Need New Build Advice Please

visuore · Jun 5, 2013

Approximate Purchase Date: This month at some point.

Budget Range: $1,000.00 after taxes, rebates, and shipping, etc.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Streaming, Watching Videos, Communication.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes but I am dealing with my current monitor and I will earn the money for the monitor after I get the computer paid for.

Parts to Upgrade: I have nothing salvageable in my old computer.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: pcpartpicker.com

Location: Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Parts Preferences: I don't care either way. Whatever will get me the most performance and the most out of my money while satisfying my major needs.

Overclocking: Maybe - Haven't done it before although I've been suggested a i5-3570k processor before for such reasons.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe - Never done before.

Your Monitor Resolution: Current is 1280 x 1024 is the max, I am looking in to getting a 1920x 1080 or whatever the best resolution is for like a 22" monitor or whatever. I don't know much about monitors lol.

Additional Comments: The noise level of the PC isn't that big of a deal because I have a headset on most of the time so I don't hear it and I don't sleep near my computer. A windows and LED fans are always great but not a priority of mine. Performance beats cosmetics any day.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My current computer has an Intel Pentium D CPU with 3 GB of RAM. I am trying to play League of Legends and Minecraft and I can't even play those. I feel like that is enough said. xD

visuore · Jun 5, 2013

I plan on playing League of Legends or Minecraft and streaming them. I also want to be able to play Elder Scrolls: Online when it comes out, so I want a good computer for it all.

Jack Revenant · Jun 5, 2013

We can certainly make a good gaming computer with that budget, particularly since you should be within a short drive of the Kansas City Microcenter.

This is around what you could afford, if you wish to overclock:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($339.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1053.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-05 05:09 EDT-0400)

Note: There's a combo at Microcenter (the processor and motherboard) which reduces the price by $40.

This is a quite capable gaming machine, but you could actually get more performance by sacrificing overclocking. If you like, I can put together a non-overclocking build to demonstrate the potential gains.

Finally, regarding monitor, 1920x1080 is pretty much the standard resolution for 22-24" monitors.

visuore · Jun 5, 2013

1. Is the 4670k the new line of Haswell processors? Because I have never been suggested that processor before, although its been a while.

2. Is a 38 minute drive worth it? From what I see it is but just personal opinion.

3. I have never done overclocking and I've never known what it is all about. I know what it does essentially but lets just say I'm not very comfortable doing it.

4. Yes, if I can get more performance out of my computer go ahead and throw out the overclocking.

5. Can you give me the price breakdown before and after mail in rebates?

6. Do you think the 1920x1080 is the monitor I should go with? Do you have any suggestions for a monitor that I could buy after I get the computer?

7. Do you think I can just stick with the fans that come with the case and the cooler, or should I try to get more?

Thank you!

Jack Revenant · Jun 5, 2013

visuore :

1: Yes. It's the new version of the 3570k. It doesn't overclock quite as well (according to current information), but it's more powerful overall.
2: Unless you'd be paying over $100 in gas money, it's definitely worth the drive. Those CPU+mobo combos make my mouth water.
3: If you want to drop OCing (or are just unsure about it), you could fit a 770 or 7970 GHz Edition in there. Not to suggest going either way, but there are definitely benefits to not getting OCable parts in this case.
4: Alright. I'll edit in a non-OCing build as soon as I finish it.
5: If you go to the PC Part Picker page, it lists all the mail-in rebates, with prices before and after.
6: 1920x1080 is my favoured resolution, so I'd recommend it. ASUS makes a lot of good monitors, the best (in my opinion) being the ASUS VG248QE, which I use myself. 24" of 144hz refresh rate, 1ms delay amazing.
7: I don't generally recommend adding fans without a specific plan for how it will benefit you. You can actually worsen overall cooling if your added fans disrupt case airflow.

Edit: Voila:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($95.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($65.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($405.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.94 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $991.33
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-05 18:06 EDT-0400)

visuore · Jun 5, 2013

1. So the $991.33 total can have $40.00 subtracted from it? Or is the $40.00 already subtracted from the total cost?

2. Thank you for not putting Windows 8 as my operating system.

3. Since this is actually my first build, I forgot to mention, do you think http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea_bs5G1yYU is a good walkthrough of the computer building process or do you have another suggestion?

