First Gaming Build - $1000

vinylrain · Apr 9, 2013

I am trying to build a gaming PC here for ~$1000. Notice the ~ (about). This is a rough estimate and could go up $200 if very necessary.
Here is my current build:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=25208387

And I am looking for something that will come out to be about $1000. My only deal is that I want to overclock the CPU and possibly the GPU. I also want to keep the current CPU and GPU that I have. Everything else can be changed to reduce pricing. All in all, I just want a $1000 computer that can run Battlefield 3 with 60fps and ultra graphics (if possible).

marshallbradley · Apr 9, 2013

That link can't be publicly viewed (i.e. only you can see it on your own account). Try using PCPartPicker.com for the build.

M

vinylrain · Apr 9, 2013

marshallbradley :

Whoops, try again.
I also might pick up a 3770k from MicroCenter for only $10 more as well.

marshallbradley · Apr 9, 2013

Well you could save yourself $20 and get the 520W m12ii instead, though that $30 instant saving does look pretty sweet on the 750W version. Up to you really. Both will have no trouble, no matter the over-clocking or stress you put the computer through. 670s are very power efficient cards. That 750W supply does give you the option of SLI though.

Honestly looks like a really good build though. It will easily satisfy your requirements.

M

vinylrain · Apr 9, 2013

marshallbradley :

Except it is too expensive haha! I plan on SLI a little bit further on which is why I went with the 750W. Plus it isn't much cheaper to downgrade.

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

Any help? I need to buy this soon.

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

Yeah I meant SLI later on of course.

Well if I really wanted to nitpick, personally I wouldn't go with EVGA version. The Gigabyte 670 is quieter, cheaper and better performing. You said you don't want to change the GPU though, which is why I didn't mention this before.

Also its better to get RAM without crazy high heatsinks like that. Corsair LP for example is great. It just means you won't run into any heatsink incompatibility issues later on down the line. It's a minor point though.

Honestly it's a good build though, there's really not much wrong with it.

M

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

marshallbradley :

Okay. I just meant I want to keep the GTX 670. Like I said, it is still too expensive for me. Do you think it's possible to achieve my price range with the build I want? I also didn't realize how large the RAM was! I need low profile because of my CPU cooler.

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

Would you be willing to purchase from other places? It's not easy to shave off $400 or even just $200 if you can only buy from one place. Using PCPartPicker I think it would be a lot easier though.

You could definately make some savings on stuff like the PC case. I'll run it through PCPartPicker and see how it comes out.

M

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

marshallbradley :

Thats fine with me as long as it doesnt end up costing more with shipping etc.

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

This is the closest you can get to budget really (even then you need a ton of rebates and it might be maybe $10-$20 more since a couple of shipping prices were unavailable), with all the stuff you want. The problem is this isn't really a $1200 build, since you need a monitor and an OS, it's really $950 for the actual hardware aspect, and that's a fairly tight budget for a GTX 670 and a 3570K.

PCPartPicker part list

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 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.49 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($4.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($155.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1167.32

The case is only on there cause it's such a steal at $5 (if you live near a microcentre). Otherwise I'd probably get something like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc430kwn1 You're really pushing your budget with a GTX 670 and a 3570K at this price range, so you can't expect to get nice stuff like modular and futureproof power supplies or $100 cases. There has to be a trade off somewhere, either in a worse CPU/GPU (which you don't want) or just lower quality parts everywhere else.

EDIT: Corrected a mistake with memory I chose.

M

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

marshallbradley :

This is the closest you can get to budget really (even then you need a ton of rebates and it might be maybe $10-$20 more since a couple of shipping prices were unavailable), with all the stuff you want. The problem is this isn't really a $1200 build, since you need a monitor and an OS, it's really $950 for the actual hardware aspect, and that's a fairly tight budget for a GTX 670 and a 3570K.

PCPartPicker part list

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 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.49 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N150PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($4.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($155.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1167.32

The case is only on there cause it's such a steal at $5 (if you live near a microcentre). Otherwise I'd probably get something like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc430kwn1 You're really pushing your budget with a GTX 670 and a 3570K at this price range, so you can't expect to get nice stuff like modular and futureproof power supplies or $100 cases. There has to be a trade off somewhere, either in a worse CPU/GPU (which you don't want) or just lower quality parts everywhere else.

EDIT: Corrected a mistake with memory I chose.

M

That's awesome! I'll probably go with a bit better HDD and PSU if I can get the money.

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

Now I am starting to have second thoughts. Do you think I can run BF3 on ultra with an OC'd GTX 660 (Ti) and OC'd 3570k?

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

The processor doesn't matter at all for BF3. Judging by this though, yes: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/08/16/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-ti-2gb-review/5 I wouldn't use just a straight non-Ti 660 though, if you're shooting for Ultra.

M

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

marshallbradley :

Here's the build I have come up with:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PNVQ

Probably going to pull the SSD out of it because it is just out of my price range.

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

Looks decent. Yeah you'll probably have to drop the SSD. Two things:

1. Raidmax PSUs = big NO NO! They are junky boxes of TNT ready to fizzle your components. There's a reason Corsair/Seasonic/XFX get recommended every time for power supplies. Just stick to one of them. That 500W unit I linked earlier from Corsair will be plenty, the Raidmax is not "better value" because you get more wattage, I doubt it can provide anywhere near 630W of power, or even 500W. Here's a video showing 6 Raidmax (I think they're Raidmax, either way it shows what happens with crappy PSUs) PSUs under load: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTVEtr14FEA

2. Don't buy fans until after you've put your build together and measured temps. Your system will run fine without them, and you don't yet know whether you need/want them. If your temps are fine without them, you're just needlessly adding cost and noise.

M

vinylrain · Apr 10, 2013

marshallbradley :

Looks decent. Yeah you'll probably have to drop the SSD. Two things:

1. Raidmax PSUs = big NO NO! They are junky boxes of TNT ready to fizzle your components. There's a reason Corsair/Seasonic/XFX get recommended every time for power supplies. Just stick to one of them. That 500W unit I linked earlier from Corsair will be plenty, the Raidmax is not "better value" because you get more wattage, I doubt it can provide anywhere near 630W of power, or even 500W. Here's a video showing 6 Raidmax (I think they're Raidmax, either way it shows what happens with crappy PSUs) PSUs under load: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTVEtr14FEA

2. Don't buy fans until after you've put your build together and measured temps. Your system will run fine without them, and you don't yet know whether you need/want them. If your temps are fine without them, you're just needlessly adding cost and noise.

M

Really? Even the extraing heatsink fan for my OCing?

marshallbradley · Apr 10, 2013

Yeah probably. The Hyper 212 is designed to work well with just 1 fan. If you have high temps when overclocking, just order another fan. Push pull doesn't make that much difference on relatively small coolers like the 212 Evo.

M

First Gaming Build - $1000

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