First time $850-$1,000 gaming build

[Diablo3Enthusiast]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next couple of days.

Budget Range: $850-$1,000 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming: primarily Diablo 3-->Web browsing

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor (Dell 24" 2407 WFPb), Speakers (I use Sennheiser HD-25-1 II headphones)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon/Newegg/NCIX, etc. (whatever reputable website is the best bang for the buck)

Country: USA (upstate NY)

Parts Preferences: Intel Ivy Bridge processor (but maybe an i5-2500k; not entirely sure)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 Dell 24" 2407 WFPb



Additional Comments: This will be my first time building a computer. Primary usage of this PC will be for Diablo 3 + miscellaneous web browsing. I don't live close enough to a Microcenter to be able to take advantage of their good deals. I'm not sure what wattage power supply I'll need so help with that will be appreciated. Also, would like some help picking out a MOBO. I'm no longer a student but I still have my .edu college student email address, but I only see the -upgrade version- of Windows 7 Student Home Premium. Would it be possible for me to do a fresh install on a new computer with that without copies of XP or Vista handy (or are there any other student deals available)? Comments and criticism welcome!

So far my tentative build looks like this:


CPU - Intel Core i5 3550 Processor
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-3550-Processor-BX80637I53550/dp/B007SZ0EJW - $210

GPU - Radeon HD 7850 (but I'm not sure which brand to get, but maybe this works?)
http://www.amazon.com/HD7850-DC2-2GD5-DisplayPort-Utilities-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B007JLFV7U - $269

MOBO - ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314 - $80

RAM - Corsair Vengeance Blue 8 GB (2x4GB)
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-PC3-12800-1600mHz-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B/dp/B004QBUL1C - $47

Case - NZXT Source 210 -Inch ELITE-Inch Midtower Case with 3.0 USB - Black
http://www.amazon.com/Source-210-Inches-ELITE-Inches-Midtower/dp/tech-data/B005869IUY - $50

DVD-RW - Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=pd_sim_e_1 - $23

OS - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I - $100

HD - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 - $80

PSU - CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028 - $70

Total - $930 (not including shipping)


Thanks!

 

[Why_Me]

If you plan on a mild over clock then this board and cpu down below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.910439 $339.98
ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z75%20Pro3 <----- another look at that board

If you don't plan on over clocking then look at this combo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.910000 $269.98
ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450

Try to find low profile 1.5v RAM like this down below. Something that doesn't have such high heat spreaders so you don't impede your cpu heat sink.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226217 $44.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 997002

 

[Zero_]

Check my sig.

 

[Diablo3Enthusiast]

Thanks for the input, everyone! I decided I don't want to overclock, so I've taken Why_Me's advice and went with his MOBO+CPU combo and the lower profile RAM. Will the PSU I have listed below handle this build, and what do you think of it (i.e., SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W) vs. the Corsair CX600 one I had previously? I also picked out a keyboard. For the DVD-RW I have listed below, it says OEM at the end and I saw others that didn't. Does it matter whether or not the DVD-RW is OEM for a new build?

My revised build:

CPU + MOBO combo: Intel i5-3450 + ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 - $270

HD + DVD-RW combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive + ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $85

Keyboard: SIIG JK-US0412-S1 USB Slim Aluminum Keyboard with Hub - $68

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM - $100

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 997002 - $45

PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $70

GPU: ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 - $271

Total (without the case) - $909 (with the case the total should be $970)

(My budget for a case is $60.)

--

Still not sure about the case. Can a mid tower case fit all of my components (particularly the ASUS HD 7850 since it seems large)? My budget for a case is $60. Are there any particular recommendations you'd make for that price range that complement my build? I don't need it to look futuristic, have a see-through panel, or have LED lights or anything. I just want it to have practical stuff like: good airflow, some fans pre-installed, dust filters, etc.

So, any thoughts on a case? Thanks everyone for all of your help. You guys are seriously a knowledgeable bunch of people ^--^)/

 

[Diablo3Enthusiast]

Thanks for clarifying that, darkclownjoe. I didn't really know the difference between OEM vs. non-OEM optical drives and I had the option to do combo deals with either. Ya, I've heard people speak highly of SeaSonic PSUs, and that $70 one seemed to be discounted pretty heavily (orig. $125) for its offerings: 620 W 80+ bronze w/ modular design. Thanks for the case recommendation, but I decided to go with the CM HAF 912 for $60 because it seemed to have better cable management options than that more reasonably priced Rosewill one.

