$1200 Gaming/Video Editing PC

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bnsfup1

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Mar 30, 2013
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I am looking at a $1200 build for gaming and the light video editing, and would like to have input in my build. The only extra included in the budget is the os. I would like to do some overclocking, and maybe some sli/crossfire in the future. Is this build good enough?:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($194.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($117.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($129.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.20 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1212.20
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 22:29 EDT-0400)

Thanks for all the help. There seems to be some smart people on these forums from what I have seen, and hopefully you guys can help me out here!
 
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jk47_99

jk47_99

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Jul 24, 2012
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Your build looks good, I have a 7950 and I can say that is a great card. The free games you get with it makes it a sweet deal. The only change I might suggest is to change the RAM to a better known brand, I recommend Corsair or GSkill.
 
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Jack Revenant

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In your shoes, I would use the NZXT Phantom 410: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006I2H04I/?tag=pcpapi-20
When Tom's compared them, the Phantom outperformed the 300R in both cooling and noise level (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/solo-ii-400r-buc-ravager-seiran,3274-10.html)
Additionally, I'm unsure that the 300R can mount the Kraken x60 (I would check, but NZXT's site seems to be down at the moment).
I'm sure that you've already considered the 3570k, and given that you know what the applications you're going to be using the machine for require better than I do, I'm going to assume that the FX8350 is superior for your needs. That said, I tend to prefer, personally, the 3570k.
I don't know AMD motherboards very well, but that one seems to only have PCIe 2.0 slots. Were you aware of this?
Lastly, I would echo jk47_99's comment regarding RAM.
 
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bnsfup1

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No, actually, I didn't know that it had 2.0 slots. I have nothing against Intel CPU's- in fact, that is all I have ever used. I just figured I would get better performance for the price range with the 8350. Considering that most of the stuff besides gaming will just be here and there, not all the time video editing, the 3570k should be able to handle it. Considering the 3570k, what is the best build in this price range? Also, by the time I order parts, haswell CPU's will be out, so I suppose I would probably go with that equivalent if it is the same price.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Here's a bit better build, IMHO:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($194.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.30 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($402.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1224.31
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 22:47 EDT-0400)

* CPU HSF that will do quite well for a modest OC.
* RAM runs at stock voltage and is faster than 1600 mHz (has low profile heat spreaders too).
* Mobo a good AM3+ FX mobo.
* GPU that is better than 7950 and should last quite a bit of time.
* Case is still a good option. The 300R that you selected is better, but generally is more $, but you can fit it into the build.
* PSU will handle any single GPU out in the market.

As far as gaming is concerned, I have a couple of links below to check out:

AMD FX 8350 VS i5 3570K Delidded Single gpu and Crossfire GPU

AMD FX 8350 vs i5 3570k vs i7 3770k vs i7 3820 video
 
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Jack Revenant

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If you're not ordering until Haswell drops, you would probably want to come back closer to then. There will be two major releases in that time (Haswell and the nVidia 700 series), both of which will effect what sort of builds we would recommend.

Edit: With the exception of the PSU. The power supply has a hell of a deal going right now, and it ends (partially) today.
 
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bnsfup1

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I guess I will wait and see what the 4570k goes for then. Also, I have asked this multiple times and haven't gotten an answer. If you can't answer it either, that is okay: I am going from a PC that has a intel core 2 duo processor clocked at 1.86 ghz with 1gb of ram and a nvidida 7300gs card. How much performance increase would I expect to see with the new parts, even the build I mentioned above? The games I normally play on this pc run around 20fps, so I was wondering if it would be a substantial increase from that to this or not?
 
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Jack Revenant

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I would say exponential increase, given that the 7970/7950 are almost at the top of the GPU hierarchy chart, while the 7300 GS is...not. It's quite a ways down. Same with 3/4570k vs. that processor. You should see massive gains.
 
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bnsfup1

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Okay! I was skeptical while doing this research, but know I am fully committed! What parts would you reccommend in this price range if I stuck with the current generation cards and processors?
 
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Jack Revenant

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This is essentially my default build for that price range:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.16 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.19 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($433.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.50 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1204.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 17:52 EDT-0400)

It does lack an SSD (I feel that they are somewhat overrated), but it has an excellent graphics card and CPU, very good cooling, and room for expansion (though you'd want to improve the PSU, if you planned to CrossFire).
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Or some options that I recommend around that budget:

AMD Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.15 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($402.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1224.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 20:24 EDT-0400)

Intel Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($402.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1222.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 20:26 EDT-0400)

Both will game about the same and depending on which system you prefer, you will get advantages with either one. If you don't OC and want an Intel i7 equivalent CPU option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($402.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1202.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 20:28 EDT-0400)
 
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