Recommendations for New Build?

Tipchi · Apr 4, 2013

Hi everyone. I'm trying to build a computer within the week/month, upgrading from a macbook, and would like some recommendations on whether the build works or if any parts should be replaced for efficiency. I'm still somewhat new at this as this is my second build.

Purpose

The main use for this computer would be for gaming (Skyrim, etc), multimedia (Photoshop, slight music and video editing, viewing movies), and the usual everyday internet surfing, computer use.

I am hoping to have the computer last around 3-5 years without having to really upgrade.

Build so far

CPU: i5 3570k 3.4 Ghz
CPU Cooler: Unknown, but looking for a not too expensive space effective cooler
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4) DDR3 1600 MHz CL9
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro 128GB or Kingstone HyperX 3k 120GB (Not sure which one to get)
Storage: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black
Video Card: Gigabyte HD 7970 3GB DDR5 (Don't think I would benefit from a Nvidia card like GTX 670)
Case: Corsair Carbide 500r
Power Supply: Seasonic X-Series 750W 80+ Gold (750W in case of upgrade and deterioration)
Optical Drive: LG 24X SATA-Interface
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Monitor: Samsung 20" LED
Sound Card: ASUS Xonar Essence STX

I plan to crossfire the graphics card in the future should I need an upgrade.

I'm currently unsure about whether the pieces work together or not, whether it would fit into the case, and which CPU Cooler to use.

I don't really have a budget range but am hoping for prices around the same as those listed above. I'm not in the US so I would try finding the components locally myself but could use US prices as a guideline.

Are there any recommendations or improvements I can make to the build?

Thank you for your time and attention! Any help is appreciated.

TheBigTroll · Apr 4, 2013

id suggest a amd fx chip over a i5 3570k. the 8 threads provided by the fx benefits you majorly in multimedia applications. it doesnt perform as well in single threaded games like skyrim, but is a better bet overall for you

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Op2U

marshallbradley · Apr 4, 2013

Hi there,

I'll just go through your build, giving my feedback on each piece:

CPU: i5 3570k 3.4 Ghz -- Solid choice for gaming, have you considered whether or not you want the extra video/rendering/general multi-tasking performance from the i7 3770K? For pure gaming the 3570K obviously wins out, but considering you're doing other stuff like PhotoShop/music and video editing on the build, it's definitely a consideration.

CPU Cooler: Unknown, but looking for a not too expensive space effective cooler -- Maybe a Hyper 212?

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V -- It's a rather expensive choice. I'm guessing it's the WiFi that made you choose this over the Z77-V LK or something like the Extreme4 from ASRock? I personally think it would be cheaper and you'd get better WiFi performance with a dedicated card however. If you save money here you can perhaps use it to upgrade to an i7

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4) DDR3 1600 MHz CL9 -- Fine but you might want to think about choosing Corsair Vegenance Low Profile though, to ensure you don't run into any compatibility issues with your chosen CPU cooler

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro 128GB or Kingstone HyperX 3k 120GB (Not sure which one to get) -- Personally I'd go with the Samsung. Either is fairly good though.

Storage: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black -- Good choice

Video Card: Gigabyte HD 7970 3GB DDR5 (Don't think I would benefit from a Nvidia card like GTX 670) -- Good choice, though have you considered whether or not you could put the CUDA cores of the GTX 670 to use (I'm guessing that might be what you mean by saying you wouldn't benefit, though I'm just checking)?

Case: Corsair Carbide 500r -- Good choice

Power Supply: Seasonic X-Series 750W 80+ Gold (750W in case of upgrade and deterioration) -- Good choice (though I wouldn't worry too much about deterioration of a Seasonic supply. Still if you're honestly considering CrossFire it's fine.)

Optical Drive: LG 24X SATA-Interface

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Monitor: Samsung 20" LED -- You're sure you don't want maybe a slightly larger 24" screen?

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar Essence STX -- Good choice

M

g-unit1111 · Apr 4, 2013

Tipchi :

CPU: I would stick with Intel for gaming and multimedia authoring. I personally don't see any reason to go with an FX for any high end system.

Sound card: You don't need it and you can definitely drop this and spend that money elswhere, I'd recommend putting it back into your display.

SSD: Don't get the Kingston or any Sandforce 2.0 based SSD. Get the OCZ Vector or the Samsung 840 Pro - both have the fastest read - write times of any drive on the market.

Case: Excellent choice.

Video Card: Both have their strengths and weaknesses. The GTX 670 and Radeon 7970 GHz edition are both excellent choices for gaming. Where you will benefit from the GTX 670 with CUDA and Phys X hardware acceleration if you plan to do any multimedia authoring.

CPU Cooler: The base Hyper 212 Evo is the best bang for buck cooler on the market. If you want something better than that - you can't go wrong with anything Noctua makes - particularly the NH-U9B and the NH-D14.

