To build or not to build?

[blugamer44]

Hello fellow techies! This is my first post on Tom's Hardware forums. I need some advice for building/rebuilding a new gaming PC. Here are the specs for my current gaming PC:

CPU: AMD FX-6100
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
Mobo: Asrock 990FX Extreme3
Video Card: Evga GTX 660 SC 2GB (Non-ti)
RAM: Patriot G2 8GB 1600Mhz
Storage:
Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD - OS + Applications
WD Velociraptor 500GB HDD - Data
WD Black 1TB HDD - Games
Network: Rosewill RNX-N150PCE Wireless N
PSU: Corsair VX450 450 watt
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430
Monitor:
Main: Acer GD235hz 23.6" 120hz 1080p
Secondary: Dell E2414h 24" 60hz 1080p

For reference, these are most demanding games that I play:
- Battlefield 3/4
- Metro 2033/Last Light
- Day Z (Stand Alone)
- Arma 3
- Crysis 1/2/3
- Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

My friend is considering buying (I'm asking for $450) my current build off of me to replace his much older gaming pc, except for the video card, SSD, HDDs, and monitors. I would rather not sell my 660, but can if the alternative is worth it. I'm willing to throw down $300-$400 in new parts + $ for selling any/all current components. I have no problem switching from AMD to Intel, but I'd prefer to stick with Nvidia over AMD for GPU mainly because of Adaptive V-sync.

Suggestions?

 

[pcgaming98]

Hey fellow techie. Welcome to Tom's Hardware.

I advise you dont go for a Bulldozer architecture processor, those have been a big screwup from AMD. If you can, go for a Piledriver Architecture processor (Vishera, 43xx, 63xx,83xx), those are what Bulldozer was first intended to be. The price difference is little but the performance difference is phenomenal.

Unless you get your PSU from a local PC store, I dont see any Corsair VX450s on the market. You can get a Corsair CX500M for about $50, which is a good price for the quality.

 

[blugamer44]

Hey fellow techie. Welcome to Tom's Hardware.

I advise you dont go for a Bulldozer architecture processor, those have been a big screwup from AMD. If you can, go for a Piledriver Architecture processor (Vishera, 43xx, 63xx,83xx), those are what Bulldozer was first intended to be. The price difference is little but the performance difference is phenomenal.

Unless you get your PSU from a local PC store, I dont see any Corsair VX450s on the market. You can get a Corsair CX500M for about $50, which is a good price for the quality.

Thanks for the quick reply! The PSU was an old spare one I just decided to use when I first built this rig almost 2 years ago. The 8350 looks like a good upgrade. I didn't do a ton of research when I originally built this PC, and my budget was pretty thin so thats why I went with a bulldozer. I would prefer to sell most my machine and start from scratch that way my cpu choices aren't limited by my motherboard.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that I'm also thinking about starting a YouTube game commentary channel so the new build will also need to be sufficient for recording and editing. If I stay with Nvidia I'll have ShadowPlay which will definitely help. Does this change anything as far as going with the 8350?

 

[pcgaming98]

Nvidia Shadowplay is usable depending on your GPU. To use it, you gotta have a GTX 660 and up I believe.

Also, if you're on a budget, you shouldn't need to use a 990FX chipset motherboard unless you plan to overclock in the future. Go for a 970 chipest mobo for budget reasons. Put that money towards a better GPU.

 

[bob hays]

shadow play is gtx 650 ti and up, or maybe the boost one, but its one of the 650 versions, but either way the 660 will support it.

 

[blugamer44]

Nvidia Shadowplay is usable depending on your GPU. To use it, you gotta have a GTX 660 and up I believe.

Also, if you're on a budget, you shouldn't need to use a 990FX chipset motherboard unless you plan to overclock in the future. Go for a 970 chipest mobo for budget reasons. Put that money towards a better GPU.

Ok makes sense. Only thing is I want to make this machine at least somewhat future proof because I plan on getting games such as Watch Dogs, GTA V, Titanfall, etc. Also, would I be better off going with Intel for better performance and more future proof? I was considering an i5-4670K since its right around the price of a FX-8350 and has better single core performance, at least that's what I've heard. Main reason I bring up single core performance is for slightly older games that aren't optimized as well for multi-core cpus, like GTA IV.

 

[bob hays]

It's true but the 8350 will be better for making the videos and the gaming difference isn't that big

 

[blugamer44]

Well recently I've changed my mind as far as how I'm selling my PC. I decided to put it up on craigslist for sale:
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/sys/4349645854.html

Only difference is I'm including the video card and a 320gb barracuda, but no monitors, ssd, other hdds, or operating system. Current asking price is $675 or $700 with a DVD writer drive added. So if any one reading this happens to live in the SW area of Michigan or near it is interested, let me know.

