Gaming build help.

[bryce6622]

Hi I have been wanting to build a gaming pc for awhile now. After a couple of days I came up with this: http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/7hAt I have a couple questions. Firstly, do I need a cpu cooler or will the cooler that comes with the cpu do fine? Secondly, will this computer even work when I plug everything together? Will the cords all go in the right places? Thirdly, is there anything I could save money on without losing performance? Thanks !

 

[azeem40]

Use?

 

[bryce6622]

Well currently I want to be able to play minecraft while recording, but I will be playing diablo and guild wars when they come out.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Should be suffient for all of that. Don't need an aftermarket cooler if you don't plan to do more than a minor overclock (read up before you do it).

 

[bryce6622]

Should be suffient for all of that. Don't need an aftermarket cooler if you don't plan to do more than a minor overclock (read up before you do it).

So I picked good parts? Or are there other parts that good give me a " bigger bang for my buck " ?

 

[J_E_D_70]

Bout the only thing you could add would be an SSD. Either a 60GB-ish one to run in SRT with your HDD or a 120GB+ to load the OS and several games. SRT will be better than no SSD at all, and if it fails you don't lose your date since it's only a cache.

 

[andrewcarr]

There are a few changes I would make and adding an SSD isn't one of them (only helps load times not extra performance in games).

Firstly you can save a little money on the PSU you only need a 500w ( http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp ). These are all good PSU just some are modular and some aren't (my personal choice is the 550W fully modular OCZ but the other two are also good options with good reviews).
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/ocz-power-supply-oczzt550w
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/ocz-power-supply-ocz500mxsp
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-power-supply-hcg520

Second I would get an i5 Ivy Bridge they come out soon and are the same price, they perform a bit better and if it was my money I would want the increase in performance (although slight) for the same price. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ivy-bridge-benchmark-core-i7-3770k,3181.html

Third I would upgrade to a Z77 based motherboard to support the Ivy Bridge CPU. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/biostar-motherboard-tz77b

Fourth although the 560Ti is a strong GPU if you can spend $50 more you can get a 7850 which performs similar to the $300 570 but is only $250. If you don't mind overclocking the CPU I would get this http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/sapphire-video-card-112000020g if you don't want to overclock then this http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/sapphire-video-card-112000120g they are both the exact same card just the one is factory overclocked a bit.

If you don't plan on overclocking initially then you are fine with the stock CPU cooler but if you want to overclock at all you should get one (if you never plan on overclocking get a model with a locked multiplier and save some money). I would get one now so that you don't have to mess with it when the time comes. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

You don't need a HP CD/DVD drive any one will do, the cheaper the better in this case. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

The memory is fine but if you can find it for cheaper then get that, as long as it is a good brand too. I just personally like these ones better (mostly looks should perform the same)
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/mushkin-memory-996995
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/mushkin-memory-997005
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/corsair-memory-cmz8gx3m2a1600c9

Lastly the monitor, ASUS ones are very nice and I would look at them. This one is a great deal and is the same size as the one you had picked out. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-ve248h

 

[bryce6622]

There are a few changes I would make and adding an SSD isn't one of them (only helps load times not extra performance in games).

Firstly you can save a little money on the PSU you only need a 500w ( http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp ).

Second I would get an i5 Ivy Bridge they come out soon and are the same price, they perform a bit better and if it was my money I would want the increase in performance (although slight) for the same price. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ivy-bridge-benchmark-core-i7-3770k,3181.html

Third I would upgrade to a Z77 based motherboard to support the Ivy Bridge CPU. Fourth although the 560Ti is a strong GPU if you can spend $50 more you can get a 7850 which performs similar to the $300 570 but is only $250.

If you don't plan on overclocking initially then you are fine with the stock CPU cooler but if you want to overclock at all you should get one (if you never plan on overclocking get a model with a locked multiplier and save some money). I would get one now so that you don't have to mess with it when the time comes.

You don't need a HP CD/DVD drive any one will do, the cheaper the better in this case. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

The memory is fine but if you can find it for cheaper then get that, as long as it is a good brand too.

Lastly the monitor, ASUS ones are very nice and I would look at them. This one is a great deal and is the same size as the one you had picked out. http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-ve248h

Thanks for all the info! Do you know of any other nice monitors for a lower price? The one you suggested isnt on newegg or canadacomputer and thats where I am planning on buying from. Also I am willing to lower the screen size to 22" or 23" if you think it would save a good deal of money

 

[J_E_D_70]

For some of us, faster load times are important (may not be to the OP, but now he knows and gets to make a more informed decision). SSDs also speed up the general responsiveness and overall feel of a system. Never heard from anyone who went with an SSD come back and say, "Well, that sucked."

Agree with most everything else you said. Just getting tired of repeating myself about IB then getting dogpiled by the naysayers.

 

[andrewcarr]

By no means am I against SSD's but I would rather have a better GPU than a SSD. If you can afford to add it in by all means do, it will help, but just not as much as a GPU upgrade in games.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-review-benchmark,3139.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/solid-state-drive-work-tests,3064.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-rift-ssd,3062.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-upgrade-hdd-performance,3023.html

 

[andrewcarr]

Thanks for all the info! Do you know of any other nice monitors for a lower price? The one you suggested isnt on newegg or canadacomputer and thats where I am planning on buying from. Also I am willing to lower the screen size to 22" or 23" if you think it would save a good deal of money

Am I mistaken ore is Canada Computers the first choice?
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-ve248h

Oops my mistake didn't see the in store only.

How about one of there
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-vs247hp
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-vs238hp
http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/asus-monitor-vh238h

 

[bryce6622]

Best answer selected by Bryce6622.