So here is my final build:

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $60

CPU + MOBO combo: Intel i5-3450 + ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 - $270

HD + DVD-RW combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive + ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $85

Keyboard: SIIG JK-US0412-S1 USB Slim Aluminum Keyboard with Hub - $68

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM - $100

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 997002 - $45

PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $70

GPU: ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 - $271

Total - ~$970

So my final build total to just shy of my budget's upper limit of $1,000.

Before I buy all of these parts, could you guys confirm that everything works together and there's no incompatibilities (like the processor not working with the MOBO/RAM or the PSU not being enough, etc.)? And would I need to buy anything extra to assemble this setup like cables to connect the components, or should what's included be enough?

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[UVB076]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair CAFA50 61.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Biostar TZ77B ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($107.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($118.01 @ Mwave)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $954.48
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-06 18:13 EDT-0400)
Alternate build
Explanations for parts will be given upon request.

 

[Diablo3Enthusiast]

Hi, guys. I was in the process of ordering my build, but that Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 RAM is currently no longer in stock at NewEgg. I was looking at the supported memory list for my build's MOBO, the ASRock B75 Pro3 (link: http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=B75%20Pro3 ), and I only saw 3 brands of 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 1600 RAM compatible with my motherboard: Kingston, AMD, and Geil.

So I was able to track down the Kingston RAM on newegg:

Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3K2/8G - $49

Some of the comments in the reviews for that Kingston RAM says that it was only 1333mhz for them and not the advertised 1600mhz.

The AMD RAM that's listed as compatible memory with the MOBO is currently out of stock:

AE34G1609U2-U and AP38G1608U2K

And I couldn't find the listed Geil memory on NewEgg.com

--

So am I forced to go with that Kingston RAM (because it's the only listed compatible memory that's currently in stock @ Newegg) or will other 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600MHz RAMs (like G.skill, Corsair, or Patriot) be compatible with my motherboard? (And would that Mushkin Enhanced Silverline RAM have worked with the ASRock B75 Pro MOBO?) If other RAMs will work, could you link/recommend me some RAM that's listed on newegg?

Thanks!

 

[azeem40]

As long as the RAM is DDR3, it is compatible.

 

[Why_Me]

Hi, guys. I was in the process of ordering my build, but that Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 RAM is currently no longer in stock at NewEgg. I was looking at the supported memory list for my build's MOBO, the ASRock B75 Pro3 (link: http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory.asp?Model=B75%20Pro3 ), and I only saw 3 brands of 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 1600 RAM compatible with my motherboard: Kingston, AMD, and Geil.

So I was able to track down the Kingston RAM on newegg:

Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3K2/8G - $49

Some of the comments in the reviews for that Kingston RAM says that it was only 1333mhz for them and not the advertised 1600mhz.

The AMD RAM that's listed as compatible memory with the MOBO is currently out of stock:

AE34G1609U2-U and AP38G1608U2K

And I couldn't find the listed Geil memory on NewEgg.com

--

So am I forced to go with that Kingston RAM (because it's the only listed compatible memory that's currently in stock @ Newegg) or will other 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600MHz RAMs (like G.skill, Corsair, or Patriot) be compatible with my motherboard? (And would that Mushkin Enhanced Silverline RAM have worked with the ASRock B75 Pro MOBO?) If other RAMs will work, could you link/recommend me some RAM that's listed on newegg?

Thanks!

You don't want to use old school 1.65v RAM like that Kingston you have linked up there. You want 1.5v RAM for these 1155 boards. And forget Geil...it's crap RAM. G.Skill, Mushkin, Corsair, Crucial, Patriot 1.5v RAM.

 

[Diablo3Enthusiast]

(Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this, but it has all of my cpu parts listed in this thread)

Hi, everyone. So I just got done building the computer with all of the ordered parts. The first time I turned it on without the side panel on and the ASRock MOBO screen splashed on the monitor and then it said "no OS insert disk then reboot (or something like that). I wasn't sure if my computer made any beeps then or not, but it seemed to display on the monitor.

The problem is I put back on the side panel and every time I start it up nothing displays on the monitor now but everything else seems to be working/running: the 2 fans in the case are running and the cpu's fan is running. The red light for the power button is on. The optical drive works and I can open and close it with its lights being on too.

I've noticed that it turns on but I'm not hearing any POST beeps. Just silence. Do you guys have any recommendations to help sort this out?





Here is my build with the parts I ordered:

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $60

CPU + MOBO combo: Intel i5-3450 + ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 - $270

HD + DVD-RW combo: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive + ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $85

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM - $100

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $70

GPU: Gigabyte HD7850-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 (from newegg)