Need Help Finishing My Gaming Build

[jimcil]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading these threads for a while now and purchasing parts along the way. I think I have been able to get some good deals on Black Friday and now I need help finishing my build. It has been a pretty long time since my I built my last computer.

Here is my information:

Approximate Purchase Date: Finish in the next week or two
Budget Range: $850 - $900, but the lower the better
System Usage: Gaming
Buying a monitor: No
Preferred Websites: Amazon and Newegg
Location: Northeast, not near a Microcenter
Overclocking: Yes, but not in the near future
SLI or Crossfire: Yes, but not in the near future
Monitor Resolution: HP 2509M 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I do not need a keyboard and mouse

Here is what I have purchased so far:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $80
CPU: i5 3570k - $190
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - $104
SSD: Sandisk 120 GB - $80
HDD: 1TB Western Digital - $0 (From a prior computer)
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 1600 - $25
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $51

Total So Far: $530

Parts Left to Purchase:

GPU: Not sure what to go with. I am thinking about a 7850, but is it worth going up to a 7870? With that said, I really need some recommendations on specific GPUs.
PSU: I am really at a loss here. I think I want a modular, but I am not sure if it is worth the cost.
DVD: I am not really concerned about this part. I am budgeting about $20 for this.
Case Fans: I am not concerned about these either, but I am budgeting about $25.
CPU Cooler: Do I definitely need one? If so I am thinking about the Hyper 212 EVO for about $30. Will I need to also purchase some thermal paste?

Again, the lower I need to spend the better. I am looking for the most bang for my buck.

Sorry for the long post, but I would appreciate any help!

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

For the cooler get what you said, it will be more quiet. Although it isn't necessary to get unless you overclock a decent amount. I think that the 7870 is worth it look at this one
by his for $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161411

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

Also look at a 660, if you would prefer to get assassin's creed 3. But the 7870 is better if you don't factor the rebate, which I don't know how reliable PNY is with their rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133470

 

[Deemo13]

The 212 EVO comes with thermal paste.

 

[jimcil]

For the cooler get what you said, it will be more quiet. Although it isn't necessary to get unless you overclock a decent amount. I think that the 7870 is worth it look at this one
by his for $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161411

Thanks It_dan_zsu. Wow, I was expecting the 7870 to be more expensive. Is there something lacking on that one that is not jumping out at me? I'm not familiar with HIS, are they reputable?

 

[jimcil]

The 212 EVO comes with thermal paste.

Thanks for the info! That is good to hear, glad I do not have to buy some.

 

[manofchalk]

HIS are reputable, but not exactly the best manufacturer. I would personally pay the extra $20 for this Gigabyte model.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418

PSU:
Modularity is a good feature to have, means you dont have to mess up cable management when you want to clean the PSU. Though it isnt essential, whether the extra cost is worth saving yourself the effort later on is up to you.
The standard PSU brands to get are XFX, Corsair and Seasonic. Including a GPU, you system would be fine to run off a 650W unit, though get 750W if Crossfire/SLI is a possibility later on (the motherboard can support it).

CPU Cooler: You need one if you want to overclock to any decent level.

 

[jimcil]

HIS are reputable, but not exactly the best manufacturer. I would personally pay the extra $20 for this Gigabyte model.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418

PSU:
Modularity is a good feature to have, means you dont have to mess up cable management when you want to clean the PSU. Though it isnt essential, whether the extra cost is worth saving yourself the effort later on is up to you.
The standard PSU brands to get are XFX, Corsair and Seasonic. Including a GPU, you system would be fine to run off a 650W unit, though get 750W if Crossfire/SLI is a possibility later on (the motherboard can support it).

CPU Cooler: You need one if you want to overclock to any decent level.

Thanks manofchalk!

Is it worth spending the extra month for the 7950? Would the benefit outweigh the cost difference? Or would I really have to make a large jump in price to see a real benefit?

I wasn't expecting needing 750W, so it is a little more expensive than I thought. I think I will give up the modular feature.

Does anyone have any experience with this PSU? Item=N82E16817139040http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139040

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I got a 7950 and don't regret it at all. It also comes with 3 free games, so the price increase is offset by a lot.

 

[Deemo13]

I've only had the CX500. Worked fine as far as I know. You will only need 750W if you plan to Crossfire in the future.

 

[jimcil]

lt_dan_zsu, which 7950 do you have?

Deemo13, I want to leave the option open for Crossfire, so I will probably go with 750W.

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Does anyone have any good PSU recommendations that would fit in my budget?

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I've got a sapphire with 850mhz clock with 925mhz boost.

 

[Zed_Spooge]

7870 GPU Definatally. Also check out the havik 140 NZXT cooler. Outperforms H80 for 60$.. Huge thing tho.
EDIT: CX750 is capable of xfiring 7950's if you really wanna push it. would be comfortable with 2x 7870's.

 

[jimcil]

Thanks for everyone's help so far. I am still trying to decided on a PSU, but now I am starting to rethink whether I should crossfire.

My original thought was to buy one card now and add a card in a year or so to crossfire. Now I am thinking I should either buy a better card now or just plan on buying a new card in a few years.

Any opinions on this?

I know I seem to be all over the place on this, and I am. I have been away from PC gaming for sometime.

Does anyone have any suggestions for PSUs?

Thanks again!

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

If you were to get the weaker gpu, which one would it be.

 

[jimcil]

Well, I am thinking about one of three options:

1) If crossfire is worth it: buy a 7850 or 7870, buy a 750W PSU, and buy a second 7850 or 7870 in a year or so
2) If crossfire isn't worth it: Buy a 7850 or 7870, save on the PSU by getting a 600W-650W, and completely replace the card in 2 -3 years
3) If crossfire isn't worth it: Buy a 7950, save on the PSU by getting a 600W-650W and hold off on replacing the card for 3 - 4 years

I guess the questions is really whether crossfire is worth it? Or would I be better off going with 1 card that I upgrade every few years without replacing many other components, including the PSU.

 

[jimcil]

Okay, I think I am going to forget about crossfire and go with the Sapphire 7950 and hope it last me a couple years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

For the PSU, I am thinking about the Seasonic M12II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Or one of these two Corsair PSUs, not sure of the exact difference.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

I would love to hear comments on the above and the overall build.

Am I facing any bottleneck or compatibility issues?

Thanks again for all of the help I have received so far!

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

I would go with the corsair 80 plus one.

 

[jimcil]

Best answer selected by jimcil.