How's My Hardware List? (first build attempt ever)

ThunderBird18 · Oct 19, 2013

I have never built a computer before, but after a lot of shopping, I've come to the conclusion that building my own gaming rig gives me maximum flexibility and cost dispersion over time. So I did some research and came up with what I think is a healthy parts list. Since this is my first foray into the world of PC-building, I'd like some insight from those of you who've been around the block a few times.

First, let me tell you what I'd like to use it for. I enjoy FPS and RTS games, but I wouldn't consider myself a true gamer. The most demanding game I like to play is probably Skyrim. My definition of success is if I can run Skyrim on Ultra with an ENB mod or two and no lag whatsoever. But I'd also like to design for future expansion. With those things in mind, I'd like to hear whether my setup choices are 1) too wimpy, 2) overkill, or 3) just right for my current performance goal and future expansion capability. Am I missing anything? Or are there better parts for the money within my budget ($1.1K)? Any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated.

CPU: Intel i5-3570K (I plan on overclocking > 4.5 GHz)
Amazon: Intel i5-3570K

Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO
Amazon: Asus P8Z77-V PRO

GFX Card: GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB
Amazon: GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB

Case: HAF 932 Blue
NewEgg: HAF 392 Blue

Power Supply: Corsair TX650
NewEgg: Corsair TX650

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz
Amazon: Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz (x2)

Solid State Drive: Adata XPG SX900 64GB (OS and a few programs)
Amazon: Adata XPG SX900 64GB

HDD: WD Blue 1 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s (for file storage and most programs)
Amazon: WD Blue 1 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s

CD/DVD Drive: Asus 24x DVD Burner
Amazon: Asus 24x Optical Drive

I'm not sure if I'll need a sound card immediately, but if so:

Sound Card: Asus Xonar 7.1
Amazon: Asus Xonar 7.1

I already have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers; but other than those items (and a copy of Windows 7 64-bit), this list is meant to be exhaustive. As I said, I've never done this before, so feel free to make fun of me if I forgot something basic.

One nagging question I do have...if I'm going to be seriously overclocking, do I need more cooling capability than just the stock CPU fan?

So will I be able to accomplish my objective with this system? Or will I have bottlenecks? Did I forget anything?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice!

AMD Radeon · Oct 19, 2013

get new gen haswell cpu

i5 4670K
asrock Z87 extreme 4

and buy A KIT of 2x 4GB, not separate 4GB bought twice

and you dont need any sound card
on board soundcard is very good

here is what you get for under $1000

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.48 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($303.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $976.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-19 01:05 EDT-0400)

leaves room for OS price

good luck

Tradesman1 · Oct 19, 2013

Yes on the cooling, take a look at the Hyper 212 EVO, about $30, have my 3570K running 4.7 with one - keeps it nice and cool

PepitoTV · Oct 19, 2013

Here's my take

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1QwnA
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1QwnA/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1QwnA/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.48 @ Outlet PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($305.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1066.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-19 01:12 EDT-0400)

ThunderBird18 · Oct 19, 2013

Thanks for the input and suggestions! Back to my original performance goal...will any of these systems meet my success criterion, i.e. running Skyrim or another semi-modern game at Ultra on 1080p with 40+ FPS? I've never owned our built a high-performance PC, so I simply don't know what good gaming specs look like.

PepitoTV · Oct 19, 2013

Yes, the R9 280X will be able to max out Skyrim @1080p and even higher, take a look at these benchmarks of the 7970 (which the 280X is based on) to give you a very good idea of how it will perform:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-10.html

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How's My Hardware List? (first build attempt ever)

ThunderBird18

Honorable

PepitoTV

AMD Radeon

Judicious

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum

PepitoTV

Honorable

ThunderBird18

Honorable

PepitoTV

Honorable

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