Trying to build my first pc

[Beertoe]

I am trying to build a better pc than i have but dont have the most amount of money to spend. First I wanted to know if this computer build would be enough to run Diablo 3? Also if I wanted to upgrade the HDD would I be able to pick just any 1TB hard drive?





MoBo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP – $79.99
CPU: Intel i3 3220 – $129.99
RAM: G.Skill 1600MHz 2x4GB – $44.99
GPU: HIS Radeon 7850 – $164.99
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 500GB – $64.99
PSU: Antec VP-450W – $38.99 Review
Case: Xigmatek Asgard – $49.99

[Towstie]

If you want a 1 TB HDD, get a name brand 7200 rpm one and you'll be fine.

And it depends... do you want to run on ultra settings or just be able to run it? I'd go with an i5 over an i3.

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ Outlet PC)
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 ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply ($38.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $587.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-07 23:58 EST-0500)

This is pretty much the same build, with a 2GB 7850 and a 1TB HDD.

There are a few other cases around this price range that you could look at, and a few that are cheaper as well.

Also, do you need windows?

[chazus]

B75 boards are a bit cheaper, and I dont think that the H77 has any benefits over the B75. With $30 saved there, and $30 more, you can get an i5-3350P which is the best, cheapest CPU without overclocking.

[Beertoe]

i currently have a computer with windows 7. is there a way to transfer the linceinse over to the new pc? if not then yest i do need a new windows program. also what sounds card could go with this package?

---------- Post added 2013-02-08 at 09:38 AM ----------

B75 boards are a bit cheaper, and I dont think that the H77 has any benefits over the B75. With $30 saved there, and $30 more, you can get an i5-3350P which is the best, cheapest CPU without overclocking.

i am not that great with actual computer lingo so how would i search the B75 cause i plan on ordering the parts on-line. also would the i5 go with the motherboard? i heard that if you get a stronger CPU you need a better motherboard

---------- Post added 2013-02-08 at 09:41 AM ----------

If you want a 1 TB HDD, get a name brand 7200 rpm one and you'll be fine.

And it depends... do you want to run on ultra settings or just be able to run it? I'd go with an i5 over an i3.

ultra isnt required but i cant stand the 9-11 FPS i deal with on a good day. if i am real lucky i can get 15 on a open plain with little to no grass on the lowest settings

[anyaka21]

I am trying to build a better pc than i have but dont have the most amount of money to spend. First I wanted to know if this computer build would be enough to run Diablo 3? Also if I wanted to upgrade the HDD would I be able to pick just any 1TB hard drive?





MoBo: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP – $79.99
CPU: Intel i3 3220 – $129.99
RAM: G.Skill 1600MHz 2x4GB – $44.99
GPU: HIS Radeon 7850 – $164.99
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 500GB – $64.99
PSU: Antec VP-450W – $38.99 Review
Case: Xigmatek Asgard – $49.99

1st thoughts, go with the better stuff, so you can upgrade as you can manage. The last thing you want to do is stagnate you build so that it can't get any better one year down the line and have to scrap the whole thing.

Thus, I'd definitely go with a z77 board, and the i5-3570k if you can swing it.
Personally, I'd go with a 1tb drive because it's only about $10-15 more for twice the size.

Things to plan for though: get an SSD at earliest convenience, you'll love the speed. I'd also consider a 550w-650w power supply so that you can add better pieces or maybe a crossfire/sli down the road if you think you might want to.

[Beertoe]

1st thoughts, go with the better stuff, so you can upgrade as you can manage. The last thing you want to do is stagnate you build so that it can't get any better one year down the line and have to scrap the whole thing.

Thus, I'd definitely go with a z77 board, and the i5-3570k if you can swing it.
Personally, I'd go with a 1tb drive because it's only about $10-15 more for twice the size.

Things to plan for though: get an SSD at earliest convenience, you'll love the speed. I'd also consider a 550w-650w power supply so that you can add better pieces or maybe a crossfire/sli down the road if you think you might want to.

to be perfectly honest my budget isnt very flexible i have 600 atm to spend on it. i might be able to get more. i know its not a lot but its what i have. how does this build look to you? of course i want to get the i5 if i can but i3 has to be better that 9 fps in WOW on low settings lol. plus if i get a i5 can anyone tell which motherboard i would have to use. ok sorry i tried to post the links in this thread but MMO is saying i cant cause i havent posted enough to post link. but if you can scroll up a little there is a second build on this post can i have you opinion on it.

[chazus]

If you plan to get a better CPU later (the i5-3570K), and will OC it, get the Z77 chipset motherboard, and the i3-3220

If you DONT plan on getting a better CPU later, get a B75 chipset board, and the i5-3350P

The i3/Z77 setup is $30 cheaper, and will give you an upgrade path later
The i5/B75 setup is $30 more, but will give you better performance that will last you 2-4 years. The i5-3350P is as good as the 3570K at stock speeds.

Either of these setups will destroy your current configuration regardless.

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $209.98

PCPartPicker part list
CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $239.98

[Beertoe]

CPU:Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $179.99
Motherboard:MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard 59.99
GPU: HIS Radeon 7850 – $164.99
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory 43.98
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 74.98
PSU: LOGISYS Computer PS550E12 550W ATX12V Power Supply 22.99

how is this set-up? good enough to run wow and d3 on a decent setting? also suggestions for a cheap good case to house it in.

