Looking to Build Gaming PC around $700 built around HD 7970

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seymoorebutts

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Trying to play BF4 above 60FPS on High Settings, HD 7970 seems to do the trick from benchmark scores, 7970 I can get for around $250. Not sure as what to get for the rest of the parts
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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So, if I'm understanding you right, after the $250, you have $450 to spend? Tall order, but something like this would work:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.97 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($65.94 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.65 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 3000 USB 3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $473.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-06 22:00 EST-0500)

Couldn't guarantee 60fps though...that's tough on a $700 budget. This build would do well, though.
 
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PepitoTV

PepitoTV

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Here you go:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.75 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $695.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-06 22:00 EST-0500)

Do note that this build relies heavily on rebates so you have to pay more upfront.
 
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seymoorebutts

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What about Intel vs. AMD in terms of CPU performance? From what I've read, generally, it seems that most people prefer Intel processors over AMD.

 
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ACTechy

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Intel CPUs are generally more powerful on a per core basis. But it's hard to sneak an i5 in on that budget, that's why I went AMD (AMD gaming builds can hold there own as well).
 
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seymoorebutts

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Actually, should have stated this from the beginning to clarify my current state. I have had an xbox 360 for a long time now, and my father has had a PS3. I prefer the 360 because of the controllers: they just feel nicer in your hands. I've been looking into next-generation consoles for awhile now, and was originally going to purchase the xbox ONE. Although I know theoretically the PS4 should be more powerful, and is cheaper, I just can't get behind dualshocks. I figured that developers would not make cross-platform titles look better on one console than another, because it would isolate consumers and hurt sales, but lord-behold they managed to do it. I understand that inevitably developers will become accustomed to both architectures, and this shouldn't be a problem for future titles, but I hate dualshocks, and I'm tired of Microsoft's money-whore bullshit. I recently decided that I could build myself a decent gaming PC and use xbox ONE controllers when they are supported sometime in 2014 (hate keyboard and mouse, just not a fan, sorry.) I generally understand how GPU's and CPU's operate, but I am not quite as literate with compatibility between certain GPU's and CPU's, motherboards, memory, SSD and so forth.

Not worried about assembly, I have knowledgable friends who can help with that as well as a friend's father who has built several gaming PC beasts.
 
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johnnyb105

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If your wanting a Intel system you might wanna dig up a couple hundred extra bucks thats why intel is at a premium and better these guys above has given you about the best outright system possible in your budget. And thats great that they did so If your looking intel way add some more cash to the budget.

Also dont forget you need a OS IE- windows to run your system.
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Yeah, as mentioned, you don't usually get "beast" level builds with $700 total. Typically those builds are around $1000 and include an i5/i7 or higher level AMD (8350). That being said, I started putting my current build together around this time last year, and built it around an i5-3450 for about $650 (crappy graphics at the time though) after a TON of rebates (a pain in the butt, by the way). So if you wanna save dough this is the right time of year. Now through New Years, best deals of the year. If you want powerful, start with the CPU, get an i5 on sale and piece it together as things go on sale, if you know what you need.
 
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seymoorebutts

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Ok thanks a lot. Also, what do you guys recommend for a monitor? I know TN panels are the best with latency, but they don't do as well with picture quality and color accuracy. I was thinking a BenQ GW2450 VA panel. I'm looking to play for good picture, not enter gaming competitions. It has 4ms gtg which isn't terrible from what I understand, what are your thoughts on this panel?

P.S. I know it only has a refresh rate of 60hz, but I don't plan on going above 60fps really, and from reviews I've read ghosting hasn't been a problem from those who have
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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At $149, that's an excellent choice. 4ms is totally fine.
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Here would be a decent i5 build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.97 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.65 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($235.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $863.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-07 22:03 EST-0500)

That extra $150 is where the i5 K comes in. I just threw in a 7950 that you could overclock to get 7970 performance out of, and save a couple bucks. Just an idea.
 
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seymoorebutts

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What areas are safest to skimp on for buying PC parts? How important are the other parts (motherboard, memory, power supply, etc). And also what about choosing between windows 7 or 8? From what I've read 8 can utilize directx 11.2, or should I not really worry about this?
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Safe areas to skimp: optical drive, and case (in most cases ;)). I would not skimp on psu or mobo, too essential and too much ability to screw the whole rig if they die.

Win 7 is cheapest, so that's what I put it in there.
 
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seymoorebutts

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Ok thanks, and what about RAM? What are the differences between DDR3 and DDR5, and what would you recommend? Sorry for all the questions, I just wanna become a little more informed about this stuff before I go and spend around $700-800 dollars haha
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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No prob.

DDR3 is system memory, GDDR5 is graphics memory, so they're not interchangeable. There are, however, different speeds of DDR3: 1333, 1600, etc etc. Higher memory speeds, in almost every usage scenario, don't make a bit of difference in your computer's performance, and are usually terrible on the price/performance ratio.

So I'd stick with 1333MHz or 1600MHz, whatever you can get at a good price.
 
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seymoorebutts

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Ok cool, and I saw your change in processors. What are the differences between the first one you picked and your revised option? I know the revised one can be overclocked, but what is the Intel Turbo function for speed?
 
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ACTechy

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Turbo Boost basically allows the processor "to run faster than the base operating frequency if it's operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits." (i.e. it gives you a boost in speed when it's not being pushed very hard)

If you're looking for performance, an overclocked i5 is the way to go, especially if you don't wanna shell out the cash for an i7. I know ASRock has a one-click overclock BIOS setting that's pretty handy for people who don't want to mess with BIOS settings but still want the max out of their processor (K series or not).
 
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sora

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This, unless you're a gaming 'professional' you'd even be fine with 6-8ms response!
 
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seymoorebutts

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Ok the overclock for the i5 3570K sounds like the way to go, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. I understand the concept of overclocking and what it does, but I don't know the steps that are involved in the process. Bear in mind that I am trying to come over from consoles hahaha, hopefully I will be up to par with all this eventually.
 
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ACTechy

ACTechy

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Overclocking guides are quite plenteous around the webs. Here's an example from here at Tom's: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide
If you search youtube for "how to overclock i5-3570K you will get loads of quality videos that will walk you through it.
 
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