1st Time Build System Checks and Balances

Nikorasu · Apr 16, 2013

I'm gonna be building my first computer around the end of June, and I've put 2 builds together (AMD & Intel), and I was wondering if I could get an "overkill check"? This build will be used to play First Person Shooters (BF3/4 (When released), Diablo 3, MUGEN, and various emulated games. I'll take ALL advice into consideration as I'll use it to learn about hardware and PC building. Things that are already accounted for:

Keyboard, Mouse, Case (Cosmos 2 Black), and Blu-ray drive for CD rom drive

budget is about $2,000, if you can put together a better/effective machine for less I'm all ears, if you want to use the entire cap I'm on board with that too, just looking for the best way to effectively use budget. Here are the links for the builds I'm considering:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Nikorasu/saved/1tkQ (Intel Component Build)

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Nikorasu/saved/1tGi (AMD Component Build)

Thanks,
B.

Nikorasu · Apr 16, 2013

Update: the reason I chose the intel motherboard, is because I'd like to get into water cooling, but you know crawl before you walk, so I'd build a safe system first before getting into water-cooling to get comfortable around putting a PC together.

dark_lord69 · Apr 16, 2013

It doesn't look like an Intel motherboard to me...
"Asus Maximus V Formula/Assassins C3 EATX LGA1155 Motherboard'

Personally I don't care for Windows 8 but if 7 isn't an option then I guess 8 will do...

I don't have any issues with your build but I think you could save money and not notice any performance difference...

1. With a nice SSD you don't really need to get a raptor...
I have a 256GB SSD too and run windows all my installed programs and all my games super fast, regular cheap hard drives hold my music, pictures, movies, program installs, Roms, ISOs etc...

2. I just figured out why those prices on those video cards you've chosen are sooo high... They have excessive video ram. More video memory does not mean better frame rates! I know, it probably sounds odd to you but it's true. Unless you will be gaming on 3 monitors you don't need 6GB of video ram. The amount of video ram you need depends on the resolution of the monitor you are using for 1920x1080 which is what most people have 1GB is enough, 2GB is slightly overkill and 6GB is too much for one monitor infact it would be more than enough for 3 monitors all running 1920x1080. (Using Eyefinity for example) Both of your video card picks are overpriced because you are going for the highest amount of memory available on that card. Unless you are using multiple monitors don't fall for this marketing gimmick.

Oh, and as for the AMD build...
If you are going to spend $2,000 on a computer get an Intel CPU, you'll get better frame rates.

FYI, not sure if you knew but you CAN pair an Intel CPU with an AMD video card. There will be no issues. But for the fastest pair go with the Intel CPU and the GTX 680.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127723
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413

Also, I'd pass on Sapphire, I've had issues with my last 2 Sapphire cards. Not a fan anymore.
Pick:
ASUS
EVGA
MSI
GIGABYTE
XFX
HIS

Make the changes I suggested and you could save like $300 or more and you won't notice a performance difference.

I have 14 yrs experience building and fixing computers.
(Including high end gaming systems.)

Nikorasu · Apr 16, 2013

dark_lord69 :

It doesn't look like an Intel motherboard to me...
"Asus Maximus V Formula/Assassins C3 EATX LGA1155 Motherboard'

Personally I don't care for Windows 8 but if 7 isn't an option then I guess 8 will do...

I don't have any issues with your build but I think you could save money and not notice any performance difference...

1. With a nice SSD you don't really need to get a raptor...
I have a 256GB SSD too and run windows all my installed programs and all my games super fast, regular cheap hard drives hold my music, pictures, movies, program installs, Roms, ISOs etc...

2. I just figured out why those prices on those video cards you've chosen are sooo high... They have excessive video ram. More video memory does not mean better frame rates! I know, it probably sounds odd to you but it's true. Unless you will be gaming on 3 monitors you don't need 6GB of video ram. The amount of video ram you need depends on the resolution of the monitor you are using for 1920x1080 which is what most people have 1GB is enough, 2GB is slightly overkill and 6GB is too much for one monitor infact it would be more than enough for 3 monitors all running 1920x1080. (Using Eyefinity for example) Both of your video card picks are overpriced because you are going for the highest amount of memory available on that card. Unless you are using multiple monitors don't fall for this marketing gimmick.

Oh, and as for the AMD build...
If you are going to spend $2,000 on a computer get an Intel CPU, you'll get better frame rates.

FYI, not sure if you knew but you CAN pair an Intel CPU with an AMD video card. There will be no issues. But for the fastest pair go with the Intel CPU and the GTX 680.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127723
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125413

Also, I'd pass on Sapphire, I've had issues with my last 2 Sapphire cards. Not a fan anymore.
Pick:
ASUS
EVGA
MSI
GIGABYTE
XFX
HIS

Make the changes I suggested and you could save like $300 or more and you won't notice a performance difference.

I have 14 yrs experience building and fixing computers.
(Including high end gaming systems.)

Thanks Dark Lord, Only reason why I'm going with windows 8, is so I can just roll with the punches, after doing some initial research, besides the complete overhaul in OS difference between 7 & 8 (menu and the whole 9) just make sense to me to go with 8. I'll make some adjustments on video card & SSD, just wondering is the power supply good enough could I cut a corner on that also?

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1st Time Build System Checks and Balances

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