Need advice for this gaming rig!!!

[Gregmillr]

EITHER:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wdmz OR http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vi9g

This is what I have so far... I'm wondering if there is ANY upgrades, or anything else that can happen in the build without raising the price by much!

I don't know really much about computers at all - keep this in mind.. I play WoW a lot, league, etc.. Wanting to get into games with better graphics such as cod, bf3, crysis, etc..

Thank you!!!

 

[airohead]

EITHER:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wdmz OR http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vi9g

This is what I have so far... I'm wondering if there is ANY upgrades, or anything else that can happen in the build without raising the price by much!

I don't know really much about computers at all - keep this in mind.. I play WoW a lot, league, etc.. Wanting to get into games with better graphics such as cod, bf3, crysis, etc..

Thank you!!!

Check online if u have any Microcenter store nearby. if yes then check my build u'll surprise that only adding $20 would give u i7 cpu as well gtx 660 and better psu

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/384549-31-gaming-build-good-build#t2908282

 

[Gregmillr]

Yeah I've been told that, I don't have one around though.

 

[quilciri]

I strongly suggest bumping up to the Asrock extreme 4 over the pro3. you get an 8+2 phase voltage regulator instead of the 4+1 on the pro3 (much more stable overclocking, and a cooler running board), and a second pci-e 3.0 slot, if you ever decide to xfire in a 2nd 7850.

besides that, eithe rbuild is good.

cheers!

 

[Gregmillr]

That's adding another $70~ to the build, anything else I could do?

 

[rmiiirusty]

I like the mobo on the first build better as well as the 3570k processor. You should not need an i7 unless doing allot more than gaming.
I would see what kind of deal you can find on a psu made by corsair or antec or maybe seasonic. You may be fine with the power cooling or xfx, but the three brands I mentioned are more popular with builders for their stability and long life.
Also unless you are already familiar with radeon gpu's I would, as a new builder, go with the nvidea product, as the catalyst software for radeon can sometimes be hard to get working correctly.
I like the ssd for the system drive and the hdd for storage, You should see a signifigant difference in boot time and response time in general by using an ssd.
I built a pc last year with Asrock extr3 gen3 z68 and an 120g sandisk extreme and ended up with a system that went from pushbutton to desktop in 12 seconds consistantly.

I agree about the extreme4 above...

 

[nokiddingboss]

just stick with the 3570k and overclock it. and you may want to check out the 7870 LE/7870 XT since its as fast a $300 660ti but cost just under $240.

 

[quilciri]

That's adding another $70~ to the build, anything else I could do?

the extreme4 is only $45 more than the pro3, and is well worth it. It's even less if you're lucky enough to live near a microcenter.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77pro3
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77extreme4

 

[Gregmillr]

I emailed my local computer store, and they said this: "I would tell you to get a bigger case, that CPU fan is BIG and will not fit in that case, go with a FULL TOWER case, also I would suggest going with 1- 1 TB HD and going with a SSD 120 GB or so solid state HD for your boot drive it make a big difference on performance.
PAY MORE FOR THE BOARD!!!! Go with the bigger one."

Are they correct? I told them I probably will switch for the extreme4

 

[Praxeology]

I emailed my local computer store, and they said this: "I would tell you to get a bigger case, that CPU fan is BIG and will not fit in that case, go with a FULL TOWER case, also I would suggest going with 1- 1 TB HD and going with a SSD 120 GB or so solid state HD for your boot drive it make a big difference on performance.
PAY MORE FOR THE BOARD!!!! Go with the bigger one."

Are they correct? I told them I probably will switch for the extreme4

The only 1155 boards anyone should buy for an SLI/Crossfire build is the g45 from MSI or the ASRock Extreme4. Anything else is wasting money that could be going into SLI 660s/7850s.

-Prax

 

[Gregmillr]

So should I keep my current build?? Or should I do what they said and get a bigger case, etc..

