Help on a Build – Around $1500 (+/- $100) — Im looking for recommendations on parts,etc

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jaxon131

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Jun 5, 2013
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Hello everyone!

This is my first post here on TomsHardware (and my first build), and im looking for recommendations on parts for building a new PC. I plan on using this PC for gaming, school work, programming?, etc. I want the new computer to last me for a while (4-5 years....) and be able to handle newer games (if possible).

Purchase Date: within the next week or so, although the sooner the better
Budget: $1500
Parts to Upgrade: Everything – monitor, mouse, OS, etc.
Do you need an OS?: Yep ^^
Preferred website of Purchase: Newegg or Amazon? I live near a microcenter, so I can get the in-store deals there
Monitor Resolution: 1080x1920 ?
Do you need a monitor: Yes ^^^
Over-clocking: Not sure, although it may be nice to have it as an option
Crossfire/SLI: ? not sure

So far, Im looking at these parts:
Processor: intel i7 4770K -- $280
RAM: corsaire vengance? 8gb 2x4 -- $65
Hard Drive: 1 tb WD black -- $95
SSD: samsung 840 120gb (for boot drive/applications, etc) -- $100
Disk Drive: Asus DVD/CD RW --$20
OS: Microsoft windows 7 or 8 -- $100
Monitor: ASUS 23" Monitor -- $160
Motherboard: Not sure... suggestions appreciated ($200?)
Power Supply: Also not sure ... (maybe $100)
Graphics Card: Once again... im not sure exactly which one (about $300?)
Case: I dont have one yet, but I'll probably pick one out at microcenter when I get the parts....


EDIT: UPDATED PARTS (I still need a case and PSU):PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($147.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1438.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-18 11:28 EDT-0400)

So there's my list so far. It'd be great if anyone could critique it and suggest some parts for motherboard, PSU, and graphics card.
 
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Chris Kennedy

Chris Kennedy

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Jun 17, 2013
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well,
dont get

i7 4770k no need, get the 3770 its goood enough.

and i owuld get a little more than 8Gb of ram, the more the better especially if you plan to make and convert videos.

good hard drive pick
and good ssd pick

windows 7 for OS i have 8 on my current pc, i rather dont like it

good monitor pick.
as to mother board, i have 1 suggestion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

power supply, get a 650W you will want the power.
graphics card, go with a nvidia gtx 670 will suffice quite well.
case,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JLAU58/ref=asc_df_B002JLAU582561797?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-409-86-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B002JLAU58
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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Feb 3, 2013
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for the mobo> ASRock's Z87 Extreme6 or The Asus Z87 Pro
GC> ATI 7950
cheap PSU> Corsair TX550,

don't forget a decent cooler> CM Hyper 212 EVO, Noctua ND-H14, Corsair H100i, Zalman LQ320
and some decent paste> MX2, MX4 or Arctic Silver 5
and throw in a decent sound card> http://www.overclock.net/t/1014902/ocns-most-recommended-audio-products#
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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Well, since we are aware that the 1155 is dead, there is no need to go back one generation /especially if you decide to upgrade in the future/. Also Haswell has many interesting new instruction sets like AVX2, FMA3, and TSX which will give you many advantages in the future. Also, don't forget, while it's not as easy to overclock as IB, it still has about 10% more power at the same clock, so, a Haswell clocked at 4.5GHz could beat IB at 4.9GHz...
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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Not exactly :D They are a powerhouse, more powerful as nvidia but kinda less elegant. And while I'd like to recommend the GTX 670, it is still a bit above the budget. Well, that ATI was the best close to the 300 USD mark.
 
