Questions about building a new PC, help is appreciated!

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happymatei

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Hello, so i am building a new PC gaming system and its been long since i've done this and i would like some help.
I don't live in the States so newegg is out of the question and the prices here are pretty high.

I want to build a PC that i can use for gaming at 1080p, medium-full settings, supports 2 monitors, good for music, web surfing and general casual things. I also need it to consume as low as possible and be silent.

Atm my list consists of these components:
- HDD WD Green 2TB, 5400RPM, 64MB, SATA3
- Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 motherboard
- Kingston 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) XMP HyperX Blu
- 7850 vs 7870 -- *****
- Intel® CoreTM i5 3350P, 3100MHz, 6MB, socket 1155
- Mouse SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro
- SteelSeries 4H headset
- GW2255 BENQ vs ACER S220HQLBbd -- ***
- Inter-Tech Energon 550W -- or if you know a ~ 35 dollar power supply

But i have some questions about this build.
I have searched the web and this forum, but i still got more issues that i need to address.
First of all, i don't know if it is worth paying 30 dollars more for the 7870 video card since i am not an enthusiastic about the games and i don't play FPS games. Also i am not into video programming. 7870 also requires a different power supply than the one i have cause it has only 1 6x pin connector. The 7870 also gives out more heat ( 50% more than the 7850 ).
Also i am curious if all the 7850 models have the same basic functions as Eyeinfinity, ability to play HD and the others, since some of the models say this and some don't!

The other thing i need help with is the dual monitor thing.
At the moment i have an old SyncMaster 913N 19" LCD Samsung monitor and i want to buy one of those two monitors. I want to have the 913N to be for stuff like music shuffling, browsing, watching streams while i do my main stuff on the new monitor.
Is that a do-able thing? The fact that they will have very different resolutions will be a noticeable thing?

Also if you know something about the other components, why i shouldn't buy them, please tell me as any info is much appreciated!

Matei
 
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houldendub

houldendub

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The 7870 will give you more FPS compared to the 7850. Overclocked a little, the 7870 will be as fast as if not faster than a 7950, great value for money right there.

"i don't know if it is worth paying 30 dollars more for the 7870 video card since i am not an enthusiastic about the games and i don't play FPS games"

It won't just be faster in FPS games...

That motherboard will not work off the bat with that CPU. It needs what's called a BIOS flash update to allow it to run that processor, but you will need a different processor in order to do that. Look for a motherboard with the lettering "Z7x" (The x being another number) and you'll be OK. Also you won't be able to overclock with that processor should you want to, you will need the i5 3570k for that (the "k" indicates it's unlocked and you can overclock).

That power supply is horrendous, worst case scenario is that it will blow up in your face when you turn it on, not to say it isn't going to happen. Go for a more expensive and trusted name. If it doesn't cost much, there's a reason for it.

You'll notice the difference in resolution, but if you're only gaming on the newer monitor, it won't matter anyway. A friend of mine does exactly the same thing and has no problems whatsoever.
 
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happymatei

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Thank you for answering!
I don't overclock and i won't either in the future.
Where will the graphic card be faster in except the games? ( i don't do any video edits )

Thanks for the tip on the motherboard, much appreciated!

What is the cheapest power supply that is also decent and won't give me problems?
 
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houldendub

houldendub

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Nah, the graphics card will only really help you with games, unless you're doing hard compute tasks, which by the sounds of it you won't be doing anyway. It depends whether or not you think the extra $30 is worth it for that extra performance!

You could, for instance, put that extra $30 into a decent power supply. I seriously wouldn't recommend skimping on that, even if you don't need much power. One of my first PC builds had a £20 800w power supply, it blew up within a few months.

I'd recommend a Corsair power supply, all their stuff is good. Hell, anything with an "80 Plus Bronze" badge on it will be absolutely fine.
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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1. The 7870 would be better, but if possible try to stretch out for 7950 as it has 3GB VRAM which would be the best for Multiple monitors

2. WD Green is a very slow HDD. Better get a WD Caviar Blue or a Seagate Barracuda

3. Get any cheap board with adequate features. There is no point in getting a Z68 board for a non overclockable CPU. Also Z68 needs a BIOS update for the Ivy Bridge processors. Hence get a B75 or H77 board instead, since this CPU can't be overclocked. Even the MSI B75 MA 45 should be enough.

4. Do not skimp on the Power Supply. Getting a cheap lower quality Power Supply can result in damages to your computer components which is not good. Hence get at least a PSU from good companies like XFX, Seasonic, Corsair, Antec, PC&P, etc. But do not just buy any random cheap PSU.

The Corsair CX Series offer very good value for money.
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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Well.. I am not sure about that, but I have never heard much complaints about either the WD Blue or Seagate Barracuda.

But yeah if you are bear the slow speeds of the already slower HDDs when compared to SSD, then the green offers much more longetivity and is intended to keep data safe for long periods. But the WD Blue or the Seagate Barracuda would be much faster.
 
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happymatei

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Noted, i changed the hdd to seagate barracuda!

Thermaltake Smart SE 530W
Sirtec HPC-500-G12S BR, 500W, ATX 2.3
Cooler Master GX Lite, 700W

Are these any good?


I have found two promotions at a low price ( basically i save 50% doing this instead of buying 3350 + a motherboard ) :
Intel Core i5 3450 + h77 motherboard

Also a Gainward gtx 660 ti at the same price of the 7850 one!

Should i buy these 2 promotions?
 
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Sangeet Khatri

Sangeet Khatri

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For PSU, I haven't really heard about any of the PSU's. Prefer companies like XFX, Seasonic, Corsair, OCZ, PC&P, or the Cooler Master Silencer Series is also great. Antec High Current Gamer (or somewhat similar name.. I cannot remember it correctly) is also a very good quality PSU.

About the promotions. Yeah! Definitely. Get that CPU + Motherboard and a 660Ti. It would make a hell of a gaming rig. Definitely go for it.

The 660Ti is way better than a 7850. Definitely go for it. It is an amazing deal.
 
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