 

[quilciri]

I emailed my local computer store, and they said this: "I would tell you to get a bigger case, that CPU fan is BIG and will not fit in that case, go with a FULL TOWER case, also I would suggest going with 1- 1 TB HD and going with a SSD 120 GB or so solid state HD for your boot drive it make a big difference on performance.
PAY MORE FOR THE BOARD!!!! Go with the bigger one."

Are they correct? I told them I probably will switch for the extreme4

They're right about the motherboard and wrong about the case.

You won't be able to put a side fan over the spot that the CPU cooler is, but the cooler will certainly fit in the case. Hell...at least one of the reviews of the redbone on newegg is using that cooler already. You'd think the computer store would have actually checked before telling you that.

If you want the best gaming performance for your money, leave out the ssd (for now). On a $900 budget for a gaming system, you're best served pouring as much as possible into GPU & CPU. Use a single HDD.

An SSD speeds up windows load times, and loading times for any games/software you put on it. It does not increase in-game performance. On top of that, it doesn't help at all with multiplayer game load times, since you'll just be waiting for other players to load anyway before the round/dungeon/whatever can start.

 

[Gregmillr]

Oh okay, so what should this new build be with all this in mind?

 

[Praxeology]

Oh okay, so what should this new build be with all this in mind?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.31 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.97 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Inwin Fanqua ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $890.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 16:04 EST-0500)

And if that's too much, change the card to a gtx 660, over the 660Ti. Both own the 7850 in benchmarks. If you want to save money and downgrade to the 660, get this model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699

-Prax

 

[Gregmillr]

is it true that the 660ti has low bandwidth memory? would AMD be a better choice?

 

[Praxeology]

is it true that the 660ti has low bandwidth memory? would AMD be a better choice?

Definitely not, the 660 outperforms the 7850 in single, and SLI configurations; The 660Ti outperforms the 7850, obviously the 660 outperforms the 7850, along with the 7870 in single, and SLI configurations.

This will give you some numbers if you like:
http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/evga-geforce-gtx-660-review-1096787/review/2

-Prax

 

[quilciri]

Something along the lines of:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)

Total: $815.68 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Prax's build is decent, but I would stayaway from the Corsair Builder series. They're poorly-built CWT units, with the exception of the CX430, are somewhat shoddy quality and poorly reviewed. They're not cataclysmically awful, but the 430 is the only builder series PSU I would recommend in any system.

The 660ti is a good card - it has clipped memory bandwidth compared to the 670, because that's essintially what it is, a lower clocked, lower bandwidth 670. It does struggle a bit when your resolution goes above 1920x1080, but at that resolution, it does well.

 

[quilciri]

Definitely not, the 660 outperforms the 7850 in single, and SLI configurations; The 660Ti outperforms the 7850, obviously the 660 outperforms the 7850, along with the 7870 in single, and SLI configurations.

This will give you some numbers if you like:
http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/evga-geforce-gtx-660-review-1096787/review/2

Actually, yes it does. As I explained earlier, the 660ti has a 192 bit memory bus (as does the 660), compared to the 256 bit bus of the 670, 7850 and the 7870.

However, this doesn't really affect the cards performance until you reach resolutions beyond 1920x1080. If you have a 2560x1440 monitor, or other higher res setup, you'll see the 660ti's performance start to degrade. At 1920x1080, however, the card does very well.

Also the 660 outperforms a 7850, but not a 7870.

At the same time ,the 7850 is cheaper thanthe 660 (likewise, the 7870 is cheaper than the 660ti). AMD is running a series promo right now, offering the new bioshock and tomb raider games free when you buy a 7800 series card, and if you buy a 7900 series card, you get crysis 3 and bioshock:infinte free.

Nvidia is running a counter promotion, but imo, it's pretty weak in comparison. You get $150 of in game currency to use in Hawken, World of Tanks, or Planetside 2.

 

[Gregmillr]

Something along the lines of:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)

Total: $815.68 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Prax's build is decent, but I would stayaway from the Corsair Builder series. They're poorly-built CWT units, with the exception of the CX430, are somewhat shoddy quality and poorly reviewed. They're not cataclysmically awful, but the 430 is the only builder series PSU I would recommend in any system.

