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!!!

 

[quilciri]

Revised build w/7870

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: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($224.98 @ 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: $845.67 (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[Praxeology]

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.

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.

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 an excellent 5star

I think your advice is just wrong. Consistantly wrong it seems.

No, no and no @ 660 < 7870. 660 beats the 7870 badly, or it ties. The marketplace releases games that are nvidia optimized, and games that require nvidia technology like planetside 2 with physx play badly on AMD. Bad advice above. Get the 660, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699.

Here are some graphs.
Beats it by 20fps

Ties

Beats it by 30 fps

ties

Beats it by 10fps

-Prax

 

[Gregmillr]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DaoW

this is the new build someone on the forums gave me..I think I'm going with the gtx 660 ti instead though - I'm not 100% sure.

EDIT: Also probably getting the extreme4 over the pro3 mobo

 

[Praxeology]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DaoW

this is the new build someone on the forums gave me..I think I'm going with the gtx 660 ti instead though - I'm not 100% sure.

EDIT: Also probably getting the extreme4 over the pro3 mobo

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($218.98 @ 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: $869.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 20:57 EST-0500)

Take this build and buy it, it's the best for the money, I promise. Select a best answer and /thread this topic ya?

-Prax

And here is the 660Ti Version

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)

 

[Gregmillr]

Best answer selected by gregmillr.

 

[quilciri]

[quote
No, no and no @ 660 < 7870. 660 beats the 7870 badly, or it ties. The marketplace releases games that are nvidia optimized, and games that require nvidia technology like planetside 2 with physx play badly on AMD. Bad advice above. Get the 660, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699.

How about just posting a link, instead of spamming charts from a single site's review? Your opinion conflicts with tom's own review of the 660. Acc. to tom's hardware, 7870 > 660

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-geforce-gtx-650-benchmark,3297-6.html

and wow about the PSU comment. You just said a CWT built unit (corsair cx series), and a cheap one at that, is better than a Seasonic built unit (All xfx PSU's). excuse me while the whole of tom's hardware laughs at that.

 

[Praxeology]

How about just posting a link, instead of spamming charts from a single site's review? Your opinion conflicts with tom's own review of the 660. Acc. to tom's hardware, 7870 > 660

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-geforce-gtx-650-benchmark,3297-6.html

and wow about the PSU comment. You just said a CWT built unit (corsair cx series), and a cheap one at that, is better than a Seasonic built unit (All xfx PSU's). excuse me while the whole of tom's hardware laughs at that.

LOL this guy, links 1 graph where the 7870 wins by 5 fps over the 660 and claims victory. Whatever helps you sleep at night bro, and yes that corsair psu is better for the price then that xfx, seasonic didn't make the psu, if they did it would say seasonic. There is a difference, regardless of what you say. This thread has been solved, have a good day, :lol:

-Prax

 

[quilciri]

LOL this guy, links 1 graph where the 7870 wins by 5 fps over the 660 and claims victory. Whatever helps you sleep at night bro, and yes that corsair psu is better for the price then that xfx, seasonic didn't make the psu, if they did it would say seasonic. There is a difference, regardless of what you say. This thread has been solved, have a good day, :lol:

-Prax

and there goes any shred of credibilty you had left.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-10.html

I don't know if you're intentionally spreading buillshit, or if you're just trying to cover up things you know nothing about with bravado, but either way, you're hurting anyone looking for actual information here.

FYI, seasonic makes PSU's for several companies besides XFX.

 

[Gregmillr]

Aren't they pretty much both the same..? There's very little difference from what it seems. Are they both compatible with the build?

 

[quilciri]

Difference between what? The PSU's or the video cards?

 

[Gregmillr]

Difference between what? The PSU's or the video cards?

the video cards. Seems like they're pretty much on par with each other.

 

[quilciri]

the video cards. Seems like they're pretty much on par with each other.

You're correct. I'd suggest making a list of the games you want to play, and looking at benchmarks for how each card performs in those games specifically. That will give you a much better idea of which card is best for you than any debate here or anywhere else.

 

[Praxeology]

and there goes any shred of credibilty you had left.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-10.html

I don't know if you're intentionally spreading buillshit, or if you're just trying to cover up things you know nothing about with bravado, but either way, you're hurting anyone looking for actual information here.

FYI, seasonic makes PSU's for several companies besides XFX.

I am perfectly aware that Seasonic provides components for other companies that end up being those company's power supplies. With that said, I believe the only company you should buy a psu from is Corsair/Seasonic; There is a difference between each company's end-product despite the similar, and often times, same source components. Most brand named psu units are not even made by the brand company, but simply assembled/modified by that company, such as the relationship between Corsair and Channel Well. The difference shows in the end product's reliability, which is why (Regardless of the base component's source) Corsair/Seasonic power supplies the only companies I recommend anyone purchasing from; If you disagree, that's ok too . I already replied with a post specifically addressing the original psu "debate," if you can even call it that, of the corsair 500 build series psu the OP bought, vs your xfx series which was 40$ more by saying "Yes, that Corsair psu is better for the price compared to the xfx variant," condensing the above statements. For a solved thread, you certainly like to push buttons and name call, which I don't particularly find admirable, especially when it makes you look unintelligent.

-Prax

 

[Gregmillr]

just noticed that the case has no front ports - is there any options? Also, why this MSI mobo over the pro3?

 

[quilciri]

I am perfectly aware that Seasonic provides components for other companies that end up being those company's power supplies. :

seasonic didn't make the psu, if they did it would say seasonic.

...yeah....real aware.

