1. #1

    Help me complete my gaming build.

    I play mostly PC games, I've been debating and going back and forth for a while now on what I want to do with my new system I'm building. Trying to keep it around $1200 US.

    This build is what I've come up with so far.

    I've been debating between the i5 2500k and the 3570k for a bit, finally decided the extra 30$ was worth stepping up. I'm wanting to overclock it but have never used WC and am very nervous about doing so so I went with the V8 cooler. I'm open to WC if it's within my price range and wouldn't be too hard for a novice at that sort of thing to set up.

    Case, I chose the HAF 922, I really like the NZXT Phantom series, but I've heard it is mostly plastic and I have questions about it's durability.
    I'm at a loss on the motherboard, I really like the sabertooth z77 but only for the looks, and as that case doesn't have a side window that's kind of silly. I'd like the MB to be fairly easy to OC and preferably have UEFI.

    Video card also at a loss, been reading and I'm not entirely sure what I should do there. I'd like to get as much ram as possible within reason (16gb maybe?) and then the power supply to power all of it without going into overkill mode.

    Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

    Also, I don't really need a Optical drive, monitor, keyboard or mouse as I have those already.
    Last edited by lespaul5895; 2012-06-12 at 04:34 PM.

  2. #2
    Deleted
    You can generate forum code if you click BBCode Markup, by the way.

  3. #3
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8 69.7 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($49.00 @ Amazon)
    Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.95 @ B&H)
    Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $647.91
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-12 12:38 EDT-0400)

    Sorry about that. Here's the forum code

  4. #4
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    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ Amazon)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.95 @ B&H)
    Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
    Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1154.06
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-12 12:40 EDT-0400)

    This is what I would recommend. Let me know if you have any questions.

  5. #5
    Deleted
    I'm not sure I can be much help because I'm just a bit ahead of where you are in terms of progress with a build. I'd maybe suggest a GTX 670 as your video card, that's what I was suggested I get. I was also told that the Samsung F3 1TB is a better choice than the Western Digital as I think it costs slightly less and it's more reputed amongst enthusiasts. As for the mobo, I was told ASRock Z75 Pro3 would be good enough and for the PSU I don't know about the brand, but I think it should be about 520w. That's about as much help as I can provide. Someone that knows a lot more than me should come in here soon and set you straight.

    Edit: Hapylol is here, have no fear. ;P

  6. #6
    Tweaked the build hapylol posted. Let me know what you think.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ NCIX US)
    Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1173.54
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-12 21:44 EDT-0400)

  7. #7
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ NCIX US)
    Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1313.54
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-12 22:00 EDT-0400)

    im not much of a fan of ATI cards but the mid range nvidia gtx 6 series runs alot quieter/cooler/faster and on less power they are worth the extra money imo

  8. #8
    I was hoping to keep the build under 1200$, that bumps it over 100$ over budget.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by lespaul5895 View Post
    I was hoping to keep the build under 1200$, that bumps it over 100$ over budget.
    You could drop the 670 and get a 7850 or 7870 maybe.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by b0sanac View Post
    You could drop the 670 and get a 7850 or 7870 maybe.
    my original build had a 7850 msi twin frozr in it.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by lespaul5895 View Post
    my original build had a 7850 msi twin frozr in it.
    Then just go with that rather than jumping over budget.

  12. #12
    Bloodsail Admiral FearXI's Avatar
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    Take a look at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...81017&Tpk=h100 ($114.99) using it for my build.
    You can also put on http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835553005 ($13.99)x4 to get it really cool.

    Much cheaper than WC and above air cooling nice middle ground and quiet.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-12 at 11:06 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Evil ZeR0 View Post
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
    Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ NCIX US)
    Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/Orange) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1313.54
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-12 22:00 EDT-0400)

    im not much of a fan of ATI cards but the mid range nvidia gtx 6 series runs alot quieter/cooler/faster and on less power they are worth the extra money imo
    This is a pretty good setup but if you want to shave some money off you could go with 8GB RAM not too much of a reason to go to 16GB.
    If your current PC has a nice HDD you could just reuse it and just pick up the SSD for OS and most use programs.
    The rest looks pretty good.

    EDIT
    If you cut RAM in half ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233144 ) and reused HDD and if you already have Win 7 and use what I have listed above it'll run you 1210.52
    Last edited by FearXI; 2012-06-13 at 03:13 AM.

  13. #13
    My current computer is using a WD 600GB HD and windows Vista. The HD is viable whereas I still have to buy windows 7.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-12 at 11:39 PM ----------

    would there be an issue with that vengeance memory hitting the cpu cooler possibly?

  14. #14
    Bloodsail Admiral FearXI's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lespaul5895 View Post
    My current computer is using a WD 600GB HD and windows Vista. The HD is viable whereas I still have to buy windows 7.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-12 at 11:39 PM ----------

    would there be an issue with that vengeance memory hitting the cpu cooler possibly?
    If you use the H100 no, it'll be fine and with the cooler listed from Evil Zer0 it looks like it'll be fine I have very similar in my current build and it doesn't block it at all.
    Last edited by FearXI; 2012-06-13 at 04:02 AM.

  15. #15
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    Fear,

    Why are you suggesting a $160 cooling system on a $1200 budget? The air coolers all of us linked above are more then sufficient to keep the CPU cool even at extreme overclocks.

    OP,

    Your tweaked build is pretty solid. The MSI GPU is great, the case is ok, and the motherboard change won't affect much. Are you near a Microcenter because your PCpartpicker is assuming you are(if you are, you can get $50 off a z77 motherboard)?

    You could take a look @ the Fractal Arc Midi case. It is one of the most recommend ones here and I personally use it and love it. It is pretty simplistic but offers excellent cable management, airflow, and customization.

    Lastly, I wouldn't recommend 16GB RAM. I would stick with 8GB at the start and if you feel you need more you can purchase it then(which I doubt will happen).

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