First time builder - 1000 Euro/1400 USD Game PC

[MSD129]

Hello,

First time builder. After a long mental discussion between console gaming or pc gaming; I decided to go for a PC. Now I spent quite some hours learning about PC's, the different components etc. I came up with this build and I would highly appreciate your opinions on it.

Approximate Purchase Date:
Within 2 weeks

Budget Range:
1000 Euros (1400 USD). However it's a flexible budget; 100 euros more for a huge performance increase is debatable. However if it's overkill and I might save 100 euros for a little performance decrease its debatable as well.

System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Gaming
Watching Movies (Connecting to a 42 inch tv)
Normal PC activities (browsing, school stuff etc)

Parts Not Required:
Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers O.S.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
I use a dutch website called Alternate, its reliable, good service, not overpriced and they'll build the pc.

Country:
Netherlands

Parts Preferences:
None. I guess Intel over AMD.

Overclocking:
Maybe. I guess I kept the option quite open while assembling the parts.

SLI or Crossfire:
I assembled the PC while keeping a future SLI option open (in like 1-2 years when it's starting to get outdated). Hence the MOBO, PSU, Fan and Case.

Monitor Resolution:
1920 x 1080p (22 inch)

Additional Comments:
Overall I want a pretty high-end system. Durability is probably the word I'm looking for. I'd like the system to be 'safe' so to speak (no damage) and to last me a couple of years.

This is what I came up with. I feel pretty confident except for the PCIe (graphics card).


CPU: Core i5-3570k

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO

PCIe: ASUS HD7850-DC2-2GD5

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM

MOBO: GigaByte GA-Z77X-D3H

SSD: Samsung 830 series Desktop Upgrade Kit 128GB (64GB)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003, 1TB

PSU: Corsair TX650M

Case: Cooler Master HAF 922

Total price (at alternate) 1095 Euro

Thanks in advance!

 

[cranked]

I wouldn't even bother thinking about it until a week or two before you build. Many things will have changed by then. That's a long way out.

 

[MSD129]

Ehm damn, dates are displayed different in the US. I want to buy the PC within 2 weeks...

 

[cranked]

Oh didn't see that.

In that case, it's a fine build. What does your list of parts total pricewise? What games will you be playing?

 

[MSD129]

1095 euros which is 1400 dollars

I guess games like Skyrim, BF3, FIFA12 and I'd probably try Diablo/Guild Wars 2

 

[obsama1]

Well, a 7850 can max all those games, no problem. If you want to overclock, get some thermal paste. MX-4 is one of the best, and so is Arctic Silver 5.

 

[azeem40]

He is getting the Hyper 212 EVO, which already comes with MX-4.

 

[obsama1]

Ah! Didn't know that.

 

[azeem40]

If he is anything like me, though, an extra tube is good to have. I wasted my whole tube in one week due to improperly applying the thermal paste and messing up when seating the HSF. :lol:

 

[MSD129]

Thanks for the input guys. I have another question though

Is this pc build ready for an eventual Crossfire setup in the future?

 

[azeem40]

Should be.

 

[obsama1]

The specs on the page say it's Crossfire and SLI ready.

 

[MSD129]

Is it worth it to spend 140 euros more on a GTX670?

 

[obsama1]

Well, depends what games/resolution/settings you want to play.

If you want to max out games like Crysis and Metro 2033 or other graphics-intense games, get the 670. If you're OK with high settings, and maxing out some of your games, get the 7850.

 

[MSD129]

Kind of a random question maybe, but if I buy a pc like this (which is quite an investment for a student) how long will it be able to play the games that are released on acceptable (medium or so) settings?

 

[obsama1]

Well, the 7850 and 670 will max today's games, and they will definitely last for a long time. The 670 is good, but it depends on the games. The 7850 will last for 3-4 years, the 670 for 5. Again, it's dependent on the games you play. The 7870 is in between, and a good choice.

 

[MSD129]

Thanks for your quick replies man. I see, thats a longer time span than I expected!

What about dropping the SSD so I can get the GTX670 for sure? I've read that SSD's don't make that much of a difference anyway.

Would be the only way for me to get the GTX670*

 

[obsama1]

It's really more of a luxury than a necessity. If you don't need it, drop it. The money can be better spent. A 670 would be much better than an SSD, IMHO.

 

[MSD129]

Good advice, its this model http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/MSI/N670GTX-PM2D2GD5-OC/1005984/

I think I read in another thread that the 'good' versions of the 670 are

evga ftw 670
gigabyte 670
asus 670 top
msi power edition 670

but they are more expensive.. is it a huge difference?

 

[obsama1]

They're really the same except, AFAIK, EVGA FTW GPU's are the cream-of-the-crop chips, and do perform better. I'd say get one from whatever company you prefer, and OC it, but it's up to you.

 

[MSD129]

So I am almost ready to purchase, I found a cheaper shop though.. The build is still the same except for the MOBO which is a Asus P8Z77-V LK now. How is it in relation to the GigaByte GA-Z77X-D3H?

Motherboard specifications still dazzle me lol

http://www.dixons.nl/asus-p8z77-v-lk-s1155.html

 

[cranked]

The only real difference is the ASUS board has two PCI-3.0 slots (as opposed to the GB board having 4), but it has 2 less SATA3 ports (ASUS has 2, GB has 4).

 

[MSD129]

So it's a less good motherboard hm? what ASUS board is on pair with the gigabyte one? (they only have asus boards). Thanks for your reply

 

[cranked]

No, I was saying the ASUS one has an extra PCI-3.0 slot, but two less SATA3 ports.

 

[MSD129]

I decided to the drop Crossfire-X option. It boils down to two options now. Which one do you guys recommend?

Optie 1: Radeon 7850, with SSD: 950 euro
Intel Core i5-3570K, s1155
Sapphire Radeon HD7850 OverClocked,2GB
Corsair Vengeance DDR3,1600-8GB KIT
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Samsung 830 series 128GB Basic KIT
Seagate Barracuda 1TB - 3.5inch
LG DVR DL 24X,SATA
Asus P8H77-M PRO,s1155
Corsair Gaming GS500WATT
Corsair Carbide 300R

Optie 2: GTX 670, no SSD: 1000 euro
Intel Core i5-3570K, s1155
MSI N670GTX-PM2D2GD5/OC
Corsair Vengeance DDR3,1600-8GB KIT
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Seagate Barracuda 1TB - 3.5inch
LG DVR DL 24X, SATA
GigaByte GA-Z77X-D3H
Corsair Gaming XFX550 WATT
Corsair Carbide 300R