4. Do you think it would be worth it switching out the fans currently in the case for LED fans? Or should I just leave that be?

Jack Revenant · Jun 5, 2013

visuore :

1: Unfortunately, Microcenter doesn't have a bundle for the 4570, just a really good price. Thus, what you see there is what you get, price-wise.
2: I tend to assume folks want Win7 unless otherwise specified, though I feel that 8 gets more hate than it deserves.
3: I'm afraid that I don't know that particular video, and due to being unable to assemble my systems myself (minor muscular oddity in my hands), I don't keep up with assembly guides. My apologies. You might consider posting a thread asking for a suggestion in that regard.
4: Honestly, if you have more to spend on your case, I'd just get a better case. The 200R is a steal at that price, but there are some amazingly cool and useful cases out there (my favorite blend of style and function being the NZXT Phantom 410) for $20-40 more.

visuore · Jun 6, 2013

I just don't like the way the operating system is organized. You have to go through random things to get to what you want.

I probably with save up for the NZXT because I will get major shit from my friend with an alienware. He thinks his computer is better (which it isn't) and then if he knows mine is better he will result to the look of it. I don't want to hear anything from him.

That being said I am willing to pay the extra money for it.

Do you think the NZXT is manageable and easy to use?

Jack Revenant · Jun 6, 2013

visuore :

Oh, I'm with you there. There are, however, ways to get around that. Not trying to sell it to you, but I think that a lot of people hate it just because it's Win8.

He has an Alienware, mate. If anything, you should be mocking him. If you don't, that makes you a good person, but you still have the option. Line around here is "Friends don't let friends buy Alienware".

The Phantom 410 looks great and has some of the best performance you can get, for that cost.

I don't have the case myself, but this article (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mana-136-midgard-ii-phantom-410,3203-5.html) could probably give you an impression of what it'd be like to build with.

visuore · Jun 6, 2013

I did. Although his dad bought him the computer and I tried to get his dad to buy something from Origin (my friend wasn't interested in building one) and his dad said "BUT DELL MAKES THESE". So he went with the mainstream computer manufacturer. So he just had to roll with it. I do make fun of him and tell him that my computer is going to be so much better, he spent $1,000 on his computer too.

I'd rather just stick with Win7 but thanks for the suggestion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating it because it is Win8. I've been using XP ever since it came out, so easy to navigate.

I believe I will jump on the NZXT case instead, just so I can tell him that my computer LOOKS better and PERFORMS better.

Thank you so much man.

visuore · Jun 6, 2013

I meant to pick the last computer you made as the best solution lol woops.

visuore · Jun 6, 2013

I meant to pick the last computer you made as the best solution lol woops.

Jack Revenant · Jun 7, 2013

visuore :

Eh... Origin ain't much better, honestly. It's just Alienware with a different logo. Literally, in fact, as it's made of former Alienware employees.

Yep. I did so as well. I just like folks to know all the options.

NZXT is doing a heck of a service, making good-looking cases that actually work well.

I'm glad I was able to help. Happy gaming!

P.S.: Don't worry about which one was selected as best. The only thing that matters is whose comment is selected.

Edit: Also, if he spent $1k on an Alienware, your PC won't really be better so much as it will nuke it from orbit. I've seen $2.5k prebuilts which what you've got there could go toe-to-toe with.

visuore · Jun 7, 2013

Did you forget to put a cooling system in the last build that you sent me?

Jack Revenant · Jun 7, 2013

visuore :

With the 4570? Nope. Without overclocking being in the picture, you don't need a CPU cooler. As to overall cooling, the Phantom 410 will give you more than you need with those components.

visuore · Jun 8, 2013

Oh okay, thank you so much for all of your help. Thank you.

Jack Revenant · Jun 9, 2013

visuore :

My pleasure. Happy gaming!

visuore · Jun 14, 2013

I'm sorry, one last question.

Do you think the integrated graphics on the 4570 will be better than my ATI Radeon 4600 Series GPU? If so I will probably get everything for my computer then get my graphics card later.

Jack Revenant · Jun 15, 2013

visuore :

I'm not sure, I'm afraid. The Haswell integrated graphics is pretty decent, but I don't know how it compares to 4000-series Radeon, as those GPUs are before my time. Given that it's a 600s GPU, I'd guess "Yes", but I couldn't say for certain.

Need New Build Advice Please

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