Tipchi · Apr 4, 2013

Thanks for all the replies so far, they are very much appreciated. I will provide further clarification and reasoning on choices below in blue.

marshallbradley :

Hi there,

I'll just go through your build, giving my feedback on each piece:

CPU: i5 3570k 3.4 Ghz -- Solid choice for gaming, have you considered whether or not you want the extra video/rendering/general multi-tasking performance from the i7 3770K? For pure gaming the 3570K obviously wins out, but considering you're doing other stuff like PhotoShop/music and video editing on the build, it's definitely a consideration.

I had considered getting the i7 3770K initially, but figured it was not worth getting over the i5 3570k as I feel an i5 is sufficient for my purposes. If editing is done it would mainly be for audio which I think isn't that intensive, while video editing and photoshop might be done once in 3-4 weeks. Basically the main intensive use for the computer would be gaming/music, watching videos. Would it still be worth getting "8 core" CPUs?

CPU Cooler: Unknown, but looking for a not too expensive space effective cooler -- Maybe a Hyper 212?

As everyone seems to suggest the Hyper 212 I shall try looking for it. However, are there any better alternatives? I could probably go to the ~$70 range if needed since I plan to have the computer last for a long time. Is a Cooler Master V6 GT viable?

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V -- It's a rather expensive choice. I'm guessing it's the WiFi that made you choose this over the Z77-V LK or something like the Extreme4 from ASRock? I personally think it would be cheaper and you'd get better WiFi performance with a dedicated card however. If you save money here you can perhaps use it to upgrade to an i7

I chose this motherboard because of the WiFi and as one of my friends recently built a computer and used this motherboard, which was okay. I'm not really familiar with choosing motherboards, I chose this as it seemed to have everything that would be needed.

Video Card: Gigabyte HD 7970 3GB DDR5 (Don't think I would benefit from a Nvidia card like GTX 670) -- Good choice, though have you considered whether or not you could put the CUDA cores of the GTX 670 to use (I'm guessing that might be what you mean by saying you wouldn't benefit, though I'm just checking)?

At first I had considered getting the GTX 670, but after looking around I decided on getting the 7970 for gaming since they are around the same price for me but I think the 7970 is better overall? As video editing would probably be once a month I felt getting a GTX 670 wouldn't be worth it, though I am unsure if PhysX is that important for games. Should I still get the HD 7970 or get a GTX 670? I might be getting multiple monitors in the future too.

Monitor: Samsung 20" LED -- You're sure you don't want maybe a slightly larger 24" screen?

I personally have a 24" screen but my sister (who I'm building the computer for) would like a smaller screen so I decided on a 20" and maybe multiple monitors in the future if she wants. But would it be better to get a larger screen or are there any specific 20" monitors that are recommended?

M

As for the reason for getting the soundcard, my sister is somewhat of an audiophile and will mainly be using higher-end headphones so I figured might as well give the best experience.

For SSD I will go for the Samsung 840 Pro or OCZ Vector. Although, out of curiosity, do lower size drives have lower read/write performance? That was my impression after trying to research SSDs.

Once again, thanks for all the help so far.

TheBigTroll · Apr 5, 2013

there is no reason to go with a vector or a 840 pro. you pay a pretty hefty premium for a unnoticeable change in performance. something cheaper like a plextor m5s is just as good but a lot cheaper

and yes, it tends to be lower capacity drives have less performance. but then it depends on the controller

Tipchi · Apr 5, 2013

TheBigTroll :

I see, I will try looking into the plextor m5s as well. Thanks for the recommendation.

marshallbradley · Apr 5, 2013

Yeah, lower capacity drivers are slower, but it's usually by amounts that are only noticeable when you run benchmarking software, it will still feel just as zippy.

For the main uses you listed, no I think the 3770K would be a waste as well. I have the same sort of usage on my computer (including occasional PhotoShop) and I haven't had any troubles with speed.

If you're willing to spend more than a Hyper 212 costs on a CPU cooler ($70 or so you said), my recommendation would be to go with something from Noctua, perhaps like the Noctua NH-U12P SE2. It's esp. good, because Noctua's are always very well design acoustically, so there should be no annoying fan whine disturbing her music or whatever. I'm sure the V6 GT would would work well too, but the Noctua is higher quality and will perform better, esp. in the acoustics department which is important.

For higher resolutions (such as multi-monitor) the 7970 really flexes its muscle over the 670, so yes that's probably a wise call. PhsyX is nothing 'game changing' it's just an occasionally nice feature, that most people won't notice. If acoustics are important, the ASUS version is very, very quiet I must add though. The Gigabyte version is also a very solid (probably overall better) pick though.

M

Tipchi · Apr 5, 2013

Thanks for all the responses. I think I have enough information now to finish my build. I will try looking at the suggested fans, maybe get a noctua if I can find it here, and probably go with a plextor SSD.

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Recommendations for New Build?

Tipchi

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TheBigTroll

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marshallbradley

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g-unit1111

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Tipchi

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TheBigTroll

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Tipchi

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marshallbradley

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Tipchi

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