Budget Increased, $1800 Gaming Build

flanaggen · Apr 10, 2013

I posted another build and since yesterday my budget changed. I am able to go up to $1800. I put the board I originally wanted in the list, made some changes to the ram, psu, and drives.

Any thoughts

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($278.98 @ SuperBiiz) Was looking at the Extreme, but i think it has more than i need.
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg) Should i go for more ram or faster speed ram. Maybe DDR3-2133? 8 gigs enough?
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.95 @ Amazon) Using for storage/programs.
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ Adorama) Using for OS
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.98 @ Amazon) I dont think the GTX 680 is worth an extra $100
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon) Saw on the Enforcer Club Forums than this board does fit.
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Amazon) Enough Power?
Optical Drive: Lite-On ihes112-04 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($56.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1725.81

Thanks Frank

TheBigTroll · Apr 10, 2013

-you are wasting your time with crappy liquid cooler
-no reason to get a MVF. unless you have great headphones that need that sound push, you are wasting your time and money. if you were thinking about pushing overclocks, a 100 dollar z77-v LK can do 4.8ghz just as well as a MVF. you are CPU limited before you are motherboard limited with air OCs
-faster ram is useless, but if its cheaper why not?
-no reason to get a 840 pro when something like a plextor m5s is 60 bucks cheaper and you cannot tell the difference in terms of performance in real life
-no reason to get a black drive when at that same price, i can pick up a seagate 2tb. not to mention the blue drive is the same thing
-it isnt. and to be honest, a 7970 performs better than the 670 or 680. but then CF has its problems. and if you are going with a 670, there are way better units than what evga has to offer
-way better case.
-cheaper psu but is the same thing
-no need for windows pro. you are wasting your time with it if you can never slot more than 16gb of ram in this build

so get this
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PKep

adding more money to budget wont help you if you already have a 1300 dollar rig. the performance doesnt increase after that

sophiebeth100 · Apr 10, 2013

The 750W is plenty of power. A 650W power supply would be fine, but it's best to leave yourself ample room.

The Storm Enforcer case can fit any GPU, as it has a removable hard drive cage inside it. Even with the hard drive cage removed, there is still room for 2 HDDs and 2 SSDs.

The ram you have selected will also be fine, as there is no noticable difference between 1866MHz and 2133MHz. 8gbs is also plenty.

It's a great system you've got going there!

coolsam360 · Apr 10, 2013

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 ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1701.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-10 12:28 EDT-0400)

Thats 2x 670 for around the same price. u may also want to consider the 7970.
I doubt u need a Blu-ray reader, if u dont, get something cheaper. Get an SSD(preferably the M5S) by dropping the extra 670 if u only do 1080p.

ubercake · Apr 10, 2013

TheBigTroll makes a good point concerning the motherboard, though if you're going to be doing heavy-duty overclocking, the Maximus will facilitate the added heat better. If you're going to be pushing for benchmark score records, the maximus is your board, otherwise go for the ASUS P8Z77-V LK. It is SLI-ready. I also don't think you'll need to overclock the CPU to get great gaming performance either.

We know why you chose the H60. Not because of the cooling so much as the appearence. It just makes for a cleaner look.

I suggested you go for the standard Samsung 840 yesterday. It has slower write speeds but your system drive is going to be more read dependent. The plextor m5 is another option.

If you take the cost savings from the motherboard and the SSD we've suggested, you'll only need another $200 and you'll have a second 670 (which is only around $125 over your budget).

I actually do like every other choice you've made.

g-unit1111 · Apr 10, 2013

Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($278.98 @ SuperBiiz) Was looking at the Extreme, but i think it has more than i need.

Both motherboards are more than you need. You do not need to pay $300 for a motherboard when one that's 1/2 as much does the same functions. On a gaming rig always invest the most money in getting the best GPU for your budget, everything else comes second.

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg) Should i go for more ram or faster speed ram. Maybe DDR3-2133? 8 gigs enough?

Faster RAM will make almost zero difference in terms of gaming performance.

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.98 @ Amazon) I dont think the GTX 680 is worth an extra $100

EVGA makes good cards but they always use reference cooling solutions. Get the Gigabyte Windforce 3X instead.

CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.98 @ Amazon)

Both of these things are a waste of money. The Noctua D14 is a bit more expensive but far outperforms the low level liquid cooler. Windows 7 Pro is a waste of money if you don't need VM or the extra networking functions.

This would be a better use of $1800:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP4 TH ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1470.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-10 12:40 EDT-0400)

With the difference add a nice 1440P display or a second GPU if you already have a monitor.

ubercake · Apr 10, 2013

True. You really don't need the Windows 7 Pro either. Get the Home Premium 64-bit.

