I am still running a pre-built HP m9715f, looking to build (first time) with ~$1000 ($1200 max)

DreamFloyd

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Jul 23, 2013
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Let me just preface this by saying that I am no expert with computers. The thought of building a new PC came to me like only a week ago.

My first question is: is there anything salvageable (such as the disc drive) that I can take from my old PC before I think about choosing components for a new one?

My current PC (2009 make):
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?prodSeriesId=3953004&objectID=c01804106
*Swapped 4350 with 5670 (not sure if bad move at the time).

Then onto what I am seeking...

Approximate Purchase Date: I plan to begin at the end of the month if all goes well.

Budget Range: All said and done I don't see myself spending more than $1200 after taxes.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing, movies.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Uncertain (new to building) but I am familiar with newegg or amazon.

Country: BC, Canada.

Parts Preferences: Familiar with AMD but would like a change. I would like to try Intel CPU and Nvidia graphics.

Overclocking: No, I do not plan to overclock.

SLI or Crossfire: I have no idea what those are and doubt I will be using them (multi-screen?).

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Would like one of those cool looking Antec cases for a moderate price. Never owned something like that before.

I hope to stick with Windows 7 64-bit (what I am running now) if possible.

I'm not building with an intention of future-proofing if that matters at all.

I hope that this new machine will make it so that my fps doesn't progressively get worse when playing through a Civ 5 game, or give me the ability to play new releases without having to worry about settings all the time.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated -- thank you for reading!



 
You can take the HDD and optical drive.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($196.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.79 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Memory Express)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($47.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1022.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-23 03:35 EDT-0400)

 
Solution

jinayhvora

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($146.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX)
Case: BitFenix Survivor ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1177.23
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-23 04:20 EDT-0400)
 

DreamFloyd

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Jul 23, 2013
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Thanks for the suggestion that I can keep the optical disc drive.

Yes I've read that Corsair is a good brand, definitely set on buying the ram.

I like both your choices of CPU/Video Cards, but both suggestions favor one over the other. The difference I see between the video cards is .04 Ghz core clock speed in favor of Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB, similarly with the 0.4Ghz core speed of the CPUs in favor of the i5-4670K. The question I have here is which is a better trade-off, to have a faster video card speed or CPU speed? Or could I just get the best of both worlds (assuming they fit together or whatnot)?

Also did you recommend me windows 8 because you prefer it over windows 7? Because the thing is that I've been using windows 7 for quite a few years now and I really like it.
 
The difference in speed between the gpus and cpus are negligible.
The main reason jinayhvora featured the 4670k + Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H is because it allows overclocking whereas the 4430 + Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H does not allow overclocking. However, you sound pretty certain that you won't overclock, which is why I recommended the 4430 + H87 to save some money. If you always want to leave the option to overclock open, grab the 4670k + Z87.

Most people would recommend Windows 8 over 7 because it is newer so you will get a longer support period. Additionally, you can easily change Windows 8 to look like Windows 7 with a program (I forgot what it was called). I tried Windows 8 for the first time yesterday and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But if you're set on Windows 7, you can just grab it instead.
 

mastrom101

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You can keep the optical drive, hard drive, TV tuner and Wireless card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.83 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 180GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Memory Express)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Thermaltake VL800P1W2N (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.00 @ Vuugo)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($47.99 @ NCIX)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1008.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-23 23:06 EDT-0400)

 

DreamFloyd

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Jul 23, 2013
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Thank for replying realchaos.

I was just looking over the the mobos/gpu. They were just introduced weren't they (new gen), that's why they don't have many (if any) reviews.

And on that note, I was just looking at cpu benchmarks. I notice that the AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core is listed to have the highest power/cost ratio. Going back to how I said I wanted to try Intel, what if I wanted to stick with AMD? Would you have any recommendations for CPU/GPU in this scenario?



 
They've been out for long enough to have reviews on them. It's been nearly a month (I think) since they've been out.

Of course AMD has the best bang/buck ratio because their processors are cheap. However, note that they are not as strong as Intel when it comes to single-threaded programs (games for example). Though the FX-8350 is still a viable choice if you prefer AMD.

If you were to switch to AMD, grab the FX-8350 with the Asus M5A990X EVO R2.0. I would also grab an aftermarket cpu cooler and overclock it because the FX were meant to be overclocked. Overclocking it would let it compete against Intel stock speed processors. Also, keep the GTX 770 because it's stronger than the Radeon HD 7970 at about the same price.
 

DreamFloyd

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Jul 23, 2013
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Ok from all the input so far I refined the list of what I plan to buy:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.83 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($389.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($85.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1101.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-24 01:08 EDT-0400)

Will all these components work with each other i.e. all parts fit and whatnot?

I went with Corsair PSU because I thought it's safer to have a higher watt power supply. Am I wrong to think that way; do I not need 650W to power my setup?

Is the case I picked good to fit everything in it? I'm always afraid of something like the mobo not being able to fit in there.

Just to make sure: That windows 8 OEM OS can be installed without having to upgrade a previously registered Microsoft key right? I've always thought that in order to get the the latest OS you needed to have a registered product e.g. if upgrading to Windows 7 you needed Vista. I don't know, this is just from personal experience given how when I bought my pre-built which came with Vista initially I was given the chance to "upgrade" to windows 7 for free since I bought the system around the time Windows 7 released I think. Anyway I was eligible only because I had a registered Vista so I have held on to the same way of thinking since.
 
Yes everything will work. It will do great in gaming and leaves the option of overclocking open.

You don't need a 650w, but it's not a bad idea either as it would put less stress on your psu.

And yes, you can install Windows 8 OEM edition without having a previous OS. You only need a previous OS if it's an upgrade disk.
 

DreamFloyd

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Jul 23, 2013
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Thank you all, especially you realchaos, you've been a great help!

Guess next on my list is to hope nothing arrives DOA and learn how to build the thing.

Before I close the topic though, realchaos, what do you think of my monitor? It's a Samsung SyncMaster P2270 that came with the pre-built and I've been running it on 1920x1080 for all these years so far. Do you think I might have to replace in the near future? What monitors do you like best?