First Time Build - Gaming / Htpc Combo

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Badeihl

Honorable
Apr 8, 2013
6
0
10,510
I currently have a 55" panasonic plasma (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/panasonic-tc-p55ut50/4505-6482_7-35153393-2.html) that is run via a PS3 which is incredibly disappointing. The screen runs at a max 1920x1080. I plan on playing Skyrim, Far Cry 3 and likely also the steam platform with an Xbox Controller. I'll also use it for blu-rays and Netflix streaming. Am I completely insane for considering this or should I be barking up another tree?

Here is my current build, based off of the System Builder Marathon, Q1 2013 enthusiast and performance builds.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ppdt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ppdt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ppdt/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($238.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-G300LX 802.11b/g PCI Wi-Fi Adapter ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.95 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Stallion 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $927.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-08 22:05 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
lunyone
Okay so I adjusted the RAM just a bit, since it's no longer on sale. I also limited the purchases to 2 websites to keep things simple and easier to return items, if you end up needing to to that. Here's the completed build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black...
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JD88

JD88

Honorable
Feb 25, 2013
1,424
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11,660
I think it's a very good idea and I do the same thing with my older gaming rig.

The only thing I would suggest might be to consider going with an mITX based rig for space or size concerns with an HTPC. If you don't mind a big case next to your TV than this setup is fine.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
6,517
0
26,960
Here is what I'd consider, if you building an Intel build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.89 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $1003.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-08 22:35 EDT-0400)

* CPU doesn't OC and has no iGPU, but does quite well for the $.
* Mobo allows OC'ing capabilities, if you upgrade the CPU later and want OC'ing, otherwise you can save about $20-30 and get a mobo w/out OC'ing options.
* RAM is 1600 mHz w/CAS 9 timings at stock voltage of 1.5v. The set will also not get in the way of any aftermarket CPU HSF's.
* CPU HSF is one of the better affordable ones to consider.
* GPU is good performance for the $.
* Case is one of the better ones for the $.
* PSU can handle any singe GPU out on the market and is efficient w/80 Plus Bronze Certified!
* I included an SSD for the OS (keeps things zippy) and for a few apps and maybe a game or two. If you want more room for more games on the SSD, you will need to upgrade to a 240-256 gb sized one.

You will also need to remember that the "Microcenter" prices are "IN STORE ONLY" and will need to be picked up at the store for the prices that are listed.

AMD build, if your curious:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($132.49 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.89 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $935.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-08 22:39 EDT-0400)

All parts are the same as the Intel build, but the CPU and Mobo have been changed.

Intel Mini-ITX build, if you want something a bit stylish and also functional:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard ($95.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.37 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.89 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Prodigy (Red) Mini ITX Tower Case ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $1029.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-08 22:49 EDT-0400)
 
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B

Badeihl

Honorable
Apr 8, 2013
6
0
10,510
Edited my build a bit.

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

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k) | $209.99 @ Amazon
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr1) | $24.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-z77pro3) | $94.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2kit4g3d1609ds1s00) | $63.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1002faex) | $89.99 @ NCIX US
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw) | $94.99 @ NCIX US
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100354oc2l) | $224.99 @ Newegg
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-wireless-network-card-rnxn150pce) | $14.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-challengeru3) | $49.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-uh12ns29) | $39.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700404) | $89.98 @ Outlet PC
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1058.87
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 07:54 EDT-0400 |
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
6,517
0
26,960


If you use the BBC Code option on PCPartPicker, you will get a bit cleaner look to your build posting here, like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1058.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 07:58 EDT-0400)
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
6,517
0
26,960
Okay so I adjusted the RAM just a bit, since it's no longer on sale. I also limited the purchases to 2 websites to keep things simple and easier to return items, if you end up needing to to that. Here's the completed build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.96 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.63 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1075.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 08:04 EDT-0400)

Another wireless adapter you might consider (I have 3 of them and they work like a champ):
$10 shipped!
EDIMAX EW-7811Un Wireless Nano Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Data Rates, with 16 languages EZmax setup wizard for easy installation
 
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Solution
L

lolplanet

Honorable
Apr 8, 2013
64
0
10,640
that looks like a very solid build, will be hijacking it haha :)
sig.jpg
 
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