I personally have found the reference coolers on my EVGA built 680s to be extremely effective. They run in the high 60Cs under load. I tweaked the fan profile just a little in EVGA's Precision X software. EVGA also is also famous for their outstanding customer service so if anything should happen, you know you're covered.

I'd stick with the 1600MHz speed RAM too.

TheBigTroll · Apr 10, 2013

theres a 1866 kits thats 10 bucks cheaper than the nearest 1600mhz kit. might as well do it

g-unit1111 · Apr 10, 2013

TheBigTroll :

Yeah but doesn't Intel void your warranty if you use anything over 1600?

TheBigTroll · Apr 10, 2013

it doesnt mean you have to run it at 1866mhz. the 1866 kits can do 8-8-8-24 1t at 1600mhz if you want to tweak timings

flanaggen · Apr 10, 2013

Well i do want to get the best overclock i can, and I'm sure the other boards will give just as good overclocks. However i do like all of the features built into this board, Just off the top of my head, the great cooling, cooling options with the water cooling channels built onto the cpu heatsink in case i want to go that route, the supreme sound fx will sound awesome with my razer tiamat 7.1 set, the rog exchange is gonna be a hoot, comparing/borrowing/checking out other peoples overclock profiles, etc. and of course it looks hella Awesome. LoL.

I might stick 16gb of ram in it 2 x 8gb sticks. Just so i have the upgrade ability to go to 32 if i need to. I'll see how my rendering goes in Sony Vegas.

We do have tons of blu ray disks here so the blu ray is a must to be able to play them. I have my 27" monitor in front of me and my 52" flat screen on the wall both hooked up to my video card.

and that case i love, im glad the board fits into it. Honestly i cant stand full size cases.

ubercake i been reading alot on the corsair forums with alot of people having problems with the hydro series h60, 80, 80i, and 100. Like led's not working right, screwy software, grinding noises on the fans. You have any trouble with them? I was just asking you because you introduced me to them. Wondering if Corsair took care of all that by now, cause i did see another unit that people have been saying good things about: http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Kuhler-H2O-620-Liquid/dp/B004LWYE4Q .
There are a few others but i cant remember there names off the top of my head, i know thermaltake makes one, antec, maybe 2 others. Just made me a little concerned about getting the H80i, hearing/reading all of this,

Love the feedback guys, keep it coming. Your the best,

Frank

TheBigTroll · Apr 10, 2013

-all boards will end up at around 4.7-4.8ghz. to show the differences between them you need to use liquid cooling (not the cheap stuff) . and if you are looking for a feature sets, the ud4h has about everything you need
-the tiamat can be powered by a 30 dollar sound card with ease
-ROG exchange is a gimmick. no overclock profiles are the same and no CPUs are the same so where does it even come into use?
-sony vegas doesnt use a ton of ram from what ive seen
-id either get the arc midi r2, the Define R4, or the HAF XM. not much in between if you are looking for a 100 dollar case
-corsair warranty is always good. just that cheap watercooling is never good

ubercake · Apr 10, 2013

flanaggen :

I guess it just depends where you get the information. I've had both the H50 and H80 over the years and also picked up a used Asetek at one point. I've had no problems with the units whatsoever. I don't get much of my equipment from Newegg though. Not saying they sell bad things there, but it's odd to see some consistent issues in the reviews on Newegg with particular items of which I've purchased and used on multiple systems from other e-tailers or retailers and have had no issues, personally and they've gotten great reviews on pro review sites such as Tom's. It makes me question where the parts are coming from and makes me a little hesitent to buy from 'The Egg'. I haven't dealt with the software that goes along with the H80i, so I don't personally know about all that. I have only heard the normal operation of the fans running on my H80 (has no custom software, just a button on the pump to cycle through cooling performance levels). I haven't heard anything from these coolers coming from the pumps. Although, come to think of it, I have always used my own fans and not the stock fans.

