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  1. #1

    first time build, upgrading from 8 year old comp

    im planning on building my own computer, and my budget is around 1100-1200 so if you guys have any suggestions or substitutions i would really appreciate it.

    wont need an os, monitor, speaker, mouse, keyboard.

    notes: 1100-1200ish, prefer going lower
    mainly going to use this computer to replace my old computer for pretty much everything. i just want to be able to run a game like WoW on high with strong fps. nothing extreme.


    Marest's sample build


    Gaming 1280
    MoBo: ASUS P8Z77-V LK – $139.99
    CPU: Intel i5 3570k – $214.99
    RAM: Corsair XMS3 1600Mhz 2x4GB – $42.99
    GPU: Gigabyte GTX 670 – $399.99
    SSD: Samsung 830 128GB – $109.99
    HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB – $109.99
    PSU: Corsair TX650M – $89.99 Review
    Heatsink: Noctua NH-U12P – $72.99
    Case: Antec P280 – $99.99
    --------------------------------------------------
    Estimated Total Price – $1281

    i had a link for pcpartspicker but i think the link died so I can't post it up, but basically everything in there looks like something id like. I personally really like the case and i dont mind spending 400 for a 670 gpu. i dont plan on adding a ssd until later so that can be excluded from the price atm.

  2. #2
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    I think the only change's I might make would be confisder getting an ATI 7870 or 7950. a 670 is a bit overkill for just playing WoW. I have a card two notches down (660 non ti) and can pretty much max out wow with the same CPU and SSD. You could also get a cheaper/less expensive PSU, if you wanted.

  3. #3
    Rather get cheaper CPU heatsink (like Xigmatek Gaia) or no heatsink at all unless you're sure you're overclocking.

    Also for WoW you can easily opt for cheaper graphics card.

    Speaking of graphics cards, what kind of monitor you have currently left from the 8 year old computer? If it's 1680x1050 or lower resolution you don't need the 300fps a GTX670 can push but much much cheaper card.

    With the money saved keep the SSD. It will make far bigger difference in daily use and WoW than choosing between GTX660 and GTX670 on a low resolution monitor.
    Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
    Trolling should be.

  4. #4
    thanks chazus, will keep that in mind. i didnt know that the 670 is overkill for wow. i dont even play wow anymore tbh, i just used it as a benchmark because I want to use this computer for whatever else comes. i just play LoL most of the time and browse the internet lol

    ---------- Post added 2013-01-24 at 12:59 AM ----------

    well right now i use a tv as my monitor, it has 1080p and its 32''

    ---------- Post added 2013-01-24 at 01:00 AM ----------

    [QUOTE=vesseblah;19963452]Rather get cheaper CPU heatsink (like Xigmatek Gaia) or no heatsink at all unless you're sure you're overclocking.

    i dont plan on overclocking since I probably wont be able to to tell the difference from my shit computer to this new one.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by deskport View Post
    i dont plan on overclocking since I probably wont be able to to tell the difference from my shit computer to this new one.
    If you're 100% sure you'll never overclock you can save up to $150 easily by...
    - drop the heatsink, basic one will come with the CPU
    - downgrade CPU to i5-3470 or i5-3570, there's about 5-10% speed difference between the two but usually bigger price difference
    - downgrade the motherboard to B77 model
    Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
    Trolling should be.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by vesseblah View Post
    If you're 100% sure you'll never overclock you can save up to $150 easily by...
    - drop the heatsink, basic one will come with the CPU
    - downgrade CPU to i5-3470 or i5-3570, there's about 5-10% speed difference between the two but usually bigger price difference
    - downgrade the motherboard to B77 model
    well I just want to make sure i have sufficient cooling because during the summer my room gets pretty hot just by the computer being on and running.
    so i can possibly drop the heatsink, cpu can be put down a grade, what does downgrading the motherboard do in particular?

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by deskport View Post
    well I just want to make sure i have sufficient cooling because during the summer my room gets pretty hot just by the computer being on and running.
    If you live in some hot country (Australia, around Mediterranean etc) then you might need extra processor cooling. If it's +30C there for few weeks and otherwise only +20C you don't need extras. Or if you can't get proper case airflow you might need extra cooling, but that's whole another issue.

    Quote Originally Posted by deskport View Post
    what does downgrading the motherboard do in particular?
    Typed/remembered wrong above, not B77 motherboard but H77.

    Only difference between H77 and Z77 is that you can overclock both CPU and GPU on the Z77, but GPU only in H77. Besides that H77 boards are often much cheaper, maybe up to $50.
    Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
    Trolling should be.

  8. #8
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    This'll run WoW at juuuuuust about max. I have the same GPU, and a 3570K (not overclocked) and can run Ultra, with 4x AF, good SSAO, and Good Shadows. Everything else maxed. If you feel you really want to bump the card up a bit, get a 7870, but a 670 is just a waste of money at that point. Oh, yeah. It's $450 cheaper for the system total :P. Use that to get a bigger SSD if you feel you need it, or... um... a bigger HDD?

    Or save it. Valentines day is coming up.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.79 @ Amazon)
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Wintec One 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($131.98 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Antec P280 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($30.95 @ NCIX US)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $862.63
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 06:09 EST-0500)
    Last edited by chazus; 2013-01-24 at 11:09 AM.

