Looking for help building my computer

[Ushushe]

Hello I am trying to build myself a computer but being a total beginner in this area I am relying on you'all to help me.
I am in the US and I work in the domain of architecture and love video games as well so I wanted to have something nice that could run last gen games and also architecture programs with 3D modeling and rendering capabilities such as Rhinoceros.
I am not looking for OS but I do need almost all the peripherals except for a mouse.
The computer that I built was done around a budget of $1000, so I would like to stick to that.
Here is what I've got so far:

case:
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

power supply:
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

motherboard:
ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

CPU/processor:
AMD FX-8350 Vishera 4.0GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8350FRHKBOX (heatsink included)

graphic card:
SAPPHIRE 100355-1GOCL Radeon HD 7850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card OC Version

memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-8GBXL

hard drive:
Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

DVD drive:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

monitor:
Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers

keyboard:
Razer Black Widow


Here are some additional questions I had in my mind:

1. What can I change staying around the same price?

2. If I wanted to put $200-$300 less what would I need to downgrade first?

3. If I wanted to put $200-$300 more what would I need to upgrade first?

4. I removed the non-essential stuff like SSD, a second monitor, and a second memory stick, what else could be waiting?

[Toffie]

Build 1
- Offers good overclocking capability to work with.
- Modular PSU
- Low Profile Ram
- CPU Cooler
- Better Graphics card for 3D work


Cons; Slighty over budget..

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.14 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($276.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1072.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 22:42 EDT-0400)

Build 2
- No CPU Cooler so not the best overclocking to work with
- Motherboard is slighty worse in overclocking
- On budget

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.14 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($276.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $992.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 22:45 EDT-0400)

Build 3
- Better CPU all around (slaughters the 8350 at gaming while still offering better rendering utility)
- Good motherboard with a CPU Cooler for a good 4.4+GHz overclock to increase performance.
- 3770K will play WoW MUCH better than the 8350 since the engine favours it. Not sure if you play it, it's mainly a WoW site afterall :P

Cons
The price tag on the 3770K is only if you can grab it from a microcenter nearby. Don't hold me on this, but I think you get a 40 $ discount on a motherboard with purchase.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($276.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 400W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1087.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 22:48 EDT-0400)

Guide that I found most helpful for virgin builders.



If you find out you got 200-300 $ extra budget at hand then perhaps upgrade the GPU & add a SSD.

[Deleted]

I disagree with Toffie on this: I believe that you should be prioritising the SSD over a HDD, and have suggested accordingly. This build comes to $1020 before rebates, and includes a monitor, but no keyboard:

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 ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($162.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($175.38 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.02 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $983.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-19 02:51 EDT-0400)

If you have a Microcenter near you, then pick up he CPU/mobo together and get it for the listed price.

[Toffie]

250 GB isn't much room for someone who is planning on rendering.
Also 8350/3770 with more cores is ideal for this.

[Deleted]

250 GB isn't much room for someone who is planning on rendering.
Also 8350/3770 with more cores is ideal for this.

I understand that, no worries. My argument for pushing for the SSD now rather than later, is that it's easier to add a HDD than it is to transfer the OS over from an HDD to an SSD. I do, however agree with your assessment of the 3770k. If the OP has a Microcenter near him, then I'd definitely recommend that over the 3570k. If Ushushe can save an extra $150, he gets the 3770k guaranteed and a 1-2TB HDD.

[Ushushe]

Thanks for the quick and detailed responses guys.
I am leaning toward your first build Toffie but i do have some additional questions.
-What do you think about full tower vs mid tower cases?
-Do you know how many fans are included in thoses cases and do I need to buy more/better ones?
-If I had the money for it, is the 3770k worth its price given that the closest microcenter is 200 miles away so I wont be getting it there?
-Isn't 250 GB rather large for a SSD; would it be an option to buy a smaller/cheaper SSD + a HDD?

[Lemmiwink]

1: I think bigger is better. But it isn't really better, it just looks better imo. Midi towers can usually become a little cramped for tidyness and it can't fit everything you can think of. Other than that they work just fine.
2: The source 210 is quite good for cooling tbh, I would invest in some quiet fans and a fan controller though, but I'm quite anal when it comes to this so don't listen to me.
3: Yes, if you do anything that benefits from HT than an i7 is worth it. Microcenter prices are very good, I wish we had them in Norway. But still worth it imo.
4: 250GB is enough, 120GB is a bit on the thin side. It will require some data management from you to not fill it up too fast, but a 120 is enough just not ideal. Don't go too small on the SSD though, 120GB samsung 840 would be absolute minimum imo.
5: The 660Ti is kinda wasted after the 7870XT entered the market. That one would be preferable and it has a game bundle included.

[Ushushe]

Hi again, I am re-launching this tread because I am now ready to buy myself a computer with a new budget of $1200.
It has been a while since I started this tread so I am asking you guys if anything changed in the market and if what you proposed me is still up to date.
I do have one question however that has been circling in my head for quite some time now: Is a power core of 500W really enough for what I want to do? I read that I would prefer to go higher with those kind of components.
Also, with my extra money, I was thinking into prioritizing in getting a big hard-drive on the side so that my SSD does not get cramped.
Thank you again for the previous information and the ones to come.

[Deleted]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($349.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($163.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.03 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($48.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1138.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-14 21:26 EDT-0400)

[Ushushe]

I am currently looking at an Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
Reading that "Ivy bridge" are better than Sandy's, is the ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard compatible with it or do I need something else?
The PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply is written to be "compatible with Sandy bridge core" so maybe i might need PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 600W Modular Power Supply features 100% Japanese 105°C rated Capacitors which apparently does not have issues with an Ivy.

Here is what I am thinking of getting so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000
CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Storage: Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Storage: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100354OC-2L Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel with painted interior ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ Black Front Trim
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 600W Modular Power Supply features 100% Japanese 105°C rated Capacitors
Optical Drive: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers ASCR 10,000,000:1
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Keyboard

[Deleted]

Change the Pro for a 250GB Samsung 840, and possibly the 7870 for the XT version, but that's budget-dependent.

[Ushushe]

Yea saying I upgrade to the 7870XT, how much overclocking capability do I get with my overall build?

PS: I finally found the info I needed about the motherboard and the ASRock Z77 is effectively compatible with Ivy bridge CPU.

[Deleted]

Yeah I forgot a monitor in my build let me correct that with an i5-3570k as well:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($163.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.03 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($48.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus PB238Q 23.0" Monitor ($194.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($55.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1146.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-15 20:48 EDT-0400)

Bigger SSD = less micromanaging in the future.

Much nicer IPS monitor.

As for your overclocking question, 4.2-4.5GHz should be doable (depending on luck with the CPU) and the GPU should have dent potential as well.

The 500W version has no issues with IvyBridge. Infact the only issues there is with CPU's is with the new Haswell and even those it's only a very small % that would have a problem which in return is fixed in the motherboard BIOS/UEFI.

[Ushushe]

Thank a lot for the feedback!