New custom PC Build - Recommendations/Opinions wanted!

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kmhahn

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Jul 26, 2012
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Hey everyone. I would like your opinion/comments on a new PC build I am about to purchase. It has been about 7 years since I have built a machine so I was due. Keep in mind that I will be using this machine for gaming and multi-tasking mostly. The primary reason I am getting it so beefy is so that it is not out of date in a few years.. I want something that i can have for awhile before ever having to think to upgrade it..

All comments/opinions/suggestions are welcome!

I currently have a XFX HD-667X-CNF3 Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 video card.

MSI 970A-G46 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130637
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-8GBXL X 2
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231485
NZXT Phantom 410 CA-PH410-G1 Gunmetal Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Black Trim Computer Case
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

Total cost for this system is around $500 without a Power Supply.... Power supply recommendations would be much appreciated! Please keep in mind that later on I might want to update to Crossfire and dual videos cards.

Thanks in advance!
 
If it's gaming this will be a far better setup:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $531.92
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-27 00:41 EDT-0400)

Keep in mind that Crossfire / SLI is pretty much considered a last resort. Unless you're going for top-shelf GPUs like the 7970 and are doing it for bragging rights, when building a system - whether it's $600 or $2600 you always want to get the single strongest GPU you can get for the money.
 
Thank you for the suggestion but I really wasnt looking to change anything, especially the entire setup. I am also not in need of a DVD/CD/ Writer as I already have one that I will be putting in my new system. I have done quite a bit of research and I am happy with most of what I have picked out just needed a little more insight.

Do you have any recommendations on a PSU for my current setup? I really just want to make sure everything will work together. I am also wanting to stick with AMD... I've also heard that the CM PSU's are "2nd tier" when it comes to quality/reliability/etc...
 


Well gaming builds - Intel will be recommended 9 times out of 10. Any Sandy / Ivy Bridge build will absolutely destroy any AMD build right now. And the main reason is that the AM2/AM3 architecture is way past the point of usefulness - the Phenom IIs have been around since 2009, where Ivy Bridge is brand new. Check out this benchmark: http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/825/AMD_Phenom_II_X4_965_%28125W__BE%29_vs_Intel_Core_i5_i5-3450.html

As far as PSU goes - the Corsair that I linked to is one of the best - Cooler Master's PSUs are actually more like third or fourth tier. They make excellent cases (I have the HAF 912 on my work PC) and heat sinks but their PSUs are not to be trusted.
 

If you don't want any help, why ask it? If you're dead set on keeping it the same, do it..
 
@azeem40 I said I would take all opinions... I just didnt think someone was going to recommend a completely different system then what I had posted, thats all.. Any other opinions/recommendations?

@g-unit1111 Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep that in mind about the Intel i5.. I would like to get some more opinions before I make a final decision.
 
Azeem40 is very correct, Intel runs CIRCLES around AMD in gaming these days. Just look at any benchmarks. Even dual-core i3 processors are beating AMD quad and 8 core setups.

Bottom line: get an Intel processor. Anyone who says otherwise is a fanboy or trying to sell something.

I suggest this processor: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376494

It's cheap, but its a Sandy Bridge at 3.3GHz. It has 4 processing threads as well (I didn't even know i3's came with hyperthreading). This baby will rip through any games on the modern market.

You will regret getting an AMD processor for gaming.
 


Yeah this is correct - that's why Intel systems are recommended like 9 times out of 10. I upgraded from a Phenom II X6 to the i5-3570K and the difference is literally night and day. I'm no fan boy of either Intel or AMD - I'll recommend whichever is fastest and right now it's Intel all the way.
 
Ok, thank you very much for your feedback. I will look into getting one of the Core i5 Quad Core processors.. What is a good Motherboard for the Intels? I am wanting one that is possibly upgradeable in the future, PCI-E, USB 3.0, 6GB/s SATA, and allows at least 16GB of DDR3 memory. If you saw my build above you will see I was going to purchase 2 x 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 memory.

Thanks again!
 


It's not really going to be needed - you most likely won't use all 16GB.

Try this for a motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128548
 
I understand I wont use all 16GB but its there if I need it... and with RAM being so cheap these days it doesn't hurt :)

Hmm, I looked at the one you suggested.. What about this one? What is the difference?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128550


Also I was looking at power supplies.. What do you think of SeaSonic?

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095
 


Seasonic makes some of the best PSUs around. The difference between the two boards is one is mATX - go with the ATX DS3H.
 
Great. Thanks for all your help. I think I have a very nice system built... Any monitor you recommend? I am looking at the 24" or 23" widescreens. I am trying to stay under $200 but have a good long lasting brand.. I need HDMI and DVI...

Also do you think the fans that come with the Phantom case and the i5 processor will be enough to keep everything cool?
 


It should, I'd heavily suggest reading this article before setting your system up: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cooling-airflow-heatsink,3053.html
 
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