Is this a good build?

[Zajsex55]

AMD FX 8120 8-CORE BLACK EDITION CPU, 3.10 GHz

Asrock 970-EXTREME3 R2 AM3+ AMD Motherboard

Sapphire ATI HD 7770 GHZ Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5

Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue Hard Drive

Cooler Master Elite 431P 500W PSU USB3 External SATA X-Dock

Patriot 8GB 2 x 4GB 1600MHz G2 Series Division 2 Edition

Asus Xonar DG PCI Gaming Sound Card

Deepcool Case Fan 60mm x 25mm

Samsung SATA Black Internal 24x Speed Plus DVDRW Drive

This is all for under $700 which is my budget

How can i improve it then?

 

[tiny voices]

Is it for gaming? If so, it's pretty poorly balanced.

 

[thasan1]

its a nice overall build but i recommend stepping down from a FX 8120 to a cheaper CPU and investing on a better GFX card.

 

[Jack Revenant]

This build should be a little bit better in pretty much every regard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($174.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $780.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:04 EDT-0400)

You would also use this combo to take $55 off the price of the mobo/CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Leaving you with a two tier high CPU and GPU for only $25 more.

 

[tiny voices]

This build should be a little bit better in pretty much every regard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($174.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $780.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:04 EDT-0400)

You would also use this combo to take $55 off the price of the mobo/CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Leaving you with a two tier high CPU and GPU for only $25 more.

Still unbalanced. The best of the best Gaming CPU's and a GPU that will get medium settings. For the same money, you could build a system to max games.

 

[Jack Revenant]

This build should be a little bit better in pretty much every regard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($174.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $780.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:04 EDT-0400)

You would also use this combo to take $55 off the price of the mobo/CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Leaving you with a two tier high CPU and GPU for only $25 more.

Still unbalanced. The best of the best Gaming CPU's and a GPU that will get medium settings. For the same money, you could build a system to max games.

May I ask how? I'm not offended, but honestly intrigued. The reason I selected that CPU was that, due to the sale (which is actually $70 with rebate, now that I check) it was only slightly more expensive than a i5 3350P. However, I can't quite reckon how you'd fit the kind of GPU needed to max AAA titles in this budget.

 

[JD88]

This build should be a little bit better in pretty much every regard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($174.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $780.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:04 EDT-0400)

You would also use this combo to take $55 off the price of the mobo/CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Leaving you with a two tier high CPU and GPU for only $25 more.

I agree with Jack on this one. That $55 off CPU and motherboard at Newegg is a really good deal worth taking advantage of.

I used to believe it was a good idea to go light on the CPU and spend way more on the GPU, but with the way CPUs haven't been improving lately I would say buy a great one and sit on it for about 4-5 years and upgrade the GPU as necessary. That's what I've done with my 2500K. Something like a Phenom or FX-6300 will be mediocre in a year or two.

At that price, try to squeeze in a 660 though.

 

[Jack Revenant]

This build should be a little bit better in pretty much every regard:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($174.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $780.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:04 EDT-0400)

You would also use this combo to take $55 off the price of the mobo/CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Leaving you with a two tier high CPU and GPU for only $25 more.

I agree with Jack on this one. That $55 off CPU and motherboard at Newegg is a really good deal worth taking advantage of.

I used to believe it was a good idea to go light on the CPU and spend way more on the GPU, but with the way CPUs haven't been improving lately I would say buy a great one and sit on it for about 4-5 years and upgrade the GPU as necessary. That's what I've done with my 2500K. Something like a Phenom or FX-6300 will be mediocre in a year or two.

At that price, try to squeeze in a 660 though.

Believe me, I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out how. Honestly, I would suggest shelling out an additional $30-60 for a 660 or 7870 XT, but since I was already over budget, I didn't want to push it ever further.

Edit: Also, thanks! It's quite nice for us little guys when one of the more expert folks lets us know when we're on the right track.

 

[tiny voices]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.56 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $737.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:21 EDT-0400)

Better PSU, also....maxing most all of the games.

 

[JD88]

Yeah I don't see it happening either TBH. The only way to dump more money into the GPU would be to go with something like a Phenom and some low end AMD board. Might be able to get the 7870XT there but at the cost of a CPU upgrade in a year or two.

 

[JD88]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($183.56 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.50 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $737.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-01 01:21 EDT-0400)

Better PSU, also....maxing most all of the games.

The only thing that really makes this build better is you got rid of the cooler and saved $10 on the motherboard. I'd rather have the 3570K with no cooler and keep the nice Asus motheboard. Could jump up to a 660 then. Pretty easy to run a 3570K at 4.0 on a stock fan if case airflow is good.

 

[tiny voices]

To be honest, I would rather max games than have a CPU which is 3-8% better when not overclocked. The motherboard I linked is perfectly fine and will do all it needs to without issue.

You can overclock the 3570k until you are blue in the face, but it won't get you more than 1-5 FPS in games over the stock clock. I would take a better GPU any day.

In most games, overclock the 3570 vs a normal 3470 will see no FPS increase at all. It will come in to play in a few years when the chips start to struggle.

 

[Jack Revenant]

To be honest, I would rather max games than have a CPU which is 3-8% better when not overclocked. The motherboard I linked is perfectly fine and will do all it needs to without issue.

