New Build after 5 years, are these parts worth their price?

[Chaosrider]

Hey guys, working on a new build to upgrade my 5 y/o PC, just wanted to see if these parts were worth it.

My budget was going to be up to 900 dollars, including a monitor, something that I haven't picked out yet. I live in the USA, and my main concern was being able to run WoW on ultra again, with descent multi-sampling at 1920x1080.

I was going to reuse my 1 TB hard drive at the moment, and maybe buy an external 500 GB later, since I have only used around 300 GB so far and I'm not sure if my old drive is going to cut it, I mean it is 5 y/o.

I am going to reuse my Windows 7 64 Premium.


Here's what I have so far:

CPU: AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core Desktop Processor - $119.99
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD - $137.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)--
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower ----Combo with RAM - $121.98
Graphics: MSI N660 TF 2GD5 GeForce GTX 660 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $219.99
SSD: SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $109.99
PSU: SILVERSTONE ST50F-ES 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $49.99
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $19.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $779.92

So that leaves around 100 dollars free for a monitor, which doesn't seem like it's going to cut it. Could someone look over the build and see if there's any money to free up? I do have $1200 on hand, but I wanted a little left over, that's why I was going up to a 900 dollar budget, but if my main concern is WoW on Ultra, do I need an 800 dollar computer + $100-150ish monitor?

[potis]

1)That CPU sucks, or well doesnt suck as in its horribad, it just sucks as in its waste of money.

2)That case is old as fuck, not recommended at all, the upgraded which is HAF 932 is too expensive for the money you have + not needed.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-K ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($255.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 23EN43T-B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($150.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $946.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-11 20:09 EDT-0400)

Do not buy a SSD yet, you do not have the money to do so to get something decent, yes your HDD is old, it will hinder your PC but its better than buying a god damn FX-6300.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-K ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($255.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 23EN43T-B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($150.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1056.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-11 20:11 EDT-0400)

Otherwise, here is the price or well, add +30$ for an aftermarket cooler to overclock that thing, if you do not want to overclock at all, then give me a few seconds!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($255.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($55.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: LG 23EN43T-B 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($150.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1002.13
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-11 20:18 EDT-0400)


Here, full non-overclockable system.

I know you want to play "WoW on Ultra", but i can assume you wanna include everything and raiding in that "Ultra", there is no logically price PC that can handle WoW raiding at Ultra because the engine is just bad and there are too many spell effects going on.

AMD is not recommended for WoW, Intel is just better.

WoW is heavily CPU based, aka grab an Intel and overclock for best results.

[chazus]

Includes SSD, decent cooler for overclocking, and the 660 has more than enough power for WoW. If you want, you can get the 760 for 'future proofing' other games, and drop the SSD for now.

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($193.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: ViewSonic VA2406m-LED 24.0" Monitor ($138.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $985.90

[Chaosrider]

Monitor: ViewSonic VA2406m-LED 24.0" Monitor ($138.99 @ Newegg)

I was wondering if I would be able to also connect my xbox to this monitor, because I guess I could buy an HDMI adapter, but would an HDMI monitor be too expensive?

[chazus]

There are other monitors you could get. I was just getting the largest decent one. One with HDMI wouldn't be much different in price.

[Xuvial]

Here's a 23" one with HDMI for $129 ($20 rebate): Asus VS238H-P

Chaosrider, do you live within range of a MicroCenter branch?

[Chaosrider]

Here's a 23" one with HDMI for $129 ($20 rebate): Asus VS238H-P

Chaosrider, do you live within range of a MicroCenter branch?

I've never been to one but I've heard a lot of about MicroCenter. I just checked and there is one 20 minutes from my house.

[Xuvial]

Hmm ok. I saw that Chazus's build is good, some nice combos in there but it's blowing your initial budget by quite a bit.

Here is my cheaper variant:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB SSD ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 ($37.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ($61.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" HDMI ($137.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $896.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

The step down from 4670K to 3570K should almost not matter as far as gaming goes, and it cascades down to being able to buy a cheaper board and a far cheaper cooler since 3570K doesn't run as hot as 4670K.

Let me know what you think

[Chaosrider]

Thanks Xuvial, how exactly do the two builds compare? Your's and Chazus's? The price difference is only around $90 dollars, which is something I could definitely still pay.

[chazus]

Thanks Xuvial, how exactly do the two builds compare? Your's and Chazus's? The price difference is only around $90 dollars, which is something I could definitely still pay.