[chazus]

PSU: LOGISYS Computer PS550E12 550W ATX12V Power Supply 22.99

Looks good... except that. Power supplies are one of the few parts where brand definitely means something. Not only can I not find who actually manufactures Logisys (I have a cheat sheet of like 200 brands/manufacturers, and Logisys is just a blank spot).. But Logisys also fakes their certifications. Do not buy, under any circumstance. I know the urge to save money is there, but you really cannot buy a decent power supply without spending at least $40. Depending on when you get it, there may be a sale soon. I've seen very good power supplies go for as cheap as $15-$25 after rebates.

[Beertoe]

Looks good... except that. Power supplies are one of the few parts where brand definitely means something. Not only can I not find who actually manufactures Logisys (I have a cheat sheet of like 200 brands/manufacturers, and Logisys is just a blank spot).. But Logisys also fakes their certifications. Do not buy, under any circumstance. I know the urge to save money is there, but you really cannot buy a decent power supply without spending at least $40. Depending on when you get it, there may be a sale soon. I've seen very good power supplies go for as cheap as $15-$25 after rebates.

sorry to keep asking so many questions but how about this case and PSU combo? any good? will it work with my MB and CPU/GPU?
Apex Vortex3620 Mini Computer Case and Ultra OEM 700W ATX Power Supply Bundle - MicroATX Tower, Flex ATX, 2x 5.25" Bays, 4x 3.5" Bays, 2 Fans, 2x USB 2.0, Ultra OEM 700W Power Supply

[chazus]

While I love Apex for it's cheap/rugged cases... Their power supplies also have much to be desired. Apex/Allied use Solytech or Deer manufacturers. The fact that it says "700w" for a case and PSU... Yeah, pass. The case is fine, but see if you can find one without a power supply, and get a nice Antec/Seasonic/XFX or something.

[Beertoe]

Ok so hopefully this is the final build. I can use suggestions on cheaper cases and sound cards. Cheap is good but not crappy.

Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $180.00
MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard $60.00
G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $44.00
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $75.00
Asus GeForce GTX 650 2GB Video Card $133.00
Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply $39.00

---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 12:00 AM ----------

I am always open to suggestions on saving money as well. I am not looking to build a PC that can run all the games out there. Just one thats good enough to run WOW and D3 on decent graphic settings.

[Deleted]

MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is cheaper and better than a GTX650

and if you can stretch the budget slightly then this Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 Would be even better.

[Beertoe]

MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition is cheaper and better than a GTX650

and if you can stretch the budget slightly then this "]Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 Would be even better.

As far as I can tell the R7770-PMD1GD5 AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card doesn't have a VGA connector. My current monitor doesnt have a HDMI port so the only one I can use the VGA. The Asus GeForce GTX 650 2GB Video Card has the port I need. Would I need to replace my monitor to use the Radeon?

---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 08:55 AM ----------

My current computer monitor does have a DVI port though. Would that allow me to use the Radeon without having to buy andthing else?

---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 09:02 AM ----------

Also is this a good case? MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case

[chazus]

It has DVI, you have DVI. So.. yeah.

[Biernot]

Good power supply brands: Seasonic, Enermax, Corsair***, Antec, XFX***, BeQuiet
*** most of their units are actually built by Seasonic
The Antec you picked should be ok. You might also want to look out for the Corsair CX430, they are often on sale and can be had for as little as $25.

Good cases in the lower price segment:
- NZXT Source 210
- NZXT Source 210 elite
- Cooler Master HAF 912 currently for $50 + $10 rebate
- Cooler Master Elite 430
- Bitefenix Merc Alpha
- Bitefenix Merc Beta
- Zalman Z5
- Zalman Z9

[Beertoe]

Ok hopfully this is going to be the last build option. As always I am open to suggestions. Just dont have the money to mess up need to get it right the first time. Also do I need a sounds card? Or can I take the from my Emachine as well?

Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor $180.00
MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard $60.00
G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $44.00
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $75.00 (might possibly xfer my current 1TB out of Emachine into new PC if possible)
MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz $115.00
Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply $39.00
BitFenix Merc Beta Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $30.00

---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 02:37 PM ----------

Also wil any SATA optical drive work with the build? Example Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer?

[Biernot]

Also do I need a sounds card? Or can I take the from my Emachine as well?

(might possibly xfer my current 1TB out of Emachine into new PC if possible)

Also wil any SATA optical drive work with the build? Example Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer?

1. No, no extra sound card needed. The onboard sound of your new mb will be fine.
2. Yes, you can do that. No need to buy a new hdd (unless your old one is dead)
3. Yes, any SATA optical drive will work.

[Beertoe]

[QUOTE=Biernot;20173336]
2. Yes, you can do that. No need to buy a new hdd (unless your old one is dead)
QUOTE]


Do I need a instalation CD to transfer the hard drive? The one I would be pulling out is stock in the Emachine.

---------- Post added 2013-02-10 at 06:48 PM ----------

If the parts work together this will be the final build.

Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53470 $199.00
MSI Z77MA-G45 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $108.00
G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory $44.00
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive $75.00
MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz $115.00
Antec 450W ATX12V Power Supply $39.00
BitFenix Merc Beta Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $30.00