  9. #9
    Made this list to illustrate how cheap you can go based on previous recommendations.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.79 @ Amazon)
    CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.95 @ Mac Connection)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Antec P280 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.58 @ NCIX US)
    Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Total: $883.74
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 06:02 EST-0500)
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  10. #10
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    >.< Our systems are almost identical. Though I just realized that the Antec PSU that I normally hawk is not Bronze certified... At such low wattages I guess 10% doesn't matter too much. Though that Crucial is a LOT cheaper.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by chazus View Post
    >.< Our systems are almost identical. Though I just realized that the Antec PSU that I normally hawk is not Bronze certified... At such low wattages I guess 10% doesn't matter too much. Though that Crucial is a LOT cheaper.
    Yeah well since we are way below budget I opted to go for a modular PSU, Samsung 830 is not made anymore so they are pretty much out of stock everywhere, I have no clue what Wintec is so I skipped those and for the cooler I just rolled a dice between them :P
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  12. #12
    In case you do eventually want to overclock

    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 Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
    Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Corsair Vengeance C70 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($77.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
    Total: $938.90
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 07:39 EST-0500)

    I left out the SSD and didn't change the case from my previous set up. Though it's another nice case for the same price. Comes in Green, White and Black. In your first post noticed that you didn't say anything about an optical drive.

    This build should handle most games with ease I think.

  13. #13
    yes i do need an optical drive since I wont be transferring anything from this tincan of a computer, but wow thanks for the help vess, chazus, nocturnal, and jholdaway. really appreciate the inputs. i dont have much time to look over things in too much detail since I have to go to work right now, but I heard the 660 ti is a pretty good graphic card so im liking jholdaway's build atm. i still prefer going the antec p280 tho such a nice case ..

    would it be possible with the 3 builds you guys posted to be able to do sli crossfire for the future? id like to be able to upgrade my computer whenever possible so I just want to make sure if I can. and do you have any recommendations for any ssd's? i didnt know the samsung 830 was out of stock for good because I really had my eye for that as well

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by deskport View Post
    would it be possible with the 3 builds you guys posted to be able to do sli crossfire for the future?
    Should take 750W PSU then. It will increase budget by $50ish. Also the $70 motherboard will no longer work for it and you need to go for the $125 option in jholdaway's list.

    Quote Originally Posted by deskport View Post
    and do you have any recommendations for any ssd's? i didnt know the samsung 830 was out of stock for good because I really had my eye for that as well
    Samsung 840 or Crucial M4.
    Last edited by vesseblah; 2013-01-24 at 05:34 PM.
    Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
    Trolling should be.

  15. #15
    If you are serious about going for SLI later you should probably get the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard and also get a ~650W PSU for some extra overhead.

    As for the SSD I have my eyes on Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, it is pretty much the best SSD on the market right now. Some people prefer OCZ Vector though.
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  16. #16
    Epic! Idrinkwhiterussians's Avatar
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    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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.95 @ Mac Connection)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($281.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.68 @ NCIX US)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($85.99 @ Amazon)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
    Total: $1089.85
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 12:41 EST-0500)

    This has the SSD in it, so take that into consideration with the price. If you are not going to get the SSD right away (which I actually would), you can take ~$110 off the build.

    This build will allow for OC in the future, has a gold rated PSU (for not much more than the bronze listed above) and a case that is similar to the one you had chosen, but I would prefer in a build (also not much more $).

    If you have a microcenter near, you can actually get some discounts on the MB/CPU. If you don't, then the prices above are applicable.

    Edit: I will add another build in a moment that would have room for SLi.

    Edit2: Build with 650W fully modular Seasonic PSU.

    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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.95 @ Mac Connection)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($281.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($95.68 @ NCIX US)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($139.99 @ Adorama)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
    Total: $1143.85
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-24 12:47 EST-0500)
    Last edited by Idrinkwhiterussians; 2013-01-24 at 05:47 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Cyanotical View Post
    anyone want doughnuts? i hear there is a great shop in Vancouver

  17. #17
    so im going for pc part picker dot com slash p slash zsui.

    sorry i cant post links but how does that look so far?

  18. #18
    Epic! Idrinkwhiterussians's Avatar
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    Here is your link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zsui

    One quick change:
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
    CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Amazon)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
    Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
    Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($281.98 @ SuperBiiz)
    Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($104.55 @ NCIX US)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($139.99 @ Adorama)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
    Total: $1145.96
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-25 01:14 EST-0500)

    The reason I switched to the blue here (and didn't realize I had a black in the build before) for your HDD is because you do not need the Caviar Black with an SSD. The blue is more than adequate with your SSD as the boot drive. Why not save $20 when you surely can?

    You could shave about $20 more, if you went with the Titanium Grey R4 (Don't ask why, not sure but it is $15 less than the black) and went for a Crucial M4 SSD instead of the OCZ Vertex 4. Of course, this is picking nits.

    These changes don't have to be made, but if you want to shave ~$40 off the top you could.
    Quote Originally Posted by Cyanotical View Post
    anyone want doughnuts? i hear there is a great shop in Vancouver

  19. #19
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    By the time you 'upgrade in the future' you probably won't want to get another 660ti. You'd likely be better off just replacing it with whatever is the current gen GPU. Food for thought.

  20. #20
    Just a thought, 128gb ssd drive is pretty limiting. Just built a system, and here's the scoop. Windows 8pro, SWTOR, GW2, Assassins Creed 3 = 115gb.

    Or in other words, not much more room to add anything else on your ssd. I'd go 256gb if you can budget it in.

    A couple of options for you. NewEgg has the Titanium Grey windowed R4 for $89.99 with free shipping.
    You could easily drop down to a 650 80+ bronze for less than $100 too.

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