The 660ti is a good card - it has clipped memory bandwidth compared to the 670, because that's essintially what it is, a lower clocked, lower bandwidth 670. It does struggle a bit when your resolution goes above 1920x1080, but at that resolution, it does well.

If it's wise to get an upgrade from that video card, I could pay around 40 dollars more or so if there's a better card?.. Would this be a good idea

 

[Praxeology]

Prax's build is decent, but I would stayaway from the Corsair Builder series. They're poorly-built CWT units, with the exception of the CX430, are somewhat shoddy quality and poorly reviewed. They're not cataclysmically awful, but the 430 is the only builder series PSU I would recommend in any system.

The 660ti is a good card - it has clipped memory bandwidth compared to the 670, because that's essintially what it is, a lower clocked, lower bandwidth 670. It does struggle a bit when your resolution goes above 1920x1080, but at that resolution, it does well.

The main point to drill into everyones head is that both the 660/660Ti outperform the 7850, and the 7870(Only the 660Ti outperforms it though). As far as corsair psu being bad... No... I understand what you're saying but they are fine and I would take it anyday over the xfx psu that like to die 9 months in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= 59% is excellent 5star

-Prax

 

[Praxeology]

Actually, yes it does. As I explained earlier, the 660ti has a 192 bit memory bus (as does the 660), compared to the 256 bit bus of the 670, 7850 and the 7870.

However, this doesn't really affect the cards performance until you reach resolutions beyond 1920x1080. If you have a 2560x1440 monitor, or other higher res setup, you'll see the 660ti's performance start to degrade. At 1920x1080, however, the card does very well.

Stop cherry picking nonsense. The question wasn't "does the 660Ti have less bandwidth than a 670 or 680," it was "I heard the 660Ti has low bandwidth, should I go amd?" Get back to the thread. 660/660Ti is the two cards that should be had in this build because they outperform AMD alternatives at all resolutions.

-Prax

 

[Praxeology]

If it's wise to get an upgrade from that video card, I could pay around 40 dollars more or so if there's a better card?.. Would this be a good idea

Yes its a good idea to spend the 40$ for the Ti, is there a better card within in budget no. Either the MSI 660Ti in the PCPartPicker build I linked, or the 660 newegg link I provided in the original post.

-Prax

 

[quilciri]

Stop cherry picking nonsense. The question wasn't "does the 660Ti have less bandwidth than a 670 or 680," it was "I heard the 660Ti has low bandwidth, should I go amd?" Get back to the thread. 660/660Ti is the two cards that should be had in this build because they outperform AMD alternatives at all resolutions.

Read it again, he asked about memory bandwidth. I described exactly what having a 192 bit bus will do, and why the 660 and 660ti are still good cards if you're gaming at 1920x1080.

 

[quilciri]

And as long as I'm on it, to clarify one of your earlier statements.

the 660 (non ti) outperforms the 7850, but not the 7870.

However, the AMD cards are cheaper than the respective NVIDIA cards. On top of that, AMD is running a promo right now. You get Bioshock:infinite and the new tomb raider free when you buy a 7800 series, and if you buy a 7900 series, you get Crysis 3 and Bioshock:infinite free.

Nividia's counter promotion is relatively weak, imho. If you buy a 660 or greater, you get $150 of in-game currency that you can use in Hawken, World of Tanks, or Planetside 2.

 

[quilciri]

If it's wise to get an upgrade from that video card, I could pay around 40 dollars more or so if there's a better card?.. Would this be a good idea

I'd suggest the 7870. It can be picked up for $225. the cheapest 660ti will run you $260, at which point you may as well pick up a 7950 for $275. Once again, the AMD cards come with games (Bioshock: inifinite, and either Crysis 3 or the new tomb raider). Nvidia cards come with $150 of virtual currency you can use in Hawken, World of Tanks, or Planetside 2.