a bit.If you get lucky,you'll be able to snag one at a good deal. Watch Dogs would look nicer on either on than the 7850

 

[n00b82]

Check out www.pcpartspicker.com to replicate your build, and it will tell you if you have any problems.

I'm not an AMD specialist, but I do believe that the 7850 will be just fine for running games at at least medium settings.

I've heard rumors that Watchdogs is a 50GB-sized game -- if so it's gonna be pretty graphically demanding.

Looks like you have pretty good parts for the money, but keep in mind you want to get parts that will not become obsolete anytime soon, and you want to have upgradability -- meaning if you want to add another GPU (or something of the like) down the road, you'll have all the parts there to support the added components.

Other than that, you're going to be pretty happy with your system.

Thank you for responding!
I went to the site you suggested, and th compatibility all seemed to be ok. It does say this, though:
"Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard has an onboard USB 3.0 header, but the NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case does not have front panel USB 3.0 ports."
Will that be a problem or it won't matter?
Here is a link if you want to see:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/n00b82/saved/2DiG

 

[navask01]

Tried swapping the CPU to a FX6300 like what i suggested? You could give it a shot,but the choice is yours.
As for the USB,I believe that you won't be enjoying USB3.0 speeds when you connect the front header to the port on the case.Normal 2.0 speeds.If you can live with it,why not?

 

[n00b82]

Like what Nol1c mentioned,use pcpartspicker.You could also look through some of the completed builds there.You might get inspired. This could be a good reference for you.Just keep the parts you want from your original build and make any changes if you see fit
http://pcpartpicker.com/b/FY0
Do you intend to crossfire later on?At any rate,you could change your CPU to the FX6300 and use that money to get a better GPU.Prices for the 7870 and 7950 are flucuating a bit.If you get lucky,you'll be able to snag one at a good deal. Watch Dogs would look nicer on either on than the 7850

I mean I'll keep my eyes out, but I am currently at the top of my budget. The most I had set aside for a graphics card was $150, but I will not be buying the parts for another two weeks. Maybe I will get lucky and there will be a huge sale, but the absolute max I will spend on a graphics card is $200. By the way, did the two recommended graphics cards have the option to overclock?

 

[NoL1c]

This means that the motherboard has a socket for front panel USB 3.0 connectors, but the case doesn't have front panel USB 3.0 ports.

If you are a fan of front panel USB 3.0, i'd get a case with those on it. If you aren't too excited about front panel USB 3.0, and don't plan to use it, then your setup is fine.

EDIT: To answer your overclocking question -- yes. In fact, all GPU's have the ability to OC (OverClock), but some OC better than others. E.C. cards with 2GB of VRAM (Video RAM) will not OC as well as cards with 4GB of VRAM.

 

[n00b82]

Tried swapping the CPU to a FX6300 like what i suggested? You could give it a shot,but the choice is yours.
As for the USB,I believe that you won't be enjoying USB3.0 speeds when you connect the front header to the port on the case.Normal 2.0 speeds.If you can live with it,why not?

TBH I could care less about the USB speed, but since I am paying for it, what are some nice cases with front USB 3.0 ports that are no more than $50?. Will I loose processing power by downgrading to the FX6300? Do you think the swap is worth it- to down grade CPU to upgrade GPU?

 

[navask01]

Have a look through this.Does this fit your overall budget?If it doesn't,you could change the GPU down to a 7850.I really hope you don't,though.That is an excellent card.

[PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H101-22FK-RA 30.0 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($93.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $610.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-21 23:22 EDT-0400)

 

[n00b82]

Have a look through this.Does this fit your overall budget?If it doesn't,you could change the GPU down to a 7850

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H101-22FK-RA 30.0 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($93.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($186.13 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $636.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-21 23:13 EDT-0400)

It does... What did you change, and what is the difference in performance between my list and your list? Will your list be able to play, let's say, battlefield 3 on ultra? Also, I may be able to boost up to the Radeon HD 7950. Will that be able to run most games on high settings? Is it worth the extra hundred?

 

[navask01]

Since you are building a gaming rig,the compute for most games comes from the GPU.That 7870XT is a fantastic card.Not sure about it's overclockability. Try searching the forums here. You could start off here
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/395524-33-radeon-hd7870-hd7870-edition-dual
The case is really subjective,man.For a reference,you could look at the Corsair Carbide 200R

 

[NoL1c]

For the case, a great one under $50 would be the Corsair 200R at $49.99. The 300R is also very nice at just $10 more.

 

[navask01]

I changed the build slightly.It's got a PC 7870XT.Kindly look through that. What i did change were the CPU and GPU.That's it.It should be able to handle BF3 on ultra. Have a look
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/01/powercolor_radeon_hd_7870_myst_edition_review/5#.UmXx17NDt0x

I'm not too sure about the technical side of upgrading the 7870XT to a 7950.the XT is,as many people have mentioned,a wrongly named 7930.If the cost in upgrading to a 7950 is negligible,go ahead.If you can afford the
more expensive of the 2,go for it.

EDIT: The 7870XT is 149 after a 30 dollar MIR at Newegg

 

[n00b82]

I changed the build slightly.It's got a PC 7870XT.Kindly look through that. What i did change were the CPU and GPU.That's it.It should be able to handle BF3 on ultra. Have a look
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/01/01/powercolor_radeon_hd_7870_myst_edition_review/5#.UmXx17NDt0x

I'm not too sure about the technical side of upgrading the 7870XT to a 7950.the XT is,as many people have mentioned,a wrongly named 7930.If the cost in upgrading to a 7950 is negligible,go ahead.If you can afford the
more expensive of the 2,go for it.

EDIT: The 7870XT is 149 after a 30 dollar MIR at Newegg

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/n00b82/saved/2DiG
Here is the list of my updated parts list.
Do you think this will be a pretty powerful gaming computer for $650?
What else should I swap out, or does this look good?

 

[navask01]

Looks fairly good.TBH,i'm new to biulding PCs as well but i've been learning quite a bit from the pros here. I'm sure they could alter the mobo and still keep it within your budget.Do you plan on overclocking? If you do,you should be looking to get a better cooler.The CM 212 Hyper 212 is the minimum most recommend here.

You might want to hurry up on getting that GPU,though.I bought a MSI 7950 TF3 about 4 days ago.234.99 at both amazon and newegg. Its 289.99 at amazon and 319.99( 199.99 ater MIR) now. I figure it might be the same with the 7870 XT

 

[n00b82]

Looks fairly good.TBH,i'm new to biulding PCs as well but i've been learning quite a bit from the pros here. I'm sure they could alter the mobo and still keep it within your budget.Do you plan on overclocking? If you do,you should be looking to get a better cooler.The CM 212 Hyper 212 is the minimum most recommend here.

You might want to hurry up on getting that GPU,though.I bought a MSI 7950 TF3 about 4 days ago.234.99 at both amazon and newegg. Its 289.99 at amazon and 319.99( 199.99 ater MIR) now. I figure it might be the same with the 7870 XT

Just checked... nothing changed. Thank you for all your help!