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First Build, help?

Tags:
  • Games
  • Build
  • Components
  • Steam
Last response: in Components
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June 18, 2013 8:19:27 PM

Hey there.
My budget for a build is about 800, and I am currently overbudget by about 250.

I'm looking for a PC to play steam games on, the total war series, nothing spectacular.

what I have:

CPU - Intel Core i3-3220 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 Ghz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80637i33220
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD1948&v... -

$124.26

GRAPHICS CARD – Gigabyte GTX650 Ti Boost GDDR5-2GB 2xDVI/HDMI/DP OC Graphics Cards GV-N65TBOC-2GD – model # GV-N65TBOC-2GD
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD4350&v... -

$169.79

MOTHERBOARD – ASRock Z77 Extreme3 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD5234&v... – $150.12

RAM (8GB) - Corsair Vengeance CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 4GB 1X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD8269&v... - $36.76

HARDDRIVE (HDD) - Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14120DR5445&v... - $74.20

SSD - Intel 330 Series Solid-State Drive 60 GB SATA 6 Gb/s 2.5-Inch - SSDSC2CT060A3K5
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682... - $100

POWER SUPPLY – SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682... - $100

CASE – Nzxt Technologies USB 3.0 Tempest 410 Steel Mid Tower Airflow Case - T410-001 (Black)
http://www.amazon.ca/Nzxt-Technologies-Tempest-Steel-Ai... - $83.19

OPTICAL DRIVE - LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682...(RW+Drives)-_-Lite-On-_-27106289&AID=10592396&PID=3938566 - 26.24

OPERATING SYSTEM – Microsoft Windows 8 64Bit Full Version English OEM
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950SW6307&v... - $92.87

Anywhere I can trim the fat would be nice. Thank you!

More about : build

Best solution

June 18, 2013 8:35:06 PM

Here is what I'd recommend:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.15 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($95.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.49 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($186.14 @ DirectCanada)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($62.02 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($106.67 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $836.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-18 23:33 EDT-0400)

* CPU is good at streaming and performs at or better than the i3. Also good a multi-tasking and multi-threading too over the i3.
* Mobo supports 2 x front USB 3.0 ports for cases.
* SSD is good for OS, a few games, and apps.
* GPU is better than the GTX 650 Ti Boost and isn't that much more.
* Case supports 1 x front USB 3.0 port and is built well for the $.
* PSU will handle any single GPU out on the market and should last for several upgrades and builds.
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June 18, 2013 8:36:00 PM

800$ with better performance than the build you made:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Vuugo)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.49 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.50 @ Vuugo)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 1GB Video Card ($154.03 @ DirectCanada)
Case: Zalman ZM-Z9 U3 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 550W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($54.88 @ Canada Computers)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($18.90 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($106.67 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Total: $798.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-18 23:35 EDT-0400)
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June 18, 2013 8:37:24 PM

lunyone said:
Here is what I'd recommend:

PCPartPicker part list

....

* CPU is good at streaming and performs at or better than the i3. Also good a multi-tasking and multi-threading too over the i3.
* Mobo supports 2 x front USB 3.0 ports for cases.
* SSD is good for OS, a few games, and apps.
* GPU is better than the GTX 650 Ti Boost and isn't that much more.
* Case supports 1 x front USB 3.0 port and is built well for the $.
* PSU will handle any single GPU out on the market and should last for several upgrades and builds.


This mobo fails a lot and you forgot an ODD ;) 
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June 18, 2013 8:46:28 PM

Madn3ss795 said:
lunyone said:
Here is what I'd recommend:

PCPartPicker part list

....

* CPU is good at streaming and performs at or better than the i3. Also good a multi-tasking and multi-threading too over the i3.
* Mobo supports 2 x front USB 3.0 ports for cases.
* SSD is good for OS, a few games, and apps.
* GPU is better than the GTX 650 Ti Boost and isn't that much more.
* Case supports 1 x front USB 3.0 port and is built well for the $.
* PSU will handle any single GPU out on the market and should last for several upgrades and builds.


This mobo fails a lot and you forgot an ODD ;) 


Not from what I've read, but to each his own.
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June 18, 2013 8:55:24 PM

I see at least 1 thread about M5A97 R2.0 failing at something everyday.
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June 18, 2013 9:05:48 PM

Well all manufacturers have issues with parts, some more than others. I've also seen a lot of issues with support on Gigabyte parts, so it's all speculative from one brand to another. I personally don't mind buying Mobo's from AsRock, Asus, & Gigabyte, so either option should be fine, just do your research and make an informed decision.
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June 18, 2013 9:09:29 PM

My point is that this board itself is extremelly buggy, and shouldn't be recommended to anyone. Other Asus boards don't have these kind of problems. Just need to avoid the M5A97 R2.0.
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June 18, 2013 9:18:50 PM

Well here is an example of your Mobo:

"Pros: None.

Cons: Everything (products and customer service)

Other Thoughts: Wrote a previous review. Still awful even after RMA (If a gigabyte rep is reading this it's case number 96308). The board I got back still doesn't work. Took my system back to the repair store - they tested with a completely different mobo, and it worked perfectly. Re-installing the gigabyte mobo, and problems happened again.

They told me that the mobo was the exact same and that gigabyte probably tested it and sent it back. Great job Gigabyte.

I've been months without a system now. GIGABYTE, if you're reading this, give me a new (preferably different) motherboard. I'll pay for the difference, if it's really that necessary. If not, I want my money back because both your product and your customer service is horrible.

On another note - the last email your customer service sent me was on the 20th of May. Thanks for just dropping me when things got tough."

Not saying all of their Mobo's are like this, just giving you an example.
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June 18, 2013 9:26:55 PM

I'm more concerned about users' topics on Toms about problems with this board that ends up can't be fixed, yet other features are still functioning, meaning it is bugged. The user's review you posted above is very typical on Newegg, which mostly include DOA-related and newb' issues.
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