Budget 1920x1080 gaming rig - HDMI to 120Hz LCD TV

wrx20l · Apr 14, 2013

Hi Gang - long time lurker, first time posting. I've been building rigs for years, but this is the first time I've tried to put something together that I will be linking to my 120Hz Samsung TV. I've done a bit of research, and I know there are some caveats to consider, but I would still like to try using the TV as a gaming monitor in PC mode. HDMI will go direct to the TV, and I will use an optical out to connect audio to my surround sound system. Can anyone see any problems in the system build below? All prices are via Newegg. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Forgot the form! Apologies!

Approximate Purchase Date: this week
Budget Range: ~$1000 After Rebates; After Shipping
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, media player
Are you buying a monitor: No
Parts to Upgrade: N/A
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com
Location: Florida, USA
Parts Preferences: AMD CPU, Radeon GPU
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments:

AMD FX build specs (Intel edit below):

SilverStone Temjin Series TJ08B-E Black Aluminum front panel, steel body MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163182
Item #: N82E16811163182
-$10.00 Instant
$99.99

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339
Item #: N82E16822236339
$74.99

ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 AM3+ AMD 760G USB 3.0 HDMI uATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131942
Item #: N82E16813131942
-$10.00 Instant
$79.99

CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010
Item #: N82E16817139010
-$40.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$129.99

Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT51264BA1339
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347
Item #: N82E16820148347
$67.99

AMD FX-8350 Vishera 4.0GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8350FRHKBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284
Item #: N82E16819113284
$199.9

LG Black 12X Blu-ray Combo Drive SATA Model UH12NS29 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136252
Item #: N82E16827136252
$49.99

PowerColor AX7970 3GBD5-2DHV3 Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814131468
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131468
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$399.99

Grand Total after discounts and promo codes: $1,084.91

Intel combo configuration - All other parts identical except the following:

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1270852
Item #: N82E16819116504

ASUS P8Z77-V LK LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Item #: N82E1681313183
-$25.00 Instant
-$55.00 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
Combo price: $289.98

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN3-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Black ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
Item #: N82E16811119197
-$20.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$99.99

Grand Total after discounts and promo codes: $1,112.92

lozotheatheist · Apr 14, 2013

There are a few minor things concerning me with this build. The motherboard that you have selected a motherboard that doesn't really fit this build. It's a really cheap board, It will support the fx chips but you're going to be limiting your self in the future. You could possibly go with a 7950 to save some cash and overclock that. Also, If you're going to be using this pc for media and audio I would advise you to get a good sound card. It's a great investment. Also, is that TV true 120hz or is it like "Truemotion" LG offers. It takes 60hz and adds more frames in between each frame making it look smoother but not really actually taking full advantage of 120hz gaming.

JackNaylorPE · Apr 14, 2013

AFAIK, the only way to do "real" 120Hz is with dual link DVI. 120 Hz HDMI labeled cables are "snake oil" ...... at least until HDMI 1.4a equipment arrives.

tiny voices · Apr 14, 2013

I would definitely go i5 for your system.

circularpromise53 · Apr 14, 2013

im with tiny voices. i love my fx, but i suggest a better board, i5, and possibly a 7950 if you need to save some money

Traciatim · Apr 14, 2013

A concur with the i5-3570k instead of the FX. Also to re-iterate what's said, I don't know of any true 120hz TV's. As far as I know they are all actually 60hz inputs and then use frame interpolation to make up some frame data in between the true frames. In many cases all this TV processing ends up doing is creating input lag and you end up using some type of gaming mode or disabling all those features in order to game properly on them.

circularpromise53 · Apr 14, 2013

wrx20l · Apr 14, 2013

Traciatim :

Thanks all for the incredibly quick replies! I was applying edits and replies were already pouring in. That's why I came this forum first!

You are all correct, the 120Hz stuff is all software, but am I correct in thinking that hitting solid 60Hz in PC mode will bypass all of the TV's internal processes and give true 60Hz output? I've had pretty good results with lag while gaming online using the PS3 hooked to this display and set as a PC input (Call of Duty games, Super Street Fighter IV), so I'm hoping for similar results using a PC as the source.

Added an Intel combo, hoping this board might be a bit better. I plan on passing all audio data direct to my Onkyo receiver, so I was assuming I could bypass the use of a discreet sound card. Am I mistaken there?

tiny voices · Apr 14, 2013

You should be able to run a true 60hz on the TV no problem. locking the frame rate with Vsync to 60fps. This will be no issue. The PS will run everything considerably better and smoother than the PS3.

Also, care to throw up mod list on your WRX? lol

Traciatim · Apr 14, 2013

wrx20l :

Yes, the HDMI out on the video card will work pretty much exactly like the one from the PS3, so if it's working well already you probably won't have any complaints.

I have noticed that some receivers do strange processing of their own and can cause some syncing and lag issues. For audio it shouldn't be that big of a deal at all though. As long as your receiver has the right inputs you can either do it with separate analog cables, optical, or run the HDMI from the video card through the receiver and up to the TV and use the audio through there.

Since I only have 2 speakers on my own setup I just have the HDMI go from my PC to TV, and use the analog outputs of the TV to go to a receiver to drive the real speakers when I want big sound instead of TV sound.

wrx20l · Apr 14, 2013

tiny voices :

Haha Somehow missed your avatar! I'll do my best to put a list together, but I'm sure I'll forget something.

FYI - this is a 12 years old bugeye that is no longer my primary transport. I spend most of my time commuting on motorcycles these days, but this car was my daily for nearly a decade and will probably be with me until the end of my journey - this is the only car I have ever fallen in love with!

