Is this a good $1500 Gaming PC Build?

The Baron Of Sweden · May 11, 2013

Hi guys.

Im looking to build a sub $1500 Gaming PC, and just thought that I'd run it by you guys to see what you think.

It will most likely be used for games such as battlefield 3, and the upcoming Rome 2 Total war and of course, Company of Heroes 2.

Here are my parts:

CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18670

Intel 3570k (I plan of Over Clocking)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20138

Sapphire Radeon 7950 3GB with boost
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22948

Corsair Vengeance 8gb (4x2)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16437

Samsung SH-224BB (Optical Drive)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=21346

Seagate ST1000DM003, 7200RPM, SATAIII 6GB/S, 3.5", 64MB cache, 1TB
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19747

Samsung 840 Series 120gb SSD
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=22033

Cooler Master elite 430 with window
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14859

Asrock extreme4-m z77 LGA 1155 Motherboard
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19866

Cooler master GX 650 PSW
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13526

Samsung s22b300b 21.5 Inch Monitor
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19764

Creative Sound plaster PC1e Recon3D Sound Card
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18681

I have already acquired a Keyboard and Mouse.

I plan on Over clocking the CPU and the Graphics card, but not to thier individual limits, just a little boost.

I live in Australia, so other sites aren't great for me due to postage, so If there are any recommendations they'll need to be able to be bought down under.

Thanks in advance,

The Baron Of Sweden

completelyrandomname · May 11, 2013

Everything is good except 2 things. You don't need a sound card, on board audio has come a long way since the old days. It's more than enough for most users. Now use this money and buy a better PSU.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=21569

NOW you're good to go.

tiny voices · May 12, 2013

The PSU is trash. Get one from Antec, XFX, Corsair, Seasonic.

You do not need the sound card.

Get the Samsung 840 PRO. the normal 840 is slow.

envy14tpe · May 12, 2013

I'd rather buy a Seasonic, Antec, or XFX PSU.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_226&products_id=15134

Can you bump up monitor price a bit?
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1094&products_id=17297

I own a Cooler Master 431 Elite. It is almost the same as the one you chose. The cable management is bad. You will have a mess of cables inside so your air flow won't be as good as other cases. Other than that the case is good. For the price it's a good buy though.

Drop the soundcard and save some money. The ASRock mobo produces good sound. If you don't like it you can add a soundcard later.

Bump up to a Crucial M4. Very fast and reliable. The Samsung 840 is cheap for a reason. (bad in tests)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_909&products_id=17685

thor220 · May 12, 2013

There is still a big difference between onboard sound and a quality sound card, even more so with the right speakers/headphones.

If I may though, I would recommend an asus xonar.

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

Ok, I've dropped the sound card and added in the corsair power supply you recommended, put in the Crucial M4 and upgaded the monitor to the one you suggested. Apart from this, any other recommendations?

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

I can afford to spend a little bit more cash, as the whole package comes in at $1330 . Anything else you guys would put in for a more complete PC?

tiny voices · May 12, 2013

You could get a 7970 instead of the 7950. Everything looks good though. Not too much to change.

envy14tpe · May 12, 2013

The Baron Of Sweden :

Upgrade the case. The Corsair 300R is a good one.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_961&products_id=19706

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

tiny voices :

I don't think I'll get a 7970, as with some Overclocking the 950 is about as good as a stock 70.

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

Do you think it would be worth getting. 650w psu?

envy14tpe · May 12, 2013

The Baron Of Sweden :

NO. Honestly 500W is enough for your system. 620W is overkill but Antec is a good manufacturer. And for only $10 more than the Antec 520W you can get the 620W. I'd definitely buy that instead of the CX500.

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

envy14tpe :

Then Antec it shall be! Thanks for your help.

envy14tpe · May 12, 2013

You're welcome. I'm sure the building community will agree with your build. You'll be able to get a good overclock and play games at near max settings.

Don't forget... when you install the OS you do so on the ssd. Don't plug in your hdd until after you have installed OS.

HOkay · May 12, 2013

The Baron Of Sweden :

Build looks good & I agree that a soundcard is only needed if you're an audiophile. The logic regarding the sticking with the 7950 though; a 7970 also overclocks. Quite a lot in most cases, not guaranteed though ofc. If you can step up for <£50 then I would go for it.
If you still have spare budget maybe look at the integrated water coolers? My Antec 920 is pretty good, keeps my 5.0 GHz 2500k at decent temps! Nothing on my custom water rig but that's a whole other story

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

envy14tpe :

Thanks for the tip.

The Baron Of Sweden · May 12, 2013

HOkay :

The Baron Of Sweden :

Build looks good & I agree that a soundcard is only needed if you're an audiophile. The logic regarding the sticking with the 7950 though; a 7970 also overclocks. Quite a lot in most cases, not guaranteed though ofc. If you can step up for <£50 then I would go for it.
If you still have spare budget maybe look at the integrated water coolers? My Antec 920 is pretty good, keeps my 5.0 GHz 2500k at decent temps! Nothing on my custom water rig but that's a whole other story

Yeah, I am aware that the 7970 also overclocks, but I've heard that it's not as stable as a 7950.

In regards to watercooling, I think Ill steer clear as Im inexperienced in the pc building field.

HOkay · May 12, 2013

The Baron Of Sweden :

I haven't really looked into the average overclocks for both but I would expect they're pretty similar *if* you've got a decent cooler and airflow. The 7970 with an XSPC waterblock in my water build is perfectly stable with the overclocks maxed in PrecisionX (only 1125 MHz core & 1575 MHz but I decided not to bother going any further). That is a standard HIS 7970 with a waterblock shoved on afterwards (i.e. no voltage overclocking/mods) so given ample cooling they can fly

envy14tpe · May 12, 2013

I'd stick with a 7950. It will play all games (except Crysis 3) on near max settings. Also, you will be playing with 60+fps. What more do you need? If you wanted a 120Hz monitor then I'd suggest a 7970, but you want 1920x1080 60Hz. (120Hz monitors are usually $250+) so 7950 is great.

Is this a good $1500 Gaming PC Build?

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