Now that your credibility has been shattered you're trying to backpedal. What you posted here is still bullshit. The entire PSU is built by seasonic, they don't "provide components". XFX comissions the PSU's from Seasonic.
Many upper end PSU aren't even changed from Seasonic's lineup - there are some units of other sellers that are rebranded s12ii's (and m12ii's)

The reviews of the corsair builder series are overwhelmingly bad, with the exception of the CX430. Every XFX PSU review so far has had good reviews in the vast majority. I think I'll take Jonnyguru's, tomshardware, anandtech, techpowerup's, etc PSU advice over yours.

No one called you any names. I said you're spreading bullshit.

Corsair/Seasonic power supplies the only companies I recommend anyone purchasing from; If you disagree, that's ok too

The whole of professional-reviewerdom disagrees with you, too.

 

[quilciri]

just noticed that the case has no front ports - is there any options? Also, why this MSI mobo over the pro3?

No idea. I don't know why he would pair a motherboard with only a 4+2 phase regulator with an upper-end unlocked CPU. not much benefit over the pro3. Just one more thing he did that makes no sense.

 

[Praxeology]

just noticed that the case has no front ports - is there any options? Also, why this MSI mobo over the pro3?

The case does have front ports, the IN WIN USB / Audio / e-SATA Front Ports to be exact. Why the MSI motherboard over the pro 3 is an easy answer. The pro 3 has a 46% 5 star and an 18% 1 star; It only has 1 pci-e 3, making sli/crossfire nerfed hard @ 2.1x 4 for the future, and I just generally prefer MSI boards/cards for OC genie/unlocked voltages. ASRock Extreme4 is a better comparison for the g45 and that board is fine also; Asus cards are also good too, as long as they are 2-fan models and have a nice price-point.

-Prax

 

[cutebeans]

Sadly, the build with the z77 Pro3 and 7870 XT is better than the wtf MSI and Inwin case haha.

Prax. Stop spreading crap. Seasonic is an OEM. OEM makes PSUs for other companies and other companies rebrand them as their own.

So it's a Seasonic unit in everything except name.

 

[Gregmillr]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DpxO thoughts?

 

[Praxeology]

You're aware? then why did you say seasonic didn't build the XFX PSU's? You're doing very poor backpedaling here now that your credibility has been shattered. What you posted here is still misinformation. The entire PSU is built by seasonic, they don't just "provide components". XFX comissions the PSU's from Seasonic. LRN2google.

The reviews of the corsair builder series are overwhelmingly bad, with the exception of the CX430. Every XFX PSU review so far has had good reviews in the vast majority. I think I'll take Jonnyguru's, tomshardware, anandtech, techpowerup's, etc PSU advice over yours.

No one called you any names. I said you're spreading bullshit.

I said Seasonic didn't build the psu, because if they did it would say Seasonic, and told you that there was a difference between the two. Seasonic provided components for the xfx power supply, but xfx name is on, and they put the finishing magic on it. With your logic, Corsair doesn't build their reliable psu, Channel Well did or Seasonic. And to a certain extent you are right in that they didn't build the components they got from cw/ss. But in the extent that matters, Corsair and XFX, or any other company for that matter, plays the major role in their product's reliability.

I am not backpedaling anything, nor has my "credibility been shattered;" There is just not understanding generalizations. The reviews of the corsair builder series, for the one I recommeneded to the OP anyway, has a 59% 5 star rating, which is not bad, and neither is the other models. All of those website's advice would agree with me in that only buying Corsair/Seasonic psu's would lead to a better building experience.

 

[Praxeology]

Sadly, the build with the z77 Pro3 and 7870 XT is better than the wtf MSI and Inwin case haha.

Prax. Stop spreading crap. Seasonic is an OEM. OEM makes PSUs for other companies and other companies rebrand them as their own.

So it's a Seasonic unit in everything except name.

I don't argue that Seasonic is the source of the components, I argue that the final product corsair/xfx send out plays an important role in psu reliability, and will take the corsair over that xfx unit everytime. Especially when it's cheaper.

-Prax

 

[Praxeology]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DpxO thoughts?

Bad cooling setup in that case, but if you really need usb 3.0, it is better than the IN WIN case I recommend which only has USB 2.0. The PSU is a roll of the dice. Depending on your luck the build is solid.

-Prax

 

[quilciri]

Why the MSI motherboard over the pro 3 is an easy answer. The pro 3 has a 46% 5 star and an 18% 1 star;

And herein lies the problem. You based your recommendation off of user reviews in which the majority can barely put together a PC, let alone analyze motherboard quality at a component level.

Seriously, I have doubts they or you could tell the difference between an iron choke and a ferrite choke.....or that you even know what I'm talking about.

 

[quilciri]

I said Seasonic didn't build the psu, because if they did it would say Seasonic, and told you that there was a difference between the two. Seasonic provided components for the xfx power supply, but xfx name is on, and they put the finishing magic on it. .

I don't argue that Seasonic is the source of the components, I argue that the final product corsair/xfx send out plays an important role in psu reliability, and will take the corsair over that xfx unit everytime. Especially when it's cheaper.

wow, just wow. Your tenacity in clinging to your story is admirable.

if by "finishing magic" you mean a sticker, then sure. Otherwise it was all Seasonic. give it up, man.

Seasonic does not provide "components". That is more bullshit. The entire PSU is built as Seasonic plants. That is exactly what original equipment manufacturer means.

 

[Praxeology]

wow, just wow.

if by "finishing magic" you mean a sticker, then sure. Otherwise it was all Seasonic. give it up, man.

Quality control could be a better definition of finishing magic, but we can go with a sticker, sure. Argue as you might Seasonic PSU say Seasonic, and XFX PSU say XFX. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. Just as there is a difference between a Corsair PSU(coming from Channel Well) and every other Channel Well rebranded psu.

-Prax