$1400 budget gaming unit needs your help!

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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1172.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-21 20:27 EDT-0400)

I believe this build could push out a little more performance, but if not, still, your suggestions and opinions will help me a lot!

A little about me: I'm not computer or tech savvy...at all. But I do have patients and the ability to soak in information like a sponge!

With your build(s), I'll be able to research what goes where and why, so that I can begin to understand the simplicity of the complex process of building a computer.

Details:
I'm more comfortable shopping in one location. Simply because my bank flips out on me if I buy multiple items from multiple locations the same day and freezes my account! (edit: Suppose I could just contact my bank with a heads up)

I live in the United States

The case is included in the budget (Not stuck on this case, so...)

I have a monitor, mouse and keyboard along with speakers

I do not have a genuine copy of windows

I'll post pics of which ever build I go with

We have $1400, though I could go $1500 or $1600 easily.....go!
 
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SamGriffiths

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Dec 12, 2012
568
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11,010


Do you need a screen? I'm assuming you need an OS. Do you already have that case? If you don't I reall wouldn't get it, there's no space for a water cooler, I would get a Z11 Plus.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ TigerDirect)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($126.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($229.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1344.15
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-21 16:51 EDT-0400)

 
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mastrom101

mastrom101

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Jun 12, 2010
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I'm going to need more information about the build to make a rig suitable for you.

DO you need a Monitor?
Do you have a genuine copy of windows?
Are there any other peripherals you need (included in the budget)?
IS the case included in your $1400 budget?
What country do you live in?

Then I will be able to assist you.
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


Apologies for the lack of information.
I live in the United States
The case is included in the budget
I have a monitor, mouse and keyboard along with speakers
I do not have a genuine copy of windows
 
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S

SamGriffiths

Honorable
Dec 12, 2012
568
0
11,010


Ha, yes, I guessed everyone of those correctly =P
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


Water cooler...whoa! That may be too technical for me to monitor/maintain...I'd have to look into those to get an idea how they operate.
 
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S

SamGriffiths

Honorable
Dec 12, 2012
568
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11,010


Basically the water runs on a copper plate next to your CPU and then it goes up to a radiator, the water is then cooled by the air, next it goes through a pump and pushed back down the the CPU. At your budget most people would get a water cooler. Or you could get a high end air cooler, they're a bit cheaper, your CPU runs like 5c hotter but there's no risk of it leaking. pre-built water coolers hardly ever leak but it's still a risk.
 
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Marcopolo123

Marcopolo123

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Jan 31, 2013
3,460
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13,160
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($163.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($159.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1600.83
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-21 17:38 EDT-0400)

1515 $ when everything bought from newegg.
Hd 7950 is enough for tripple screen setup.
 
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J

Jason Flud

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May 21, 2013
18
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10,510


The system with 3 monitors for $1515? Crazy! I'm really going to be looking at this one. Thanks!

p.s. I notice a lot go for the SSD's with the mechanical. Why's this?

Edit: I don't see myself utilizing 3 monitors
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


I don't think I see a mobo in your build also
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


How about this mock up, guys/gals?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1172.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-21 20:27 EDT-0400)


Sorry, but I don't know how you guys link it cleaner.
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


What do you think of this, mastrom101?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($313.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z11 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1172.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-21 20:27 EDT-0400)
 
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mastrom101

mastrom101

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Jun 12, 2010
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That build is perfect, you don't really need the thermal paste as the 212 EVO comes with it included.

The 840 Pro is expensive, for that price I would get a 256GB model. Only a bit more for double the capacity.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pc256bww



If you wanted to reach the higher end of your budget(although you don't need to), this is what I would suggest:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YXVY


You left out RAM in your build. I wasn't sure if that was intentional, but if not, you can add 2 X 4Gb of CAS 9 1600/1866MHz RAM to your build for $45-60
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


tyvm for the input. Yeah the ram comes with the MOBO...combo deal. I'll review the rest of your post when I get back later. 5 hours on this so far....Your comment supports my confidence in the build. Thanks again!
 
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J

Jason Flud

Honorable
May 21, 2013
18
0
10,510


The SSD is out of stock on Newegg, and triple in price on amazon. Sucks for me :( But I see what you did there with the dual cards. I'll stick with the card I've got and pocket the money! From what I take from your comment, the single will more than suffice? If so, I'll pocket the savings. I'll also remove the paste too
 
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