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jaxon131

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Thanks everyone for their quick responses :) So, I have a few questions: First off, what is the difference between the two motherboards (the Z87 extreme 6 and the Z87 Pro? Also, cooler-wise, I was considering the h60... Btw, what does a sound card do, exactly? I've never really heard of them ... Also, I could cut back on some components (or even put in an extra $100 or so) if you think that I should put more money into a graphics card. Once again, thanks for replying!
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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for the mobo, here is a comparisson> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/z87-haswell-motherboard-review,3524.html

for the graphic card> I would aim for GTX 670/680/770, but that is strictly based upon your budget. No card ATI or nVidia is bad, most problems with them begin and end between the chair and the keyboard.

for the sound card> depends, it is a chip which handles all the audio. Dedicated sound cards have many more processing options and much more processing power, which will result in 2 FPS and a lot precise positional audio /in games/. Everywhere else the sound will be crisper and sound more real /and you lose the echo which you hear through the onboard sound/.
But usually people don't want them. Dunno why - the difference is nice and when played good it can get you some 'nice' nicknames in most online fps :D. I'd just like to recommend them everytime someone builds a rig above 1000USD...

PS: if you want to cut down, go with an i5. i7 is only good if you wanna fiddle around some video/cad/etc...
 
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jaxon131

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Jun 5, 2013
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Once agian, thanks for everyone's help. I've compiled a more complete list here

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($147.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1438.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-18 11:28 EDT-0400)

So how does this look, so far?
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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Seasonic X-Series 560W would be my guess...

And for the case - I do love cooler master series, but you know, choosing case is kinda, well, mostly about aesthetic. SO, please pick one, that you like and let us comment on it - perhaps we will find one that looks the same and has better options, perhaps not :D
 
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jaxon131

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Hmm. The X-series 560 looks nice, but I think that with the case, im getting a bit over budget (although, I could possibly get the Seasonic if you consider the extra cost worth it )... Are there any similar, but cheaper options? Also, I think Ill go with the GTX 670 for graphics, but what is the difference between brands (for example there are two EVGA ones?:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787 vs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782
and then there MSI, etc.: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127675

As for the case, ill probably pick one out at microcenter where I can get a better feel of it.

Overall, how does the build look... any final things I should tweak? Im hoping to order the parts soon :D

Once again, thanks for all the help!
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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Or you can build your PC inside your old case :D

As for the GPU - the thing that changes is usually design, clock speed, cooling and customer support.
EVGA FTW is just an factory overclocked card (and you pay a hefty bit premium on that)...
As for EVGA vs MSI - the MSI usually runs cooler and the EVGA has better support. And the cards are about the same.

So for the last tweak - I'd get a decent thermal compound if I haven't got any spare. I like to use Arctic silver 5, some like MX2, some MX4... Costs less than 10 USD, transfers heat better and can make you CPU run several degrees cooler.

Also - if you need to scrape some $$$ and you are absolutely positively sure you're going to use your second drive as waste management (ergo - movies, music, multimedia and files you don't need fast access to) you can go caviar green - they are a bit cheaper and are enough for the task :D
 
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jaxon131

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Jun 5, 2013
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My old case is from a dell Inspiron 531 — Im not sure what good that would do :p... But, looking around a bit, how would something like this coolermaster or corsair perform. (I think I need for a mid-tower?)

I'll probably go with the EVGA card from newegg...
The thermal compound also looks like a good idea. Also, since no one commented specifically on it, ill assume that the h60 is a reasonable cooler.

All in all (with a possible case?) the final draft is as follows:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($374.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($70.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 560W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.66 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($147.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1596.12

(the mouse and keyboard may add another $60 or so, but $1660 is still within reason)
 
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random stalker

random stalker

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yep, H60 is a decent mainstream cooler as far as I can remember...

as for the 2 cases - both would be excellent. But as much as a CM fanboy I am, I would go for the Corsair. You know front panel USB3 is a great thing and the case supports larger graphic cards /which would be great if you decide to upgrade your GPU later on/... Also a lot of airflow, air filters everywhere and... Dunno... It's just a great case :D
 
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jaxon131

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Jun 5, 2013
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What do you mean? I can get it on it's own at microcenter for $200, but with the newegg combo, I can get it with the motherboard I was looking at for $80 less than the newegg prices.
 
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jaxon131

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Jun 5, 2013
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What do you mean? I can get it on it's own at microcenter for $200, but with the newegg combo, I can get it with the motherboard I was looking at for $80 less than the newegg prices.
 
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