I haven't typed this out in a long, long time, and the car has mostly been as-is for nearly 5 years. Here's the list, to the best of my recollection:

JDM STi v7 6-speed conversion with R180 diff, STi axles
Front Alcon/Prodrive BBK
Rear JDM STi Brembos
IHI VF34 Spec C turbo @ 18psi
GReddy FMIC kit
HKS BOV
Walbro high pressure fuel pump
STi 550cc injectors
MRT fuel rails
Mushimoto Al radiator + complete hose kit
Perrin "test" up and down pipes
HKS Carbon Ti catback
HKS Hipermax RS coilovers
Cusco strut tower bars front and rear
Whiteline ALK
Whiteline adjustable swaybars front and rear
TSW 18x8.5 +48 Nurburgrings in bronze
Kaminari reverse cowl hood in carbon

I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting some stuff, but that's most of it. Brought the car home brand new on 11/1/2001 and it hasn't been stock since. And yes, I'm still running the OEM, 2L longblock. Great car, great motor. In its heyday, it made ~300whp against 166whp stock. Will eventually install a STi 2.5L short block and may do a valvetrain upgrade when I do. For now, she's my rainy/dangerous weather vehicle.

tiny voices · Apr 14, 2013

Mine is an 03 and being that I'm in college, it does daily and track duties. Its not really anything too special.

I also have a v7 6-speed. Mine has 1-4 straight cut gears.
STI brakes all around.
gt3076r
Blitz BOV
750cc injectors
Tein HA coilovers
Stock wheels for winter. BBS LM replicas in the summer. OZ superturismos on the track.
Invidia catback
custom down pipe
No-name strut and trunk bars
AMS front mount
second hand (from my dad's STI) AEM standalone. (christmas gift/ hand me down)
DeatschWerks DW300 fuel pump
Kartboy front and whiteline rear endlinks
Apexi turbo timer

That's all I can really think of at the moment. It gets the job done. Mine is "well worn" and doesn't look the best, but it goes.

tomate2 · Apr 14, 2013

you wont need a soundcard for that
if your motherboard has optical out it should transmit loesless signals to a receiver as good as any soundcard

wrx20l · Apr 14, 2013

tiny voices :

Nice specs! The 6-speed was easily the best upgrade I made on this car. Night and day over the OEM and Spec C 5-speeds.

tiny voices · Apr 14, 2013

Mine did the whole "go for third and it wasn't there thing, then freak out and go back for second and it's gone too". I love the 6 speed. Straight cut gears are awesome too.

wrx20l · Apr 14, 2013

tomate2 :

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm about ready to pull the trigger on this thing and take advantage of some of the April 15 deals running on Newegg. Couple more questions though, if anyone is still reading along:

1) Should I purchase an aftermarket CPU cooler for this processor? Opinions seem to vary, but I am not planning to overclock, so I'm thinking the OEM cooler would be enough?

2) Any other suggestions on the build? This mobo seems to rate pretty well and the combo looks to be a popular one.

3) Anyone know where I can source a Win7 Pro disc or a Win7 Pro upgrade (think I have a Vista 64 disc around here somewhere) on the cheap?

tomate2 · Apr 15, 2013

if your not overclocking you probably wont need an aftermarket CPU cooler unless you think that the stock cooler is too loud by your standards
but since your buying a k series intel cpu it would be quite a shame if you dont overclock it

k series were made especially to overclock but you still get quite a nice performance without overclocking

Traciatim · Apr 15, 2013

wrx20l :

I would recommend an aftermarket cooler for a machine in a home theater. I found fans kind of annoying, but depending on how it's sitting or if it's in an AV cabinet it may not be an issue. You probably want to wait and just buy it later if you find it annoying.

Did you decide to swap out to the Asrock/3570k? If so, then yeah they seem pretty popular and well liked boards.

Why Win7 Pro? Are you joining a domain or going to use more than 16GB of RAM? Seems like home premium would be fine, but as long as you have a real license it doesn't matter where you get the actual copy of windows from. In either case Win 7 Home OEM will be around 100 and Win 7 Pro OEM around 140 or so. I don't think you can get it much cheaper than that (for legit copies).

wrx20l · Apr 15, 2013

tiny voices :

Mine did the 1-2 jam and that was that. Was actually able to salvage the trans, but at that point, I was already committed to the JDM 6MT. No regrets on that decision!

wrx20l · Apr 15, 2013

Traciatim :

I ended up going with the Intel package. After combo discounts, the price difference was negligible. Also threw a CPU cooler into the order, just in case I get the urge to tweak things a bit. I've always used pro versions, but you're probably right, Home would be adequate here. Is Newegg the best source for a fresh, OEM disc? Been a while since I've had to buy a new license.

Traciatim · Apr 15, 2013

wrx20l :

It will be pretty similar everywhere unless you can find some unique deal, but since MS is pushing Win8 pretty hardcore it's unlikely you'd find a big Win7 promotion.

wrx20l · Apr 15, 2013

Wanted to thank everyone for their input, it is appreciated! There were multiple responses with parts of the solution, so I picked the original "concerns" reply. Hope that doesn't offend anyone. System has been ordered, along with all the ancillaries I'll need. Took a chance on Win7 Home Premium x64 from Mission Softwares, so we'll see how that turns out.

Budget 1920x1080 gaming rig - HDMI to 120Hz LCD TV

Honorable

Distinguished

Titan

Titan

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Honorable

Titan

Distinguished

Honorable

Titan

Distinguished

Honorable

Titan

Honorable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Share this page