I would go with his. The performance difference between the 3570K and 4670K is almost negligible. The 4670K is 'better' but the 3570K can overclock higher in most cases. Regardless, the 3570K is fantastic regardless. I have one, and I expect it to last me into 2015.

That said, with the lower price, it might be worth considering a slightly better board, and that 760, and possibly the Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO (over the Plus)

[Xuvial]

Wait, if you could pay $90 then the first thing I'd say is "put it towards a better GPU silly!" since that is your primary bottleneck. Oh and I'd revert back to Chazus's case recommendation because that's a killer deal.
> Changed cooler to a Xigmatek Gaia because it performs marginally better and the installation is easier.
> Changed RAM to GSkill Ares because the previous Vengeance recommendation had those stupidly tall heatsinks, may not sit well with the cooler.

Well crap, I broke the $1000 mark. But if you can pay then it's all worth it...

PCPartPicker part list

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Gaia ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB DDR3-1600 ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB SSD ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ($61.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" HDMI ($137.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1006.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 02:31 EDT-0400)


....and now my build is instantly better due to having a better graphics card :P

edit: soz I kept editing it, kept tweaking it and having changes of mind lol

[Chaosrider]

chazus, could you recommend a better board and a specific 760?

- - - Updated - - -

chazus, could you recommend a better board and a specific 760?

Xuvial - I posted that before your new build came in

[Xuvial]

Yeah soz I went crazy with edits, I think I'm done now, hit the refresh button -_-

The variant I've chosen for the 760 is the best one for it's price.

[Chaosrider]

Thanks so much for the help Xuvial

Any comments chazus?

See I'm new to building computers, so I don't really know what sets all of these builds apart.

[chazus]

Still a bit over budget, but... splitting hairs over $20 on a $1000 computer seems silly >.> You could just drop the DVDRW. I haven't used mine in my new system I got almost 8 months ago. I don't even know if the drive works. (update: I poked the button. it does)

Changed to cheaper (still low profile) ram. Changed to XFX 750 because it's onl sale right now. If you don't buy it by the time the sale ends, go back to the XFX 550. The 750 part doesn't help, but it's semi-modular. For the same price as the 550, its nice.

Changed board to MSI Z77A-G45. It's not a true 6 phase VRM I don't believe. But nothing is, these days. It's still a nice board, and the big brother to my G41, which I have stable at 4.5ghz.

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($137.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1021.61

[Chaosrider]

Would I be able to reuse my optical drive? It's an hp DVD-RAM GH40L but that's all I can tell you.

Just wondering, would I be able to reuse my 932GB Seagate ST31000528AS (SATA) HDD?

[Xuvial]

Would I be able to reuse my optical drive? It's an hp DVD-RAM GH40L but that's all I can tell you.

Just wondering, would I be able to reuse my 932GB Seagate ST31000528AS (SATA) HDD?

Yes and yes, both are SATA compatible and will work just fine.

Was gonna ask you about the HDD lol because so far we've only listed an SSD, not the best for storing big stuff like movie/music collections on :P

[Chaosrider]

Oh nice, both builds are very similar now

I don't really understand the differences in the coolers,
but

• the only differences in motherboard is CrossFire support on the MSI, could you explain that?
• the 750W PSU is very much on sale so that seems like a better choice,
• and from what I've looked at the RAM is the same except for the profile right?

[chazus]

[*]the only differences in motherboard is CrossFire support on the MSI, could you explain that?

Technically, they're both 4 phase CRM boards (the power regulators for the CPU) but the MSI G45 are a bit nicer, I'm under the impression. The Asrock Extreme4 is debateably better, but is also "technically" a 4 phase, but is touted as 6. Honestly, you probably would be fine with the cheaper Pro3. In retrospect, I'm finding most boards are 4 phase until the $130 mark.

[*]and from what I've looked at the RAM is the same except for the profile right?

Pretty much.

[Xuvial]

• the only differences in motherboard is CrossFire support on the MSI, could you explain that?

Means you can't add another GTX760 down the road if you wanted to for two in SLI mode, the motherboard only supports Crossfire (multiple AMD cards) according to OutletPC's spec sheet.
Although on MSI's official site it supports both SLI/CFX and on Newegg it shows SLI/CFX support. Maybe there are different versions of the board.

Anyway none of that should affect if you're staying with a single GTX760 (recommended).