New build/first time builder help

[Skinkfoot]

New Computer

Willing to Self Build or a Pre-Built:
Either have never built before but seems to get the most for your $

How much you want to spend:
800-1200

How much you can spend:
1200 top end maybe a bit more if absolutely needed

What all you plan to use it for:
Basic computing and games. I really only play WOW but would love to play at as good of settings as possible. I might eventually play a few others skyrim, swtor but games outside of WOW arent a huge deal.

What Operating system you want to use & Bit:
Windows 7 64 bit

What Resolution you hope to be in:
http://www.amazon.com/HP-W2408H-24-i...w2408h+monitor
This is my monitor so whatever works here.

What Settings do you Want & how much FPS:
Best i can get within my budget i suppose.

What Country are you from:
US

What can you re-use:
monitor

Network will be wired or wireless:
primarily wired

Any Additional Info Here:
I have never built before but have done a good amount of research into it. I am pretty confident that i am able to. I do not need a monitor just a tower its components and OS. I want to use an intel chip as ive read that AMD isn't up to par ATM. Basically looking for the best bang for my buck parts. Thanks in advance for any help.

EDIT: Id like to have both an SSD and HD

[chazus]

Case can be whatever you want, really. Video card is likely more than you need. You could easily get by with a 660ti.
Hard drive sizes aren't locked down either. adjust appropriately but I'd stick with WD Blue series for the HDD, and either Samsun 830, or 840 Pro (Not 840).


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.71 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($82.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1007.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-10 22:56 EST-0500)

[Skinkfoot]

I was recommended this MOBO: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyt...rd-gaz77xup4th Is it overkill for my needs? Would the system you built be able to fraps while im raiding(just a bonus)?

[Faithh]

Case can be whatever you want, really. Video card is likely more than you need. You could easily get by with a 660ti.
Hard drive sizes aren't locked down either. adjust appropriately but I'd stick with WD Blue series for the HDD, and either Samsun 830, or 840 Pro (Not 840).


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.71 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($244.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($82.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1007.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-10 22:56 EST-0500)

Something like the 840 Pro is not needed. Let's just not talk about the lifespan/degradation level because it's not proven yet and it's TLC which would make sense. The performance over the 830 can not even be noticed, like a 0.75s faster boot who cares..

Personally I would skip the Asrock board for something like this -> MSI Z77A-G43 which costs the same.

[chazus]

Something like the 840 Pro is not needed. Let's just not talk about the lifespan/degradation level because it's not proven yet and it's TLC which would make sense. The performance over the 830 can not even be noticed, like a 0.75s faster boot who cares..

The only reason I recommend the 840 Pro is because the 256gb 830 has been on backorder on newegg for over a month now. The 840 would also be fine too. Making the jump from HDD to SSD accounts for 95% of the performance bump. So if cost is an issue, simply pic whichever is cheapest with the best capacity. There are other brands that are good too, however Samsung has proven to be good all around.

Personally I would skip the Asrock board for something like this -> MSI Z77A-G43 which costs the same.

I would too, honestly. However I've been getting flak from a LOT of people lately recommending MSI boards. I've used and sold them for years quite happily, and have probably had my own hands on more of them than 99% of the posters here. So far, none of those complaints have had any reasoning behind them, so I guess I'm just bandwagoning.

[n0cturnal]

Only official numbers I've seen are these http://www.hardware.fr/articles/881-2/cartes-meres.html and to be honest it is a rather small difference between all of the brands.

[chazus]

It's been more of a case of people not liking the MSI brand, rather than actual performance. None can give me a real reason why.

[chazus]

It's been more of a case of people not liking the MSI brand

Again, without any reason why. One or two people saying "my stuff was doa" doesn't mean anything. No brand is 100% perfect.

...whats up with the 1x1 pixel image?

[Deleted]

@chazus: That looks like a nice rig! Would i be able to play WoW on 1920x1080 @enjoyable dps + stream ?

[chazus]

That rig is pretty much identical to mine in power. I run wow on High on 1920x1080 @ 60fps (vsync). I can do Ultra with 2xAA, and turning down shadows a bit, or overclocking to 3.8ghz (I have a stock cooler, you've got a better one, so thats well within reach). I don't personally stream, however you should be able to without any problems.

[Skinkfoot]

I came up with this no idea how it compares to whats been suggested so far. Anything not fit right that i can change? Also i know the samsumg SSD has been out of stock for a bit whats a good alternative brand?
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($189.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1218.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-11 21:24 EST-0500)

[chazus]

It it matters, you can get a cheaper Z77 board. There are $100 ones from MSI and Asrock available. You can also save a few bucks on the DVD writer, and on a Seasonic 520w power supply.

[Faithh]

A 520W psu is not needed, a 430w is suitable for this rig and saves you for like 45eur (?).

[Skinkfoot]

So I think I've come up with my final parts. Just wanting to double check anything with people who know alot more then me if I missed a potential upgrade or something along the way. Thanks again for all the help.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($283.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($90.17 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1192.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-02 00:16 EST-0500)

[Toffie]

I would just get the build chazus suggested and save yourself 200 $.. The performance is about the same.

[Deleted]

With an aftermarket CPU heatsink like that I'd recommend some low profile RAM like this:

G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600

I also recommend a Western Digital HDD instead:

Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB

[chazus]

Boom. Better video card (same price as 660ti), bigger storage drive. better SSD. low profile ram, and almost a hundred bucks cheaper. Notably, the Antec Neo Eco is made by Seasonic.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.08 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.84 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1103.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-02 02:50 EST-0500)