Prospective Build, Will it work and can I make it better?

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Anthony OBrien

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Oct 11, 2013
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So let's start with the build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($153.61 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($214.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($167.56 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($419.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair C70 Gunmetal Black (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1418.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-17 14:29 EDT-0400)

Now a couple of issues with this actual list, first, it's in USD but I'm in the UK so I will be using GBP, this build from reliable places I can purchase the parts comes to £1021.15
Second, I can't buy from a lot of these websites, and even if I could the shipping would be very expensive.

So, what do you think of the build? Is it viable, can I make it better? My budget is about £1000 but I can go a bit over, I need everything on this list (Actually it has just occurred to me I need an optical drive)

As far as the graphics card goes I was thinking about the GTX 770 as it is a similar price, or I was thinking about saving a bit extra and getting the HD7970 Ghz or the GTX 780, opinions?

One thing that I am thinking about is the actual visuals of the build, I would love to go White/Blue, now I have seen some nice white cases, such as the Corsair Vengeance C70 white and the NZXT Phantom in White (There is a white/blue edition as well I think) but that mother board is black with red highlights, can anyone recommend a board that is Blue or at least has Blue highlights instead of the red?

Well that was a long post, so I would like to say thank you if you managed to get through that monstrosity and apologise for any and all spelling errors.
 
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TBC1

TBC1

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Sep 2, 2013
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1. Build looks ok overall. Would get a samsung ssd (120gb is only £95), swap out he mobo you have for an Asus z87-a (it's cheaper but still a nice board), get 2x4 on the ram (16 is overkill) and get a 700 watt psu.

2. As for the gpu I'd get a 280x (re-branded 7970 but around 5-8% faster).

3. Here's a great case (white/blue) - http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-vp300a6w2n

4. There is a pcpartpicker.uk if you didn't know.

Hope some of this helps!
 
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workedog

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Oct 17, 2013
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I agree about the ram, as OP can always buy another 2 sticks if he ends up needing them and it will make little difference on price. Also agree that the 280X is a better option than the 7970.

However, the Z87A is an intel 1150 motherboard, which won't work. Also, this system will consume less than 500W at stock clock speeds and OP picked a quality 650W power supply so it should be more than enough for any overclocking he plans to do. If xFire is a possibility then I would recommend 800W at a minimum
 
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TBC1

TBC1

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The asus z87-a is completely compatible with 4th gen cpu's.
 
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workedog

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Oct 17, 2013
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You should quit while you're ahead. It is compatible with Intel 4th gen CPUs using an LGA 1150 socket. OP wants to buy an AMD processor which has an AM3+ socket. They are not compatible in the slightest.
 
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Anthony OBrien

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Oct 11, 2013
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1. as mentioned by workedog the z87 is Intel so wouldn't work with this, though the gold is better than the red, less of a contrast to the blue, more of a highlight (in my opinion)

2. If I was gonna get the 280x why not go that bit further and get the GTX770 if I can save a bit on other components?

3. that is a pretty nice case, and it goes with the white/blue nicely

4. Now I do and it's very useful :D



I don't intend to xFire, but if I ever do I can get a new PSU and give this one to my dad (He upgrades very slowly), also I only intend to Overclock it very slightly, that is if I do it at all as I have never done it before and am not to sure if I want to take the risk as I know I could blow it up.

As for the ram, with the amount of things I run on my pc at once, including but not limited to: Chrome with a few million tabs, Photoshop, Sony Vegas, A game, Fraps, OBS, any combination of these, and maybe more, so I felt that the bit of extra ram would be useful, what do you think?
 
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workedog

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With an SSD your page file will be so fast you'll hardly notice the difference with the usage you mentioned. I would say go for 8gb first and if it's not enough just buy the rest, you'll likely save $80 that way and it'll only cost $10 extra to buy it individually.

If you don't intend to xfire get this motherboard or something similar. It only has one x16 lane (and an x4 lane for a raid controller or something if you want) and you can still overclock it.
As for the 770, it's not a huge improvement over the 280x, at least not for the amount you'll have to pay. With the money you could save on that motherboard and ram you'd open up room in your budget for a 780 or 290x, which would both be incredible performers.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($109.97 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($87.32 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($128.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($638.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair C70 Gunmetal Black (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1448.20
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-17 17:01 EDT-0400)
 
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Anthony OBrien

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Oct 11, 2013
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So based on the information you have given plus some research, what do you think of this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£107.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£23.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£71.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£56.97 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (£73.99 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card (£527.74 @ Scan.co.uk)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case (£71.17 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£98.95 @ Aria PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£67.19 @ Aria PC)
Total: £1099.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-17 22:23 BST+0100)

The price is nice, plus that 780 makes me happy, a blue motherboard, so I can get basically everything in blue, plus the case. Only thing bugging me is the OEM of Windows 7, I'm looking it up, and how do I go about installing it? Does it come with a disc or is it just a code and I need something else?
 
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workedog

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Oct 17, 2013
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That's a nice looking build, much better than my own. OC the CPU up to 4 ghz and you'll have a lightning-quick gaming rig.

Windows is a DVD, so if you can borrow a disk drive from a friend it would save you from having to buy one. The license key is all that matters though, so if you can get the .iso on a USB you could try installing it that way. It will be harder to make this work though.

Also, here's a sweet blue CPU cooler that would really round out your build: Phantek Blue.
 
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