At first I didn't like the self-contained liquid coolers because I was under the impression they would provide phenomenal cooling and they just provide decent cooling. But after using them for a few years now, based on my experience with the units, I will keep buying these units without reservation for my personal builds. It's a cleaner look altogether, they make it easier to work within the case, and everything in my systems stay cooler without a large obstacle to impede airflow from any direction. Additionally, they cool around the same as the best air coolers (again which isn't phenomenal).

flanaggen · Apr 10, 2013

ubercake :

flanaggen :

I guess it just depends where you get the information. I've had both the H50 and H80 over the years and also picked up a used Asetek at one point. I've had no problems with the units whatsoever. I don't get much of my equipment from Newegg though. Not saying they sell bad things there, but it's odd to see some consistent issues in the reviews on Newegg with particular items of which I've purchased and used on multiple systems from other e-tailers or retailers and have had no issues, personally and they've gotten great reviews on pro review sites such as Tom's. It makes me question where the parts are coming from and makes me a little hesitent to buy from 'The Egg'. I haven't dealt with the software that goes along with the H80i, so I don't personally know about all that. I have only heard the normal operation of the fans running on my H80 (has no custom software, just a button on the pump to cycle through cooling performance levels). I haven't heard anything from these coolers coming from the pumps. Although, come to think of it, I have always used my own fans and not the stock fans.

At first I didn't like the self-contained liquid coolers because I was under the impression they would provide phenomenal cooling and they just provide decent cooling. But after using them for a few years now, based on my experience with the units, I will keep buying these units without reservation for my personal builds. It's a cleaner look altogether, they make it easier to work within the case, and everything in my systems stay cooler without a large obstacle to impede airflow from any direction. Additionally, they cool around the same as the best air coolers (again which isn't phenomenal).

It's a cleaner look altogether, they make it easier to work within the case, and everything in my systems stay cooler without a large obstacle to impede airflow from any direction.

Click to expand...

Thats exactly the reason im interested in them.

lolplanet · Apr 10, 2013

I think 8 gigs would be enough personally with that build, its not usually ram that bottlenecks

TheBigTroll · Apr 10, 2013

if you are going with liquid, you better do it custom or go with something like a switech h220. otherwise you waste your time.

the swiftech h220 wont be up for sale for another month i beleive

flanaggen · Apr 11, 2013

I apreciate ALL of the input from everyone, and i do realize everyone has different opinions and there own taste and experience with hardware. However with my experience with hardware and my first build, I always had great experience with Corsair, Asus, EVGA, and Samsung. So this is what i decided to go with.

I was going to go with 2 256GB SSD's in Raid 0, but with some research, about minimal performance gains, and failure risks, not to mention Trim issues. I decided to go with on large 512GB.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Formula EATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($278.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($463.35 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional Gold 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)

ubercake · Apr 11, 2013

Nice build. I like it.

TheBigTroll · Apr 11, 2013

-still wouldnt get liquid cooling
-the board is still overkill as ever
-there are cheaper kits of ram.
-SSD is a fair bit cheaper while performing about the same if you update the firmware
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=PX-512M5PR&c=CJ
-the evga card is completely inferior to this 670 that is cheaper
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=72914&vpn=N670%20PE%202GD5%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1371
-better power supply for cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207029&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

g-unit1111 · Apr 11, 2013

TheBigTroll :

flanaggen :

Zero, repeat zero reason to purchase a motherboard that expensive. Better would be to put more money into adding a second 670, that is a far better investment for a gaming rig. I would also drop the low level liquid cooler for a Noctua D14 instead.

ubercake · Apr 11, 2013

g-unit1111 :

Low-level liquid cooler?

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2664&page=7

Yes. Low level for liquid, but maintenance-free and better than most high-level air.

I do agree the slot configuration on the motherboard doesn't offer more than 2 slots for SLI, but that board is an overclockers dream. Some people like the extras. It has built in wi-fi, etc... I think this is more a personal preference item.

g-unit1111 · Apr 11, 2013

ubercake :

I notice they use the liquid loops for "low noise" and for "high noise" they use junk, poorly made generic heat sinks (and Sychte fans which are known to be noisy to begin with) and Intel stock fans. I have a Hyper 212 on my work PC that is barely audible at all - and that's with an extra 120 mm fan attached.

ubercake · Apr 11, 2013

g-unit1111 :

ubercake :

I notice they use the liquid loops for "low noise" and for "high noise" they use junk, poorly made generic heat sinks and Intel stock fans. I have a Hyper 212 on my work PC that is barely audible at all - and that's with an extra 120 mm fan attached.

I definitely like the cost/performance of the Hyper 212 plus I have installed on my DAW, but I prefer the self-contained liquid coolers now that I've been using them a while. I don't use the stock fans on them.

TheBigTroll · Apr 11, 2013

there are way better heatsinks than the hyper 212 evo. much better options than the crappy liquid units

ubercake · Apr 11, 2013

TheBigTroll :

The Hyper 212s in any capacity are great coolers for systems that don't really require a ton of cooling. Perfect for digital audio workstations and CPUs that are not overclocked or have slight overclocks, but I personally still don't like the big chunk of metal.

Are there any reviews out there that show which air coolers work better than the H80 or H100? Just curious?

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