You can overclock the 3570k until you are blue in the face, but it won't get you more than 1-5 FPS in games over the stock clock. I would take a better GPU any day.

In most games, overclock the 3570 vs a normal 3470 will see no FPS increase at all. It will come in to play in a few years when the chips start to struggle.

Perhaps we could split the difference, drop the CPU cooler but keep the 3570K combo, and get a 660?

 

[tiny voices]

I honestly will never suggest a 3570k + 660 over a 3470 + 7870xt. Even all overclocked and everything the 3570k + 660 will never come close to touching the 3470 + 7870xt in gaming performance.

We are talking solid high settings with med/high in games like crysis (gtx660) comparing to maxing basically any game (7870xt)

 

[Jack Revenant]

I honestly will never suggest a 3570k + 660 over a 3470 + 7870xt. Even all overclocked and everything the 3570k + 660 will never come close to touching the 3470 + 7870xt in gaming performance.

We are talking solid high settings with med/high in games like crysis (gtx660) comparing to maxing basically any game (7870xt)

Fair enough. Honestly, I never advocate 660s over 7870 when not on a tight budget, so perhaps we should simply suggest that Zajsex increase his price range slightly?

 

[JD88]

The difference is only 3 FPS.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-5.html

CPU would probably make more difference in Crysis TBH.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-8.html

 

[tiny voices]

The difference is only 3 FPS.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-5.html

CPU would probably make more difference in Crysis TBH.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-8.html

To be fair, Crysis is a terrible game to use as a benchmark. A 7870xt will only get 10 or 15 fps less than a gtx690. The power cure really flattens out as you get to the top of the GPU list because the game is so poorly optimized.

In most other games, the 7870XT will blow away a gtx660.

 

[JD88]

We are talking solid high settings with med/high in games like crysis (gtx660) comparing to maxing basically any game (7870xt)

Lol you just said Crysis.

EDIT: Sorry, that was a bit of a troll because I half way agree with you on this. I guess we should ask the OP what games he is playing and at what resolution to know exactly what's best.

 

[Jack Revenant]

The difference is only 3 FPS.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-5.html

CPU would probably make more difference in Crysis TBH.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crysis-3-performance-benchmark-gaming,3451-8.html

To be fair, Crysis is a terrible game to use as a benchmark. A 7870xt will only get 10 or 15 fps less than a gtx690. The power cure really flattens out as you get to the top of the GPU list because the game is so poorly optimized.

In most other games, the 7870XT will blow away a gtx660.

Man has a point, you were the one who brought in Crysis. That said, can we agree that the two big questions a 1, whether to use the 3570K combo or not and 2, whether to suggest a price increase or not?

Edit: JD88 has a good point. We don't even know what OP will require for power at this point.

 

[JD88]

We're kinda ganging up on Tiny here, but I have to say he is one of the few people around here who actually know what they're talking about most of the time.

I think both builds are great. I would probably have suggested something like his had that sweet bundle deal at Newegg not been going on. It's just hard to pass up.

 

[tiny voices]

Price increase is never needed. a build can be optimized for any budget.

I will stand by my 3470 + 7870xt decision.

It's time for me to get to bed (1:47am east coast USA). Have class in the morning and a regional auto-cross event later in the day.

Good luck! I'm sure you all will get this figured out.

 

[tiny voices]

We're kinda ganging up on Tiny here, but I have to say he is one of the few people around here who actually know what they're talking about most of the time.

I think both builds are great. I would probably have suggested something like his had that sweet bundle deal at Newegg not been going on. It's just hard to pass up.

Thanks man!

 

[Jack Revenant]

We're kinda ganging up on Tiny here, but I have to say he is one of the few people around here who actually know what they're talking about most of the time.

I think both builds are great. I would probably have suggested something like his had that sweet bundle deal at Newegg not been going on. It's just hard to pass up.

I hope I didn't come off as adversarial. I do quite agree, both builds are excellent, particularly compared to the starting point. Whichever OP goes with, he'll be getting a significant increase in bang-to-buck ratio.

I'm with you there. I just hate to pass up a good deal on a pair of good items. The 7870 XT is actually my favourite graphics card, and I was dispairing about the fact that I couldn't fit it in under price. That said, I'm pretty sure that we can't fit both in and have a balanced, fuctional build at this price. I could be wrong, however.

 

[Jack Revenant]

We're kinda ganging up on Tiny here, but I have to say he is one of the few people around here who actually know what they're talking about most of the time.

I think both builds are great. I would probably have suggested something like his had that sweet bundle deal at Newegg not been going on. It's just hard to pass up.

Thanks man!

For what it's worth, I totally agree. I'm sorry that I got defensive. I'm a bit new to designing computers, so I'm still taking this a bit more personally than is advisable. I do completely agree that the XT is the superior card, though.

 

[JD88]

Naa, you didn't get defensive. You'll make a build and someone will always nitpick one little part of it. Everyone on here does that because everyone is the #1 expert in their own mind and even if they're wrong, they would never admit it (me included). Just comes with the territory.

Besides, going back and forth is fun! Then the OP chooses the "winner" I guess lol.

Your build was solid and you stated why and stood buy it. Props.