 

[blugamer44]

Well I did end up getting my gaming PC sold. Same specs (minus SSDs, HDDs, and Monitor, with 320GB Seagate Barracuda included) as above, for $600!

I also got my new Gaming PC built . Here are the new specs:

CPU: Intel i7 4770-K
CPU Cooler: Stock
Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Hero
Video Card: MSI GTX 780 3GB Twin Frozr
RAM: Kingston HyperX Black 8GB 1600Mhz
Storage:
Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD - OS + Applications
WD Velociraptor 500GB HDD - Data
WD Black 1TB HDD - Games
Network: TP-Link AV500 Nano Powerline Network Adapter
PSU: Corsair CX750M 750watt
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Case: Corsair Carbide Air 540
Monitor:
Main: Acer GD235hz 23.6" 120hz 1080p
Secondary: Dell E2414h 24" 60hz 1080p

So I my new build costed me about $1,200, not including parts used form old build. It runs all my games super smooth now.

Next I'm looking into any upgrades I should get once my I get my rebates. I'm considering the following currently:

CPU Cooler: Stock ---> Corsair H100i (~$90)
RAM: Kingston HyperX Black 8GB 1600Mhz ---> Kingston HyperX Black 16GB 1600Mhz (~$65)
Fans: 2x Corsair AF120 Red LED (~$21)

Good build? Upgrades? Other thoughts?

 

[tiny voices]

The PSU is not great. The CX units from Corsair are average at very best.

Also, an i7 is pointless for a gaming build. For rendering and encoding? Yes an i7 is great, but for gaming, there is no point. An i5 would have been a better use of money.

Also, don't expect your rebates for a LONG time. I'm still waiting on a few from well over 6 months ago.

 

[blugamer44]

I do plan on doing some YouTube game commentary and Let's Play videos, so the i7 will be put to use there. I also wanted to get a good CPU so that it would be future proof and so I'm not skimping.

WHy do you say the CX PSUs are not so great? I've read nothing but good things about corsair PSUs and that they last a long time. Plus 750 watts is plenty for my build. Am I missing something?

 

[tiny voices]

There is no such thing as a futureproof CPU. An i5 would age EXACTLY the same as an i7 would.

The CX units are known to use CHEAP low quality capacitors and they like to fail under any real heat at all. The CX750 being the worst offender. I would replace it. I had a cx600 fry a computer of mine a while back. As I said, the CX units are barely average in quality. They are best for office builds, not gaming computers.

 

[blugamer44]

huh, well hopefully mine won't be the case and run ok, little late now to switch.

 

[tiny voices]

Honestly, I would change it. You can get a good quality unit for like $75. It is all up to you though.

 

[blugamer44]

Any suggestions? The Corsair TX/HX series are definitely not $75 for a 750 watt. No king Wing or logysis, those look way too shady.

 

[tiny voices]

Stick with Antec, XFX, Seasonic.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1750snlb9
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650snlb9

These are all great for your system. I would go with an XFX.

 

[blugamer44]

Those look like nice PSUs, but they're not modular, like the CX750M, which I like so that I don't have a million cables laying around in the case. Also I'd rather not go bellow 750 watts from what I've read online regarding similar builds (CPU+GPU). I'm considering the HX850 newegg has on sale for $120 after rebate and coupon, that way it's future proof for a 2nd 780 for SLI in the future. I don't mean to shoot down your advice, those are just some other things I'm considering (750Watt and up, and modular). DO you know if newegg will do a return + full refund for my PSU since it's under 30 days?

 

[tiny voices]

Your build even overclocked will not come close to 650w. 750w is plenty for gtx780 SLI. No need for 850w. Unless you plan to get another 780 in a year or less don't waste the money. Get a 650w unit. PSUs should be replaced even if VERY high quality about every 3 years, so buying a PSU for "future proofing" is never a good call.

I have no idea about Newegg's return policy.

 

[blugamer44]

Never mind, I did a rebate for the CX750M, so Newegg doesn't allow returns since the UPC code is now gone 🙁 . ohh well.

 

[blugamer44]

ok, so my only option would be to sell it on ebay/craigslist. Do you think its worth the hassle, I mean is the CX750M that bad really? It has a 3 year warranty after all.

 

[tiny voices]

I would not trust it honestly. I have seen plenty of CX units fail. Of course it could be perfectly fine, would NOT SLI on it though. But, if it were me, I would replace it. People use them and have no issues. Others use them and they completely fry their computer.

Also, the 3 year warranty is very telling. Most quality units have 5 year minimum warranty's and alot have 7-10 year ones.