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Requesting Feedback - First Build - Upgradeable Gaming Build under 800

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  • Gaming
  • Build
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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March 23, 2013 8:51:14 PM

HI Folks,

I've been doing some reading and playing around with my first gaming build with enough bones for a flexible upgrade in the coming years. I originally started under 700 but based on what I've seen from other folks posted and I've randomly put some things together with PCPartPicker.

Below's what I have in mind and I'd appreciate any and all feedback. My goal is to have flexibility - I'm hoping that I can add a second 7870 in a few years to catch up with the advances in games without requiring any additional upgrades?

Does this make sense?

Thank you all in advance!

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LKIc) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LKIc/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LKIc/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $209.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-r...) | $29.99 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z75pro3) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/patriot-memory-pv38g186c9k...) | $47.98 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-driv...) | $56.98 @ Outlet PC
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100354...) | $234.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-300r) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx600) | $59.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $779.90
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-23 23:43 EDT-0400 |

More about : requesting feedback build upgradeable gaming build 800

a b 4 Gaming
March 23, 2013 9:05:26 PM

when i read flexible and upgradeable i don't think "intel cpu". intel is notorious for killing their sockets.

If you truly want an upgradeable system grab an FX8350 or FX8320 or some other AM3+ chip. AMD will support that with new chips for years yet. Hell i know someone gaming on an AM2 mb with an AM3 chip (PhII x4 965)... that's how backward compatible AMD chipsets and sockets are.
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March 23, 2013 9:23:55 PM

Yeah except, by the time any Intel quad-core from Nehalem to Ivy Bridge isn't enough for modern games, you can bet pretty much any AMD processor will be much worse off.

To OP: your component choices are just fine. However, since you're still about $20 under max budget, you might want to look around for deals on an HD 7950; with mail-in rebates, you can easily find them for under $300.
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March 23, 2013 9:28:49 PM

Thanks Ingtar unfortunately, I'm not familiar with AMD parts and how they fit together. I consider AMD components for "advanced" users.

Based on this budget, what would you recommend?
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March 23, 2013 9:30:02 PM

Thanks Doubletake - I'll dig around for that - any recommendations on manufacturer or what to avoid?
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March 23, 2013 9:37:26 PM

So, based on Doubletake's feedback - I found an HD7950. Is PowerColor reliable?

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LMLt) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LMLt/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LMLt/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $209.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-r...) | $29.99 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z75pro3) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/patriot-memory-pv38g186c9k...) | $47.98 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-driv...) | $56.98 @ Outlet PC
**Video Card** | [PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-ax79...) | $249.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-300r) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx600) | $59.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $794.90
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 00:33 EDT-0400 |
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March 23, 2013 9:47:32 PM

ingtar33 said:
when i read flexible and upgradeable i don't think "intel cpu". intel is notorious for killing their sockets.

If you truly want an upgradeable system grab an FX8350 or FX8320 or some other AM3+ chip. AMD will support that with new chips for years yet. Hell i know someone gaming on an AM2 mb with an AM3 chip (PhII x4 965)... that's how backward compatible AMD chipsets and sockets are.

I don't think a 3570k will need to be upgraded in a good 5 years before the relative performance is at 50%... The gpu is what he will be upgrading; his build is good.(Note that a z77 only is unlocked to overclocking more than like 200mhz)
(if we assume 15% increase in performance anually, and that a high end pentium is currently enough to game on)
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a b 4 Gaming
March 23, 2013 9:49:21 PM

Trucheon said:
Thanks Ingtar unfortunately, I'm not familiar with AMD parts and how they fit together. I consider AMD components for "advanced" users.

Based on this budget, what would you recommend?



fair enough. generally AMD is pretty simple and flexable, but what's important is you're comfortable with what you're getting.

Obviously i wasn't suggesting the AMD chips will be superior to the intel chips, generally that hasn't been the case for 5 years now... i was just speaking in terms of upgrade potential... as AMD takes great pains to make their new parts pretty much interchangeable with older tech.

since your stated goal was upgradeability, it seemed AMD would be a better fit in the long run.
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March 23, 2013 9:54:46 PM

Thanks Feeblepenguin. One of the things I anticipate is adding a second GPU to crossfire as an upgrade - I figured I might be able to upgrade the CPU afterwards? But based on ingstar's feedback - it sounds like I may not be able to replace the CPU?

As for overclocking - when I was looking at the Mobos through partpicker, the z77 didn't seem to support a second gpu - or I'm not sure which one would?
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March 23, 2013 10:01:53 PM

Thanks Ingtar, I am thinking of ease of upgrades to the CPU and GPUs. It's good to know that Intel CPUs kill their sockets. My current knowledge is based on what's currently in the forums - most folks talk Intel - I haven't been as exposed to AMD builds.

I basically need hand holding when it comes to AMD components. Would you happen to have any recommendations from an AMD perspective?
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March 23, 2013 10:02:46 PM

Trucheon said:
Thanks Feeblepenguin. One of the things I anticipate is adding a second GPU to crossfire as an upgrade - I figured I might be able to upgrade the CPU afterwards? But based on ingstar's feedback - it sounds like I may not be able to replace the CPU?

As for overclocking - when I was looking at the Mobos through partpicker, the z77 didn't seem to support a second gpu - or I'm not sure which one would?


Z77s with sli/xfire support usually costs ~100 to $130, though currently there's a msi w/ xfire(not sli)support for $80. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z77ag41 Seems like a good deal if you intend to overclock.
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a b 4 Gaming
March 23, 2013 10:10:44 PM

Trucheon said:
I figured I might be able to upgrade the CPU afterwards? But based on ingstar's feedback - it sounds like I may not be able to replace the CPU?


Intel is killing the lga 1155 socket. The i5-3570k is pretty much the highest end cpu you'll ever see for that socket (though i suppose an i7-3770k will be a modest upgrade in non-gaming aps).

So no, lets not sugar coat this... 3 years down the road if you want a cpu upgrade you'll need to replace the MB if you go with an intel chip. Conversely there is a high probability 3 years down the road if you want to replace an AMD chip with something newer and better, you'll be able to do it.

that said... as of today, there is nothing AMD has which is as fast as the i5-3570k... though the fx8350 or fx8320 are in the ballpark, they won't be as fast.
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March 25, 2013 11:38:38 AM

Thank you folks, I appreciate your feedback.
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!