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TheStrongKey

TheStrongKey

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
19
0
10,510
Hello everyone!

I'm currently interested in building my first computer for the purpose of gaming and general use.
I haven't set forth a budget yet as I don't know what is considered 'enough' ($800.00, $1200.00?).

Approximate Purchase Date: Next month (January 2014)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Multimedia, and General use.

Are you buying a monitor: Not necessarily, I currently have a 1600X900 monitor that gets the job done just fine, but if a 1920X1080 monitor could be recommended outside of the builds total price I would appreciate it.

Parts to Upgrade: None. This a new build from primarily all new parts.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes I will need to buy Windows
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I'll be getting everything that I can from my local MicroCenter including the CPU/MB and the majority of the other components ideally.
Amazon and Newegg are websites that I am comfortable doing business with.

Location: Maryland, USA

Parts Preferences: Intel - I've heard that AMD is 'leaving' the high-performance CPU arena and focusing on their APU's and GPU's more. The prices are pretty much the same between the two at my local microcenter either way.

Overclocking: In the future, yes. In the immediate, no.

SLI or Crossfire: In the future, yes.

Your Monitor Resolution: At the moment, I have a 1600X900 monitor.

Additional Comments: I prefer functionality over aesthetics. But both are welcome.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:

I'm currently rocking a Dell Vostro 260:
i3 2120 @3.3Ghz
Radeon HD5450 (Woot Woot! 'Feel the powa!')
6GB RAM @1333Mhz

This computer performs well for medium use, step into gaming and this puppy needs a new GPU and PSU in order to make the experience anything close to enjoyable.

So I figured, instead of buying a new GPU and PSU, why not just build a beast that would obliterate the ol' Dell...

If a good budget could be recommended that yields the most performance for the $Dollar$, I would very much appreciate it.

I aim to play both old and brand new games maxed out graphically speaking, so I assume the 'budget' will show that.

Thanks for any response!

Regards,
TheStrongKey
 
Solution
smorizio
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.48 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)...
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smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
30,984
9
125,315
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2msJq/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.48 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 850W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1260.33
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 18:34 EST-0500)
 
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Solution
TheStrongKey

TheStrongKey

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
19
0
10,510



Looks pretty darn good!

Anybody have any other recommendations? Just to see if there are other possible builds that might be considered better.

I like this build alot though!
 
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J

Jameson Clark

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
1,531
0
12,460
I'll just leave my build here

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2n2Uk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2n2Uk/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2n2Uk/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($154.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ Dell Small Business)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($334.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($87.55 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Fortress 750W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1310.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 21:18 EST-0500)
 
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MDXX

MDXX

Distinguished
Jan 17, 2011
1,405
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19,360
Of course if someone gives you an intel build i have "other recommendations!" If you want cheaper than this you can slash of the SSD, And go for a tad Cheaper MOBO

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($198.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($132.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.97 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($334.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($87.55 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1190.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 21:18 EST-0500)
 
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TheStrongKey

TheStrongKey

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
19
0
10,510


The only thing that scares me with AMD is that they have mentioned that they are for the moment leaving the high performance CPU 'arena' and focusing more on their APU's.

Whether or not that's completely true is beyond me, but I figured why not go Intel since the price between the two are $10 or so at my local Microcenter and the single threaded performance is better which means alot to me as I play some semi older games like Fallout 3 and TES IV Oblivion ect.

With AMD, I've also heard that the AM3 platform is 'dying' and is in need of successor.
I've never used any of AMD's performance CPU's, but I'm afraid to give them a try with all that I hear about them.

Quick question regarding the GTX 770, how well does this card fare in most old and modern titles?

Thanks,
TheStrongKey

 
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TheStrongKey

TheStrongKey

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
19
0
10,510


So, you recommend Ivy bridge over Haswell?

Are there any differences regarding Ivy Bridge and Haswell?
I've heard that Haswell CPU's run hotter than the previous gen, and that performance increases were around 10%.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
TheStrongKey
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

Judicious
Ambassador
Aug 18, 2013
9,961
0
33,960
Here's what I would go with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($68.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.48 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman ZM-Z9 U3 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1178.35
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-19 22:10 EST-0500)

Should play modern game around ultra settings. For this kind of budget intel is the way to go.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

Judicious
Ambassador
Aug 18, 2013
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They are pretty much equal, but is debatable that Haswell is a little bit faster when not overclocked.
 
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J

Jameson Clark

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
1,531
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12,460


I have not used both so my reasoning is based on what I have read. It seems like haswell is around 5-10% faster per thread but ivy tends to be better at overclocking so you can make up some of or all of that difference so they seem about equal for performance. Some people point out that the haswell mobos have some more features over ivy but I don't need the few extra sata and USB etc. Also price point matters, I got the 3570k for 190 and I saw that micro center had it for 140 for a while, unfortunately I don't live anywhere near one. So price was the biggest deciding factor for me.
 
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MDXX

MDXX

Distinguished
Jan 17, 2011
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Why does that scare you? APU have great potential. I cant wait for next year to see what AMD does for the APU side of things

 
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TheStrongKey

TheStrongKey

Honorable
Aug 13, 2013
19
0
10,510


I was personally hoping AMD would stay in the High-performance CPU market, but it seems that the APU's are their new priority.

I have hopes that the APU will suceed, but I don't see it becoming a high performance CPU like the FX lineup and performing well enough to consider over the Intel rig(s).

I hope AMD ups the ante and makes a huge comeback with Steamroller, but for now I fell more secure using a Intel platform over AMD.

 
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MDXX

MDXX

Distinguished
Jan 17, 2011
1,405
0
19,360


Right on mate. Your $ not mine :p

 
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