Please review my gaming PC build

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Endor

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
10
0
10,510
Hello everyone. I have never built a computer before, so this is really a new experience for me. I definitely did research on the topic, and feel confident with picks. However, it never hurts to get a more experienced opinion. I'm shooting for an under $1000 build, so if you see any way for me to lower the cost but maintain performance, that is very much appreciated. Any feedback or recommendations you can provide is greatly appreciated.

The two big pieces I am still debating on are the MOBO and the GPU. If anybody could provide some insight on those, I'll be very grateful! Thank you in advance!

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 ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($184.60 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($137.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $970.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
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AMD Radeon

AMD Radeon

Judicious
Dec 23, 2011
5,595
0
36,960
you might want to consider newer hardware as well

using intel haswell
better psu, on sale
23" led asus 2ms, on sale


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($175.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $973.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-19 16:03 EDT-0400)
 
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EasyTransfer

EasyTransfer

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Dec 5, 2012
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You have an idea as to what you need, but let me help you out. Cx series psu are not ment for overkill gaming get a xfx psu. Why not go for the i5 4670k and a great motherboard from asrock. The gpu is fine. I have switched out your ram for low profile ram because you will have trouble installing them with the 212 evo. Western digital do better hdds, I have had both seagate too so no biased opinion.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($120.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($184.60 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 ATX Mid Tower Case ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($137.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $1042.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-19 16:02 EDT-0400)
 
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ingtar33

ingtar33

Glorious
Dec 17, 2012
9,024
213
46,040



looks plenty big to me. my antec 902 is a mid tower too, looks like it's about the same size as that case, you'll have plenty of room inside.
 
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K

kirilmatthew

Honorable
Jul 24, 2013
1,377
1
11,660


The GPU is the biggest difference. The 7970 should max out all games at 1080p. The 7870 will play games at high settings at 1080p. Its really the comparison of a $175 GPU vs a $300 one. As for CPU power, your CPU is stronger for gaming, but this is not really relevant because of the GPU difference. For most non-gaming tasks the FX should be on par or ahead because they take advantage of multithreading more then games. I hope this helps!
 
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ingtar33

ingtar33

Glorious
Dec 17, 2012
9,024
213
46,040


his build probably would game better on some games... worse on others. That said, all things being equal i wouldn't suggest you take his build. i can put together a solid AMD build for you, that will hold its own against the intel build you've got. I have a lot of issues with his build starting with the motherboard, so i wouldn't suggest you seriously consider it. if you'd like an AMD option i'll put one together... i just dislike offering AMD options when talking about $1000 machines. AMD doesn't have much value when you get over $800, and it gets increasingly hard to build one that would be preferable over an Intel as you approach $1000
 
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kirilmatthew

Honorable
Jul 24, 2013
1,377
1
11,660


Worse on some? No it would perform better on every game. A high end GPU vs a mid range GPU. The MB isn't bad, sure, it isn't great but its good value. I center gaming builds around GPU. I use quality parts and I ensure there are no bottlenecks. This build is no exception. I don't know why you take exception to my build. I wouldn't mind if you could explain? I picked AMD because that's the only way I could fit a 7970 into it. It is a good CPU, a good $75 less then the one the OP picked. The MB adds more value. In any case, that's an easy change.
 
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ingtar33

ingtar33

Glorious
Dec 17, 2012
9,024
213
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here is the best i can get you on an AMD build. It comes with an SSD, a high end cpu cooler, a solid mb with good features and heatsinks on a 8+2 power phase setup, which is ideal for overclocking the 8 core AMD. It also comes with a very good gpu, which should help give it a leg up over the i5 build.

In the end this AMD build will FEEL like the better machine (thanks to the SSD), will be feature rich and fun to overclock. That said, if you're not interested in overclocking i'd look at the intel options here.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($90.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($233.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($38.50 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1055.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-19 17:08 EDT-0400)
 
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Endor

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
10
0
10,510


Honestly, I don't have any preference between Intel and AMD. If you guys believe that this AMD build is better, I'm willing to go for it. I know AMD is considerably cheaper, which is a big part of the decision for me. I was wondering if a cheaper GPU (perhaps the one I originally had), in this AMD build, would perform with similar results. If so, then this AMD build may fit much better into my budget.

EDIT: Overclocking is definitely something that interests me. Perhaps not right away, but surely in the future.
 
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Endor

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
10
0
10,510


I plan on playing BF3, Dota 2, Guild Wars 2 and Skyrim. Definitely other games as well, but I'd say Skyrim and BF3 are the big ones. I'm not looking to run everything on Max settings at 60fps. But if I can get it on high/very high with good FPS (40-60), I'll be very happy.
 
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EasyTransfer

EasyTransfer

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Dec 5, 2012
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Well ever build will help accomplish your desired fps. The amd build from Ingram is the best. If this build is not urgent then wait untill the new 9000 series gpus come out because is will lower the price of the 7000 series allowing you to get a 7970 or a 7950 with an i5.
 
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Endor

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
10
0
10,510


Understood, thank you. Could I possibly get away with downgrading the GPU, or would that be too much of a performance drop for the money? Also, is AMD really bad in handling Skyrim?


@EasyTransfer
Thank you for the heads up about the cards. That's definitely something I'll consider.
 
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ingtar33

ingtar33

Glorious
Dec 17, 2012
9,024
213
46,040


sure you could downgrade it, though i wouldn't bother. The 7950 remains at or near the top of the heap for gpus in a single monitor setup. The 760 may or may not be a little faster, but it's also more expensive, so i would stick with the 7950. Also if you xfire it with another down the road you'll see some amazing results. No, i wouldn't downgrade... a downgrade to a 7870 would represent a 20% reduction in gpu power for the most part.

as for the hit in skyrim. At 1080p with all the settings on their highest with a 7950 and an overclocked 8320 (4.5ghz), you should be looking at something like 30-45fps. just changing the cpu to an i5 would bump you up to 80-100fps. This is because AMD cpus really choke badly on Skyrim. It's just an awful title for them. In pretty much any other game the amd and i5 will both be over 60fps for the most part. skyrim and civ 5 (also a x87 game) really beat up AMD cpus.
 
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