New Gaming/General PC build ~$1700

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Kanestapler

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Apr 17, 2013
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I was looking through this thread and saw a lot of different builds. I didn't see anyone asking in this exact price range. Would anyone want to help me put together a PC i would use for gaming and just general use? I know how PCs work and how to do everything, but I am just not up to date on newer products or the best for gaming. Thanks so much!

Additional Info:
I already have a monitor
I already have an unused copy of Windows 7 Ultimate

So i need:
Processor (i7-3770K?)
Motherboard
Memory (Corsair 16GB?)
Case
Video Card
Storage
PSU

Anything else I would need? CPU cooler? Wireless Card?
 
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properbuilds

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Jan 13, 2013
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Hi, for gaming, you don't need the i7 nor the 16GB of ram, the i5-3570k and 8GB of ram will do.
My recommendation...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.98 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.71 @ Amazon)
Storage: Plextor M5S Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($382.38 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1179.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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i5 is best for gaming.
Seasonic makes some of the best power supplies.
8GB is plenty for gaming.
One of the best sticks of memory you can buy.
Very good high airflow case.
Samsung makes one of the best SSDs you can buy.
Western digital black drive for installing games.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.43 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF X ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.96 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1393.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 23:25 EDT-0400)
 
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boulbox

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Apr 5, 2012
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Would go with properbuilds' build.

Would add in a 750-850W PSU instead in case you wanted to add a second card inside.

You can get 16GB of ram but it is not needed. I would take it if you know you are going to reuse it in a future build(most likely will since i don't think games won't be going to use a lot of ram any time soon nor use the extra speed vs 1600)

@edogawa
you can get a MLC SSD for the same price
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdhp128gg25
Sandisk is just as reliable as Samsung in terms of memory
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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The i7 is pointless for gaming - the only difference between it and an i5-3570k is that the i7 has hyperthreading, which games don't make good use of. (The ones that do actually see worse framerates with it enabled, because of how the technology works.)

16GB is also pointless - 8GB will simultaneously run battlefield 3, photoshop, AND 30 tabs in chrome.

If you want to overclock, you need a CPU cooler, and asking us if you need a wireless card is kinda silly - do you want wireless? Just to let you know, your internet connection will be way faster and more reliable if you use an ethernet cable.

Here's a computer that will do you JUST fine - your budget is more than you need; no point in spending that much.

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 ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.00 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master CM 690 II (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1198.40
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 23:32 EDT-0400)
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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No, and no.

He chose terrible memory, and Samsung is much more reliable.

And his budget is 1700, why would you not go with a 7970ghz..

He should go for 700-ish watts though if he wanted SLI though.
 
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assasin32

assasin32

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Apr 23, 2008
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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 ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD4H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($163.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data XPG SX900 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
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: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.06 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-L2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($5.06 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1487.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 23:46 EDT-0400)

Use this combo to knock $77 off price, essentially free ram and than some.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1291164

Feel free to add in another stick to make it dual channel it's within the budget. Even though this will double the capacity which won't help you gaming there, and than double the bandwidth of the ram by it being in dual channel don't expect any real improvements in gaming mabey a couple FPS at most. Not really worth it in my opinion, though I personally would do it just because it would bug me to no end it's not in dual channel if it were my build.

I hear the fans are crappy in what I posted but they are just there to remind you that the case has blue 120mm fans. Feel encouraged to put better ones in if you pick up the case.
 
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properbuilds

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Hi, the ram isn't terrible, just because it doesn't have some hair comb heat spreaders in it, it doesn't mean that it's bad.
The samsung 840 non pro with tlc nand isn't a good buy, the plextor m5s is a much better ssd in terms of speed and reliability, check this article : http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/02/19/samsung_840_120gb_ssd_review/10

The 7970 ghz edition is a terrible value, you can oc the 7970 and you get the 7970 ghz edition performance, for a single card a quality psu like the xfx 550 core edition will do.
I assume that he has a 1080p monitor, so a single 7970 will the trick, no need to spend in two cards.
 
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boulbox

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Samsung is not "much more reliable" than Sandisk

Sandisk is a branch of samsung if you didn't know that already and use the same memory in SSDs

Patriot is a reliable brand and the Corsair memory is not worth the extra money vs it either.

Ram is pretty much get the cheapest ones now since most of them are pretty reliable even if they are not from great companies but that is not to say Patriot is a bad company.

H100 is pure crap in a box. Waste of money and would get the same performance as a high end air cooler that would even cost as much. If he is a total newbie at Watercooling, he would be better off with an H220 which is like $20 more for future expansions and a heck lot quieter. If he wasn't, getting a $100-$150 WC loop is pretty easy to obtain and would perform better than the H100
 
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boulbox

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Not to mention you can flash the BIOS on the sapphire 7970 to make it unlocked.
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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Thought I had selected 840 pro...anyway...

Flashing bios will void warranty won't it?

Ram at that price with no heat-spreaders is just silly.

H100 pure crap? What world do you live on? H100 are great coolers, maybe a bit more expensive, but aesthetically it looks better, cools well, and you don't have a gigantic heat sink hanging off board.

Have not had a chance to try 220 yet.
 
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Kanestapler

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Apr 17, 2013
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What do you guys think about this set up? I kinda just pulled in what I liked from what everyone said. Also do you recommend a wireless card? Wired isn't an option for me =/

Oh! and doesn't this motherboard case combo support the usb3.0 on the front of the case? It mentions USB 3.0 headers

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RqKJ
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RqKJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RqKJ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RqKJ/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 ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($382.38 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1132.28
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 00:50 EDT-0400)
 
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boulbox

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If only he knew heat spreaders don't do much.
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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Looks good, but I made 2 changes, SSD, and go with the GHZ.

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 ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.19 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1239.09
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 00:58 EDT-0400)
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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That's not the point...at that price...you should have them...
 
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boulbox

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$20-$30 more for an SSD that doubles the space and has good reliability. There is just about no difference between SSDs to the naked eye so all you need to do is go for the reliable and quality one which the 840 pro does have but is just not worth the $50 premium.
 
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boulbox

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At the $60+ mark you are just looking to fancy yourself with the "omg these heat spreaders are so cool but they don't do shit"
 
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properbuilds

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Hi, get the plextor m5s 256GB, better value, the plextor m5s is a better ssd than the samsung 840 with tlc nand, if you don't plan to add another 7970, get the xfx 550 core edition, if you plan to add later another 7970, get either the xfx 750 black edition or seasonic X 850.
Ditch the corsair vengeance, those heat spreaders will only make a hassle for cpu cooler clearance, for some time with ddr3, you don't need those heat spreaders(temperature wise or performance wise will be about the same), if you want some fancy ram, get the g skill ripjaws X, it's cheaper and the heat spreaders are not that tall as the vengeance : http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl
Or the patriot which is cheaper.
 
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edogawa

edogawa

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Sure, maybe you think so, but others will think reliability is more important, and it can be very important.

Sometimes it's better to pay for quality than quanity.
 
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boulbox

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Plextor is just as good as Samsung in terms of SSD quality. Same with Sandisk. The SSDs i usually recommend is Sandisk, samsung(besides 840), OCZ(to a point), and Plextor as they have been the brands i have trusted in builds and have worked pretty much all the same.
 
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Kanestapler

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I think I'm going to go with this. Anyone else have any thoughts on it besides the SSDs? :p

Also anyone care about network cards? They seem like they would all be pretty much the same besides PCIe vs USB
 
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